Why become vegetarian, and give up yummy steaks and delicious bacon? There are lots of reasons, and most of them are related to health: your health, the Earth’s health, even the health of your food budget. I’m not a militant or “pushy” vegetarian, but I have to say, I’m always eager to tell people how much money I save by not eating meat, and how marvelous it feels to know my heart’s a little healthier, too. Here are 7 reasons why you should consider becoming a vegetarian.
1 It’s Animal-friendly
Without even glancing at the PETA website, I’m sure you already know this: following a meatless diet usually also means following a cruelty-free diet. If you’re an animal lover and advocate, then this is an excellent reason why you might become vegetarian.
2 It’s Earth-friendly
Did you know that raising cows, pigs, and chicken uses far more water, and causes far more pollution, than raising fruits, grains, and vegetables? If you’re concerned about the environment, then research just how much pollution (ground water and air pollution) is causes annual by just one feed lot. You’ll be shocked. I was!
Many of the fats found in meats are dreadful for the human coronary system. Following a vegetarian diet has long been known to help prevent heart disease. If you’re not ready to take the meat-less plunge just yet, you can still reap some of the heart health benefits by limiting meat to a couple of times a week.
4 It’s Better for Your Body, in General
Aside from the negative impact on your heart, did you know that eating a meat-rich diet can also cause digestive and other health problems?
5 It’s Cheaper
Take a peek at your last grocery receipt and you’ll notice that meats, especially processed meats, are pricey! Granted, so is fresh produce, especially if it’s out of season, but a vegetarian’s grocery bill is bound to be a lot less, overall, than a meat-eater’s. True story.
6 It Can Help You Look Better
Want clear skin, a healthy glow, shiny hair, and a slimmer waistline? All of these “looks-related” benefits can also be yours if you follow a vegetarian diet. For example, look at Natalie Portman. Need I say more?
7 It’s Fun to Be Smug
Let’s face it: it’s fun to be smart and smug. When your friends complain about heartburn, constipation, dull skin and hair, or weight gain, you can kindly suggest switching to a full-fledged (or “beginner’s”) vegetarian diet, or, just bask in the glow of knowing something everyone else doesn’t.
So again, I ask: why become vegetarian? At least now you know some of the reasons why you might want to at least try it, or think about it, right? And I didn’t even show you horrible pictures of suffering animals or drought-stricken lands to make my points (I have when PETA does that!). Which of these reasons surprised you? Which do you think might make you try it? Do tell!
katiekat I am vegetarian and I feel the same as I did when I ate meat except guilt free. I think those unhealthy looking vegs you were talking about are only like that bc they don\'t get enough of the vitamins you need when being veg and also they may be eating more gmo foods like tofu and soy which could be a cause
Anonymous I love being a vegetarian, I feel like I'm doing the right thing not eating meat. I know the animals would be grateful for it too. I'm quite a newbie ( Only 12 ) but I feel this way of life is here to stay.
Sara Just skipping meat is not cruelfree, animals are mistreated and killed in the egg and dairyindustry too...
Denise Hi Sara. Sadly, it's true what you say.... There are farms in the poultry and dairy industry that mistreat the animals. But for those who don't want to stop eating egg or including dairy in their daily meals, then they can always buy from cruelty-farms (not really sure about the term here). Thank you for joining the discussion!
pz A lot of your reasons are better suited for supporting a vegan diet. Such as the one about raising animals. If you want eggs and dairy, they still need to be raised.
Jessica I would die if I don't eat red meat, like one of the previous posters said, I to have Iron Deficient Anemia. I wasn't a big meat eater, and what meat I did have was usually chicken on/in something. I was feeling very sick, lethargic and my hair was falling out, so I went to my doc. I was quickly diagnosed with iron deficiency and small red blood cells. I started taking iron supplements but didn't change my diet. Month went by and I still felt horrible, went for blood tests and my iron deficiency had turned into full blown anemia. Turns out, the iron in supplements and plant sources is very hard for your body to utilize without heme iron which is the source that comes from red meat. You literally NEED red meat to digest iron, or extreme amounts of vitamin c. Sure I could continue to not eat much red meat, and add a ton of vitamins to my diet...but why? Why when evolutionary speaking we are MADE to eat red meat. Our bodies rely on the vitamins and iron from it as we evolved eating it. I love animals, but I also really like having energy to move and go for hikes with my boyfriend. So if you are vegetarian for love of animals, that is fine....but its going a bit far to say overall it is healthier and better for you.
Dana One word...Spirulina. 60% protein. Used by the Aztecs. Absorbs WAY quicker than a steak! Our bodies do not need meat. Best documentary I ever watched was called "Food Matters" and a raw diet was discussed.
Denise Thank you for the tip, Dana!
