Besides health, why do people choose a vegetarian diet?
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Dr. Dean Ornish answered:Many people are becoming increasingly concerned with our environment. As much as ten pounds of grain and soybeans are needed to produce just one pound of beef. Approximately 20,000 pounds of potatoes can be grown on one acre of land, whereas only 165 pounds of beef can be produced on the same area. Over 80 percent of the corn and 95 percent of the oats grown in the U.S. are eaten by livestock. And part of the reason for the destruction of tropical rain forests is to clear land for grazing to satisfy the demand for beef.
Pesticide residues are much greater in animal products than in plant foods. Also, antibiotics are routinely given to livestock, and there is some concern that these may increase bacterial resistance in animals and humans.
It is less expensive to eat vegetarian foods than meat. Animal products tend to be the most expensive items in the grocery cart.
The people who can least afford the high cost of medical care can benefit the most from the low cost of the Reversal Diet.
Find out more about this book: Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease: The Only System Scie...
Many people are becoming increasingly concerned with our environment. As much as ten pounds of grain and soybeans are needed to produce just one pound of beef. Approximately 20,000 pounds of potatoes can be grown on one acre of land, whereas only... More -
Julie Casagrande answered:I am personally a vegetarian so I can speak to this. I became a vegetarian because of ethical reasons. I was and am against cruelty and killing of animals for food. However, I have also discovered that it to me is also healthier to eat this way. The challenge of course is making sure you get the protein you need. I drink a lot of protein shakes and buy vegetarian meat products such as Morningstar which tastes very good and fulfills your nutrient needs. Many people do it for the environment as well. It is a lifestyle change and takes some getting used to but I have been one for 16 years now and there is no going back.I am personally a vegetarian so I can speak to this. I became a vegetarian because of ethical reasons. I was and am against cruelty and killing of animals for food. However, I have also discovered that it to me is also healthier to... More -
Dawn Shepard - NASM Elite Trainer answered:Along with the many health benefits of eating a vegetarian diet people adopt a vegetarian diet for environmental reasons, concern for the welfare of animals used for food, public health concerns such as the use of antibiotics on healthy animals, food safety, the health of the oceans because of overfishing and the loss of small rural farming communites because of the influence of large animal agricultre interests.
Choosing a vegetarian diet is a way to make a postive difference to your own health but also to the health of the planet everytime you sit down to eat a meal.Along with the many health benefits of eating a vegetarian diet people adopt a vegetarian diet for environmental reasons, concern for the welfare of animals used for food, public health concerns such as the use of antibiotics on healthy animals,... More -
Audrey Quick - NASM Elite Trainer answered:There are lots of reasons people choose a vegetarian or vegan diet. I became a vegetarian in college when mystery meat showed up on the menu. I didn't like the idea of eating animals. I chose a vegan diet for my health; the more that I learned about nutrition, the more I realized I didn't want to be ingesting animal proteins. Some folks choose to eat less meat for envirnomental reasons, raising animals for food takes more resources than raising vegetable crops.There are lots of reasons people choose a vegetarian or vegan diet. I became a vegetarian in college when mystery meat showed up on the menu. I didn't like the idea of eating animals. I chose a vegan diet for my health; the more... More -
Ms. Vandana Sheth of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:Following a vegetarian diet is a very personal decision. Besides health some of the key reasons why people decide to follow a vegetarian diet could be animal rights/compassion, environment, religion, peer pressure, political belief, popularity, etc. Regardless of the reason for choosing a vegetarian diet, it is important to ensure that it is well balanced and nutritionally varied.
Following a vegetarian diet is a very personal decision. Besides health some of the key reasons why people decide to follow a vegetarian diet could be animal rights/compassion, environment, religion, peer pressure, political belief, popularity,... More
