How does a vegetarian diet compare to a meat-inclusive diet in terms of impact on personal health and the environment?

There are some particularities of health depending on what kind of vegetarian a person is-- the extent to which they abstain from animal products-- but in general, vegetarian diets can have positive effects on health and the environment.

Vegetarians do not eat meat, and may or may not choose to avoid other animal products like eggs, milk, and honey. Many people wonder how vegetarians manage to stay healthy if they do not eat meat, which is a great source of protein. The truth is that most plant foods contain a small amount of protein, though some contain quite a lot! Vegetarians have to be sure to eat a wide variety of plant foods to get the full spectrum of proteins required by the body. Legumes like beans and lentils often become staples in the vegetarian diet because they are high in protein.

One of the positive health effects of eating a vegetarian diet is a reduced risk for heart disease. Animal products like meat, milk, and eggs contain cholesterol and saturated fats, both of which contribute to heart disease. In some cases, vegetarian diets have helped to "reverse" heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. People who eat meat are also more likely to develop kidney stones as a result of the by-products produced when the body breaks down protein. Studies from Harvard have also shown that meat-eaters have a much higher risk of colon cancer than vegetarians.

One negative effect of a vegetarian diet is the risk for inadequate B-12 intake. This primarily affects vegans (people who eat absolutely no animal products) as meat and eggs are the primary natural sources of B-12. Most vegetarians typically do not experience a B-12 vitamin deficiency, but there are nutrition supplements available for those who do. Vegetarians who eat eggs rarely find themselves with a B-12 deficiency.

The effects of a vegetarian diet on the environment might seem quite small, but really do have a huge impact! One of the major contributors to greenhouse gases (and global warming) is the raising of animals like cows. Industrial beef and milk production puts out thousands, if not millions, of pounds of methane gas every year! Raising livestock takes a lot of resources in terms of time, feed, and water, while also creating pollution to the air and water. A vegetarian diet reduces the demand for animal products, and those who raise livestock must adjust their supply accordingly. It has been estimated that vegetarians in the United States help save the lives of hundreds of animals every year. This study of people's diets in the United Kingdom found that people who eat meat contribute twice as much carbon emissions on a daily basis compared to those who do not! Imagine what effect might be had on the environment if just ten percent of the people in your country were to take up a vegetarian diet!