1. There are many positive effects of becoming a strict vegetarian. Being a vegetarian provides a more healthful diet, sometimes aiding in living longer lives. Also, there have been certain studies done claiming that vegetarians were more moral, virtuous, and considerate than people who eat steak. Eating more vegetables, fruits, grain, legumes, and nuts can reduce the risk of chronic maladies such as coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes, and some types of cancer. It is also a factor in increased longevity in the developed world. Eating a predominantly vegetarian diet can benefit a person’s kidneys and on nerve functions in diabetics. Being a vegetarian can allow for weight loss, it may also slow or decline age related declines in brain function and in cognitive and motor performance. There are also many negative effects of becoming a strict vegetarian. Low- protein diets reduce calcium absorption and can negatively impact skeletal health. Also, some studies have shown that being a vegetarian has caused high prostate- cancer rates. Another study showed that being a vegetarian can make one more prone to hip fractures. Because the average person does not know how to attain enough riboflavin, Vitamin D, and other vitamins and nutrients vegetarians scored lower on USDA’s Healthy Eating Index, ,but if one is knowledgeable about how to attain the right amount and right types of nutrients and vitamins being a vegetarian would be beneficial. Being a vegetarian can cause deficiencies in iron, B12, and calcium. An interesting study has shown that babies of vegetarian mothers have had lower levels of B12 and DHA which are very important for vision and growth.
2. On average American’s eat 201.1 pounds of vegetables annually. They eat an average of 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry.
3. Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater for many reasons. Animal protein demands huge expenditures of fossil fuels, 8 times as much as comparable amounts of plant protein. Grain-fed live stock require 100,000 liters of water for a kilogram of food they produce, where as soybeans only require 2,000 liters of water. An omnivore diet uses twice as many resources as a vegan diet does. Livestock and resources needed for omnivores to eat consume 5 times as much grain as the entire human population. Basically, fewer resources are used and ultimately depleted by becoming a vegetarian. Humans eat and use fewer resources than the animals they eat.
4. If everyone began to eat lower on the food chain there would be extensive consequences for U.S. agriculture. The agricultural industries would suffer because for most of them their reason for existence and mode of production is by killing animals and providing people with that type of food. The agricultural systems would diminish and lose business because there would not be a need for them anymore. Lots of people and businesses would be put out of business and out of jobs.
5. I eat at the highest level of the food chain; I am an omnivore. I love to eat meat and poultry, and it is a big part of my culture. I eat most types of poultry and I do not eat meat that often, but I do enjoy it occasionally. If there were studies saying that people need to cut down on eating animals because the animals are becoming extinct or endangered, or if studies began to show that there were horrible risks because of eating meat I would consider eating lower on the food chain. I would not eat lower on my own account because I feel we were meant to eat animals and that it is part of our existence. We have incisor teeth which are made for cutting into meat, displaying that we were truly meant to be eating it. I would be willing to eat lower down if studies about being a vegetarian were more extensive and stronger. As of now, however, I am going to stay at the top of the food chain.
--Pisces

Becoming a vegetarian – and eating moderately – can reduce the risk for a long list of chronic maladies (including coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes and many cancers) and is a probable factor in increased longevity in the industrialized world. Obviously, if a vegetarian is to overeat, then the risk for the regular diseases and symptoms will be just as prominent as if a meat-eater overeats. Recent studies have, however, shown some very positive effects of a vegetarian diet. For example, that a predominantly vegetarian diet may have beneficial effects for kidney and nerve function in diabetics, as well as for weight loss; that eating more fruits and vegetables can slow, and perhaps reverse, age-related declines in brain function and in cognitive and motor performance—at least in rats; that vegetarian seniors have a lower death rate and use less medication than meat-eating seniors; that vegetarians have a healthier total intake of fats and cholesterol but a less healthy intake of fatty acids. Research against vegetarianism has found that the reduced calcium intake can lead to skeletal problems. Another negative affect of vegetarianism is the avoidance of important nutrients such as iron, calcium, and B2 in their diet.
201.7 lbs of vegetables, 126.8 lbs of fruit, 66.5 lbs of red meat, and 64.4 lbs of poultry are eaten by the average American.
Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater because it reduces and eliminates the need to slaughter animals for nutrition. Also, in terms of caloric content, the grain consumed by American livestock could feed 800 million people—and, if exported, would boost the U.S. trade balance by $80 billion a year. Animal protein also demands tremendous expenditures of fossil-fuel energy—eight times as much as for a comparable amount of plant protein.
As more people become vegetarians, the meat industry plummets. For example, during the Mad Cow Disease scare in Tokyo, the prices of meat fell drastically as people stopped eating meat. Vegetable agriculture, on the other hand, thrives on vegetarians and those who eat all their fruits and vegetables. These economies would be successful as more people switched from eating meat to eating their vegetables.
I have the typical American diet including meat, not enough vegetables or fruit, and probably too much fast food. I am an omnivore, so I don’t eat very low on the food chain. I would definitely be willing to eat lower on the food chain; it is mostly a matter of what resources I have at hand. Living in a face-paced, high-stress life, it is more difficult to stop and think and monitor what I am eating rather than to just eat and go. Also, becoming a strict vegetarian and still obtaining all the proper nutrients is a little more expensive than the regular meat and vegetable diet, so I will always have to have the extra money available. Aside from these few factors, I would be willing to eat lower.
--Cake.

1. Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health. Even though becoming a vegetarian can allow people to enjoy healthier lifestyles and reduced risks of heart attacks, hypertension, and arterial sclerosis. However, becoming a strict vegetarian can prevent a person from getting all of the nutrients such as protein that people who aren’t vegetarians get. Also, there are nutrients found in meats that are not found in fruits and vegetables. Nutrients such as carbohydrates, calcium, protein, and iron. Granted, some of these nutrients are found in vegetables, but not in large enough quantities.
2. On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? What about fruit? Red Meat? Poultry? On average, American’s eat 201.1 pounds of vegetables, 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry.
3. Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater. Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater because the processing of meats uses more resources and energy than the processing of vegetables. Also, livestock need hundreds of thousands of liters of water to produce meat whereas some crops only require 2,000 liters of water.
4. What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture in everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain? If everybody began to eat lower on the food chain, the meat industry in the United States would become non-existent. Many people in those types of jobs would become unemployed. However, even though the meat industry would become non-existent, any businesses that thrive on vegetable production would become just as large as some of the meat companies of today.
5. How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower? As an American citizen, I do eat too much meat and not enough fruits and vegetables. I do not eat too low on the food chain even though I wouldn’t mind eating lower on the food chain. However, even though a few people would be willing to eat lower on the food change, the prospect of all American citizens going strictly vegetarian is slim to none.


