The Dangers of Being a Vegetarian

Is a pure vegetarian diet or a non-vegetarian diet the better bet? Obviously, hardcore vegetarians will always vote for fruits and vegetables, while those who love meat might say that non-vegetarian diet is the best victuals man has ever invented. So, what is the truth? The truth lies somewhere in between. In other words, instead of a pure vegetarian or non-vegetarian diet, a healthy mix of both is the best input for the human body. Those who have had a look at the food pyramid – man’s biggest invention in the diet domain – would agree to this fact. The food pyramid stands not for vegetarianism or non-vegetarianism alone. Instead, it is a balanced mix of both that it suggests. Yes, this may be in complete antithesis to the concepts of vegetarianism, as followed by us humans, but it is the reality. As you read ahead, you’ll realize why it is so…

It is true that vegetables and fruits are rich in certain vitamins and minerals that are very essential to the human system. But, it does not supply all the elements needed by our body. Remember, the human body requires all the compounds for its healthy self, not few. For example, vegetables lack proteins, an essential constituent of living cells. It is crucial for the production of vitamin B12 complex, a deficiency of which could lead to lower energy levels, and in a worse case, the condition called anemia.

Also, vegetables and fruits lack minerals such as calcium, zinc, and iron that are again crucial for the human body’s overall development and fitness. For example, calcium shortage could lead to a host of problems, the least of which is osteoporosis at the later stages in one’s life. Lack of zinc in the diet – especially during one’s growth phase – on the other hand could invariably results in retarded growth, hair loss, delayed sexual maturity, and loss of appetite. Finally, iron deficiency surfaces as heart palpitation, anemia, fatigue, and shortness of breath while performing physically demanding activities. With a strict vegetarian diet, one cannot have these minerals sufficiently.

Then, there is this group of people who argue that a strict vegetarian diet considerably reduces or eliminates the chances of a heart attack. It is true that red meat has more fat, but it is harmful only if you follow a non-vegetarian diet all the time. A right mix of meat and vegetables have never been observed to cause or encourage any form of heart diseases. In fact, it reduces the chances of cardiac disease than a pure vegetarian food.

Finally, hardcore vegetarians, in an attempt to avoid meat or meat products, have seen to depend on processed or pre-packaged foods a lot. This is a very unhealthy proportion for processed food has lot of undesirable elements in it that are not so good for the human system. Ideally, in that sense, one should be consuming organic food instead of pre-packaged foods. Having you bought it at Whole Foods does not mean that it's healthy!

Humans are very adept in finding excuses for not doing something that they are supposed to do. There are certain ardent meat-haters who claim that they can still manage to follow a strict vegetarian diet as there are supplements available to compensate for calcium, zinc, and iron shortages. Even though it is true that supplements are available freely in medical shops, it is however not a recommended course of action. Artificial means are exclusively for emergency purposes, when no other option is available, and not to be adopted as a way of life. Overuse of supplements sometimes also could lead to addiction.

To conclude, pure vegetarianism or non-vegetarianism alone is an unhealthy proportion. What the human body needs is a balance of both, exactly what the food pyramid also teaches. For more details on balanced diet, consult a nutritionist or your doctor.