The Benefits of Vegetarianism - Essay Example

To cater to the needs of flesh-eating humans, animals are reared unnaturally in over-crowded, unventilated sheds, and restricted from their natural habits of free-roaming and foraging. They are transported over long distances and slaughtered in pain and fear. Vegetarians adopt a humane attitude toward all life.

Contrary to popular misperception, a vegetarian diet provides adequate nutrition. The American Dietetic Association asserts that a vegetarian diet is adequate in all respects, including protein (grains, lentils, tofu, nuts, eggs, peas), calcium (dairy products, spinach, broccoli), iron (spinach, dried fruits, soy) and vitamin B-12 (dairy products, eggs) (“Being a Vegetarian”).

Vegetarians are healthier in many respects and have lower mortality rates when compared to meat eaters. A well-planned vegetarian diet is lower in fat and has higher fiber content than animal foods. As a result, studies show that vegetarians have lower risks of developing heart disease, colorectal, ovarian, and breast cancers, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension (“Being a Vegetarian”).

Vegetarianism is not the route to malnutrition. Vegetarians not only demonstrate their concern for the care and protection of animals, but also receive adequate nutrition from their diets, and enjoy several health benefits, including lower mortality rates. It cannot be denied that vegetarianism is a healthy and ethical way of life.