Roz Eating meat saved my life! Look, I understand you're completely behind the going vegan thing and all, but as a responsible woman I cannot be silent about this. For months I struggled to keep up with my husband at the grocery store, just making dinner was a chore. I thought it had to do with the fact that I have MS. I was wrong. We're women here so I can just come out and say this...my periods have gotten so bad that I cannot leave the house for up to 5 days. Why? Cramping? No. Try having to change your pad at least every 2 hours. Every month I would literally turn grey. Little did I know I could have died. Why? Turns out that I was losing iron at an alarming rate, due to all of the large blood clots my body was passing during these 5 days. I know enough from health class that we need to replace the iron we lose every month and the best way to do so is by eating red meat. So, when I finally went to the doctor and got a blood test, the next day I received a call from them. They asked me do nothing until I was able to come in. They didn't want me to go grocery shopping, do laundry, cook dinner, you know, the usual stuff most of us do on a daily basis. They also said that should I at any time have chest pain to go to the ER. The following day I had my appointment. The first thing my doctor (who is a complete vegan) says to me was, "I honestly don't know how you're sitting in front of me right now. You should be dead". My blood count was so low that she was about to admit me for a transfusion. I explained to her that I knew I was losing iron, so a day or so before I'd start, I'd eat a huge steak. I wasn't taking iron supplements (because at the time I had no idea how much to take). My doctor immediately started me on iron and advised me to keep eating steak when I know I'm going to start. It literally saved my life. I don't know to much about taking a bunch of suppliments to replace what you're not getting from your food. But I do honestly believe that there are some things that we need to keep eating. I love all animals. I don't like the fact that some of them are killed inhumanily so we can eat. But honestly, I love living to much to feel guilty about it. And lets keep it real, getting the necessary nutrition, vitamins, and the such, from meat, poulty, fish, what have you. Our bodies absorb better from those foods that vegans are against. I'll be having another steak next week. And I look forward to it. Good luck on your vegan thing. Just make sure you've got all of your basis covered. Be Blessed, Roz
Anonymous I was the same way with the heavy cycles and anemia. Just be careful.. make sure you get your meat that is hormone and steriod free. A lot of cows get hormones, and other injections to make them develop faster, and keep them from getting diseases. The problem with this in some women is that the extra hormones can interact with our own hormones, causing heavier periods, hyperplasia, and many other problems. I hated to give up my meats, but I did it as a trial for my health, and 6 months later, I was down 30lbs, my periods were regulated, and I felt much better. I have been a vegetarian for a year now, I love it, I don't push it on people, I just urge them to be heathier. I wish I would show how much better I feel now that I have educated myself about the hormones and other chemicals that are found in many products, not just meat. I buy organic eggs, milk, cheese... I get my iron from rasins, palm heart, olives, spinach, coconut, and my favorite sun dried tomatoes! My husband and children still eat meat, I just buy certified organic for them!
Denise Hi Roz. Thank you so much for sharing your story! I think that it doesn't matter what kind of diet you have. The important thing is, as you said, to have all your bases covered. You just need to make sure that you are getting all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs.
Bri Ok well some of my girlfriends are vegetarian so I don't have anything against them...but humans aren't supposed to be herbivores...it's not in our genes, we're supposed to be carnivores, there are some things in meat that are crucial in a human's diet, some things that are hard to find in non-meats. Personally, I can't really eat fruits and vegetables as it is, so if I didn't eat meat I don't know what I'd eat!
Molly @Bri, You're completely wrong. It's the opposite, it's not natural for us to eat meat.
Denise Hey Bri. It's really a personal choice.... Even if we're not supposed to be herbivores, some people will still choose to adapt a plant-based diet. If you like meat, then you can keep eating it. By the way, why can't you eat fruits and veggies? I'm curious now. I hope to hear from you again!
Polly I see some benefits for vegetarians but I don't think it's the more healthy option. My sister decided to cut meat out of her diet for 5 years and because she wasn't eating red meat she had to take iron tablets, her hair and skin were in bad condition because of the lack of omega 3 and 6 & protein in her diet. Fruit and veg will always be good for you but I feel that meat and fish are essential to your health too.
Anonymous You are not a vegetarian then, you are a pescetarian
Polly I'm not even a big meat eater myself and I don't like the idea of torturing an animal, but I could never give up eating meat (unless it's processed) and I don't see anything wrong with my decision. I do admire vegetarians but I wouldn't want to be one myself. I don't want to be offensive, but I will share my thoughts on the article.
Denise Hi Polly. That's always been the main problem/concern people have about becoming a vegetarian. I personally didn't have any problems when I cut out red meat from my diet. (I still got omega 3 though because I still ate seafood.) Thank you for reading All Women Stalk!
