Vegetarianism Essay Research Paper Vegetarianism as defined

Vegetarianism Essay, Research Paper

Vegetarianism as defined by The World Book Dictionary (1989) is “the

practice or principle of eating only vegetable foods and refraining

from eating meat, fish, or other animal products”. This definition,

though accurate, seems somewhat limited, as being a vegetarian is so

much more: it is a lifestyle choice, a way of thinking, and a way of

behaving. Over 12 million Americans and countless others, from all over

the world, have turned to the vegetarian diet (Vegetarian Times, 1996).

People who have become vegetarians have made a conscious choice to be

this and, having studied this practice, no one should entertain

becoming a vegetarian lightly. Even though there are many benefits to

becoming a vegetarian, the decision could also be harmful. There are

many reasons for people to choose a vegetarian lifestyle. Some people

adopt it as a fad, while others profess to do it because of an aversion

to eating animals. There are religious reasons for not eating meat and

still others follow vegetarianism as a way to lose weight, using it as

a diet. In each case it can be a healthy or a harmful way to eat. The

benefits or harm of vegetarianism is associated with two factors:

education about nutritional needs coupled with food choices. Even

groups like athletes can thrive on a vegetarian diet if they are well

educated to the bodies’ dietary needs ! and are well aware of the

limit-less choices available on a vegetarian diet. What follows in

this essay, is first: a brief, yet insightful look at the vegetarian

diet (the nutritional aspect) and then: an analysis of how this diet

may, in fact, be a good choice for an athlete.

The first thing people need to realize is that there is more

than just one type of vegetarian diet. In fact, there are

three basic vegetarian diets to choose from. The first is the

lacto-ovo diet. This diet includes the use of eggs and dairy

products. The second one is the lacto diet, which also includes

the use of dairy products but, unlike the lacto-ovo diet, this

diet does not include the use of eggs. The third diet is the

vegan diet. This diet excludes the use of eggs, dairy

products, and any food prepared with eggs and dairy products.

Many vegans do not use honey either (Giehl, 1979). Changing

your diet to one of these three vegetarian diets could be a

move in a healthier direction. Vegetarians are, on the

average, far healthier than those who consume the typical

Western diet (Hulsey, 1997). It is a well-established fact that

vegetarians suffer less heart disease than meat-eaters (The

European, 1992). The high quantities of fat and protein and the

total lack of fiber in meat are linked to a disturbing array of

degenerative diseases such as “cancer, atherosclerosis,

diabetes, obesity, and many others” (Akers, 1983 p. 23). There

is an emerging consensus that a vegetarian diet is actually

better than a meat-oriented diet. (Akers, 1983). The American

Dietetic Association has often voiced it’s support of the “well

planned” vegetarian diet (Hulsey, 1997). Good health, however,

is not automatically guaranteed just because someone becomes a

vegetarian. Understanding the body’s dietary needs, being

organized and having a good plan are the keys to a healthy

vegetarian diet. The body requires a certain amount of

protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals, to sustain

a long, healthy existence. Most people believe that the

vegetarian diet lacks in the required amounts of each of

these. When, in reality, these substances are in abundance in

the well-balanced vegetarian diet. In fact, from research, we

learn that “it is widely recognized that plant foods are the

best sources of many of these nutrients” (Akers, 1983 p.49).

Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are the primary sources of

energy to the body because they supply fuel necessary for body

heat and work (Dunne, 1990). Protein seems to be of the

greatest concern for people thinking about becoming a

vegetarian. Next to water, protein is the most plentiful

substance in the body. It is one of the most important

elements for the maintenance of good health and vitality.

Protein is the primary nutrient involved in the growth and

development of all body tissues (Dunne, 1990). Our society has

embedded in us the belief that the only way of getting enough

protein is to eat large quantities of meat and that people who

don’t eat meat will suffer from a protein deficiency.

Ironically, protein is the easiest of all the nutrients to

get. An entirely random selection of food plants, containing

enough calories to sustain life, will almost always provide

enough protein to meet your body’s needs (Akers, 1983).

Nathan Pritikin, states in his book The P! ritikin Program for

Diet an

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