VEGETARIANISM PROS

WEIGHT LOSS
Switching that double bacon cheeseburger for a healthy tofu burger is a great way to start
managing weight and losing weight.
A veggie diet is consistently lower in calories and saturated fats than a meat-based diet. Even
cutting out meat once or twice a week can significantly help to lower weight, but remember, it’s
still about moderation.
LOWERED RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASE
One of the most important benefits of vegetarian diet plans is the lowered risk of chronic disease
associated with eating less meat and more vegetables.
Meat-heavy diets often lack essential nutrients and minerals that are found in fruits and
vegetables. Increasing the variety of fruits and vegetables (more legumes, beans, nuts, etc.) that
you include in your diet can help to lower cholesterol, prevent diabetes, prevent heart disease,
and potentially lower the risk of certain cancers by improving your nutrition.
Overall, a reduced risk of disease means that the health benefits of vegetarianism can essentially
lead to a longer life.
MAKE A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ETHICAL IMPACT
Another reason to decrease meat consumption and adopt a vegetarian diet is the positive impact
it can have on the environment. Many vegetarians stop eating meat because they are against the
negative treatment and killing of animals. Vegetarianism becomes an ethical choice.
Others are concerned with the increasingly negative impact that meat-eating has on the
environment. Eating red meats such as beef directly leads to deforestation in parts of the world,
and contributes massively to CO2 emissions. Cutting down on meat lowers the demand for mass-
produced meats, thereby creating a positive effect on the environment.
LOWER GROCERY COSTS
There’s also a financial advantage to becoming a vegetarian. You’ll probably have already
noticed that meat products in the supermarket are more expensive than vegetables. Red meat,
such as steak, is particularly pricey, as are certain kinds of seafood.
Cheaper meat products (sausages, for instance) tend to be of a lower quality, or they won’t be as
healthy (fatty ground beef is more expensive than lean ground beef).
There’s no doubt that vegetables are cheaper than meat, and switching to a vegetarian diet can
help you to save significantly on your weekly shopping bill.
VEGETARIANISM CONS
LACK OF CERTAIN NUTRIENTS
When you’re looking at vegetarian diets’ pros and cons, then it’s important to look at the
potential lack of nutrients that you can experience, particularly if you’re new to preparing veggie
meals.
Vegetarian diets can be lower in protein while cutting out dairy can result in a lower calcium
intake. You can, however, make up for this by incorporating new products into your diets, such
as protein-rich beans and tofu.
LACK OF CHOICE AND CONVENIENCE
One of the major arguments against becoming vegetarian is that it’s just not convenient. This is
true, to an extent, but as lifestyles, diets, and products change, this argument will eventually
become null and void.
Restaurants and stores are stocking a wider range of vegetarian and vegan products (more tofu,
vegan cheese, and plant-based sausages, for instance), and there’s more choice now than there’s
ever been.
DIFFICULTIES ADOPTING A NEW ‘LIFESTYLE’
Of course, adopting a new way of eating isn’t easy, particularly if you’ve grown up used to
eating meat. Being vegetarian, however, is consistently seen as a positive life choice for both
your health and for the environment. It’s easier now than ever before to adopt a veggie or vegan
lifestyle!