What is the point of being vegetarian or vegan?

Question

It's so not healthy and we are omnivores, why do it?

Answer 1

I hear so many people say it's not healthy...if you took the percentage of unhealthy vegans and compared it to meat eaters, you'd realize that the vegan diet really is healthier.



There are many reasons to be vegan. For one thing, why contribute to the very inhumane slaughter industry? What's the point? People can and have lived very healthy lives as vegetarians and vegans so why contribute to something unethical and unnecessary?



And how are you so sure that humans were meant to be omnivores? There's scientific studies that show otherwise. Here's something taken from an answerer (Abel H) for one of my questions.



Humans are not Omnivores.. We choose to be Omnivores we are Biologically Herbivores



from a scientific standpoint, we were not designed to eat meat (look up Comparative Anatomy of Eating by Milton R. Mills, M.D.):



Facial Muscles:

Carnivore- Reduced to allow wide mouth gape

Herbivore- Well-developed

Omnivore- Reduced

Human- Well-developed



Jaw Type:

Carnivore- Angle not expanded

Herbivore- Expanded angle

Omnivore- Angle not expanded

Human- Expanded angle



Jaw Joint Location:

Carnivore- On same plane as molar teeth

Herbivore- Above the plane of the molars

Omnivore- On same plane as molar teeth

Human- Above the plane of the molars



Jaw Motion:

Carnivore- Shearing; minimal side-to-side motion

Herbivore- No shear; good side-to-side, front-to-back

Omnivore- Shearing; minimal side-to-side

Human- No shear; good side-to-side, front-to-back



Major Jaw Muscles:

Carnivore- Temporalis

Herbivore- Masseter and pterygoids

Omnivore- Temporalis

Human- Masseter and pterygoids



Mouth Opening vs. Head Size:

Carnivore- Large

Herbivore- Small

Omnivore- Large

Human- Small



Teeth (Incisors):

Carnivore- Short and pointed

Herbivore- Broad, flattened and spade shaped

Omnivore- Short and pointed

Human- Broad, flattened and spade shaped



Teeth (Canines):

Carnivore- Long, sharp and curved

Herbivore- Dull and short or long (for defense), or none

Omnivore- Long, sharp and curved

Human- Short and blunted



Teeth (Molars):

Carnivore- Sharp, jagged and blade shaped

Herbivore- Flattened with cusps vs complex surface

Omnivore- Sharp blades and/or flattened

Human- Flattened with nodular cusps



Chewing:

Carnivore- None; swallows food whole

Herbivore- Extensive chewing necessary

Omnivore- Swallows food whole and/or simple crushing

Human- Extensive chewing necessary



Saliva:

Carnivore- No digestive enzymes

Herbivore- Carbohydrate digesting enzymes

Omnivore- No digestive enzymes

Human- Carbohydrate digesting enzymes



Stomach Type:

Carnivore- Simple

Herbivore- Simple or multiple chambers

Omnivore- Simple

Human- Simple



Stomach Acidity:

Carnivore- Less than or equal to pH 1 with food in stomach

Herbivore- pH 4 to 5 with food in stomach

Omnivore- Less than or equal to pH 1 with food in stomach

Human- pH 4 to 5 with food in stomach



Stomach Capacity:

Carnivore- 60% to 70% of total volume of digestive tract

Herbivore- Less than 30% of total volume of digestive tract

Omnivore- 60% to 70% of total volume of digestive tract

Human- 21% to 27% of total volume of digestive tract



Length of Small Intestine:

Carnivore- 3 to 6 times body length

Herbivore- 10 to more than 12 times body length

Omnivore- 4 to 6 times body length

Human- 10 to 11 times body length



Colon:

Carnivore- Simple, short and smooth

Herbivore- Long, complex; may be sacculated

Omnivore- Simple, short and smooth

Human- Long, sacculated



Liver:

Carnivore- Can detoxify vitamin A

Herbivore- Cannot detoxify vitamin A

Omnivore- Can detoxify vitamin A

Human- Cannot detoxify vitamin A



Kidney:

Carnivore- Extremely concentrated urine

Herbivore- Moderately concentrated urine

Omnivore- Extremely concentrated urine

Human- Moderately concentrated urine



Nails :

Carnivore- Sharp claws

Herbivore- Flattened nails or blunt hooves

Omnivore- Sharp claws

Human- Flattened nails



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-So do you veggies who are dont eat meat for the animals sake wear anything leather (shoes, coats) -Those for the environment (do you drive cars, consider the fumes that come from the farming equipment?)

I do it for the animals, and I don't wear anything that came from an animal. (i.e. leather, wool). I'm for the environment, but that's not why I became vegan. I do use a fuel efficeint car though. 35 miles per gallon...not a hybrid but good for its price.



-Do you treat all insects with respect?