--Doc

Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health.
While vegetarians may be eating more “healthy” foods by eating only non-meat products, they are robbing themselves of vital nutrients which only meats contain. For example, with the exception of beans and a few other vegetables, protein is very difficult to obtain without eating meat products. Also, while excessive fat can be detrimental to a person’s health it is also important to have an acceptable level of fat in ones diet to provide the body with energy.
On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? What about fruit? Red Meat? Poultry?
Vegetables: 201.1 lbs. Fruit: 126.8 lbs. Red Meat: 66.5 lbs. Poultry: 64.4
Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater.
Because vegetarians get all of their food from the lower levels of the trophic structure, less energy is wasted when getting their food. Considering that it takes over 6 lbs. of primary producers (plants) to get 1 lb. of poultry, eating vegetables only saves energy and food. Also, by eating only vegetables there is less waste because raising livestock often results in sewage runoff and high transportation costs.
What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture in everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain?
If everyone in the country became vegetarians there would be a massive growth in the agricultural sector of the US economy. Because farms would be able to sell their products directly to consumers without having to sell to ranchers and poultry farms, they would experience tremendous growth. However, because they would lose their customers, ranchers would lose their jobs because the entire population would be eating only vegetables. Finally, the US would lose its ability to export corn and wheat and other products because of the huge consumption at home.
How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower?
I eat pretty high on the food chain. I have a mixed diet of vegetables and meat but I do eat more vegetable derived products (breads, cereals, etc.). I would be willing to eat lower on the food chain if the opportunity arises but to date most restaurants and food stores cater mostly to people which eat high on the food chain.

--green12

1. Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health.
Some of the positives in becoming a strict vegetarian are that when you eat straight from the ground you receive all of the energy the vegetable contains. When you eat from an animal that has just eaten another animal that has just eaten a plant, you do not receive as much energy as you would have if you simply ate the plant. Another positive is that you do not receive all of the additives that the animal has been injected with. As well, becoming a vegetarian “provides health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.” Becoming a strict vegetarian may have beneficial effects for kidney and nerve function in diabetics; it can help weight loss and reverse age-related declines in brain function. Some of the negatives in becoming a strict vegetarian are that the human body does not receive all of the proteins it needs to survive. Also, it is part of the food chain that we eat other animals. If humans as a whole stopped eating other animals, the animal numbers would rise in excess. Another negative associated with becoming a strict vegetarian is reduction of calcium absorption which can affect skeletal health.
2. On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? What about fruit? Red Meat? Poultry?
On average, 201.7 pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American, 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry.
3. Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater.
Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater because the grain consumed by American livestock could feed 800 million people and could boost American trade by $80 billion a year. As well, animal protein demands eight times as much fossil-fuel energy as plant protein does. An average omnivore diet burns the equivalent of a gallon of gas per day, double as much as it takes for a vegan diet.
4. What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture in everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain?
Some of the consequences for US agriculture if everyone went vegan would be that all of the open landscapes would be made into farm lands. Although farmers would gain many customers, they would loose many as well. The vegetables that were being fed to the animals would now be sold straight to the human. Instead of the vegetable going through the animals body and then into the humans mouth, it would go straight into the humans mouth. Then maybe the numbers of vegetables sold would equal out? No, because when an equal amount of vegetables is compared with an equal amount of meat the vegetables would feed more people.
5. How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower?
I do not eat very low on the food chain. I do not like vegetables or anything partially healthy. I do eat meat maybe once a day. When I do not eat meat I eat a lot of carbohydrates! When it comes to eating lower on the food chain I usually would not be willing but I now know that it is necessary for me to eat more vegetables for me to be healthy.
--Tiny Bopper

1.Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health
Some positive effects to becoming a strict vegetarian are the beneficial effects for kidney and nerve function in diabetics, as well as for weight loss. If you eat more fruits and vegetables that it can slow, and perhaps reverse, age-related declines in brain function and in cognitive and motor performance, as seen in a rat experiment. Vegetarian seniors have a lower death rate and use less medication than meat-eating seniors; that vegetarians have a healthier total intake of fats and cholesterol but a less healthy intake of fatty acids (such as the heart-protecting omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil). Some negative effects to becoming a strict vegetarian are a reduction in calcium absorption and may have a negative impact on skeletal health. One researcher said prostate-cancer rates were higher in Adventists, and one study found that Adventists were more likely to suffer hip fractures.
2.On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? What about fruit? Red Meat? Poultry?
On average, Americans take in 201.7 pounds of vegetables in the year 2000. We take in 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry in the year 2000. This data proves that Americans are becoming a vegetarian friendly society.
3.Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater. Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly because meat requires more of a use of fossil fuel energy than for plants, approximately eight times as much as for a comparable amount of plant protein. According to Time, in terms of caloric content, the grain consumed by American livestock could feed 800 million people—and, if exported, would boost the U.S. trade balance by $80 billion a year. Also, grain-fed livestock consume 100,000 liters of water for every kilogram of food they produce, compared with 2,000 liters for soybeans. A demand for resources would be less if we were all vegetarians.
4. What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture in everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain? If everyone began to eat lower on the food chain, there would be a higher demand for crops and a decrease in livestock. Since agriculture deals with livestock and production of other goods, the main income of America would be through the producers, like plants. Many people in the meat industry would loose their jobs and the meat aspect of agriculture would diminish completely.
5. How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower? Since I was little, I always ate meat. I also eat some vegetables with lunch and dinner, but I always have some sort of meat. I would definitely be willing to eat lower on the food chain one day.

--hibleaker

1. Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health
There are many positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health. One positive effect is that a vegetarian does not need to worry about dangers concerned with meat, such as mad-cow disease and certain bacteria that can thrive on meats. Also, appropriate planned vegetarian diets are healthier and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. However, vegetarians do not get high amounts of protein that meat provides, this can impact their skeletal health, causing osteoporosis. Also, many vegetarians do not do proper research on what they should be eating, so they do not get the proper amounts of vitamins as well.

2. On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? What about fruit? Red Meat? Poultry?
On average, about 202 pounds of vegetables are consumes annually by the average American. Also, about 127 pounds of fruit, about 67 pounds of red meat, and about 65 pounds of poultry are consumed annually by the average American.

3. Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater.
Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater because the grain given to livestock to produce healthy meat can feed about 800 million people. If that grain were to be exported, it would boost the U.S. trade balance by about $80 billion per year. Grain-fed livestock consume 100,000 liters of water for every kilogram of food they produce, compared with 2,000 liters for soybeans. Animal protein also demands tremendous expenditures of fossil-fuel energy; about eight times as much as for a comparable amount of plant protein. The average omnivore diet burns the equivalent of a gallon of gas per day which is twice what it takes to produce a vegan diet.

