Is vegetarianism REALLY better for you than eating meat?

[Prof_Don]

Just curious if you feel that vegetarianism is really that much better than an omnivorous diet

Please vote and reply as much as you like.

Thanks for your insight. :)

When done correctly, yes it is

When done correctly, it's no better for you than eating meat

[Anonymous]

I've been researching both paleo and vegan diets for several months. I think it depends. I don't think the health problem is meat consumption, it's all the sugar, oils, and processed foods. Whether a person goes vegetarian, or just cuts out all the bad foods and eats natural foods, they get healthier, and seem to have the same lifespan. Although I do know vegan diet are the best for cleansing and healing disease, but whether they are good for life, I don't know.

It's like vitamin C, it's good to take 3000mg/day when you're sick, but should you take that much every day for life?

I have a heart condition that was slowly getting worse, and switched my diet to just eating whole and natural foods and only eat meat once a week if even that, but still butter everyday, and full fat yogurt every few days. Before that, I still didn't eat much meat, so I know it's nothing to do with meat. My recent blood work is all perfect except for high bilirubin, and my cardiac MRI has shown IMPROVEMENT.

Here's one thing for sure, the meat that is NOT healthy is the stuff in most supermarkets. Factory farmed, full of hormones, antibiotics, omega 6 fats, from animals that where treated poorly. But meat from animals raised naturally eating grass, and having fields to run, tend to be higher in vitamins, omega 3 fats, has no steroid or antibiotics, etc.

I've done the research, and read the papers, and the two big thing everyone is worried about is saturated fat and cholesterol. Well the truth is, studies show they are probably NOT the problem. It's the processed foods, and the type of meat (mentioned above), that make it unhealthy.

Personally I prefer being mostly vegetarian for now, but at least I'm not biased about it, because I do think meat can be healthy. I'm really on the fence.

[TheGodEmperorLeto]

Nope. And idiots think it does.

If you eat correct proportions of meat, then it is actually MORE efficient to get various nutrients your body needs.

It's not "healthier" at all to be vegetarian. The only reason most vegetarians might be "healthier" is because they watch their diet more. Where as most non-vegetarians will just out right eat what they want. Which usually ends up being more meat than needed.

[Prof_Don]

You're absolutely spot-on with that last paragraph.

Vegetarians due seem to be on average a lot more attentive about what they eat, and maybe THAT'S where the difference lies. 8-)

[TheGodEmperorLeto]

From what I've seen, it is.

[snowboardergirl]

So just going to put this out there, but I am a vegetarian. I have been for a while. I'm also a high intensity track athlete and a gymnast. This take a lot of energy. From the foods that I eat (I get protiens from nuts and beans and also from the vegemeat) I am able to perform my highest and beat the people who eat meat. I think it's better for you body to. The meats can carry a lot of diseases (e-coli, mad cow, etc) especially red meats. As a girl, it can help you to loose weight. The meats also come with a lot of calories and the way that they are prepared (fried) aren't so good for you. So all in all, I believe that eating vegetarian is better for the enviroment, and your body.

[electromagnetic]

I haven't had neat in a while. Strange because most of my cultural food consists of plenty of meat. I don't feel different in any form. I did however drop a few pounds which is sort of depressing.

I don't think there is really much of a health benefit just but cutting out meat mainly because people substitute it for either tofu or beans.

[Prof_Don]

You're depressed about losing a few lbs?

[electromagnetic]

Yeah because now most things will fit too baggy.

[Loki1337]

Just as good for you as eating meat when done correctly, otherwise it's even worse. You see, plant matter can have more protein but a lot less of it is usable by the human body.

Now, if you're eating, say, eggs, for protein, you're good on that. Soy is bad juju. Especially unfermented. Fermented soy, such as soy sauce, not nearly as bad. Soy is the most abundant source of phytoestrogen. Meaning, obviously, estrogen made by plants.

[chriistellkelly]

well, no.

meat has lot's or proteins and nutritions in it that you NEED. so if you stop eating meat, you better start eating lot's of eggs. either that, or take protein pills. but taking protein supplements doesn't give you the proper benefits of protein, than it does when you actually eat foods with protein in it.

studies have said that vegetarians tend to weigh less and be healthier than vegetarians, but I beg to differ. I love meat. and I couldn't live without it. and that's that.

[palek]

When eating a carrot

or something disparate

like liver and onion surprise

I ain't got much pride in

the folks I confide in

so I settle for burgers and fries

[TheGodEmperorLeto]

I really like your posts lol

[palek]

; - )

[htarmort]

Hmm. I feel better eating a lot of eggs, and veg now. I am cutting out meat for two months but it makes me eat more in a day but I don't get sleepy after eating lunch.

[DeepBlue]

Eating meat in moderation is key, especially with red meat. If you can do that an omnivorous diet can be just as healthy.

[martyfellow]

Thousands of documents attest to this. Look at how pretty the vegetarian women are, that should clinch the argument!

[asianfreak]

in my personal opinion, it's not for me because I love eating a wide array of foods, from meats to vegetables to nuts, other fruits, and much more