Natalie I've been a vegetarian/vegan since i was a little kid. i couldn't stand the idea of torturing a living thing with pain receptors just for my own personal snacking purposes. talk about gluttony! Also, there's lots of new historical evidence that Jesus was a vegetarian. Add his name to Gandhi and Einstein--also both vegetarians--and you've got some great company! "Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." —Albert Einstein ...
Denise Thank you for adding your thoughts to the discussion, Natalie!
Anonymous Hey Ladies, I was really enjoying your blog until this post. I am a rancher and raise beef and I'd like you to include your sources.
Anonymous In my experience as a vegetarian, more people would pressure me into eating meat than I have pressured people into a vegetarian diet. Even going as far as calling my beliefs "stupid" (Yes, many many many people) I think this is an informative post, although I disagree with the last point; you should never feel better than another person based on your diet choices. Being smug is not a quality one should be proud of. Also, humans are not meant to eat meat. If we were, like other omni or carnivores, we would be able to eat it raw without getting sick. Also our teeth would be vastly different. But being as our brains have developed enough to know to cook the meat, and how, we are omnivores.
Eryn I agree. I'd like to see sources. I am a firm believer in eating meats in a well rounded diet. I am really healthy and look it too. I am glad people find a good life-style in being a Vegetarian, but there's no need to shove it in everyone's face.
Anonymous Hey dear Anonymous, thank you so much for reading the blog, please, do not take this personally, it's just a matter of opinion. I, for one, love my meat, but respect other's people choice of becoming vegetarian. Thank you again so very much!
Denise Hi there. We'll see what we can do. Thank you for visiting All Women Stalk!
Margaret I was raised vegetarian and have been my whole life. I find that the most important thing to remember is to eat enough protein and not too many carbs. It's easy to rely on them for fast energy when you cannot get the energy from something like meat. In general though, I am super healthy. But this may be less from just being vegetarian and more from things like good genes and an active lifestyle. My skin/hair/body are all very healthy but I don't have a solid reason why this is. I just try to be as kind to myself as possible. My only health problems at the moment are chronic back pain and depression, which are both doing okay due to proper medication and exercises, so I feel pretty lucky.
Denise Hello Margaret. Thank you so much for sharing that first tip with us. That can really help those who are planning to transition into a vegetarian eating plan. And I really loved what you said: I just try to be as kind to myself as possible. It's a wonderfully easy way to be happy and healthy! Thank you for joining us on All Women Stalk!
Jennifer Hi Margaret! You have a big point there, that a healthy lifestyle is more important than just deciding to become vegetarian. And I'm glad you're feeling better... I hope the exercises for your back help! Strengthen that core, right?
Anonymous I used to be a vegitarian, but then I decided to eat meat....I still only eat meat a few times a week and then it's all natural and crulety-free.
Denise Hey there. What made you decide to eat meat again? No judgment here; I'm just honestly curious. I hope to hear from you again!
monica I thought eating grains was very bad!
Ashana grains cause a whole bunch of problems and you need those healthy saturated fats right? GO PRIMAL!!!
Denise Hi Monica. Thanks for joining us on All Women Stalk! I'm curious.... Who or what made you think that eating grains is very bad?
Anonymous I've been vegetarian for two years, and more recently have eaten an almost entirely vegan diet, and I've never felt better. Gone are issues of my meat eating past...weight gain, lethargy, dull skin, acne, "food comas", heartburn, etc. I'm a lean, mean marathon running machine. (Who gets plenty of protein through plant based foods such as quinoa, tempeh and leafy greens). My diet was such an ispiration to my boyfriend (a former professional athlete) that he went vegan. At 38 years old, he's never looked or felt better, has way more energy and needs less sleep. I'll never go back to eating rotting flesh pumped with hormones & antibiotics just because it's what everyone thinks is a "normal" diet. Think for yourself!
Denise Hey there. Thank you so much for sharing your story. What really caught my attention is that you are a long distance runner. I'm training to become one, just as a hobby, and I am beginning to transition to a pescatarian diet. (I'm not ready to go all out so I'm just eliminating things from my diet little by little.) It's actually something that my coach encourages us to do: eat less red meat and more fruits, vegetables, and fish. Do you have any quick tips for me and other runners out there?
blanket im a diabetic just recently and i change my deit to vege and fish and a very little meat my sugar is now normal and i felt great
Denise Hi there Blanket. I'm so proud of you for taking control of your body and health. Keep it up! Thanks for dropping by All Women Stalk!