4. What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture in everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain?
If everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain, there would be a decrease in the need for farmers to raise livestock. U.S. agriculture is based on livestock and the production of other goods, many farmers would lose their jobs and the meat producing aspect of agriculture would be completely destroyed. However, those farmers that raised livestock could switch to farming different types of fruits and vegetables.

5. How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower?
I already eat lower on the food chain than do most. I am a vegetarian; I have not eaten any type of meat in over a year and I plan to stay a vegetarian. However, I did not stop eating meat because I thought it would benefit society, I stopped because I thought meat was repulsive and it was wrong to eat once-living things. I know now that I am doing my part in benefiting society as well. I think more people should become vegetarians.

--Bluedog16

1. Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health.
There are both positive and negative effects of being a vegetarian. Many argue that it is healthier to the body, since people are not eating artificial foods, which promotes a longer lifespan. People who follow a diet consisting of vegetables, legumes, wheat, and tofu are more likely to not suffer from chronic illnesses such as obesity, heart disease, and cancer. Finally, studies suggest that an all vegetarian diet helps to promote kidney production in many patients with diabetes. There are, however, numerous negative effects of becoming a vegetarian. Lack of protein in a diet, which is procured from meat, may lead to poor skeletal growth and brittle bones; as a result, sources indicate that hip fractures are numerous among vegetarians. Also, appropriate portions of fat are not present in many plant products.

2. On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? What about fruit? Red Meat? Poultry?
On average, the average American eats 201.1 pounds of vegetables, 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry.
3. Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater.
Being a vegetarian is more environmentally friendly, because it does not contribute to meat processing. Meat processing uses far more resources and creates more pollution, because there are more steps involved to have it ready to eat. Time says that U.S. wheat in terms of caloric content, consumed by American livestock could feed 800 million people; however, if it were exported to other nations, it would boost the U.S. trade by nearly $80 billion a year. In terms of water, a scarce comedy such in Darfur, grain-fed livestock consume 100,000 liters of water for every kilogram of food they produce,; moreover, only 2,000 liters are necessary for soybeans.
4. What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture in everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain?
If we shifted the current food chain and fed directly off of producers, we would destabilize ecosystems. There would be an exploitation of producers, and as a result, other consumers would become extinct. Economically, business would shift to agriculture. Many people would lose jobs, and could lead to widespread recession.

5. How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower?
Personally, I am an omnivore. I eat plants and meat. I would be a primary and tertiary consumer, because I eat producing plants and their primary consumers. As I do enjoy vegetarian foods such as salad, I would strongly consider eating lower on the food chain.

--Red

1. Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health.
Some positive effects is a prolonged life, healthy and nutritionally adequate diets, prevention and treatment of certain diseases, beneficial effects for kidney and nerve function in diabetics, healthy weight loss, reverse or slow declining rain function, lower death rate, less medication use, and healthier intake of fats and cholesterol. Some negative effects are deterioration of skeletal health due to minimal calcium absorption, high prostate-cancer rates, high risk of hip fractures, deficiencies in iron, selenium, iodine, vitamin D and B12, and weak visions.
2. On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? What about fruit? Red Meat? Poultry?
On average, Americans consume 201.7 pounds of vegetables, 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meet, and 64.4 pounds of poultry annually.
3. Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater.
Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly because the amount of money we’re spending to feed the animals that feed us could be used to boost the U.S. trade balance by $80 billion a year if we transformed into a vegetarian society. Not only are we exploiting our money, but we are also exploiting fossil fuel energy. U.S. livestock consume five times as much grain as the U.S. human population. In addition, the U.S. livestock outnumber the human population 25 to 1. Basically, feeding our livestock to feed us we our wasting our resources. More than one third of all raw materials and fossil fuels consumed in the U.s. are used in animal production. It takes approximately 4.8 pounds of grain to feed cattle that produces one pound of beef for human beings. In a world where there are millions of people starving, we could use the huge amounts of grain being fed to the livestock and give it to those who are starving.
4. What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture if everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain?
If our society completely turned into a vegetarian one, the meat industries would become bankrupt and the industries that are related to fruits or vegetables would grow extremely successful. Those would owned or worked for meat industries would lose their companies and jobs. Diseases such as mad cow would become nonexistent.
5. How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower?
I am an omnivore so I don’t eat very low on he food chain. I eat both meat and fruits and vegetables but I manage to keep away from fast food. I should probably include more fruits and vegetables in my diet. Honestly, I can’t see myself eating lower on the food chain, but if I were in a dire situation, I probably would.
--steve123

1. The positve effects of becoming a strict vegetarian is the often lighter and healthier diet. Being a vegetarian redeces the effects of many diseases and health related problems. Some of which include coronary artery disease and diabetes. Also being a vegetarian often helps with weight and age management, as well as a good cholesteral level. But there are also many negative effects of becoming a strict vegetarian. Being a strict vegetarian pervents one from recieving proper nutrients and vitamins that are vital to the body. They include calcium, iron, protien, and B2 which dont appear in high enough levels or and enough vegetables to be considered a stable amount. Not eating meat can result in skeletal problems.

2. On average, 201.7 pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American, 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry.

3. Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly due mainly to the amount of energy and resouces we conserve. By eating only vegetables we would use fewer amounts of fossil fuels, use up fewer amounts of our low levels of freshwater. Swicting to vegetarianism would slow down the rate of resource depletion.

4. If everyone began eating lower on the food chain the U.S. agriculture would be in turmoil. The U.S. depends so heavily on meat production and sales that if it was to be deminished the economy would have major problems. Especially because the price of fruit and vegetables doesnt compare to the price of meat whic provides the economy and companies with money.

