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To Meat or Not To Meat: A Vegetarian Dilemma
Whether or not humans should consume meat is one of those eternal arguments that will most likely never be resolved one way or another. Therefore, it is up to each individual to decide on their own whether being an omnivore is the appropriate lifestyle for them. Being informed on the benefits and drawbacks of vegetarianism or veganism can assist with this choice.
"To be or not to be" are the immortal words of Hamlet that so many of us are familiar with. They are the words this title parodies and yet in a sense this is the question that you are answering when you eat meat. You are choosing an animal's right to live, or not to live, and in some aspects you are deciding how long you are going "to be". It is no secret that aside from the ethical implications of your decisions about eating meat that it can also have a serious impact on your health. So let's take a look at both sides so that you can make a fair and balanced decision.
Fats and the Facts
It is no secret that some meats contain a lot of fat. All you have to do is look at a piece of steak to see that. While some meats are lower in fat, none of them are devoid of it. The dangers of a high fat diet on a regular basis have been well proven, but even short term exposure to high-fat foods, like cheeseburgers, can have a negative effect on your health. A study conducted by Dr. Gary Plotnick, a cardiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center and professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine Showed how even one high fat meal can cause abnormal functioning in the blood vessels in just three to four hours after consumption. So, eating meats that are high in fat can have an immediate impact on your health.
"But what about proteins?"
One of the biggest arguments that people who support eating meat have is that meat is a source of proteins. Protein is an important building block in the human body, after all. Humans need not only a significant amount of proteins, but the right mix of them. Getting these proteins in the proper balance is often the most taxing thing for new vegetarians to figure out. The truth is, however, that you can get the proper amount and mix of proteins. Just be sure that you know that when you make the transition you are going to spend much of your time reading labels and figuring out how to get the protein into your diet. Skip this and you can end up with some pretty nasty side effects.
"Do vegetarians still enjoy variety?"
Another concern that many people have when they stop eating meat is the lack of variety they might encounter in their diets. If a vision of 20 years of salads just does not do it for you, don't worry. Vegetarians enjoy a great deal of variety in their diets. You simply have to be willing to find the recipes, which should not be too taxing if you consider that at the writing of this article there were more than 4,200 articles tagged with vegetarian at Epicurious.com. Besides, with meat, how much variety do you really have? It's either red or its white.
"It sounds like a major lifestyle change…"
In this drive-thru dependent lifestyle that we have fallen into, changing habits about food can be the hardest thing for us to do. You are going to have to get used to changing your order. You may also have to start brown bagging your lunches if the only thing near your office is a deli.
This lifestyle change is not helped at all by the fact the decision to stop eating meat rarely only effects the person making the decision. Your family will also have to adjust to the changes in your diet, and while they can be a big help, they can also be a big hindrance. Just remember that while you can't force your life choice on a significant other or roommate, they do have to respect this choice. Don't give in to visiting a steak house where you know that nothing on the menu will work for you. Compromise will be key.
In the end, eating meat, or not is about your personal comfort. If you are going to decide not to meat, however, you are going to have to be sure to make the transition safely. Like everything worth doing, this transition will take time and may be trying, but will ultimately lead to a healthy, happier you!
For more information on the meat dilemma, visit the EnvyMyHealth.com Nutrition Channel!
Have Something To Say About Meat?
Agree/Disagree? Have an experience with this topic? Just want to rant? We want to hear from you!
"To be or not to be" are the immortal words of Hamlet that so many of us are familiar with. They are the words this title parodies and yet in a sense this is the question that you are answering when you eat meat. You are choosing an animal's right to live, or not to live, and in some aspects you are deciding how long you are going "to be". It is no secret that aside from the ethical implications of your decisions about eating meat that it can also have a serious impact on your health. So let's take a look at both sides so that you can make a fair and balanced decision.
Fats and the Facts
It is no secret that some meats contain a lot of fat. All you have to do is look at a piece of steak to see that. While some meats are lower in fat, none of them are devoid of it. The dangers of a high fat diet on a regular basis have been well proven, but even short term exposure to high-fat foods, like cheeseburgers, can have a negative effect on your health. A study conducted by Dr. Gary Plotnick, a cardiologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center and professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine Showed how even one high fat meal can cause abnormal functioning in the blood vessels in just three to four hours after consumption. So, eating meats that are high in fat can have an immediate impact on your health.
"But what about proteins?"
One of the biggest arguments that people who support eating meat have is that meat is a source of proteins. Protein is an important building block in the human body, after all. Humans need not only a significant amount of proteins, but the right mix of them. Getting these proteins in the proper balance is often the most taxing thing for new vegetarians to figure out. The truth is, however, that you can get the proper amount and mix of proteins. Just be sure that you know that when you make the transition you are going to spend much of your time reading labels and figuring out how to get the protein into your diet. Skip this and you can end up with some pretty nasty side effects.
"Do vegetarians still enjoy variety?"
Another concern that many people have when they stop eating meat is the lack of variety they might encounter in their diets. If a vision of 20 years of salads just does not do it for you, don't worry. Vegetarians enjoy a great deal of variety in their diets. You simply have to be willing to find the recipes, which should not be too taxing if you consider that at the writing of this article there were more than 4,200 articles tagged with vegetarian at Epicurious.com. Besides, with meat, how much variety do you really have? It's either red or its white.
"It sounds like a major lifestyle change…"
In this drive-thru dependent lifestyle that we have fallen into, changing habits about food can be the hardest thing for us to do. You are going to have to get used to changing your order. You may also have to start brown bagging your lunches if the only thing near your office is a deli.
This lifestyle change is not helped at all by the fact the decision to stop eating meat rarely only effects the person making the decision. Your family will also have to adjust to the changes in your diet, and while they can be a big help, they can also be a big hindrance. Just remember that while you can't force your life choice on a significant other or roommate, they do have to respect this choice. Don't give in to visiting a steak house where you know that nothing on the menu will work for you. Compromise will be key.
In the end, eating meat, or not is about your personal comfort. If you are going to decide not to meat, however, you are going to have to be sure to make the transition safely. Like everything worth doing, this transition will take time and may be trying, but will ultimately lead to a healthy, happier you!
For more information on the meat dilemma, visit the EnvyMyHealth.com Nutrition Channel!
Have Something To Say About Meat?
Agree/Disagree? Have an experience with this topic? Just want to rant? We want to hear from you!
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