Vegetarianism+and+Alternative+Diets+-+MaryClare

= Vegetarianism & Alternative Diets =

= Background = Although vegetarianism comes from a long time ago before recorded history, it became widely known and popular in the 1960s, and became a U.S. phenomenon in 1971 when Frances Moore Lappe wrote //Diet for a Small Planet//. Many thought that it was impossible to survive on a vegetarian diet. There was an idea that eating meat was brutal abuse toward animals, and movements began and groups formed to spread the word about vegetarianism. Some give up meat because they begin to see their food "alive". Instead of seeing it as a piece of edible meat, they look at it as the actual cow, chicken, pig, fish, etc.

Environmental Issues

 * 1) It takes 3 to 15 times as much water to produce animal protein as it does plant protein
 * 2) Methane gas, a cause of the greenhouse effect, is produced by cows and other animals.
 * 3) Animals contribute to water, air, and land pollution.
 * 4) Grazing can lead to a loss of topsoil.
 * 5) Animal farming gives off large amounts of manure, and urine run-off which pollute the land.

Economic Issues

 * 1) ﻿Meat is more way more expensive than veggies, grains, etc.
 * 2) Instead of buying beef, chicken, or pork, you can buy alternative protein sources such as beans and rice.
 * 3) A diet with no meat can still provide one with vitamins and nutrients, money is saved, and the risk of health issues is decreased.
 * 4) The cost of health care: By not eating meat, you are less like to get sick, therefore less money you're spending on health care.

Ethical Issues

 * 1) Lobster and other shellfish are not killed before they are cooked.
 * 2) Confinement and starvation: New-born calves are locked in crates, not allowed to move, and underfed until they are slaughtered and served as veal.
 * 3) Cows are fed growth hormones so that they produce more milk.
 * 4) Factory farming: Chickens are packed so tightly into cages that they can barely move. Excrement falls through the stacked cages onto chickens below
 * 5) A big reason as to why people choose to be vegetarian is because they are against animal abuse.
 * 6) People love animals.

Health Issues
-Osteoporosis, Kidney Stones and Gall Bladder Stones, Arthritus, Gum Disease, Etc.
 * 1)  Not eating meat can prevent many things such as obesity, high cholestoral, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
 * 2) Eating a large amount of red meat can cause cancer, and sickness.
 * 3) Can cause a wide variety of health issues such as:
 * These can all be back tracked to eating meat.

//**MEATLESS MONDAYS**// media type="youtube" key="sc_vlcEdikc" height="390" width="640" //**ALTERNATE SOURCES OF PROTEIN**// media type="youtube" key="wbvRyGVkIOw" height="390" width="480"

= =

__**Bibliography**__ 1. "Why Be a Vegetarian? Reasons for Vegetarianism - The Veggie Table." // The Veggie Table - Vegetarian Recipes and Info //. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. .

2. Jowit, Juliette. "UN Says Eat Less Meat to Curb Global Warming | Environment | The Observer." // Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian | Guardian.co.uk //. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. .

3. "Vegetarian Guide: History of Vegetarianism in the U.S." // Michael Bluejay - Official Home Page //. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. .

4. "Vegetarian Society - History - The Vegetarian Society." // Vegetarian Society - Home Page //. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. .

5. "Social, Economic, and Aesthetic Reasons for Vegetarianism." // Angelfire: Welcome to Angelfire //. Web. 29 Mar. 2011. .

6."Yet Another Reason Not To Eat Meat." // Vegan Bits //. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. .