Should You Turn a Vegetarian, Finally?

Often we are caught in a debate where there are people talking simply against the consumption of non-veg eatables, while others strictly believe that all kinds of food are meant to be consumed, be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian. The food debate seems to have never reached any conclusion.

Fact remains, India is one place on earth which homes largest number of staunch vegetarians and hence the land itself poises as a big advocate of vegetarianism. Scientists and diet experts have also given a number of reasons for a simple diet consisting mainly of vegetarian varieties.

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There are several reasons why people might decide to choose a vegetarian diet. They might do it because they don’t feel right about consuming other animals, as a means of losing weight, to feel better, or simply out of curiosity.

Fact is that in comparison to meat eaters, people eating vegetables appear to be fit and shapely. Fatty non-veg food is often blamed for obesity. Studies also suggest that vegetarians have a life span that is extended by at least seven years over that of the non-vegetarians. Extra years to life, perk worth going veg.

Some people in India are strict believers of the fact that meat eating should be considerably restricted for good health and propriety. The reason is that they believe that animals have full right to live their life to the fullest. There are number of animals on the earth that are on the verge of extinction just because of their being hunted and consumed by human beings. 

For Earth’s sake

Non vegetarian diet also has its impact on global warming, according to climate experts. Meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases, which put enormous pressure on the world environment. Farmed ruminant animals, such as sheep and cattle, are believed to be responsible for nearly a fourth of "man-made" methane emissions worldwide. People should seriously consider turning vegetarian to help reduce global carbon emissions.

Lord Stern of Brentford, former adviser to the UK government on the economics of climate change, says, “People will have to consider turning vegetarian to help reduce global carbon emissions. Meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases. It puts enormous pressure on the world's resources. A vegetarian diet is better".

A person who opts to become vegetarian must keep in mind that the turnaround brings along a challenge.  Challenge of eating well and feeding the body properly so as to grow up healthfully and to thrive without the intake of some important nutrients that were earlier supplied to the body by meat products. A responsible vegetarian is a healthy, flexible and balanced eater, and should be just as willing to take care of his own body as to stand up and show caring and responsibility for the animals that he may be protecting.

Turn Vegetarian, a smart one

Meat contains more proteins per portion than any other food.  To become vegetarian means to be aware of the need to consume enough proteins. Proteins are the building blocks of all the cells of our body.  Without proteins, the body stops regenerating and repairing the damages it normally incurs.

No that isn’t reason enough to defer the going veg idea.

To prevent any deficiency, resulting in disease, anyone who wants to become vegetarian, all he needs to do is have a carefully balanced diet and ensure that he gets everything needed to stay healthy.

It is quite feasible to provide your body with the necessary protein on a daily basis by including nuts, beans, soy products and whole grains in your diet on a regular basis.

Don’t over-look meat substitutes like crumpled soy or soy burgers. They are loaded with protein. They can be added to pretty much any kind of vegetarian casserole, vegetarian pizza of lasagna you cook and serve.

Any time you make a salad add in chick peas, kidney beans, lentils, or any other beans you can think of. All of them are high in protein and can really add a great texture and flavor to soups or salads. Experiment with them all until you find the ones you enjoy the most.

Don’t forget that all those breads and cereals you eat also add to your daily amount of protein but “do not” supply enough just on their own.

A big mistake many vegetarians make is to compensate meat by carbohydrates.  Eating too sweet, too salty, or too fat will bring its lot of degenerative diseases.

The biggest challenge for a vegetarian is the lack of vitamin B12 and D in non-animal products.  Our bodies do produce some but very little (Vitamin-D is produced by cholesterol when we are exposed to sun). These vitamins are mostly found in animal products.  Vegetarians are expected to take supplements to compensate.

Women should be especially careful about the loss of iron as they are more susceptible to an iron deficiency.

Green adds pace

It’s a myth that to have an active sporty body one needs to have non-vegetarian food. Very few people realize just how many famous and world class athletes were on vegetarian diets at the height of their success. For many like Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King it extended their amazing careers many, many years.

It was when Martina Navratilova was on the Dr. Robert Haas “Eat To Win” diet that she was beating women tennis pros half her age and was at the top of her game.

Edwin Moses was the world’s premier 400-meter hurdle champion and he was not beat for 8 years in his event and he attributed much of his success to his vegetarian diet.

Other incredible vegetarian athletes include Carl Lewis who won 9 gold medals and Leroy Burrell who took turns claiming the title of “fastest man in the world.”

In the ranks of major league sports there is no shortage of athlete vegetarians who were at the top of their game. Hank Aaron, Jim Katt and Major league manager Tony Larussa were all vegetarians.

If you have reasons aplenty to turn vegetarian, what’s holding you back?