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If you’re like me, and you’ve watched more food documentaries than you can count, and you know about some of the health benefits of switching to a meat-free diet, but for some reason you just aren’t quite ready to make the leap, these facts may just give you that extra push. Cutting meat out of your diet can aid in weight loss, provide a boost in energy, reduce your risk of heart disease, and more. You’ll want to check out these amazing benefits if you’re considering going plant-based:
1. YOU’LL REDUCE INFLAMMATION IN YOUR BODY
Meat, cheese and highly processed foods can cause a spike of inflammation in your body within hours of consumption. As a response to animal fat, our arteries are paralyzed and their ability to open is cut in half, and our lungs also become inflamed. This inflammation is an immune response to a perceived threat. Long term effects of continuous inflammation can lead to heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and even cancer. Plant-based diets are anti-inflammatory in a natural way, because they are abundant in plant fiber and antioxidants, and significantly lower in inflammatory triggers such as saturated fat and endotoxins — toxins released from bacteria commonly found in animal products.
2. YOUR BLOOD CHOLESTEROL LEVELS WILL PLUMMET
Red meat, poultry, cheese and other animal products contain saturated fat, which is a key factor in elevating blood cholesterol levels. Elevated blood cholesterol levels dramatically increase your risk for heart disease and stroke, which have been named among the top killers in the U.S. Vegetarians have been shown to have a lower risk of dying of heart disease, and studies have shown that when people turn to plant-based diets, their blood cholesterol levels drop by 35%. Plant-based diets are also rich in fiber, which reduces blood cholesterol levels, and cutting out meat can have a positive effect on those who need cholesterol-lowering drugs.
3. YOUR CHANCE OF DEVELOPING TYPE 2 DIABETES WILL BE REDUCED
Research shows that following a vegetarian diet can help prevent and manage diabetes. Several studies have found that a higher intake of animal protein is associated with a long-term risk of developing diabetes. Animal fat, animal-based (heme) iron and nitrate preservatives in meat have been found to damage pancreatic cells, worsen inflammation, cause weight gain, and even impair our insulin functions — all which can increase the risk for type 2 diabetes.
4. YOU MAY LOSE A FEW POUNDS
The obesity rate in the general public is extremely high, but it is found to be much lower in vegetarians. According to a study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, caloric intake in meat-eaters and vegetarians was similar, but meat-eaters had a much higher rate of obesity. Meat-eaters also had the lowest intake of plant proteins, beta carotene, fiber, magnesium, and the highest intake of heart disease-linked fatty acids. A vegetarian diet low in fat and rich in fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains may lead to healthy weight loss.
5. YOU CAN BETTER AVOID TOXIC FOOD CONTAMINANTS
Animal products are loaded with contaminants such as hormones, herbicides,pesticides and antibiotics, all of which can cause health problems. A high percentage of all the flesh from chickens, turkeys, cows, fish and pigs butchered every year in the U.S. is contaminated with E. Coli, listeria, campylobacter and other dangerous bacteria. Consuming contaminated meat can cause food poisoning, with symptoms ranging from stomach cramps to organ failure and even death. The CDC estimates that each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 of them die of food-borne diseases. Staying away from meat could help save you from dangerous foodborne viruses, bacteria and parasites, providing that you consume fresh, organic produce.
6. YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE HEALTH OF OUR PLANET
There are many ways that switching to a plant-based diet can have a positive impacton the environment. Raising animals for food currently uses an astounding 30% of the Earth’s land mass. In the U.S., 70% of the grain grown is fed to farmed animals – food that could be given to people. Nearly 80% of land deforested in the Amazon is now used as cattle pasture, and to produce one pound of animal protein versus one pound of soy protein, it takes about 12 times as much land, 13 times as much fossil fuel, and 15 times as much water! Switching to a diet free of meat, dairy and eggs saves 50% more carbon emissions than driving a Prius. By going vegetarian, you can reduce the impact of climate change and rain forest destruction and pollution, while saving water and other natural resources.
Becoming a vegetarian has many health benefits that may just be worth giving up your typical Thanksgiving turkey, Fourth of July burgers and hot dogs, and Christmas ham. If you’re still deciding whether or not to make the switch, try cutting out meat for a week or two, and see if you feel any different. If you’re fighting meat cravings, there are some amazing vegetarian and vegan recipes out there that you can try!
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Disclaimer: We at Prepare for Change (PFC) bring you information that is not offered by the mainstream news, and therefore may seem controversial. The opinions, views, statements, and/or information we present are not necessarily promoted, endorsed, espoused, or agreed to by Prepare for Change, its leadership Council, members, those who work with PFC, or those who read its content. However, they are hopefully provocative. Please use discernment! Use logical thinking, your own intuition and your own connection with Source, Spirit and Natural Laws to help you determine what is true and what is not. By sharing information and seeding dialogue, it is our goal to raise consciousness and awareness of higher truths to free us from enslavement of the matrix in this material realm.
Just to offer a word of advise regarding minerals and protein in your diet, when meat is left out of it.
There’s protein and minerals in grains and seaweed is a rich provider of minerals too. Besides, seaweed,
and I mean the product of organic shops, is helpful to get rid of metallic residue in the digestive system.
