The Argumentative Research Essay Purpose: To persuade Audience: Diverse / Educated adults. Length: 5-6 pages (1500 - 1800 words) Research & Documentation: Minimum of 6 sources with MLA citati

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To Eat or Not To Eat: A View on the Benefits of Vegetarianism

Over the past few years, there has been an increasingly hot debate as to whether or not vegetarianism is beneficial for us as individuals, as well as for us as a collective society. Countless organizations have released literature, horrifying humanity with their vivid images of animal cruelty in slaughterhouses and on meat farms. As gut wrenching as the inhumane treatment of animals is, what is most convincing in this argument is the undeniable health benefits a balanced, and thoughtful vegetarian diet can provide. When it comes to being proactive about health and longevity, the benefits of vegetarianism clearly outweigh a meat packed diet.

One of the forerunners in the fight to convince society to go vegetarian is the discussion on animal cruelty in slaughterhouses. It is instinctual to eat meat. We as humans cannot deny this fact. We crave meat and its nutritional properties are essential to our survival. Our species has been consuming meat since as long back as science can discover. The new way of slaughtering meat, however, is not instinctual. The inhumane conditions of animal slaughterhouses are repulsing and ghastly. Most people can not even bring themselves to read literature on, or look at pictures of, these heinous conditions. Our moral compasses tell us that slaughtering animals in the way as it is done today is wrong. As appalling as it is, Brian Solomon, a member of the Madison City Council, sums up some of the horrible acts claiming, “Every year in the laying industry, 280 million newly hatched male chicks - who can’t produce eggs themselves - are thrown into garbage bags or grinders, to suffocate or be crushed or hacked to death”(Solomon). Any moral and virtuous human being will recognize the problem with such situations. As the United States has grown as an economic superpower, so has its need for speedy production and distribution on goods and services. As technology grows, factories become more productive, ridding themselves of waste and unnecessary tasks. This includes animals, and the slaughterhouses in this country have become soulless, treating animals as if they were needless waste, not like the living, breathing, conscious beings that they are. We have a moral responsibility as human beings sharing this planet to treat our fellow neighbors with dignity and compassion. Just because there is a food chain, does not mean that we have to use cruelty, or have no appreciation for where our sustenance comes from. There are humane ways to raise and kill meat. Douglas Brown, a blogger for the Denver Post Newspaper and an avid supporter of humanely raised meat was convinced by the “horror stories about the way livestock are sometimes raised in this country: chickens stuffed into cages for their short lives, pigs never allowed to see the sky or feel the sun on their backs, thousands of cattle standing shoulder-to-shoulder in pens knee deep in mud and their own waste”(Brown). Organic farms humanely raise and more considerately slaughter their animals. There are even organic farms that you can go tour to see where your local meat is coming from. This is not necessarily a practical option, however, unless you are ready to devote time for every meal to researching where your meat came from. You can forget having a sporadic restaurant meal with meat. Even Brown himself admits, “It could make for uncomfortable dinner parties (“Was this chicken raised humanely? You don’t know? Oh, OK. I’ll just have the carrots.”)”(Brown). Vegetarianism is the only practical answer to eating humanely.

Another trend in the United States is the idea of living “green.” Reducing gas emissions and reducing one’s carbon footprint are important to society today. If you believe in being green to help protect our environment, then vegetarianism is more energy efficient. The omnivorous diet contributes substantially to the amount of greenhouse-gas emissions. The University of Chicago News Office reports “In 2002, energy use for food production accounted for 17 percent of all fossil fuel use in the United States. And the burning of these fossil fuels emitted three-quarters of a ton of carbon dioxide per person”(University of Chicago News Office). That is about one third of the 1.9 to 4.7 tons of carbon dioxide emitted by the average American car (University of Chicago News Office). Not only does livestock production contribute to the emission of these greenhouse gases, they also emit methane and nitrous oxide (The University of Chicago News Office). The burning of fossil fuels during food production is only another thing to eliminate on the path to a cleaner Earth and a more green society. Vegetarianism is healthy for our bodies as well as for our planet.

