Why Do People Become Vegetarians?

Have you ever wondered why vegetarians choose this diet?

What makes them give up meat? Here are some of the main reasons.

Religious and ethical reasons. Many people choose to be vegetarian primarily for religious reasons. Several religions prohibit or restrict the consumption of animal meat. For example, many Hindu sects forbid the consumption of meat. Meanwhile, the menu in most Indian restaurants contains various types of meat and fish. Many Buddhists are vegetarians, as are some Christian denominations, including Seventh-day Adventists.

Many vegetarians are guided by a personal philosophy to choose this diet. According to them, it is morally and ethically wrong to eat animal meat, as well as animal products such as eggs and milk. Because, according to them, raising animals on large farms is inhumane.

Other concerns about meat are the way it is processed. It is not uncommon for meat to become contaminated during processing. One such example is the 1982 food poisoning in the United States, which arose from burgers made from contaminated beef in fast food restaurants. The other major problem with beef is mad cow disease, which has spread to Europe and the United States.

Environmental considerations.

Many people choose vegetarianism because of fears that the production of animal products causes enormous damage to the environment. Due to the high demand for meat worldwide, most small, family farms have grown into large meat businesses. Inevitably, this is associated with more damage to nature - the use of fertilizers in the cultivation of animal feed, herbicides, medicines for animals, etc. are products that pollute the environment.

The damage that meat brings to our body. One important reason why vegetarians choose not to eat meat is its adverse health effects. There are studies that moderate vegetarianism, which does not exclude all animal products, as well as all meats, has an extremely beneficial effect on human health. This type of diet can reduce the risk of a number of chronic diseases.

Reduced fat intake and total calories reduces the risk of obesity and overweight. This can also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in people with a family history.

Maintaining normal blood pressure. Including more fruits and vegetables in the diet, at the expense of fat, has a beneficial effect on blood pressure. Statistics show that people who avoid meat tend to exercise more, which also benefits the heart and lowers blood pressure.

Reduced risk of heart disease. This fact is due to the reduced intake of saturated fats through meat and the consumption of antioxidants, which are found in most plant foods.

Improved activity of the digestive system.

Conditions such as constipation and diverticula are rare in vegetarians due to high-fiber foods.

Reduced risk of kidney disease, kidney stones and gallstones. The lower protein content of the vegetarian diet, as well as the intake of mainly plant-derived proteins (such as soy), are most likely the reason for the reduced risk of kidney disease.

Disadvantages of a vegetarian diet.

Despite the undeniable benefits of a vegetarian diet, it also has a number of disadvantages. Limited meat intake, and in the case of strict vegetarians and dairy products, is a potential reason for insufficient intake of important nutrients. Deficiency of important nutrients is more acute in extreme vegetarians.

People who consume milk, eggs and other animal products (other than meat) are less likely to be deficient in important nutrients. There are studies that show that a vegetarian diet is not suitable for certain groups such as active sports and adolescents.

In a vegetarian diet, the main problem is getting high-quality protein, which is most easily available through meat intake. But a well-balanced vegetarian diet that includes other animal foods is able to provide the body with protein needs.

Nutritionists in the United States and Canada have agreed that a well-planned vegetarian diet can be healthy and healthy. It contains all the necessary nutrients and reduces the risk of some chronic diseases.