There will never be a better time to start considering a vegetarian lifestyle. There are environmental and health issues which you need to take into consideration if you are still part of the meat-eating population.

Vegetarians and vegans whose diet consists mostly of plant-based food make up a smaller percentage of the population. But what is it about meat that turns them away from it?

Does it have something to do with the negative affects of a meat-based diet on the health? Is it the way the animals are treated? For you to make an informed decision, you should first learn about the pros and cons of these two types of diets: meat-based and vegetarian based.

Examining the Vegetarian Based Diet

As a vegetarian, your diet will contain a lower level of saturated fats, and a higher amount of fiber and antioxidants. More importantly, your risk of developing chronic and lifestyle-related diseases is reduced.

The downside of having a vegetarian diet is that you will not have a primary source of high-quality protein. You may also develop a deficiency in Omega-3 fatty acids, iron, vitamin B12, zinc, iodine, calcium and selenium.

To counteract this, vegetarians should always have a solid meal plan to ensure that they are getting all the nutrients their body needs to function properly. A growing solution to combat these possible deviancies is the addition of soy foods. Soy is high in protein and contains many nutrients.

Some Downfalls of a Meat-Based Diet

Most of us have been taught for years that both white and red meat is a great source of high-quality proteins. Red meat, in particular, contains the essential amino acids that the body needs. Iron, phosphorus and vitamin B12 are the other essential nutrients that you will be lacking if you decide to take on a mostly plant-based diet.

These are the common problems that you will encounter with a meat-based diet:
* Meat-based diets are generally high in fat.
* If you eat big, juicy burgers, for example, the quality of the beef that you are consuming may not be desirable for your health.
* Meat raises your cholesterol levels.
* You are more prone to cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure with a meat-based diet.
* Gout, arthritis and degenerative diseases are some of the health risks that meat-eaters may suffer, to which vegetarians are not usually subject.

Your Decision: Meat-Based Diet or Vegetarian-Based Diet

Once you’ve examined the options, it is still a matter of personal preference. If you think you can work through the problems of a meat-based diet and not give it up, then you can certainly do so. Making an informed decision is the key to making any type of diet work to the maximum benefit of your health.

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