The value of being vegetarian
Lindsay Kutac
9/26/13
Vegetarians are committed people around the world who don’t eat meat. They choose not to consume animal flesh typically because of these three categories:
-Healthy lifestyle
-Politics (animal rights)
-Longevity
“Being a vegetarian can be difficult at times,” says Courtney S., a young woman in San Antonio, “but it really pays off in the long run. I’ve always wanted to eat and live with balance, and being vegetarian has given me that opportunity.”
Courtney has been a vegetarian for eight years and believes she has a lot more energy than when she started. Being vegetarian can give you a healthier lifestyle because of the essences in fruit and vegetables. If you were to be a vegetarian, you would mainly be eating fresh produce and protein sources such as dairy and beans. You may think that you would miss meat too much to be vegetarian, but Courtney also says that, “It is rough at first, but then you just keep living like it never existed.”
But why else be vegetarian? Many people are in the exact same physical condition while eating meat. What is the attraction?
Being vegetarian is a big political issue. Many people respect animals and believe that if the animals cannot speak for themselves, then humans should stand up for them. Being vegetarian is a way to try and persuade people to find their inner animal shelter volunteer. Genevieve Q, a middle school student in Austin, says, “My two little yorkies are the most precious things to me. Once I thought about how some people eat Coco and Deedee’s relatives, I stopped the meat immediately.”
Genevieve goes to several animal right conventions a year, and she says that nearly three-quarters of the attendees are vegetarian or vegan. If you want to stand up for the creatures around us, vegetarianism is a good option for you!
The rumor has gone around: Being vegetarian can increase life length. Who doesn’t want to live longer? See more things and experience more places? The website Vegetarian Times tells a story of Okinawans: “ Residents of Okinawa, Japan, have the longest life expectancy of any Japanese and likely the longest life expectancy of anyone in the world, according to a 30-year study of more than 600 Okinawan centenarians. Their secret: a low-calorie diet of unrefined complex carbohydrates, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, and soy.”
Many people are vegetarians, and you can be healthier, live longer, and help animals by becoming one too! If you would like to find more, go to:
The Vegetarian Times
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/article/why-go-veg-learn-about-becoming-a-vegetarian/
Category: Editorials
