The Full Picture of Vegetarianism
- The Core Issue
- Feb 11, 2024
- 4 min read
The average American consumes over 200 pounds of meat per year, so it is not surprising that in many places throughout the country, vegetarianism is a foreign concept. According to Cook Unity, only about 22% of people worldwide practice vegetarianism, and only around 5% of those people are found in the United States. Because many of the states with the highest vegetarian populations are found towards the west, vegetarianism is not commonly discussed or as well known in the Midwest. What are the benefits, drawbacks, and things to consider about embracing a vegetarian lifestyle?
Why be A Vegetarian: the Benefits
Live Your Healthiest Life
A healthy diet looks different for every person, and it is important to consider your own individual circumstances before following dietary restrictions. That said, vegetarianism can come with notable health benefits. While research into the health benefits of a vegetarian diet is relatively new, the benefits generally include:
Lowered risk for heart disease; up to 25%
Potentially decreased possibility of developing cancer; cutting out red meat eliminates a specific risk factor for colon cancer
Significantly lowers the risk for Type 2 diabetes; cuts the risk factor nearly in half
Be a friend to the Planet
Raising animals for food produces greenhouse gases on a level comparable to or even above the greenhouse gases produced by every car on the planet. The meat industry is also responsible for large amounts of polluted water and air, as well as consumption of nonrenewable resources. Vegetarianism is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, even if you do not fully cut meat out of your diet.
Live Ethically
Besides the environmental issues, the meat industry has a lot of ethical issues; most corporations are more concerned with profit than animal wellbeing. Factory farming, accounting for 99% of meat production in the US, forces animals to live in abysmal conditions. As a devout vegetarian, my biggest motivator was and is the wellbeing of animals; I aim to extend my compassion to every living creature, and I want to live a life that doesn’t inflict any unnecessary suffering on anyone or anything. I recognize that vegetarianism is not obtainable for everyone for various reasons, from financial barriers to health considerations to personal preference. But if you are in the position to, I highly encourage you to consider adopting vegetarianism.
Why Vegetarianism is Not for Everyone: The Barriers
Health Risks
Like with any specialized diet, vegetarianism will not be the healthiest option for everyone. As previously discussed, there are health benefits but there can also be drawbacks. The risks can be mitigated by consulting a dietician and making proper replacements for meat. Because vegetarian diets vary from person to person, it is impossible to identify any definite side-effects, but vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can be an issue. Iron deficiency is especially common, because iron is much easier to get from meat products and is less absorbable from plant sources.
Financial and Geographical Barriers
There is much discourse around whether following a vegetarian diet is more or less expensive, but popular meat alternatives tend to be costly. In the past several years, many popular chain restaurants have begun offering vegetarian alternatives, such as Burger King’s plant-based burger. Despite availability, it is more expensive, and that is usually the case for most vegetarian options, if they’re offered at all. As previously discussed, vegetarianism is more popular towards the Western US, and there tends to be far more options available for people residing there. This makes it more difficult for people, say, in the Midwest, to be vegetarian.
Cultural Reasons
Meat is important to many cultures and religious backgrounds; preparing and consuming dishes containing meat can be a way to keep traditions alive. Of course, it also goes the other way, as there are cultures that do not regularly consume meat. In India, for example, roughly 40% of people are vegetarian, eight times as many as found in the US. Still, because of the importance of meat in many places, vegetarianism can be a barrier when it comes to cultural immersion.
How to Go About It: Tips and Tricks
Supplement your Diet
Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies can be an issue for vegetarians even if you are careful about your diet. With a combination of vitamins and a healthy, nutrient rich diet, potential health issues can be mitigated. For example, iron, which the body needs to help oxygenate the blood, is more difficult to get from plant sources, but it can be consumed easily in pill form, reducing and often completely eliminating any health effects.
Look Into Meat Replacements
Meat accounts for a large amount of protein intake. Reduced protein intake can be a worry for those considering vegetarianism, especially for athletes. But protein can be consumed easily from popular non-meat sources, such as:
Seeds and Beans
Lentils
Chickpeas
Edamame
Almonds
Oats
Many meat alternatives
Tofu
Soy
Eggs
You do not have to go all the way!
If you are considering vegetarianism, whether it be because of environmental or ethical concerns, health reasons, or something else, you can still reap the benefits without completely cutting meat from your diet. Young children and women are more at risk for experiencing nutritional deficiencies from a full vegetarian diet, but they can benefit from reducing their red meat intake to once or twice a week. Also, cutting back your meat intake slightly reduces your carbon emissions and is good for the planet. Hopefully, you will consider all this information and make an informed choice that is best for yourself and the planet.
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