What arguments are against being vegetarian?

Vegetarians on average live 7 years longer than non-vegetarians and have a significantly reduced risk of almost every serious disease (cancers, heart disease, etc.)

I just bought an excellent book about the longevity 'hot spots' in the world, and one thing all of these places had in common is that they ate meat very sparingly. When they did eat meat, it was from animals they either killed out of the wild or raised themselves. This was one of the contributing factors to them leading healthier, better quality lives than typical Americans.

There are plenty of studies and opinions on what to eat and what not to eat. However, there is not one single conclusive study by any scientist that any one food or food category can be harmful to anyone. For the sake ofbeing a winger, nutrient per nutrient, a diet consisting of insects and bacteria is second to none - but you don't see people running their mouths about that now.

Everyone will die, that is the only fact of life. And when you do, your body will be eaten too. So as long as you sleep happy at night and smile in the day, no one's opinion makes one bit of difference in the end and nothing will ever change what people want to do with their diet.

Why not argue over something important - like which color ofthe rainbow is the prettiest.

Of course everyone is going to die. The way I and many others see it is: Take care of your body today, and you'll lead a less painful life later. Proper nutrition and proper care of your body lessens the pain and suffering of most maladies. I plan on living a life full of energy and vitality past 100, myself.

I like to think of it in terms of SEX....
98% of the hormones in our body that promote a good sexual activity come for Cholesterol, know remember that not all cholesterol is good, but no all is bad either, we defenetly need FAT, and animal FAT to functions as nature wanted us to function, if we where meant to be only vegetarian he would have big big bellies full of bacterias that can eventually digest cellulose like gorillas do, but we don't, do we??? I'm not saying vages are bad, and just saying meats not bad either. Eat meat... its good, and it will do you good, specially in deb.

One things is clear from this thread - vegetarians write a much better argument. There are a lot of claims in here with no references to the source and study they are coming from. Check your facts people.

i became vegitarian because of this statment Every minute of every working day, thousands of animals are killed in slaughter-houses. Pain and misery are common. In the US alone, 500,000 animals are killed for meat every hour. i think it is cruel and unkid but still people love meat its a strugle for them but same for vegitarians :)

Again, this was a topic about the difference in diets.
And AGAIN, i see vegetarians whining about how animals are killed.
You know what, I'm all against cruelty to animals, but to kill an animal for food, is nowhere as unjust as you people shoving your beliefs down others throats.....
Exactly why must people look down on vegetarians, because they think they are "know-it-all's"
Let people eat what they wanna eat, and make their own choices for themselves.
How complicated is that?

Guest wrote:

Again, this was a topic about the difference in diets. And AGAIN, i see vegetarians whining about how animals are killed. You know what, I'm all against cruelty to animals, but to kill an animal for food, is nowhere as unjust as you people shoving your beliefs down others throats..... Exactly why must people look down on vegetarians, because they think they are "know-it-all's" Let people eat what they wanna eat, and make their own choices for themselves. How complicated is that?

I think that people should definitely try to live this way. What other people eat is none of your business. And there are arguments against a vegetarian diet just like there are arguments against an omnivorous diet. The point is to respect the choices others have made. Thanks for this post!

I am not actually a vegetarian...but I see no problem with an individuals choice to eat meat or Not to....I personally only eat chicken or turkey....because my family raise our own so I know what it has eaten and how it has been treated.....I recently did a project on how a vegetarian diet is more morally correct....and someone in the class actually argued that if We didnt eat animals than they would eat us........I don't know about you guys but I don't think I have ever seen a cow or salmon viciously take a bit out of a human being....

Bit of info for the woman who claims eating meat improves your sex life:

The #1 cause of impotence is cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol and hypertension, specifically. It's no different in women- if blood flow is restricted, arteries can't dilate, etc, you are going to have some problems in bed, to say the least. And we all know that if is a scientifically proven fact that being vegetarian reduces your risk of heart disease by up to 40%.

Another huge issue is the fact that animals are treated with growth hormones, which are passed on to people when eaten. These just absolutely wreak havoc on our delicate hormonal balance. Unless you are buying local/organic meats, they ARE full of synthetic hormones.


I am vegetarian. When I had my cholesterol checked last year, my doctor said my LDL/HDL levels are so phenominal that at this point I had no chance of developing cardiovascular disease (which I plan on keeping up the good work as I get older!). I am of an ideal BMI and fat percentage, and have yet to have a health issue of any kind.

Oh, and... MY HUSBAND CAN'T KEEP UP WITH ME IN BED!!