Why do some vegetarians and vegans insist that meat is so unhealthy, but refuse to acknowledge health risks...?

Question

...of most produce?

When do you hear them complaining about the pesticides used on fruits and vegetables that is absorbed through the skin of the fruit/vegetable, thus entering its flesh, so that it can't just be washed off? Also note that those that are organic are often genetically-modified and grown in animal byproducts, such as fish guts or cow feces.

Why don't they complain about that, but they complain about meat?

I would also preemptively like to ask the first person who says "Well the animals have to eat those pesticide-laden crops too." that animals have these organs called livers; these organs filter out much of the chemicals, so the content in the flesh/meat is much lower than what one may expect.

Answer 1

simple enough: because those are the so called "facts" that have been driven into their heads by the vegetarian propaganda sites they visit who are in turn supported by the vegetarian food companies AND organic farmers groups that basically just want a bigger piece of the food market pie. You think a cabbage farmer will make more money by telling people eat meat? He will say "eat more cabbage". What he won't say is "so I can make more money"





Heart disease is not caused by eating meat. Billions of people eat meat without suffering anything at all. Heart disease is caused by genetics, excessive food consumption, lack of physical activity, environmental factors etc. France, Japan, Italy, even India all have majority populations that eat meat yet do not suffer the same illnesses that the US does. Why? People eat less, move more. But as usual, the narrow minded view of some people because that's what they have been told by groups who want their money is: meat-=heart disease". Their solution logically the same as curing a head ache by cutting off the head.

Answer 2

>>>When do you hear them complaining about the pesticides used on fruits and vegetables that is absorbed through the skin of the fruit/vegetable, thus entering its flesh, so that it can't just be washed off?



Actually, many of the people who try to buy organic foods are the same people who are vegans. But meat is worse than inorganic produce. The worst pesticides and other chemicals are those that bio accumulate up the food chain. All the chemicals that the cow's liver doesn't break down simply stays in the cow's fat tissue, and a cow eats 10 times its own weight in food before being slaughtered. Then the human, over the course of their life, eats 50 times their own weight in beef.... The higher up the food chain you go, the more pesticides you get. It works the same way with Mercury as well.



>>Also note that those that are organic are often genetically-modified and grown in animal byproducts, such as fish guts or cow feces.



Incorrect. Per USDA regulations, GMO foods cannot be labeled as organic

Answer 3

You will never hear me say that all meat is unhealthy. The quantity of meat in the average American diet is very unhealthy. The only nutrient that can only be found in animal products is B12. B12 is made by bacteria, and plants can't store it very reliably. Vegans just need something fortified with B12, that's it. Iron, protein, zinc, and any other nutrient you can think of that people usually get from animal products can be found in a plant NATURALLY. You seem to be very misinformed, as you make several blanket statements about the diet and general health of vegetarians. I'm a vegetarian, I never take supplements, I'm not skinny, and I don't lack muscle.

Answer 4

Your question is really strange to me. All of the vegetarians and vegans that I know don't eat meat because of the way the animals are treated and don't believe in eating the flesh of other creatures. Also most of the ones I know, including myself, are aware of the risks or pesticides and fertilizers and prefer to buy organic produce. However, not everyone can afford all organic produce so they only buy organic the things on the top 10 or top 15 lists of the most pesticide ridden produce such as strawberries, potatoes, and the like.

Answer 5

I don't complain about meat or say that it is unhealthy. I believe that humans are omnivores but I choose to be a herbivore. What we eat is a very personal thing and it's silly that you are so concerned with what vegetarians eat or don't eat. You must get really bored.



I buy my produce from the farmer's market and most all of the farmers here do not use pesticides. I have visited a few of the farms.



Anything labeled organic is not supposed to be genetically modified/grown in animal byproducts according to the definition of organic. But I can't say that it isn't because I don't know what these agribusinesses really do.

Answer 6

Firstly, there are a lot of things wrong with pesticides in produce that some people overlook or do not talk about. Most vegetarians and just about every vegan (if you actually talked to one) would say how important buying organic and Fair Trade is. I grow all of my own veggies and herbs and when I need something I can't find in my own garden I buy it from my local farmer's market.



Secondly, I believe that meat by today's standards is unhealthy. Not meat from local small farms or from a hunt, I am referring to 99% of the meat from the store and 100% of the meat you'd eat at fast food restaurants. ( I actually think dairy is the least healthy and least natural but that's just my opinion. )



Personally, I don't care what you Dr.Natural, Bill or whoever that new guy is eats. I really don't. Do I wish more people took a stand on how animals in factory farms were treated? Yes. Do I think there is a likelihood that vegetarianism is a norm? No, not really.



My boyfriend comes from a very traditional, meat loving family of butchers. No videos I show him or books I show him would persuade him to eat like me and I'm ok with that. BUT he has become more conscious of where his meat is coming from. That is a change I'd like to see in meat lovers. Otherwise do whatever you want. I don't judge you, please don't judge me. :)

Answer 7

I'm a vegetarian, and I only turned that way because I thought that meat was unhealthy and I really didn't like the fact that animals are just being born to die. I don't like pushing my beliefs on other people, but the reason I thought that meat was unhealthy compared to fruit and veg, is because meat is high in protein, but the thing is, if you go to McDonalds or something like that, there is meat in nearly everything. All the meat there are highly processed. It's really not good for you.



With fruit and veg, you can wash them, you can buy organic foods, you can grow them yourself. My point is that there are slimmer chances of getting food poisoned for fruit and veg, than meat. I bet that nearly every meat eating household has got rotting meat in the freezer or fridge. And you can also undercook it.



