7 ways becoming a vegetarian will improve your health (and your environment)

Giving up meat.  The concept, which sounds crazy to most meat-and-potato-eating Americans, is actually gaining in popularity in recent years.  According to a 2008 Vegetarian Times study, about 7.3 million Americans are vegetarians and an additional 22.8 million follow a vegetarian-inclined diet.  The study also revealed that more than half of current vegetarians have given up meat in order to improve their overall health.  Environmental and animal welfare concerns were also cited as major reasons for going veg. 

So why should you give up meat?

Health Benefits:

1. Heart health.  Vegetarians typically have lower cholesterol levels than meat-eaters because animal protein has a higher level of cholesterol and saturated fat than plant protein.  According to GoVeg.com, research has shown that vegetarians are 50 percent less likely to develop heart disease than meat-eaters. 
2. Lower blood pressure.  Vegetarian diets are typically lower in salt than meat-inclusive diets.  Sodium has been identified as the main cause of high blood pressure, along with blocked arteries caused by high cholesterol levels. 
3. Control of diabetes.  Eating a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates found in plant foods can control symptoms of diabetes. 
4. Prevent cancer.  Diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been shown to prevent many types of cancer.  Recent research indicates that vegetarians have only 40 percent of the cancer rate of meat-eaters. 
5. Lose weight!  Meat-eaters are nine times more likely to be obese than vegans are. 
6. Better overall health.  According to GoVeg.com, the consumption of meat, eggs and dairy products has been strongly linked to osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, asthma and male impotence.
7. Live longer!  Vegetarians and vegans have been shown to live, on average, 6 to ten years longer than meat-eaters. 

Studies have shown that plant-based diets are best for kids, too.  Vegetarian children typically grow taller, have lower BMIs and have higher IQs than their classmates. 

Worried about the environment?  According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), the most serious environmental problems of our time are all directly linked to the meat industry.  Here are some interesting facts about our environment and the meat industry from PETA:

• A United Nations report found that the meat industry produces more greenhouse gases than all SUVs, cars, trucks, planes and ships in the world combined.
• It takes 300 gallons of water per day to produce a typical vegetarian diet and more than 4,000 gallons of water per day to produce a typical meat-based diet.
• Of all the raw materials and fossil fuels used in the U.S., more than one-third are used to raise animals for food.
• According to the Environmental Protection Agency, runoff from factory farms pollutes our rivers and lakes more than all other industrial pollution sources combined.

According to long-time vegetarian and successful musician Sir Paul McCartney, "If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is just stop eating meat."

What about the animals?  Many people choose to stop eating meat because of their compassion for living creatures.  For the same reasons you wouldn't eat your dog, you shouldn't eat a package of beef, pork, chicken or fish you can purchase at the supermarket.  These are living creatures that have lived a miserable life, most likely on a factory farm, and have endured a painful death all so they can be your dinner.  Eliminating meat will give you the ability to walk by a field of grazing animals with a clear conscience.

Thinking about going veg, just not sure how to start?  Check out PETA's Vegetarian Starter Kit for wonderful information on animals, the environment and some great vegetarian recipes to try.  Also, check out some local vegetarian restaurants like Watercourse Foods and City O' City. 

Pledge to go veg for 30 days - it will have a positive impact on your health and your environment.

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References:

http://www.benefitsofvegetarianism.com/vegetarian-health-benefits.html

http://features.peta.org/VegetarianStarterKit/index.asp

http://www.vegetariantimes.com/features/archive_of_editorial/667

http://www.goveg.com/healthconcerns.asp