USDA Says about Vegetarians

2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines - Vegetarian Diet Good for Your Health

Source: link

"The types of vegetarian diets consumed in the United States vary widely. Vegans do not consume any animal products, while lacto-ovo vegetarians consume milk and eggs. Some individuals eat diets that are primarily vegetarian but may include small amounts of meat, poultry, or seafood.
In prospective studies of adults, compared to non-vegetarian eating patterns, vegetarian-style eating patterns have been associated with improved health outcomes—lower levels of obesity, a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower total mortality. Several clinical trials have documented that vegetar-ian eating patterns lower blood pressure.
On average, vegetarians consume a lower proportion of calories from fat (particularly saturated fatty acids); fewer overall calories; and more fiber, potassium, and vitamin C than do non-vegetarians. Vegetarians generally have a lower body mass index. These char-acteristics and other lifestyle factors associated with a vegetarian diet may contribute to the positive health outcomes that have been identified among vegetarians.

"These vegetarian variations represent healthy eating patterns, but rely on fortified foods for some nutrients. In the vegan patterns especially, fortified foods provide much of the calcium and vitamin B12, and either fortified foods or supplements should be selected to provide adequate intake of these nutrients."


Personally I TRY to be as vegan-vegetarian as I can. I have moments of weakness, but the thing is I TRY, and I get better every day. It's not something easily delve into, but the more you learn, the easier it gets.

And if you CHOOSE to eat meat, please look up where it's coming from. Look what they put in it. What weird growth hormones, and the like, they put into these animals. Check to see if they came from a factory farm. Most eggs come from chickens confined to battery cages, bloodied feet from the wires, stepping on their dead chicken friends. If you want to eat eggs, see if they're free range and what they're fed.

That salmonella outbreak on vegetables? Was because of run off from factory farms.

They have to grow double to produce, using double the land, to feed factory farm animals AND humans. Think how much a cow eats...! Think how much produce they need to fatten that guy up.

It may cost a little more, but your health will thank you. Balance your budget. It's one less video game a month. Save money by going to Ross or the Thrift store.

If you find it repulsive that countries eat cat, dog, lizards, guinea pigs... what makes a cow, chicken, or pig (which is considered the smartest domesticated animal) any different?

Oh, and swap-shop tomatoes are the best tomatoes.

<3 Birdy Lady