I'll kill an insect if it's something harmful like a roach and not care. I'm against the inhumane treatment for animals in slaughter houses, so I guess I wouldn't be fore trapping up a bunch of roaches and breeding them and keeping them in tiny places while feeding them hormones and other dead roaches.



-Supplementing with vitamins will never be as good as the real thing you get from real foods.

I never take vitamins. No vegetarian or vegan should unless they have an actual medical condition.



-Animals used for food are bred to be food and would not exist otherwise

I'd rather them not exist than be tortured for their short lives.



-Most veggies that I have met have been rather skinny and pale (doesnt seem healthy to me)

Reall now? Because I've seen fat vegetarians before. I think you've just met a bad crowd of veggies. Vegetarians and vegans can be just as unhealthy as meat eaters. I wouldn't judge the whole lot by the few that you've met. To be honest, I've never met an unhealthy vegetarian. I'm vegan and am 5'5 and weigh 125 lbs





-Another that I knew forced her dog to eat veggie dog food, that is not right.

Many force their children to be veggie, it should be a choice

My dog loves vegetables and there are vegetarian dog food that's perfectly healthy. I don't see anything wrong with it. Also, yes, I do believe you should give your child the choice. If I had kids, I would raise them to be vegetarian until they could think for themselves and then I would give them the choice.





-Veggies are living things too, how come it is alright to eat one living thing and not another

Because their is no evidence that vegetables feel pain. They don't have emotions or a central nervous system. They're not part of the animal kingdom like people and cows and other animals are.



-Why ok to eat fish not cow?

It's not ok to eat fish and not a cow. There are people who claim to be vegetarian and eat fish, but they're really not vegetarian. They just seem desperate to be part of a group that they don't belong in.

Answer 2

-So do you veggies who are dont eat meat for the animals sake wear anything leather (shoes, coats) -Those for the environment (do you drive cars, consider the fumes that come from the farming equipment?)



I don't buy leather or any other animal products anymore. I am using up the stuff I already had as not to waste it, but I won't buy it anymore.



-Do you treat all insects with respect?



Yes, I'm not going to have a heart attack if I accidentally step on one, but if a bee is intent on stinging me, I'll probably swat it because I'm slightly allergic to bees.



-Supplementing with vitamins will never be as good as the real thing you get from real foods.



I'm sorry, I forgot that beans, vegetables, fruits, etc, aren't real foods, WOW!



-Animals used for food are bred to be food and would not exist otherwise



ROFL. You're an idiot. Forget that question. How close minded ARE YOU?



Most veggies that I have met have been rather skinny and pale (doesnt seem healthy to me)



Check out my Yahoo 360 page if you are truly open to seeing a vegan that is neither of those things.



Another that I knew forced her dog to eat veggie dog food, that is not right.



Dogs can be vegan, cats however cannot.



Many force their children to be veggie, it should be a choice



For my children, when the time comes, it will be a choice ... because my boyfriend is an omnivore. If we were both vegan, why would we buy it different food? There is no lack of nutrients in a child vegans diet. Do some research.



-Veggies are living things too, how come it is alright to eat one living thing and not another



Because they don't have feelings, emotions, central nervous system, brain, etc. Did you pass biology yet?



-Scientifically proven is not a good answer to this, they contradict each other so much you cant go by these so called experts



Errr, then why are you going with what they're saying?



-Why ok to eat fish not cow?



Vegetarians don't eat fish, AT ALL.

Answer 3

In answer to the more specific questions you posted...



-No, I do not wear leather.



-I'm learning to drive. However, I won't be using a car for journeys that I can walk or cycle. Plus the impact of farming on the environment is far bigger than driving. Alll of the cows in the world produce far more greenhouse gases than all of the cars. But there's other impacts on the environment from eating meat too...for example, much of the rainforest is being cut down in order to grow crops to feed farmed animals or provide pasture land for them.



-As for insects, I try not purposefully kill them. If there's an insect in my home I catch it and let it outside. If there was an infestation then yes, I would do something.



-A varied vegetarian diet is unlikely to need supplements.



-Cows and chickens would, no doubt, stil be used to provide eggs and milk.



-I'm not skinny nor pale, I'm a healthy weight for my height. I've actually gained weight since becoming vegetarian.



-I disagree with vegetarian dog foods...but the actions of some doesn't mean we're all bad.



-I also agree that vegetarianism should be a choice for children. Just like I believe religion should be a choice but parents often force that upon their children too.



-Vegetables do not feel pain. Vegetables do not fear death. Vegetables do not suffer.



-Vegetarians don't eat fish. Pescetarians eat fish.

Answer 4

It has its benefits. It's a wonderful detox, it's easier to digest when it's a blazing hot day, it keeps your insides in shape, it makes you feel better, and it's terrific for the adventurous palate.