5. I personally eat very high on the food chain. Even though i do eat my fruits and vegetables i consume a good amount of meat products. Personally, sometimes i wouldnt mind eating lower on the food chain, but i couldnt do it for that long as meat makes up a large part of my diet.
--$

1. A positive effect of being a vegetarian is that it reduces the risk of getting major chronic illnesses such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Being a vegetarian has many beneficial effects in diabetics for kidney and nerve function. It can also reverse of slow down any age-related declines in motor and cognitive performace and brain functioning. Also, senior vegetarians have a slower death rate and need to take less medication than meat eaters do. However, there are bad effects of being a vegetarian. One negative effect is that low protein diets lower the amount of calcium absorbed by the bones and conribute to skeletal problems. Vegetarians also have a higher chance of hip fractures and prostate-cancer rates.
2. The average American consumes about 201.7 lbs of vegetables, 126.8 lbs of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, 64.4 pounds of poultry annually.
3. Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater because it requires the use of much less fossil-fuel energy than from processing meats. The grain that the livestock is fed to produce enough meat could feel 800 million people and increase the US trade balance by $80 billion per year. Also, the livestock that eats the grain gets 100,000 liters of water for every kilogram of food they produce and soybeans only get 2,000 liters of water.
4. If everyone began to eat lower on the food chain, then the meat industries would go out of business and thousands of people would lose their jobs. Also, there would be a shift in the economy from meat industries to farming and agriculture once again.
5. I do not eat red meat and only eat chicken. I eat mostly vegetables, fruit, and chicken for protein. I also eat many carbohydrates and grains. I would be willing to eat lower on the food chain by not eating chicken any longer because I feel it is horrible to raise and kill animals just for our own pleasure.
--beluga

In becoming a vegetarian one can often times live a healthier life in that they will thus eliminate many unhealthy foods from their diets and reduce their risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks in that much of the processed fats found in meats will no longer be ingested. Additionally by increasing the amoutn of fruits and vegetables one eats they increase the amount of daily vitamins and minerals in their bodies which is beneficial,unless of course the vitamins are fat-soluble in which at high levels the become toxic. Also, with diseases runnign rampant in modern society much of the diseases and bacteria present in meat and poultry will not manifest themselves in vegetarians. Vegetarians offspring are thoght to have higher levels of development yet such resultshave not been fully proven true. The downsides to becoming a vegetarian include decreased levels of protein in that tofu and soybeans are some of the few sources of protein offered to vegetarians. This can, down the road cause osteoporosis and bone degeneration. Also, vegetarians especially young children often do not get enough of the vital nutrients from their diets if they are vegetarians.
An average American consumes 201.1 pounds of vegetables, 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of meat, and 66.4 pounds of poultry.
Becoming a vegetarian is more environmentally friendly in that it requires less resources to produce grain and tofu than it does to provide people with red meant and poultry. The grain used to feed livestock could instead be used to feed people and allow the animals to live. It's more practical to be a vegetarian in that less overall resources are utliized in doing so.
Economic implications would be created in that farmers would no longer have to sell quantities of their products to ranchers to be used to feed livestock. Also ranchers would be put out of buisness as would slaughter houses and there would probably be a black market for meat and poultry which i would definitely invest in being that without relgious implications banning its consumption such products would still be desired.
I am an omnivore, consuiming both plants and animals. Eating both plants and animals is sufficient for me, any lower I would have to beocme a vegetarian which I will not do for three reasons. Tofu is terribly disgusting, limiting my food selection at restaurants and at the supermarket would be difficult, and lastly because meat and poulty provide necessary nutrients.
--SaveTheWorld

1. Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health. Some positive effects of being a strict vegetarian are your avoiding the consumption of hormones, E coli bacteria or the scary specter of mad-cow disease. A negative effect of being a vegetarian is the low protein diets associated with vegetarians reduced calcium absorption and may have a negative impact on skeletal health. Another problem with being a vegetarian is the avoidance of meat, eggs, and dairy products which can lead to deficiencies in iron, calcium, and vitamin B12.

2. On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? what about fruit? Red meat? Poultry?
On average, 202 pounds of vegtables are consumed annually by the average American. 127 pounds of fruit, 67 pounds of red meat, and about 65 pounds of poultry are consumed annually by the average American.

3. Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater?
Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater because thier is a grazing related loss of cropland and open space. Also pollution from factory farms is an enviromental disaster with wide and sometimes catastrophic consequences. Energy-intensive U.S. factory farms generated 1.4 billion tons of animal waste which pollutes our waterways.

4. What might be the consequences for the U.S. agriculture if everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain/
There would be a greater demand for none animal related foods so it would stimulate development of crop development to provide none animal foods for the population. Also there would be less production of beef, pork, and chiken so these industries would shrink. There would be more grazing land avaliable for crop development.

5. How low do you eat on the food chain? would you be willing to eat lower?
I eat at a high level on the food chain. I would consider myself an omnivore because I enjoy eating meat and poultry. Eating a high protein diet is vital to me because I am active and I work out so I need protein to help my muscles develop. If studies showed that the effects of consuming meat was hurting my health I would be glad to eat lower on the food chain. I would have to find another protein substitute that would be good for my muscles.
--snoopy

1. Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health.

The positive effects of becoming a strict vegetarian are: reduced risk for coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes, and many cancers, beneficial effects on kidneys and nerve function in diabetics, weight loss, helps slow age-related declines in brain function, has a lower death rate in seniors, and provides a healthier intake of fats and cholesterol. The negative effects, however, are: less than normal intake of fatty acids, for example, the heart protecting omega-3 acid found in fish oil, reduced calcium absorption causes negative impacts on skeletal health, increased risk of prostate cancer, and critical vitamin deficiencies.

2. On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? What about fruit? Red meat? Poultry?

According to a study conducted between 1970 and 2000, on average, 201.7 pounds of vegetables, 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry are consumed annually by the average American. All of these categories have increased since 1970 except for red meat, which has decreased.

3. Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater.

Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater for a number of important reasons. The article gives several statistics as to what could occur if every person in the United States was a vegetarian. 1) The grain consumed by American livestock could feed 800 million people and, if exported, could boost the U.S. trade balance by 80 billion dollars each year. 2) Grain-fed livestock consume 100,000 liters of water for every kilogram of food they produce, compared with 2,000 liters for soybeans. 3) Animal protein demand tremendous expenditures of fossil-fuel energy- eight times as much as for a comparable amount of plant protein. 4) The average omnivore diet burns the equivalent of a gallon of gas per day- twice what it takes to produce a vegan diet. 5) The U.S. livestock population- cattle, chickens, turkeys, lambs, pigs, etc- consumes five times as much grain as the U.S. human population. But, there are 7 billion of them. They outnumber us 25 to 1. All of these facts support the notion that a shift to vegetarianism would place less strain on the environment.

4. What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture if everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain?

If everyone in the United States began to eat lower on the food chain, that is, more towards living a vegetarian lifestyle, then, the effects incurred would be both positive and negative. On the positive side, people would be able to enjoy the certain health benefits associated with vegetarianism and the United States would be able to spend more money on other ventures like national defense or welfare. On the negative side, there are adverse effects of health that occur and we would see a big increase in the number of people with osteoporosis in this country. Also, this enormous industry in the United States would disappear and cause huge numbers of people to have to find new jobs.