Anonymous 3. I a misrepresentation of the most recent data for heart disease. High fat, low carb diets with substantial sources of omega-3's (fish) have actually been the most successful at reducing heart disease over a simple vegetarian diet. Additionally, the article overall misrepresents the "easiness" of being a vegetarian. While it is possible to be a vegetarian in a healthy way, many vegetarians struggle to obtain the proper amount of protein each day, must take supplements for things like omega-3's, etc. When you eat correctly as a vegetarian, which mostly means diversely, it's not really "cheaper" than being a non-vegetarian. Many vegetarians also supplement by eating more carbs, which actually causes more weight gain overall.
Anonymous I also would disagree. I've been vegetarian my whole life as well and I have always gotten sick much less than my meat eating friends. As with anything, people just need to do a little research about how to get enough nutrients from a vegetarian or vegan diet, but when done correctly they are both very healthy. Also, it is cheaper because we buy mostly the same things that meat eaters do, just not the meat (which is expensive). Plus vegetarian/vegan food looks so pretty! Just gotta be a little creative with meals sometimes, but that's fun. Diets heavy in meat can also lead to colon cancer.
Anonymous Hi Anonymous, I would disagree with you. I have been a vegetarian all my life, and I have never felt a lack of protein in my diet because I eat tofu, quinoa, and soy products. Also, from my family's experience, it is much cheaper to be a vegetarian, and if done correctly by not supplementing with more carbs, reduces weight overall.
Katherine I have fructose malabsorption and coeliac disease - is it still possible to be vego do you think? I used to be and have stopped on nutritionists advice. But I miss it!
Anonymous My husband was recently diagnosed with celiac disease. Luckily, he married a woman with a degree in culinary. Listen to your nutritionist. You have different nutritional requirements than those of us who don't have it. You need to repair the lining of your intestines and that's going to take time. So, until you understand your illness better, listen to your nutritionist...Oh, and that gluten free bread. It's so NOT worth wasting your money on. It's horrible, it's like eating cardboard. Try using corn tortilla wraps instead. My husband loves them.
Denise Hey Katherine. I, myself, don't have any advice to give you. But we'll leave your question up in case someone more knowledgeable comes along. Thanks for reading us!
Anonymous I'm conservative aka CHEAP.
Denise Hello. Yes, when you're vegetarian, you reduce your food budget. It was like that for me, at least. Thanks for commenting!
Anonymous It's actually much more important to stop eating heavily processed foods than deciding whether or not to eat animal flesh. Like Denise, I did raw foods for a year, and never felt or looked better.
Denise Hey there. Thank you for joining the discussion. And I agree with what you said, it's about making healthy food choices.
Janet about the looks - it's not great for your skin or hair. my friend, who doesn't eat meat, looks...not good. her skin is pale, dark circles under her eyes. hair is dull and not healthy. skin is dehydrated. and meat contains vitamins, that we need in our system.
Elizabeth I agree- I've come across that a few times with vegans I've met as well- plus humans are omnivores- we are supposed to have some animal protien! I agree more with cutting down on meat consumption rather than cutting it out completely.
Allie Denise, not eating red meat and being a vegetarian are two very different things entirely. Why did you start eating red meat again? Did you feel like you needed it? Or did you decide that no longer cared about the fate of animals? If you don't want to eat meat because of ethical reasons, that is noble thing, but not eating meat for health reasons is not the best idea. You can eat animals that were raised ethically and sustainably by eating livestock that was organically pasture raised.
Denise Hi Janet. Welcome to All Women Stalk! I didn't eat any red meat for almost 2 years. I didn't get any of that. In fact, I felt awesome and my skin and hair were in great condition....
Krista Janet is very right, for more info on how unhealthy it is to be vegetarian, especially vegan, you barely have to look because information is all over the place. In fact, animal fats do not cause heart disease, you know what does? Plant fats! I know it doesn't sound right, but it's true. Heart disease and cancer rates have gone up exponentially since the decreased use of animal fats in favor of plant based fats like canola oil, etc. There is a ton of information on this, and a very well done documentary actually, called Fat Head. Look it up, because vegetarianism is not the way our bodies have been evolved to function as. We are actually meant to be on a diet of protein and fat. Animal fat. Believe me, I used to be like that too, in fact, I was a vegetarian for a good part of my life. At first I felt great, and then my health started to go downhill. Do you know why this is? Because vegetarianism is a fantastic cleansing diet, which detoxifies your body and makes you feel great, but it is not meant to be carried out long term, nor is any cleansing diet, because your health will eventually start to suffer. I don't mean to go on and on about it, because really, I did used to think exactly like you did. But after extensive research on my part, I learned how unhealthy it is to eat that way. And there are ways to eat animal products without environmental impacts ... organic meats, eggs, and milk products are all hormone free, usually local, and are not factory farmed. People that are complaining about dull skin, heartburn, weight gain etc. are likely eating too much sugar and processed foods. Meat and animal products has nothing to do with it, trust me.
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