Vegetarianism has existed as long as humankind and has been advocated by many famous people. People choose to be vegetarians for various reasons, including the following:

1. To avoid killing animals - either killing them one-self or killing by others. Some people, who have a strong affection for other animals and feel a certain biological and spiritual kinship with them, object to killing them for food.

2. To contribute to the more efficient utilization of world protein supplies. It takes approximately 10 pounds of livestock feed, usually corn or soybeans, to produce 1 pound of meat. Obviously the 10 pounds of corn or soybeans could feed more people than 1 pound of meat can. With the population of the earth doubling about every 30 years, some people feel a moral obligation to avoid over consuming food resources in the hope that ways will be found to distribute the world food supply more equitably.

3. To live longer and healthier lives. In many cases, health benefits results from a combination of vegetarianism and non-dietary lifestyle factors. Vegetarians, in comparison to non-vegetarians, tend to be leaner, to exercise more, to not smoke cigarettes, and to not abuse alcohol. Vegetarians have a reduced risk for heart and blood vessel disease and for colorectal cancer because of a reduced intake of cholesterol and animal fat. Their increased fiber intake also contributes to the reduced colorectal cancer risk.

There are three kinds of vegetarian diets: strict or veganism, which excludes all animal products including milk, cheeses, eggs, and other dairy products; lacto-vegetarianism, which excludes meat, poultry, fish, and eggs, but includes dairy products; and lacto-ovo-vegetarianism, which excludes meats, poultry, and seafood, but includes eggs, and dairy products.

Properly planned vegetarian diets can meet the body's nutritional needs, especially by combining sources of protein to assure adequate intake of the essential amino acids. Vegans may need vitamin B12 (cobalamin supplements).

Source from : Health and Wellness. Edlin, Golanty, Brown

© July 2005 by AfroStaff