5. How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower?

I am not a vegetarian and do not in any way regulate what I eat by means of whether or not it is meat. I would not be willing to eat lower because, personally, I believe that the contradictory studies that have taken place have resulted in different conclusions as to whether or not a vegetarian lifestyle is healthier than a meat-eating lifestyle. I think that a combination between a meat-eating lifestyle and a plant-eating one is the most healthful way to go. However, this does not mean that I condone the facilities that exist in the United States that torture animals in order to obtain larger amounts of meat. I simply believe that it is natural to eat other animals just as many animals eat each other
--viv321

1.Becoming a strict vegetarian definitely has positive and negative effects on human health. On the pro-vegetarian side, eating only fruits, vegetables, wheat, etc. saves many lives. For some, “meat is murder” and a beneficial way to decrease the animal death rate is to become a vegetarian. Also, studies show that vegetarians can live longer than meat-eaters and prevent many diseases. On the negative side, vegetarians d o not get all of the nutrients that humans should have. Humans should eat meat to gain the correct amount of protein to remain healthy. It is also much easier in public settings to be able to eat various types of foods.
2.On average, Americans consume 201.1 pounds of vegetables, about 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry.
3.There are many reasons why becoming a vegetarian would help the environment. First of all, the factories that produce animal products “generate more than 1.5 billion tons of animal waste every year.” These factories use up fossil fuels, energy, and waste a great amount of money. This also negatively affects world hunger because of the energy used to produce one single pound of meat versus many pounds of wheat. Lastly, eating lower on the food chain would take up less space in the environment and sustain the animals’ lives.
4.If everyone ate lower on the food chain, then eating meat would greatly decrease. While many of the animals’ lives would be saved, the agriculture industry would decrease as well. Farmers who produce meat products would lose their jobs, but farmers who grow fruits and vegetables would be positively affected and their industries would increase.
5.I have always been and most likely will remain a meat-eater. While I do agree that eating lower on the food chain would help the environment, I also believe that meat provides proteins and nutrients that everyone needs. I would consider eating lower on the food chain, but I don’t think that I could result to only fruits and vegetables.

--ben folds

1. There are many positive effects of becoming a vegetarian. Switching to this kind of diet provides us with a more healthful diet and can aid in living a longer life. Studies have also shown that people are vegetarians are usually more healthful, moral, virtuous and considerate about their world, verses people who are carnivorous. Eating fruits, vegetables, grain, legumes and nuts can help to reduce the risk of attracting chronic maladies. Maladies such as coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes, and various types of cancer. It helps increase longevity in the developed world. Eating a primary vegetarian diet benefits a persons kidneys and nerve functions on people who have diabetes, allows for weight loss and maintenance, slows or declines age related declines in brain function i.e. Alzheimer’s, and cognitive/motor performance. With such positive effects, there are also some negative ones with this type of diet. With such lack of protein in these diets, calcium absorption is greatly reduced which leads to negative impacts on skeletal health. As stated earlier, these diets can reduce the risk of various cancers, but studies have shown that this isn’t so for prostate-cancer. Such diets also make people more prone to fracturing their hips. Meat is a good source for iron, people who eat only vegetables are prone to iron deficiencies. They are also prone to deficiencies in B12 and calcium. Studies show that babies, who are born to vegetarians, have low levels of B12 ands DHA, which are primary for vision and growth.
2. The average American annually eats 201.1 pounds of vegetables, 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry.
3. Vegetarianism is more environmental friendly for several reasons. First, animal protein requires large expenditures of fossil fuels. They need eight times the amount of plant protein. Grain fed livestock only requires 100,000 L of water for a Kg of food they produce as opposed to soybeans that require only 2,000 L of water. An omnivorous diet uses 5 times the amount than a vegetarian diet does. With this said, livestock and resources that omnivores consume is 5 times as much grain as the human population as a whole. Basically, humans eat and use fewer amounts of resources than the animals that they consume.
4. If people began to eat lower on the food chain, industries such as agriculture and meat would no longer need to exist. These industries would collapse because the reason of these industries existence is to kill animals and provide the population with safe sanitary meat. Once people stop buying this kind of meat, as the supply rises and demand diminishes, people simply won’t pay to buy it. Thus this industry would go bankrupt and leave people that once had a secure job, with none. In addition, the population of these animals that we consume would rise greatly, that the environment could possible not function sustainably with large populations occupying the same space and using the same resources.
5. Personally, I eat high on the food chain as I enjoy eating meat and poultry. I eat large amounts of protein in order for my muscles to rejuvenate from my physical activity in sports. I also eat vegetable to make sure that I am providing my self with proper vitamins and nutrients. The only way I would be willing to eat lower on the food chain, was if studies were proven that eating meat was detrimental to my health or if a doctor suggested to me that I need to eat less in order to prevent an ill health condition. I would only do it if I were avoiding a health risk.

--GoldenGopher

1. On the positive side of being a vegetarian the American Dietetic Association said, "appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases." Also, many studies show that consuming more plant-based foods reduces the risk of chronic maladies such as coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer. Also it is said that one who does not consume meat lives a longer life. Eating more fruits and veggies can slow or reverse age related declines in function as well as cognitive and motor performances which is beneficial for kidney and nerve function in diabetics as well as for losing weight. Now on the negative side of being a vegetarian are less intake of fatty acids, reduces chances of diseases such as mad cow. Also not getting the proper amount of iron and nutrients can cause vitamin deficiencies. It's said that low protein diets lower the amount of calcium absorbed by the bones which causes skeletal problems.
2. 202 pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American. 127 pounds of fruit, 67 red meat, and 64 poultry.
3. Vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater because it does not require the use of a lot of fossil-fuel energy like processed meats do. The grain consumed by American livestock could feed 800 million people and, if exported, could boost the U.S. trade balance by 80 billion dollars each year. Grain-fed livestock consume 100,000 liters of water for every kilogram of food they produce, compared with 2,000 liters for soybeans . Animals would be saved and fewer resources would be used.
4. The consequences for U.S. agriculture if everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain would be that the agriculture industries would be harmed and ultimately diminished because there would be no need for them anymore. All the workers in the agriculture industry would lose their jobs and there would be a high demand for veggies and fruits.
5. I am not a vegetarian and do not plan on moving any lower on the food chain. Although some studies show being a vegetarian is better and more healthy I believe that meats also gives you the energy and nutrients that your body needs as well as eating all the proper fruits and veggies. No, I personally would not be willing to move lower based upon a few statistics. I believe that eating meat as well as fruits and veggies is the way to go, an equal balance of the two. Not too much meat but a healthy amount.
-- Pink