I eat meat, but no where in the proportions of the average American. 9/10ths of my diet is whole grains, fruits, veggies, and legumes. I'll have maybe 2 eggs a week, and a 4 oz. portion of meat for the whole day.



Meats and dairy do provide some nutrients that can't be got from vegetarian sources. I have a conscience, so I only by humanely slaughtered meats, either halal or kosher.



EDIT:

And I thought neocons were narrow minded.

Pick up a medical journal and try reading between your bong hits before you thumbs down someone with a medical background.

Answer 5

my bf is a vegetarian, but i am not...but i agree with the need in the US and worldwide to reduce meat consumption and choose only to eat meat or fish a couple of times per month.



raising animals for food = increased greenhouse gases

raising animals for food = pollution from giant animal farms putting their waste into the ground/streams/rivers, including dead animals and parts

raising animals for food = animal cruelty in the way that many large processing plants kill the animals



you may not agree with peta's more aggressive methods of disseminating their messages, but watch "meet your meat" at goveg.com and it will likely make you think differently about it. another good source of information: farmsanctuary.org.



to answer your other questions,

- my boyfriend will not buy leather shoes, belts or clothing, which believe it or not, is harder and more expensive than you think. he goes out of his way to not use animal products



- he rides his bike or walks to work if necessary - and we try to limit driving whenever possible. we live in a city where everything we need is accessible by walking, and is partially why we live there



- he will not kill insects in the house. if i find a spider, i make him take it outside! :-)



-regarding vitamin supplements - because vegetarians eat more vegetables than most meat eaters, more whole grains, more beans and have a more varied diet, they are getting better nutritional content than most meat-eaters...however, it's hard to find protein in vegetable and grain sources (at least not the same protein you get in meat), and are often lacking in iron, hence the need for supplements. but meat-eaters take supplements, too...so where's the argument there?



- your description of most vegetarians as pale and skinny is a stereotype. i don't think these famous vegetarians fit that description at all: carrie underwood, josh hartnett, alyssa milano, demi moore...and if you saw my bf you'd see he's pretty healthy, too.



-not everyone on the planet is ever going to give up eating meat, so there would still be cows and pigs. people would still drink milk. but reducing factory farming could have a huge and positive impact on the environment. did you know one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases = not cars, but cows! huge dairy farms and cattle farms = lots of cow manure. and cows producing manure = greenhouse gasses. i'm not kidding. i posted a link to a gross but interesting PSA video about cows and global warming.



- i also believe vegetarianism is a personal choice, however if a child was born into a family that didn't eat or cook meat, it's likely that decision will be made for them purely because that family doesn't eat or cook it. if i were a veg parent, i would certainly allow my child to eat meat if he/she wanted to. my bf's mom is also a vegetarian but she will still cook meat for the rest of the family. some veggies won't.



- as long as the dog is happy and healthy, the owner should be able to feed it whatever they want. dogs are natural scavengers and eat whatever they come across. if it's vegetable based but still healthy, what's the harm?



- some people are fruitarians and eat only fruit that has naturally fallen from a tree/bush/plant. i joke with my bf and accuse him of killing harmless vegetables...but vegetables don't have feelings and don't show fear before they're picked/cooked/chopped...watch the farm videos, and you'll see what i mean.



- it's called open-mindedness. you may not want to exclude meat from your diet, but if you educate yourself as to what it REALLY means in the grand scheme of things (economically, environmentally, ethically), you may change your mind.



But the beauty of it is - it's your choice!

Answer 6

it is actually healthier than being an omnivores, as long as you get the right amount of vitamins and things you need it doesn't matter what you eat, also, farming animals is has a larger impact on the environment than growing food, because plants use carbon dioxide to live so they are actually helping the air, where as cows, produce a lot of gases as well as use oxygen that humans need to breathe, they also eat large amounts of grass, which takes up a lot of space, and the slaughtering process is very wasteful and inhumane, do it for the betterment of humanity

Answer 7

I was born into vegetarianism, no choice! Now it's too late to start eating meat and I just don't have the desire. If I were born into a normal family, I probably would eat meat!

Answer 8

okay well... i disagree with what you said under the main question but i'll answer anyways.



point of being veg*n? some do it for religious reasons, some do it for the health benefits (which there are, in fact, many. go research it) some do it for animal rights, some for ethical reasons



i am vegan because i do not want to cause another animal harm just so i can feed myself. i don't want animals to be exploited in any way, and every person that goes veggie costs the meat industry another consumer.



i am very healthy, healthier than i was before i went vegan. i don't want decaying flesh in my body. and no, i don't support peta.

Answer 9

Personal choice - and it is perfectly healthy if you follow prescribed guidelines for preferred lifestyle. Some people don't eat meat for religious purposes and some for personal reasons but either way we should respect that choice and support them in it. My only request is that they do likewise - no one likes to be preached at and food is a deeply personal topic for all of us. If we just respect each others choices things will go allot smoother.

