Take a minute to think right now where your last meal came from. What did your dinner have to go through before it ended up on your plate? Most people don’t think about where their food comes from because they don’t want to have to think about it. Whether you are reading this because you are interested in ecological or health reasons for vegetarianism, I encourage you to think about what it would be like for you to be in the same situations that animals are in. If you won’t do it for the animals think about doing it for the sustainability of our planet. If we don’t have a clean planet to live in with fresh air and uncontaminated water, none of society’s other problems are even going to be an issue because we won’t be here to worry about them. It’ll just be the roaches.
For The Environment
Forests are razed for conversion to grazing and cropland to feed
animals used for food, devastating wild habitats in the US and the rain
forest ecosystems abroad. Run off from factory farms cause water sources
to become contaminated with animal waste often carrying parasites that
have caused health problems in numerous areas. Other animals living
in these streams and water are also affected negatively as the oxygen levels
in the water fall as the bacteria propagate. With the already short supply
of water, livestock farming pollutes and consumes 100 times more water
than producing wheat or other grains.
For Hungry People Worldwide
While millions around the world face starvation, 90% of America's
agricultural resources go to feeding animals the grains and legumes that
could save human lives.
For the Animals
Today's intensive confinement systems involve overcrowding, deprivation,
mutilation, and death. Seven billion animals are slaughtered every year
to please the human palate. Many of these animals are so cramped that they
cannot even turn around, and are forced to wade in their own excrement.
For Your Health
A massive epidemiological study conducted by Cornell University
has confirmed that a plant-rich diet low in (or free from) animal fats
and proteins can prevent several of the most common and fatal diseases.
To deter disease in factory animals caused by the horrid conditions, massive
amounts of antibiotics and other drugs, such as hormones, are given to
the animals. These chemicals and drugs become concentrated in their flesh
and milk and are passed on to humans when they consume animal products.
What that means to you is when you are sick and are prescribed antibiotics
they may not work as well because you have already been routinely exposed
to them.
Confronting meat eating is one of the first consciousness-raising
processes a person goes through. Many people worry that they will not be
able to get the protein and vitamins they need if they become vegetarian.
Your friends and family will probably challenge you with reasons why you
need to consume animals. If you calmly discuss your reasons and share with
them hard facts such as the following information, they will probably deal
with your new eating habits. However, don't expect them to be understand
or be overjoyed initially. Expect that people will ask you questions.
With the onslaught of animal rights news in the media, vegetarian
interest and conversion in the mainstream population is growing with leaps
and bounds. What this means to you is vegan products are available at regular
supermarkets and there is usually at least one vegetarian option at restaurants
thus making it much easier to be a Veggie today. Vegetarianism generally
refers to the abstinence of meat, fish and fowl but there are several different
defined types of vegetarians.
* Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian: This group refers to those individuals choosing to consume milk, other dairy products and eggs in their diet, while continuing to refuse other animal products. This group has few nutritional hazards. It is possible to have a surplus of fat in their diet due to excessive consumption of cheese. It is also possible for this group to have low energy levels due to a low total calorie count.
* Lacto Vegetarian: This group refers to those individuals that eat milk and other dairy products, but no eggs. Their possible nutritional problems include low energy, low iron*, and low zinc.
* Vegan: Often referred to as the true vegetarian group, they eat no animal products or byproducts. Their possible nutritional deficiencies include iron, zinc, protein, calcium, vitamin D, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), and Vitamin B12.
Food Groups Needed Daily:
1. Milk (2 Servings)-- Milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Cream Soups,
Pudding OR
Milk Alternative (2 Servings)-- fortified soybean based
protein drink
2. Protein Sources (2 Servings)-- legumes, nuts and soy
proteins
3. Fruits/Vegetables(4 Servings)-- any fruits/vegetables:
whole or as juice
4. Grains (4 Servings)-- Whole grain bread & cereals,
pasta, rice
Facts:
* Protein is readily available From a plethora of sources including
lentils, seeds, peas, dairy products. There are many common foods such
as potatoes, pizza, greens and corn that will quickly add to your protein
intake.
* Eggs can be replaced in recipes by commercial products available
at grocery stores such as bananas (1:1), arrowroot flour (2 TB for 1 egg),
Cornstarch (2 TB for 1 egg).
* Calcium can be obtained from low-fat milk & other dairy
products, as well as in vegetables like kale, collards, broccoli, tofu,
almonds, etc.
* Iron* can be found in watermelon, lentils, collards, kale, oatmeal,
broccoli, strawberries, split peas & chick peas. For women it is advisable
to take an iron supplement to avoid anemia.
* Vitamin B-12 can be found in fortified cereals, analogs, nutritional
yeast, and vitamin B-12 fortified soy milk. (Read Labels)
* In equal amounts of calories, greens such as kale and collards
have more calcium, iron, and protein than beef. One cup of skim cottage
cheese would give you more protein than equal calories of beef.
The key to a healthy vegetarian diet is to eat a wide variety of foods. If you were eating only meat and no vegetables, you would have a hard time meeting your dietary needs. You should read all labels to ensure that you find all the hidden meat/dairy products. Gelatin contains animal products, whey is milk as is casein, and there are many other hidden animal products so just be on the look out.
Information can be obtained from:
The American Anti-Vivisection Society
801 Old York Road, #204
Jenkintown, Pa 19046-1685
(215) 887-0816
Vegetarian Society of the District of Columbia
po box 4921
Washington DC 20008
Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine
5100 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 404
Washington , DC 20016
(202) 686-2210
Vegan Action Network
po box 4353
Berkeley, Ca 94709-0353