initial posts are late after this point
--Ms. Koontz

1. Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health. The positive effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health are that eating vegetables can reduce the risk of maladies such as coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes and many cancers. Being a vegetarian has beneficial effects for kidney and nerve function in diabetics, and helps with weight loss. Eating more fruits and vegetables can slow, and perhaps reverse, age-related declines in brain function and in cognitive and motor performance. The negative effect is that vegetarians have less intake of fatty acids such as omega-3 from fish oil. Some studies also say that being a vegetarian can affect your skeletal health.
2. On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? What about fruit? Red Meat? Poultry? On average, 201.7 pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American, 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry.
3. Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater. Having more agriculture and agricultural exports, would boost the U.S. trade balance eight times as much as for a comparable amount of plant protein. The U.S. livestock population consumes five times as much grain as the U.S. human population. Grain-fed livestock consume 100,000 liters of water for every kilogram of food they produce, compared with 2,000 liters for soybeans. Therefore reducing the livestock would increase these resources.
4. What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture if everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain? If everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain than the agricultural industries would have to expand to feed the growing demands of Vegetarians. Also, the Meat industries would go bankrupt, but would allow for animal species that have been consumed over the years to reproduce and grow in number.
5. How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower? As a vegetarian, I eat pretty low on the food chain.

-hershey

1. Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health
Eating vegetables is beneficial because it allows organs such as the kidneys and the brain to function more efficiently. Eating vegetables can also aid in weight loss and in slowing the detrimental effects of the aging process, such as a decrease in cognitive abilities. Eating vegetables also influences that death rate. Seniors who eat vegetables are more likely to live longer and lake less medications. Vegetarians do reduce their cholesterol, but do find it hard to increase their intake of fatty acids, such as omega-3 found in fish oil.
2. On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? What about fruit? Red Meat? Poultry?
Generally, the average American eats 201.1 pounds of vegetables, 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry per year.
3. Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater.
This deals with the amount of waste that is produced by the meat producing factories including pollution. The animals also require exuberant amounts of food and about 100,000 liters of water. The protein from animals requires a high expenditure of fossil-fuel energy. The chickens and other livestock also require a lot of grain.
4. What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture in everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain?
There would be a dramatic increase in the amount of arable land. If the cattle industry diminished then they wouldn’t be there to graze the land, ridding it of its fertile soil. Thus there would be an increase in the production of actual crops. This shift would also affect the economy. Because the meat industry would practically be out of business, many would lose their jobs. Americans would also have other health concerns to worry about.
5. How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower?
I really love to eat salads. Because I don’t really like drinking water, I find that eating a lot of salad, although it doesn’t replace my water intake, it at least helps it. My mom also forces me to eat other vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, and asparagus. Although, I wouldn’t give up meat, poultry, or fish, I would be willing to be more conscious of what I eat, and try to include more vegetables in my diet. This would not only help my heath, it would benefit the environment.

--Starfruit117

1. Some positive effects of becoming a vegetarian include keeping free from diseases and E. Coli that can come from meat. Additives are put into the meat and its not healthy. Also the animals are raised in small confinements, which allows for a faster spread of disease. By becoming a vegetarian, you are less vulnerable to diseases and have a healthier diet. Also meet production is costly.
Negative effects of becoming vegetarian include not retrieving all the nutrients that you need that come from meat.

2. In 2005, total meat consumption ammounted to 200 pounds per person. annual consumption of vegetables amounted to 201.1 pounds. 126.8 pounds of fruit and 64.4 pounds of poultry per year.

3. Being vegetarian is more environmental friendly because the less meat or no meat that is eaten, the less amount of fossil fuel and water resources being used by intensive animal farming and the less of harmful gases and chemicals. Also, growing the crops to feed the animals requires nearly half of the United States' water supply and 80% of its agricultural land. Additionally, animals raised for food in the U.S. consume 90% of the soy crop, 80% of the corn crop, and a total of 70% of its grain.

4. If everyone ate lower on the food chain, there would be great consequences for the U.S. agriculture. Many people would lose their jobs and the cycle of the food chain would be disrupted. In positive, there would be less harmful gases released into the atmosphere from agriculture production and people will be eating healthier.

5. I am a meat and vegetable eater all the way. I do not plan on taking out any of my meat intake, eventhough studies show vegetarianism is healthier. I dont think I would be able to not eat meat. I think i balance out my intake of meat and non-meat products pretty well.

-rilokiley

As everyone mentioned vegetarians are beneficial to the environmental cycle and also the fact that vegetarians are healthier in general. Everyone clearly answered the question, particularly Pink. People that eat meat degrade the environment in that producing meat takes more biomass that does the production of vegetables.
Everyone mentioned the proper amount of poundage consumed on average by Americans.
Everyone got this point correct as well in mentioning the reduced amount of resources necessary to create food that vegetarians eat when compared to that of meat eaters.
Agricultural industries would see an upturn, while meat industries would plummet and be forced out of business. The economic reverberations would be drastic.
No people do not want be vegetarians, tofu is bad especially the small little chunks of it placed in soup at Japanese restaurants. Additionally for those that may be vegetarians moving lower on the food chain would force people to become vegans.

--SaveTheWorld

know do u really really really want to save the world? cause i don't... GO POLUTION!!
--Dr. Evil

1)I believe everyone answered this question correctly but many students were light on the negatives of becoming a vegetarian. For example, SaveTheWorld said that all vegetarians are healthier and being a vegetarian is beneficial to the environmental cycle. That is not always the case. Being a vegetarian can cause reduction of calcium absorption which can affect skeletal health. As well, it was shown on Planet In Peril that one animal can be a key component to the food chain. If humans as a whole stepped out of eating other animals, the number of cows and chickens would rise greatly. Under that circumstance food chain levels will unbalance because there will be a rise in the animals that humans stopped eating and a decrease in the levels of the animals that are eaten by the animals humans eat.
2)This information was found on the chart on every page of the article. Everyone answered correctly if they copied it from the article.
3)Many people such as snoopy are trying to say that being a vegetarian is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater because of the pollution that is caused by meat eating factories. But everyone left out the fact that all of the pesticides used to grow these vegetables are also environmentally harmful. Many people, including me, stated the amount of money that could be made for America if we all became vegetarians, did anyone realize that that has nothing to do with being environmentally friendly? I now realize that everyone is looking at it from a money making standpoint and not an environmental standpoint.
4)I agree with steve123 that our meat companies would go bankrupt. This would affect America’s economy greatly.
5)This was a more personal question and as I said in my answers, I do not eat anything healthy! I now know that it is affecting my body in a harmful way when I do not eat my vegetables!
--Tiny Bopper

1. Rilokiley did a good job saying about how becoming a vegetarian can prevent diseases that come from meat and in all, everybody did a good job answering this question.
2. As most people copied this information from the article, everybody pretty much got it right.
3. Even though the environmental mal-effects that come from the meat industry are large, there has also been much debate on how the pesticides and herbicides that have been used in the many agricultural areas is harming the environment.
4. As I previously stated and how many other people did, I think that everybody becoming a vegetarian would place the meat industry on a tremendous downward spiral.
5. Opinion question. "To each his (or her) own."
--Doc

1. I like what Beluga said about seniors being vegetarians. Its an interesting fact. Everyone pretty much stated the same positives and negatives.
2. Everyone answered this correctly because it was taken from the article. Basic info.
3. Being a meat eater affects our environment greatly and everyone got this point across by saying it takes millions to feed the livestock and the livestock use up a lot of water.
4. I think an important consequence is that many workers and farmers would loose their jobs. Most said this.
5. Yeah, this was a personal question. I dont think one needs to become a vegetarian to be healthy. I think people need a balance of meat and vegetables in their life.