Answer 10

To live closer to the earth. It IS healthy. You are thinking of a complete lack of protine. In vegitarian or vegan life styles people use soy products to get their protine as opposed to eating animals or fish.

Answer 11

You are mis-informed, in fact the opposite is true, Here is a wonderful informative health site by Dr. John McDougall. His newsletter is free, go into the archives he has some great articles.



http://www.drmcdougall.com/



Slainté, (to your health)

Answer 12

Just to clarify to Bitter Bats, the comparative anatomy thing came from one of my answers. . .but thanks for reposting so I didn't have to again.



I no longer have the energy to answer people who can't walk into their local book store and actually read a few books.

Answer 13

its everyones right as americans to choose if they want to eat meat or not so long as they dont press their views onto others, its ok to talk about it with those that are interested but dont calll meat eaters killers, i mean after all plants are living things as well and even though we cant hear them scream doesnt mean plants dont "feel" it....

Answer 14

True, humans are omnivores, but I can underetand not eating meat. I don't like death.



Why people think milk is bad is beyond me.

Answer 15

Because it actually IS healthy, but mostly because I don't want to pay for the torture and slaugther of billions of creatures if I don't have to (and we don't.) The environmental impact is also enormous. There are about a thousand reasons to be vegan, but only one to eat meat: "I like it, it tastes good".

Answer 16

Go to www.peta.org and look around. That is ONE reason not to eat what we are not designed to eat.

Answer 17

I don't know were you heard that it's not healthy but your sources are providing you with misguided information. Vegetarian diets have bee proven to lower cholesterol, lower risk of heart disease and colon cancer, assist diabetics and lactose intolorant people and reduce obesity. Biologically we are designed to be herbivours due to the length of our digestive tract, the chemical linning of our digestive tract (not properly designed to break down meat), and the fact that our teeth are designed for grinding foliage and vegtables and not for capturing prey. The canine teeth are not true canine teeth and are shorter and cone shaped. There are several other factors as well but these are simply a few.



For animal rights reasons I do not feel humans should kill any animals for food when they can gain more from eating a vegetarian diet. Humans have a habit of over eating and consume more than they need to be healthy as it is. There is no point in aniamls suffering at our expense.



I'm not religious but I do take the time to learn about peoples lifestyles so I can relate to them better. Budism and Hinuism are primarily vegetarian cultures. They believe in the acceptance of suffering as a means to humble but don't believe we should cause suffering.



As for christianity here are a few things I found out.



" God said, ' Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food '. " Genisis 1:29



Basically states that humans were meant to eat plants and not feed from the tree of life.



" And the fear of you and the terror of you shall be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given.Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant." Genisis 9:2-3



"Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth. All the animals, birds, and fish will live in fear of you. They are all placed under your power. Now you can eat them, as well as green plants; I give them all to you for food. Genesis 9:1-3



Do not eat anything that the Lord has declared unclean. You may eat these animals: cattle, sheep, goats, deer, wild sheep, wild goats, or antelopes - any animals that have divided hoofs and that also chew the cud. You may not eat camels, rabbits, or badgers. They must be considered unclean... Do not eat pigs... They must be considered unclean... Do not eat any of these animals or even touch their dead bodies. You may eat any kind of fish that has fins and scales... You may eat any clean bird. But these are the kinds of birds you are not to eat: eagles, owls, hawks, falcons; buzzards, vultures, crows; ostriches; seagulls, storks, herons, pelicans, cormorants; hoopoes; and bats." Deuteronomy 14:3-18



This was after god punished man for his disobedience by causing the floods which wiped out the crops. God also stated



"Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood and surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man's brother I will require the life of man and your life will I seek, at the hand of every creature you slay." ". Genisis 9:4-5.



This was meant as a mockery towards man. He was basically saying if you disobey me you might as well do this but if you do feast upon the flesh of beasts he will seek the life of whoever took the life of a beast. In other words man was to only eat animals that were already dead and declared us as scavengers as a last resort.. Later on the bible expresses gods intent.



"For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the Same. As one dies, so dies the other: indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity." .Ecclesiastes 3:19



This states that man does not have power over animals. A common term used by people is that humans have "dominion" over animals. Theologists have argued about the translation of the word "dominion" and believe the proper interpretation is that man has Stewardship to the animals meaning that we are here to care for and protect them.



"The wolf will dwell with the lamb, And the leopard will lie down with the kid, And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. Also the cow and the bear will grazw; Their young will lie together; And the lion will eat straw like the ox. They will not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain. " Isaiah 11: 6-9



This states gods intentions that in the end after man has learned his lesson and exercised his loyalty towards god that all will return to peace.



As I said I am not religious but I thought these verses were very interesting seeing as so many meat eaters argue that god put animals on this Earth to eat yet they choose to ignore everything after the floods that states goods intentions.