What Are the Benefits and Disadvantages of Being a Vegetarian?

What is a vegetarian?

There are roughly three types of vegetarian.

Vegans or strict vegetarians exclude all animal products (e.g. meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, and other dairy products). Many vegans also do not eat honey.

Lactovegetarians exclude meat, poultry, fish, and eggs but include dairy products.

Lacto-ovovegetarians exclude meat, poultry, and fish but include dairy products and eggs. Most vegetarians in the US are lacto-ovovegetarians.

My story:

In 2002 I “converted” to a full blood vegetarian. I did live like most other teenagers back then; loads of junk food, pizzas and cola.

One of my good friends and I made a bet after a discussion one night, about meat. We agreed that I should be a vegetarian for one month. I completed that one month, and after that another and another. I was sold.

Its almost six years ago I started my new life, and boy, do I recommend vegetarianism to others. It’s probably the best choice I had ever made. But enough said about me… Read more

Great Reasons for Being a Vegetarian

Great Reasons VegetarianWhile making the decision to become a vegetarian is a personal choice and can be done for physical, mental, or spiritual reasons, here are some great reasons that can make the decision to become a vegetarian easier.

Many vegetarians choose this lifestyle for ethical reasons. They are animal lovers and do not want to take any part in harming a living creature. When a person chooses not to buy and eat meat products, they are sending out a message to the corporations that operate “factory farms”, that they will not support inhumane treatment of animals. When animals are slaughtered, it is violent and usually done by hanging the animal upside down and slitting its throat. Animals contained on these so-called “farms” are also enclosed in cramped quarters where they cannot move and have no access to fresh water and sunshine. Many of these unfortunate creatures die either in cages or on their way to be slaughtered. When you learn of these things, you realize that by not eating meat, it is a small sacrifice compared to what the poor animal must endure.

A plant-based diet is also wonderful for health reasons. Acne can clear up and be replaced by glowing skin. You will be more fit and trim compared to someone that eats meat. There are few, if any, obese vegetarians. Coronary disease risk is cut almost in half. The risk of diabetes is reduced. Type II diabetes is a serious, growing problem among adults and youth in the United States. Read more

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