-rilokiley

1. The positives and negatives of being vegetarians were clearly stated in the article so most people answered this question correctly.
2. This answer literally came straight out of the article, without even having to do much reading so everyone answered it right.
3. This answer varied between the students. I like how Green12 explained why being a vegetarian is more environmentally friendly, and I also liked how TinyBopper mentioned that most of the vegtables and fruits we eat have pesticides on them, so we should be careful about the fruits and veggies we eat as well, not only meat.
4. Most of the students understood this question really well and were able to take the facts right out of the article or from their prior knowledge. If everyone stopped eating meat then those industries would lose not only profit, but their jobs entirely.
5. This question was personal so everyone answered it the way he or she felt. I, for instance, have no problem at all with vegetarians but it is not a choice I wish to make in my life. I love to eat poultry and meat and therefore I will continue doing so unless it has been proven that something aboslutely horrific can come of it.
--Pisces

1. Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health.

Some of the benefits of becoming a strict vegetarian include lower cholestoral, lower risk of heart disease and colon cancer, longer life span, the possibility of increased brain function and memory in seniors, weight loss, and improved kidney function. However, without careful planning, strict vegetarians can experience lower levels of protein and important nutrients such as B12, iron, and calcium. Also, vegetarians are at greater risk for poor skeletal health. In addition, female vegetarians can also have irregular periods and hair loss.

2. On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumed annually by the average American? What about fruit? Red Meat? Poultry?

In the year 2000, the average American consumed 201.7 pounds of vegetables, 126.8 pounds of fruit, 66.5 pounds of red meat, and 64.4 pounds of poultry.

3. Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater.
Farms that raise livestock are “energy-intensive,” producing billions of tons of animal waste annually and continuing to pollute the country’s waterways more than any other industry. Furthermore, the production of meat has been “linked to the erosion of billions of acres of farmland and the destruction of the rainforest,” thus making vegetarianism more environmentally friendly.

4. What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture in everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain?
If everyone started eating lower on the food chain, U.S. agricultural exports could increase by as much as $80 billion dollars, as enough grain to feed 800 million people would no longer be consumed by livestock.

5. How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower?
I eat relatively high up on the food chain, and I am not willing to eat lower because grain tastes bad and meat is so delicious. Yum!

--tim

1. As mostly everyone stated, there were both benefits and harmful effects of becoming a vegetarian. This answer came directly from the article. I liked many people's response to this because many people wrote very detailed responses.
2. This answer did not require much of a thought process, the numbers came right from the article.
3. For the answer to this question, I especially liked Red's response because they went into extreme detail about all of the environmental advantages of not eating meat.
4. I liked snoopy's answer for this because they outlined the fact that there would be more land available for crop growth if more people stopped eating meat.
5. This was a personal question. I was surprised to see how many people eat very high on the food chain. However, I understand that it is a personal choice as to whether someone will eat meat or not.
--Bluedog16

1. pisces's answer to this question was extremely thorough. Pisces listed both posiive and negative effects as well included information on vitamins. This question was straightforward and everyone got this one right.
2. Everyone got this one right. This quesiton just invovled a graph analysis.
3. For this question, it's important to include that meat production wastes a lot of food and energy because it takes more amount of grain to feed cattle that will feed us than it does to just directly feed us. Some people did not include thie, therefore, I think the yare incomplete.
4. I'm not really sure about this answer, but a lot of people had some differing answers. It seems like Tiny Bopper's answer is the most thorough. Great job!
5. This is an opnion question and I find it interesting that a lot of people would not give up meat.
---steve123

1. This question mostly everyone got correct, but Cake wrote a very complete answer. She included a discussion of how becoming a vegetarian will help the body and people's character.
2.Everyone answered this question correctly since it was just looking at data and answering the question. Mostly everyone had the same data.
3. Most people said that being a vegetarian is environmentally safe since it uses less fossil fuels and less resources. Green123 answered the question very well and was straightforward.
4. I feel for this question most people did not understand the concept of the agricultural industry. Many people said it would completely diminish, but there are postive and negative effects to the industry. I agree that many people will loose their jobs.
5. Since this question is an opinion, everyone had different answers. I found it intersting how some people said they would not change their eating habits, while others said they would. I definitely would.

--hibleaker

1. Everyone gave both positive and negative effects of being a vegetarian. I like how pisces answered the question and then expanded on extra information such as details about the effects of vitamins on the body.
2. Everyone had the same answer because the information came directly from the article.
3. I like Cake and Viv321's answers. I agree with cake's reasonging in that being a vegetarian helps lower the amount of animals being slaughtered. Viv321's answer lists why being a vegetarian is environmentally friendly very clearly and straightforward.
4. Most people stated how the meat businesses would be put out of business and how the farmers would be able to sell directly to the consumers.
5. This question is an opinion question. It is surprising that most people eat very high on the food chain and are unwilling to eat lower and less meat.
--beluga

1. We cant forget that all diets have their drawbacks. Many people go their entire lives without eating a single meat product and it is still possible for them to die of cholerterol (genetic factors). The bottom line is that a healthy diet and a balanced one is the best.
2. We all did a wonderful job answering this and we were all accurate.
3. We all understood that by eating lower on the food chain we would lower the amount of energy we use to feed ourselves. If we all ate corn we would waste less of the sun's energy and we would directly recieve the energy corn gathers rather than have it passed on to several different organisms and finally to us.
4. The farmers would expierence a massive boom in business while the ranchers would lose their jobs. We all understood this concept, but it is important to note that it is highly doubtfull that this will ever happen.
5. This was an opinion so answers varied. But I personally feel that most of us would not become full vegitarians.
--green12

