Saturday, September 10, 2011

Reasons Why People Become Vegetarian

The question "why choose vegetarianism?" has many valid answers. People choose to become vegetarians for many different reasons � probably as many reasons as there are vegetarians!  But most vegetarians cite one or more of the following issues:  
  • Health concerns: A healthy vegetarian diet can decrease the risk and symptoms of many chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
  • Religious restrictions: Hinduism and Buddhism hold vegetarianism as an ideal way to promote nonviolence and spiritual fulfillment.  If Kosher or Halal meat isn't available, observant Jews and Muslims keep a vegetarian diet.  Other religious groups that avoid meat include Seventh Day Adventists and Jains.
  • Environmental degradation:  Many environmentalists assert that the large-scale meat and poultry production is environmentally unsustainable.  They point to issues with water quality, waste disposal, overuse of antibiotics, and other concerns.
  • Animal rights issues:  Ethical vegetarians are concerned about animal cruelty.  Many animals live in truly abysmal conditions and are treated horribly prior to and during slaughter.
  • Food safety: Approximately 5,000 Americans die of food-borne diseases each year.  There have been many large-scale recalls of meat contaminated with e-coli and many local incidents where restaurant patrons were sickened by improperly cooked meat and eggs.
This once-exotic food choice is becoming more and more popular for many reasons.  Vegetarian kids and teenagers are often motivated by idealism � and by the large number of famous and celebrity vegetarians, including Adam Carson of AFI, Larry Mullen, Jr. of U2, and pop singer, Pink.


Whats your reason for becoming a vegetarian? feel free to share

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