Meat is also unhealthy because it has been proven to cause heart disease and raise blood pressure and can cause strokes. It is also quite high in fat, which causes obesity. If you're a girl, you really shouldn't eat meat while your having your periods. Meat also has added hormones in which is bad for your body.



I'm not trying to push anyone into being a vegetarian/vegan. I'm just answering the question truthfully. Hope I helped. ♥

Answer 8

Ahh Cliff....



I literally left the forum for a bit because I was so frustrated by your comments.



I for one am very concerned about the issue of pesticides and they things we choose to grow our food in. I am also very concerned about genetically modified foods. Are you suggesting that we eat a completely meat based diet with absolutely no produce or grains? That seems radical even for you. So you can see where this is an issue for all of us rather than just vegetarian or vegan people.



I, like Kat, grow all my own vegetables and freeze or can them as well as our small fruit crop that we grow here. I do buy organic produce from our local market out of season and when I cant get what I want. For fertilizer, our three horses oblige us daily.

Answer 9

Vegans and Vegetarians tend to eat ONLY organic, which means no pesticides. Meat has horrrrible effects on the human body. and no I am not a vegan or vegetarian. I eat fish and chicken.



Beef causes heart disease. I havent heard anything about Lettuce and Tomatoes ever killing someone.



You meat eaters are the reason why this country is so unhealthy and so obese. You would save thousands of dollars just sticking to eating fresh produce vegetables, but no you accept the risk of disgusting meat.



watch the movie "Food, Inc." You can learn a lot. The link I have added has free links to watch this incredible documentary.

Answer 10

All the more reason to buy from local farmers you can actually talk to or grow your own food! (:





"I would also preemptively like to ask the first person who says "Well the animals have to eat those pesticide-laden crops too." that animals have these organs called livers; these organs filter out much of the chemicals, so the content in the flesh/meat is much lower than what one may expect."

So you're saying that it's okay for farmed animals to eat pesticide-laden crops because they have livers to filter out the toxins? Are you aware that humans have livers too?! Perhaps you've answered your own question...



Right, so the solution to that problem is to filter the toxins though an animal, rather than actually doing something about the problem in the first place. Something doesn't add up here.... That's the difference between legitimate questioning and legitimate trolling.



Hehe, a direct quotation is using your words out of context? No argument, huh?

Answer 11

Do you even realize that after an animal is done being experimented they are sent to the slaughterhouse without anyone checking what's inside? Come to think of it that could be true since that's the only use the animal can provide after people finish experimenting.



That means any unlucky person can consume the experimented animal and get the chemical inside him/her that can trigger or alter the inside of his/her body.



Meat is unhealthy because meat have way too much fats and grease. Ever notice that when you cook meat there is always so much grease coming out? Well that's actually bad for you.



Let's just face it, many of those who consume meat have no idea where their food is coming from.

Answer 12

To piss off meatheads like you that won't leave them alone maybe? Yeah, I think that's it.



Ok seriously though, you have to remember, people know about these produce with pesticides. I'm quite sure most of the vegetarians you see complaining about meat stretch the fact that people should consider buying organic. Not saying that everything organic is healthy anyway, but still. And please do cite where "...organic are often genetically-modified and grown in animal byproducts, such as fish guts.." because that sounds like a load of crap to me. Cow feces..manure? Everyone knows that.

Answer 13

We all shouldn't be worrying about other peoples lifestyles .. It's a a mentality thing. People think if you eat green your healthy.. Lots of cultures around the world are strict vegen diets, spices, herbs..

Answer 14

i've seen people complain about that. the food industry is messed up. that doesn't mean people should replace their fruit and vegetables for meat (meat eater or vegetarian)

Answer 15

i an vegan and i only buy organic, i dont know of any vegans who dont.



the average american has 5 to 7 pounds of rotting meat stuck in there colon. i know this is true because i know a man who had to have it surgically removed due to the smell, but i found some sources for you anyway:

http://zikkir.com/health/94357

http://www.shetlin.com/articles/TEN_day_cleanse.pdf

http://lists.envirolink.org/pipermail/ar-news/Week-of-Mon-20040308/021163.html



if you are worried about heart disease, drink your daily wine. the french drink wine every day and they have the lowest rates of heart disease :)

http://www.carnaval.com/france/wine/index.html

also, i think you will find "food inc." to be an educative film.

Answer 16

One of natures most balanced foods and is filled with the nutrients that your body needs to build and maintain muscle, gain strength and vitality! A meat based high protein diet is good for you. Red meat and poultry are great sources of protein and nutrients and should be made part of a balanced diet, but always in moderation.



As long as you choose the lean red meat and skinless chicken and turkey, why should it be bad? You just don't want to overdo it, everything in moderation in life, it is important to have a healthy diet of foods from different nutrient groups.

Answer 17

the #1 cause of death in USA is heart disease not pesticide poisoning nor even any cancer they may cause.

its logical to care about #1 before caring about #37.

Answer 18

Because some people are stubborn and beleive what they want to beleive. I can't beleive that someone would make make an argument that being vegitarian/vegan is healthy, when infact it is actually unhealthy. I don't usually eat meat, but that is honestly because I don't like it, and it is hard for me to get enough lean protein without it, it IS hard to stay healthy on a meat free diet. Haha, but some people will just ignore anything they here and make excuses and arguments for their side regardless of what anyone says. This can actaully happen for any kind of person, in any kind of argument, and it is really frustrating!! I think that those kind of people are unwilling to listen to anyone else and learn, because they are so unwilling to admit that they make any kind of mistakes or have any flaws in their thinking. But yeah that's annoying.