1. Everyone discussed the positives and negatives of being a vegetarian. I like how viv321 wrote the specifics about this question like the specific diseases and problems.
2. Everyone had the same answers to this question because it was found directly from the article.
3. I like hibleakers response to this question because it stats facts stated in the article and talks about the American livestock.
4. Most people agreed that if this were to happen the agriculture industry would suffer and many peoples jobs would be lost.
5. This question was based on each persons personal preference and I noticed that many people as well as myself would not be willing to move down on the food chain.
-- Pink

1. Everyone discussed both the positive and negative aspects of being a vegetarian. Cake mentioned the specific negative aspects, including "coronary disease, obesity, diabetes and many cancers."
2. This informationwas speficif and factual.
Everyone concurred on this answer.
3. Red discussed the meat producing companies and the effects their pollution has on the enviroment. These effects are harmful, thus it is more enviromentally- friendly to be a vegetarian. Vegetarians produce less energy, and thus they produce less waste.
4. Vivi321 mentioned both the positve and negative aspects. She also talked about the effects of more peole becoming vegatarians would influence the meat producing companies negatively.
5. Everyone's answeres varied, but as Pink and green12 said, most would not be willing to move down the food chain.
--starfruit117

1. Although everyone answered this question fully, SaveTheWorld expanded upon what was in the article and applied that knowledge by discussing the effects on offspring. Hiblkeaker also had a very complete answer to this question.

2. Hibleaker was one of a few people who analyzed the question. He/She talked about how we are becoming more vegetarian friendly. Everyone else simply answered the question without analyzing the data.

3. Steve123 did a particularly good job in providing a complete answer to this question and also included some very interesting facts from the article.

4. Starfruit117 gave a very original answer in stating that it would cause a dramatic increase in the amount of arable land. Also, everyone had great ideas about the effects.

5. Clearly, everyones answers varied because this was a personal question. However, the person who gave the most complete justification for their answer was Bluedog16 because he/she discussed how he/she changed from meat-eating to a vegetarian.
--viv321

1. The answer to this question was stated in the readings so everyone basically discussed both the postive and negative effects although some were more detailed then others.

2 The answer to question #2 was directly from the article and there were no variations to this question so everyone answered it correctly.

3. Viv123 had a very detailed answer to question number 3. There were many different points that could have been brought up to make this answer correct.

4. I like how snoopy states that by reducing the meat industry, it would allow for more land to grow crops. Everyone stated that the agriculture would be negaitvely affected.

5. the answer to this question was opinionated based on ones life style. Everyone stated how they would be able to resond to this question so there were no wrong answers.
--$

1. Discuss some of the positive and negative effects that becoming a strict vegetarian can pose on human health.
Although becoming a vegetarian would seem like a completely healthy change, the idea holds both positive as well as negative effects. Positively, strict vegetarians have, on average, lower cholesterol, lower risks of heart and colon problems, increased brain and memory functions, easier weight loss, and longer life span. However, strict vegetarians have low levels of protein, B12, iron, and calcium, and poorer skeletal health.

2. On average, how many pounds of vegetables are consumer annually by the average American? Fruit? Red meat? Poultry?
On average, an American eats about 200 pounds of vegetables, 127 pounds of fruit, 67 pounds of red meat, and 65 pounds of poultry every year.

3. Explain why vegetarianism is more environmentally friendly than being a meat eater.
Personally, I do not believe that being a vegetarian is “more environmentally friendly” that being a meat eater. Man has always been carnivorous, and it has always worked for both humans and the environment. I do not believe that someone who only eats plant-matter has a different environmental impact than someone who eats a hamburger.

4. What might be the consequences for U.S. agriculture if everyone in the country began to eat lower on the food chain?
If everyone in the U.S. began to eat lower on the food chain, the agriculture industry would have to produce more goods for the increases in demand for plant-based foods.

5. How low do you eat on the food chain? Would you be willing to eat lower?
Personally, I eat very high on the food chain. I do eat vegetables and fruits, but I mostly eat meats. I could possibly consume more vegetables and fruits than I do, but I would not be willing to eat much lower on the food chain.
--Captain Planet

1. Hibleaker had a very in-depth response to this particular question. He or she definately knows what the positives and negatives of being a vegetarian are; he or she even went as far as to include omega-3 and other details beyond what was asked directly in the question.

2. Question #2 asked for specific statistical data for the number of pounds of certain food-groups consumed per year by the average American. Viv321 knows her food! She gave precise statistics for the information, narrowing her responses to even the correct decimal point. Some call this "over-the-top", I call this "perfect response."

3. I believe everyone answered this question correctly and thoroughly. As long as the student made an attempt at responding, I beleive it is a correct response. I, personally, believe that the environmental impact of vegetarians is no different than that of meat-eaters.

4. In my complete review of everybody's answers, I was slightly disappointed when I came across Cake's response. The question calls for what would happen to the AGRICULTURE industry, not the meat industry. Cake remained "on topic" but did not directly answer the question at hand.

5. These responses can not be analyized. This is an opinion question. Some stated that they ate low on the food chain, while others stated that they ate high on the food chain. Others, such as myself, admitted to eating extremely high on the food chain.
--Captain Planet

1. Everyone answered teh qustion correctly.
2. Also this question came directly from the article.
3. Everyone had the correct idea on if you eat lower on the food chain you dont use up as much energy and dont use up as much fossil fuel.
4. This question just expanded on becoming a vegetarian. I did not understand pisces when he or she said the agricultural industries worked by killing animal??
5. This was an opinion question. It is interesting how no one is willing to become a vegetarian eventhough it has so many health benefits and saves the environment.
-hershey

1. Everyone typically had the same response for each one. They all discussed the same issues pertaining to health that comes with eating vegetables, and how it effects age.
2. Answers didnt vary with this question, i would have added when the statistics were brout about like rileykiley.
3. Basically, people had similiar answeres. Everyone touched upon the degredation of energy amongst each level, and the lowering of consumption on fossil fuels.
4. iliked starfruit 117's reponse. I liked her example of the meat industry and she explained the chain reaction it would have. I agree with this, but i would also add that the ennvironment woiuld live unsustainably because our biosphere would now have to support large populations of animals and humans.
5. This question is based on opinion. Everyone had their own opinions about the topic. People who play sports obviously supported the response of a high protein diet, and they wouldnt eat lower on the food chain, unless there was a heaalth hazard present. But, the majority of people arent willing to become vegetarians, even though it has so many positive benefits.
--Golden Gopher

1. Bluedog16 had a very in-depth answer as they spoke about the serious diseases as well as protein issues.
2. Everyone answered this question correctly with the exact information from the article.
3. Beluga answered this question very well as he/she gave personal and factual information.
4. Rilokiley not only spoke about the farming industry, but also the gases that would be released into the atmosphere.
5. Everyone is entitled to their own ideas and everyone seemed to have very strong opinions! Good work!
--ben folds