Vegetarian and Vegan Choices
Organic options are very green, although environmental experts and animal activists and organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals argue that vegetarian choices are even better and vegan are the absolute best. They combine what's best for the environment, best for human health, and, of course, best for the animals.
An estimated 70 percent of all human diseases are connected to diet, including one-third of cancer types. Experts argue that a vegetarian diet reduces the risks for diseases such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and several types of cancers including colon, breast, prostate, stomach, lung, and esophageal cancer. Vegetarians are less likely to be obese than their meat-eating counterparts. Studies show that overweight people who switch to a vegetarian diet lose an average of twenty-four pounds in the first year; five years later, they're still able to maintain their weight.
Experts argue that our meat-based diets are partly to blame for the millions of people around the world who go hungry. Resources that could be used to grow food for people are being used to grow food to feed farm animals. Crops that could be used to feed the hungry are instead being used to fatten up animals for slaughter.
You may wonder what the differences between vegetarian diets and vegan diets are. Obviously neither includes meat, though some types of vegetarians eat dairy, poultry, and fish and just avoid beef and pork. A lacto-ovo vegetarian eats dairy products and eggs. A lacto vegetarian eats dairy but not eggs, and an ovo vegetarian eats eggs but not dairy. A pesci-vegetarian eats fish but not poultry. A semivegetarian may eat small amounts of poultry but follows a diet of primarily fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts.
A strict vegan avoids all animal products, including anything made with fur, leather, or wool or any other animal by-products such as honey and gelatin. They also like to avoid anything that has been tested on animals.
If you look purely at the facts and statistics, eating an animal-free diet is better for the environment and your health, but it is going to be hard to get many people to give up steaks, cheeseburgers, and bacon, especially in a nation obsessed with the fast food culture. Doctors and scientists argue the benefits of vegetarian and vegan diets, though there are plenty of doctors that support eating meat and dairy products — in moderation. In the end it is a personal choice.
This is where having a vegetarian or vegan menu can really make a difference. You can give your guests the chance to experience a whole new world of tastes and textures, perhaps food they would never try on their own. You don't even have to tell them the hamburger is really a veggie burger or the milkshake is made from nut or soy milk unless they ask. Include traditional pasta or rice dishes made with meatless meat, and many people might not even notice the real meat is missing.
According to the late Dr. Benjamin Spock, a leading authority on children's health, “Children who grow up getting their nutrition from plant foods rather than meats have a tremendous advantage. They are less likely to develop weight problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer.”
Not only will you be opening doors to a whole new world of tasty possibilities, you'll also be saving animals and helping save the environment. You'll be the head of your own eco-revolution, changing the world one meal at a time. To learn more about vegetarianism or to find tasty vegetarian and vegan recipes, check out www.goveg.com, www.vegcooking.com, www.vegweb.com, www.vegkitchen.com, and www.vegetariantimes.com.
If you would like to experiment with some vegetarian or vegan recipes at home, there is a wide range of books available. One great one is Extra Vegan Za by Laura Matthias, which is filled with many tasty and unique vegan dishes.