While it seems as though vegetarianism is the obvious choice for how to eat, there are a lot of believers out there that think that long term plant-based diets are harmful to one’s health. Ben Kim, a chiropractor and acupuncturist, believe that one must consume meat and dairy products in order to be healthy. And while he recognizes the sympathy given to animals who are abused, he states, “But let’s not confuse compassion for animals with striving to do what’s best for your health”(Kim). Victoria Anisman-Reiner, a writer and teacher in holistic health, agrees with Kim, stating that “Most vegetarians and particularly vegans must supplement their B vitamins, calcium, and iron and eat fortified foods like protein bars/powders, soy or rice milk, and cereals”(Anisman-Reiner). This will cause a lack of energy and potential health problems if these essential vitamins and such are not supplemented. But, if this is the main cause for concern, then that is not a very inconvenient truth. Supplements are very easy to find, reasonably priced and easy to work into a daily routine. Taking extra supplements or working in foods that are fortified is not that much of an adjustment in order to make a vegetarian diet balanced and healthy, especially when these slight changes are weighed against the enormous health benefits of the diet. Winston Craig, a professor of nutrition, provides the many insights to the benefits of the vegetarian diet and sums up the positives by stating, “A larger body of scientific literature suggests that the consumption of a diet of whole grains, legumes, vegetables, nuts, and fruits, with the avoidance of meat and high-fat animal products, along with a regular exercise program is consistently associated with lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, less obesity and consequently less heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and mortality”(Craig). While meat provides the majority of protein consumption in an omnivorous diet, meat can easily be substituted by lentils and beans. Meals can be bought and prepared just as easily as meals containing meats, as there is an increasing number of vegetarian friendly grocers and countless cookbooks and references. Another great substitution for protein in a meatless diet is soy products. Winston Craig describes how soy can be beneficial in saying, “Tofu, or soy bean curd, can be used in dips and spreads, or served with pasta or stir-fried vegetables. Soy protein contains isoflavones, such as genistein and daidzein, that act as phytoestrogens and inhibit tumor growth, lower blood cholesterol levels, decrease the risk of blood clots, and diminish bone loss. These benefits clearly translate into a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and osteoporosis”(Craig). Cancer is something that gives everyone nightmares. It causes heartache and leaves giant holes in people’s lives as they lose their loved ones to its cruel and unjust ways. If we can even do a small shred of something to prevent cancers and heart disease, why wouldn’t we? How can anyone ignore the ability to change their diet to inhibit tumor growth? It seems very clear that the health benefits of a vegetarian diet surpass the craving for daily meat consumption.

In the ongoing debate of whether or not to incorporate meat into one’s diet, the answer seems quite clear. Eliminating the constant consumption of meat reduces animal cruelty and abuse, reduces greenhouse gas emissions in our environment and our society’s carbon footprint, as well as nourishes our bodies and provides us with protection from numerous deadly diseases and medical conditions. The benefits of vegetarianism will outlive its trendiness and become the future of a more efficient way of living. Vegetarianism is the superior diet, as compared to an omnivorous diet, and can sustain our society as well as provide lasting benefits.

Works Cited

Anisman-Reiner, Victoria. “A Vegetarian Diet Can Be Hazardous if It’s Not Nutritionally

Balanced.” Vegetarianism. Debra A. Miller. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Current Controversies. Rpt. from “Disadvantages of Going Veg: A Guide to those Considering the Health Impact of Vegetarianism.” Suite 101: Holistic Nutrition. 2007. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 22 Sep. 2012.

Brown, Douglas. “It Is Moral to Eat Humanely Raised Meat.” Vegetarianism. Debra A. Miller.

Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Current Controversies. Rpt. from “A Carnivore Rethinks His Eating Ethics.” Denver Post 30 Sept. 2009. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 22 Sep. 2012.

Craig, Winston. “Plant-Based Diets Provide Many Health Benefits.” Vegetarianism. Debra A.

Miller. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Current Controversies. Rpt. from “Health Benefits of Vegetarian Diets.” Vegetarianism and Vegetarian Nutrition, 2008. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 22 Sep. 2012.

Kim, Ben. “A Strict Vegetarian Diet Is Unhealthy for Most People.” Vegetarianism. Debra A. Miller.

Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Current Controversies. Rpt. from “Don’t Let Philosophy Become More Important Than What Works.” Chet Day’s Health and Beyond. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 22 Sep. 2012.

Solomon, Brian. “Vegetarianism Is the Right Moral Choice for Many Reasons.” Vegetarianism.

Debra A. Miller. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Current Controversies. Rpt. from “Ethics and Vegetarianism: Why What We Eat Matters.” Progressive Cogitation Mar. 2006. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 22 Sep. 2012.

University of Chicago News Office. “Vegetarian Diet Is More Energy Efficient Than A Meat Diet.”

Vegetarianism. Debra A. Miller. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Current Controversies. Rpt. from “Study: Vegan Diets Healthier for Planet, People Than Meat Diets.” 2006. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 22 Sep. 2012.