Vegetarian Benefits

Change Your Life, Change the World with a Healthy Outlook

Vegetarian benefits are plenty:

Feel better. Enjoy more energy. Have a clear conscience. Live a little longer. These are just some of the incredible, life-changing benefits of the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle that are available to anyone interested in a healthier life. (The main difference between the two groups is that vegetarians consume dairy products such as milk whereas vegans exclude all animal-related products from their diet.)

Live Longer, Live Better on a Vegetarian Diet

Eating meat has recently been linked to serious issues such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and more. According to a recent study, the direct medical costs of meat consumption total $30-60 million each year. Simply switching to a healthy plant-based diet can significantly reduce risks for all of these diseases, according to the American Dietetic Society. Vegetarian benefits - are well studied facts.

A vegetarian diet includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and beans, promoting long-term good health, disease and cholesterol reduction, better digestion, and increased energy. Likewise, fruits and vegetables aren't injected with dangerous growth hormones and chemicals.

Vegetarian Diet Saves Money Money

In addition to the physical benefits, many vegetarians and vegans save money as a result of their diet and lifestyle. In general, fruits and vegetables cost less than expensive meat and dairy products and can often be purchased at farmer's markets or local co-ops. Vegetarians are also more likely to cook at home, saving money on dining out.

A Moral Matter

Some people switch to a vegan lifestyle out of a moral and ethical calling to reduce the number of animals that are bred for consumer demand, often kept in cages and drugged before they are killed for human consumption.

Likewise, eliminating meat from your diet can notably reduce your environmental footprint: Livestock production now creates more greenhouse gas emissions than the transportation industry, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In addition, more than 4,000 gallons of water are required to produce just one day's worth of food for a typical meat eater, whereas a vegetarian requires only 1,200 gallons of water, and a vegan only 300.

One of yoga's moral teachings is the concept of ahimsa, or non-harming. Applying this idea to your life, consider ahimsa with your body and your actions towards others, including the food you eat every day. The benefits of a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle are genuine, long-lasting, and can change the world.

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