The vegetarian (according to the vegetarian society, a vegetarian is a person who does not eat meat, and sometimes other animal products) lifestyle has become a more familiar and popular diet in our society and with its increased popularity came with controversy. The big question being whether or not being vegetarian fulfilled its promises of a healthy body, wildlife preservation, and more food to quench world hunger. While it’s true that vegetarianism may slightly fill these claims, it is also true that eating organic meat in moderation will fulfill the goals of vegetarians on a greater scale, with lower consequences.

A healthy body is one of the biggest reasons for someone to become a vegetarian. Vegetarians believe that no meat makes for an overall healthier body. There are no hearty saturated fats, that put on weight and veggies provide many vitamins, and aren’t injected with hormones. It makes sense, you always hear your parents say, “eat your vegetables!” This may make sense, but it is inaccurate. Those saturated fats you were trying to get out of your diet, they increase immune, nervous and digestive system functions. The nutrition in meats are the most convenient for our bodies to digest like iron, fiber and proteins. You can’t disregard that the USDS has found that a vegetarian can meet nutritional standards, but it is much harder and insufficient way to do it. Because it is harder to meet the nutrition standards many vegetarians end up cutting corners. Two in three vegetarians are vitamin B12 deficient, compared to one in 20 meat eaters, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Take my Uncle for example; he was at a very unhealthy weight and was diabetic. His doctor was forced to give many supplements and strongly advised he eat meat to gain iron and protein more efficiently. After many health problems he quit his vegan lifestyle. He is no longer diabetic and he no longer needs supplements. As for the hormones, many crops such as corn, wheat, and soy have been genetically modified to be bigger and resistant to pesticides. These are sprayed excessively with pesticides and don’t leave. These pesticides are harmful to bugs and harmful to us.

People all around the world are hungry and dying from starvation. Research from Cornell University found that the grain used to feed US livestock alone could feed 800 million people. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the world "currently produces enough food for everybody, but many people do not have access to it." Many people in Africa get aid from the U.S. but are kept from the food by various terrorist groups. And many just aren’t informed where and how to get that food. So meat isn’t to blame for world hunger and not eating it wouldn’t help. Alleviating world

One of the biggest concerns of a vegetarian is the concern of the welfare of animals. Studies show that all warm-blooded animals can feel fear, anxiety and pain. The process of slaughtering may seem inhumane and gory. Contrary to this, the humane methods of slaughter act mandates that all livestock be unconscious before slaughter so they don’t ever feel a thing. Animals that do feel pain and aren’t killed humanely are killed in fields used to produce crops. Almost all walks of life are affected by crops to grow a vegetarian’s diet; they die from all the pesticides sprayed on genetically modified plants, which affects the whole surrounding ecosystem. They also die from their habitat being destroyed. About 90% of fields topsoil is being used at 13 times the sustainable rate. And those that do live in the fields are killed in harvesting machines; animals like birds, mice, squirrels, rabbits and many others are ground up or severely injured and unable to function, dying slowly.

As you can see, vegetarians can do what they claim to prevent. Eating organic meat in moderation can have much better benefits for you, the animals and the environment. Organic meat must meet the following: no hormones or steroids, organic feed, and must be born and raised on an organic pasture. This ensures that they aren’t raised in confinement eating unhealthy feed containing steroids or hormones. Eating in moderation makes sure you get the needed amount of nutrition and avoid the consequences of too much meat, as there is for too much of anything; although world hunger isn’t as simple as eating meat or not, conserving food can contribute to feed the hungry. This is also a more feasible plan of attack to the 95% (USDA) of Americans that don’t consider themselves vegetarian. Making it easier and more convenient to accomplish the three main goals of a vegetarian; a healthy body, wildlife preservation, and creating more food for the hungry.


Works cited

American Dietetic Association, "Position of the American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian Diets“, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, May 27, 2009

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), "Livestock's Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options",www.fao.org, Nov. 29, 2006

Frank Newport, "In US, 5% Consider Themselves Vegetarians," www.gallup.com, July 26, 2012

Sally Fallon Morell, "Know Your Fats Introduction," www.westonaprice.org, Feb. 24, 2009

Nathan Fiala, "The Greenhouse Hamburger," Scientific American, Feb. 2009
"What Is a Vegetarian?" Vegetarian Society. N.p., n.d. Web.
"Vegetarian ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., 16 Apr. 2014. Web. 27 May 2014.