Vegetarianism and veganism – who’s it actually helping?
Question by Peoples’ Poet: Vegetarianism and veganism – who’s it actually helping?
First of all, I know there are more non-meat diets out there than just vegetarianism and veganism, but those are the 2 common ones so yeah.
Ok, let’s get into it – who is actually being helped by vegans and vegetarians? The animals? Sure, if the failure to prevent other people from killing and eating them is “help”, then the animals are getting more help than anybody in this crazy illogical world.
“It’s natural”? Yeah, if you’re a cow (and who knows, there are a lot of them out there) or one of the few other vegetarian species. Otherwise, the killing and/or eating of other animals is pretty ubiquitous throughout the animal kingdom. As a species, evolution and the harsh conditions of the ancient savannah decided that it would be better for the humans to eat the iron-filled, vitamin-containing, fat-and-higher-energy-than-plants-containing (the important factor) meat of decomposing carcasses (occasionally freshly slaughtered) as opposed to tough, chewy, not-high-energy-containing plants. It may also be one reason that we’re losing our wisdom teeth as a species (I’m not explaining what wisdom teeth were for).
“There are health benefits” really? Because even cocaine and heroin have health benefits, for God’s sake, but it doesn’t mean you should do them. According to the American Dietetic Association, a PROPERLY PLANNED vegetarian diet is “healthful, nutritionally adequate..” so nutritional adequacy for a vegetarian can only be achieved through proper planning? Sounds like a lot of unnecessary hassle for a meal that in the end tastes infinitely worse than meat.
In fact, I know that several health benefits have been linked to vegetarianism and veganism, such as less heart disease, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes just to name a few. However, these diets are shockingly lacking in things like vitamin B12 (would you rather get this from a juicy steak or sterile, tasteless supplements?), bioavailable iron, long-chain fatty acids, cholesterol (which is extremely important – not that the pharmaceutical companies will tell you that) and saturated fat (high source of energy).
As for longevity? Well, the vegetarians are in luck, but would you believe it? The longevity of meat-eaters and vegans is the same! Which means that in the future the vegetarians will be attending the funerals of their meat-eating and vegan friends, who had an eating competition where the foods were synthetic hamburgers and synthetic tofu burgers and consequently choked to death.
Vegetarianism and veganism – who’s it actually helping?
Have at it.
Also, for the people from the “it’s cruel to animals” camp – get over it. Life is cruel. Animals treat each other with wanton cruelty all the time and they don’t need pills to sleep at night or tofu to chew. As for why people don’t buy free range eggs/chicken? It’s because it’s so damn expensive. Maybe if it was the same price or lower than regular, battery-farmed products, then the trend might catch on.
Dsg Ddf – as interesting as that wasn’t, I already know what PETA is… you haven’t really refuted or explained anything. True, it could be proven that I am also GAC, but as the answerer, the burden of proof is on you. I need a little more than a brief overview of an idealised organisation that a lot vegetarians and vegans don’t even belong to.
friendofchip – evidently Y!A and I have very differing opinions on what counts as contribution. That reply didn’t even begin to answer my question. As for the weak remark about me having a sad, pathetic life, I am happy to report that I am living to the contrary.
Sulu – antagonistic? Perhaps. Cynical? Definitely.
I didn’t cut and paste this, I thought of it with my meat-fuelled brain. I’m not looking for a fight, it’s just coming across that way =( I am actually looking for answers.
To answer your other question, I care because as a human, I have a vested interest in humanity and our quest to dominate the planet with logic. Relying on a less efficient food source seems rather counter-intuitive.
Ben – it’s interesting that you can apparently discern my physique from the way I write. What would you say if I was to tell you that I regularly go to the gym? That I’m lying, probably, but that’s up to you to decide.
Sheila and Panda – your eloquent phrasing has humbled me. I am no longer partial to the opinion that vegetarians and vegans are morons (kidding! Not about not being partial but about being partial to the belief in the first place). No but seriously, it would be impossible to present all the facts of our diets, so let’s agree that I’m right and you’re wrong (kidding again).
JustBe – I think you’ll find, with a little consideration, that as a New Zealander I follow the British conventions for grammar and spelling, meaning that “fuelled” is a correct and legitimate word, and that you suck regarding international differences in that area. Granted, I have probably fluffed up my grammar somewhere, but it’s the internet so who really cares?
My question is not intended to be rude or antagonistic. If you want an answer as to why everybody seems to be perceiving it as such, then maybe you should ask them?
Best answer:
Answer by Sulu
tl;dr all of it. From what I did read, you seem very antagonistic and cynical. Did you really spend all that time typing that up or did you copy/paste from another person’s question?
Why do you care about what people eat or don’t eat? It seems like all you’re doing is trying to pick a fight. That’s no way to go through life.
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