The Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
Chronic diseases kill two Americans every minute. Almost ten years ago the Surgeon General issued a warning stating that most of the diseases that plague our people are directly related to the foods that they consume. It should come as no surprise that over 1 million new cases of cancer are reported every year. Still, it seems as though Americans have still not made the connection that the foods they eat may be the reason for certain illnesses that afflict them.
Meat has played an important role in American meals for centuries. Meat is associated with the holidays we celebrate (Christmas – ham, Thanksgiving – turkey, 4th of July – hamburgers and hotdogs) and is very much a staple in most pre-made meals, including fast food and frozen meals. Equipped with the proof of modern science and the findings from numerous studies, animal support groups and health conscious Americans have attempted to bring a better awareness to the benefits of a vegetarian diet.
Ideally, people should replace the majority of the meat and dairy in their diets with fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains. Numerous diseases can be prevented as well as improved if a person eats a healthier balance of these kinds of foods. Plants contain antioxidants and fiber, are low in calories, sugar, and fat, and deliver a wide array of vitamins to our bodies. A vegetarian diet is without a doubt the healthiest way a person can intake food.
If more people consumed plant-only diets, our planet would also benefit as well as our bodies, which is contrary to the belief that we would lose too much plant life. Saving our environment does not mean that the only way to impact our earth is by recycling. A lot of people are uninformed as to how much waste animals produce, and the resources they require to be maintained until they are killed for meat. The flatulence of cows and other farm animals is harmful to our air, and the excessive waste that farms produce is damaging to the earth’s water supply. Mad cow disease, salmonella, and e coli are food borne illnesses that affect farm animals, and then the humans or other animals that consume their meat. This bacteria is not healthy to our planet or the bodies that occupy it.
Thankfully, research presents new facts; nearly half of all Americans are now eating less meat in their diets. Meat substitutes have become a more popular food option, even among non-vegetarians. If people are more informed on the food decisions they make, our people and our earth could become significantly healthier.