Very often, I’ve noticed as a nutritionist, when people change from eating meat to a vegetarian diet, it takes
a bit of time for the body to adjust. The sudden urge to want a piece of meat is a sign of detox too, however the choice is yours what to do about it.
The detoxication and clearing of the digestive system, also when stopping the consumption of meat, has an effect on our emotional state and sense of well being, this is very valuable to be aware of.
No nutritionist in the regualar mode of diet-sciene will mention this, nor do they seldom know of the side effects of certain drugs, supplements and the functioning of the digestive system, effected by these substances and also related to the hormonal balance in a human body.
A lack of minerals leads to grumpiness and feeling low. Also to brittle bones and the tendency to compensate feeling low with eating sugar is a logical one, but should be handled cautiously. Sudden cravings for unusual things and a change of pattern in feeling hungry or finding oneself in want of something to eat, all that is
what ‘s experienced often in such a transition period, leaving meat out of the diet and other changes of diet.
Also dreams can become frequent and somewhat dramatic, due to being part of the emotional detox that is
accompanying the physical detox. It’s all connected, much more than the regular nutritionist knows.
In my experience it’s a valuable aspect to be present in the moment, with food on your plate and eat with awareness and in gratitude for the substances that nurture our physical body and that keep us alive and kicking. Planet Earth provides an abundance of food, the choice is ours to receive this in joy.
Food shouldn’t be worried about but enjoyed, alone or in good company at the table.
In China, there used to be a tradition that when refreshments were shared, also in company of visitors,
that the subject of the conversation was about the design and decoration of the home or the garden.
Never subjects that were causing emotional stirrings and upsetting those present in the home.
This was due to the knowledge that digestion of food is effected by emotions that disturb one’s sense of peace.
These articles are misleading, because if their extremist views, because they present no real data concerning the amount of meat consumption. They just say “if you eat meat,” but how much meat? Is one steak a month just as unhealthy as one steak a day? And what kind of meat? Chicken, beef, pork, fish? And what fat content? All they say us “meat.” And what about variation in individuals and their abilities to process meat? Early hominids, who gave rise to modern humans, hunted and ate meat 2.5 million years ago. Our species evolved eating meat, so what is the bugaloo about eating meat now. It comes from eating too much meat. Early humans ate meat on an irregular basis compared to ,odern humans. More is not always better. But a certain amount of meat must be eaten.
This article is saying what happens when you completely stop eating ALL types of mean. I am one of those people who stopped eating means, soon after made that decision I lost my big belly, lost all the extra weight I had and look at least 10 years younger. I advise you to follow the advise and try it before you make further judgements.
Alouette, you’re questioning as much as passing judgments. To me that’s what I call bickering.
I suggest to change your diet and I mean in a metaphorical way. Try and experience what works
for you and stop waiting for others to do it for you. You seem to be someone who pulls with one
hand and pushes away with the other. Know what I mean? Make your own experience and your
own conclusions based on that and not on other people’s experiences, I suggest.
…humans have always been carnivores and killers of plants.
Animals will reincarnate into hunting zones so specific people can kill and eat them. Venison has no fat in it, I add the fat. Same with fowl. Vegans do love to high road their eating choices and I do understand some of their choices. But ask a cat owning vegan if they are feeding their cats plant based protien diets, and if yes, then they will probably say how the cat died young. I am typing this on my phone while picking and eating fresh strawberries in my garden after my late egg, venison, broccoli and kale breakfast omelette.
Cats are carnivores by nature, humans are not…
That’s right, humans are OMNIvores by nature. Though I wouldn’t say eating a big fat steak today and half of a chicken (and its eggs) tomorrow, followed by some lamb the day after is how a healthy balance looks like. I eat meat anywhere from once to 4 times a week, depending on my body’s need for it. That’s right, need for it.
this SO completes my mandala of truth… thanks! Yummy, those previous politicians and other malicious used-to-be-people sure do taste great on a bed of mash! :p
Going vegetarian is not enough. The dairy industry is as cruel and contaminated as the meat industry. Veganism is the only solution for humanity, animals and mother earth!
If veganism was the only answer, i might as well kill myself now. Protein people need protein animals, and animal proteins. Forcing “-isms” on people is never the answer…
The vegan way is NOT the only answer but another ‘healthy’ choice.
Thanks for the article and for putting helpful knowledge out there to uplift mankind, heaven knows we all need it. I know that if I hadn’t cut meat out of my diet over 10 years ago I would be struggling with numerous health issues right now. Being an A blood type I should never have eaten red meat and on reading Dr Peter d’Amo’s book on blood type diets and following the foods that suited the A blood type sorted out what the doctors had said was an ulcer. I also felt hugely better, not bloated and dull. Also excess weight just stopped being an issue for me. I gradually gave up chicken, fish and shell-fish and feel hugely better for it.
I believe that parents that encourage their children to eat a meat-free diet are contributing hugely to the well-being of our planet and of man-kind. The future could look bright as a result.
I believe that parents that encourage their children TO LISTEN TO THEIR BODIES SIGNALS are contributing hugely to the well-being of our planet and of man-kind. The future could look bright as a result.
sorry, couldn’t help myself. Listening to your body is whithout stigma. Why make “meat-free” the high road from upon which you can look down on the lower meat road, when it’s in fact not at all such a black or white matter. I didn’t eat meat for almost 12 years, and felt really bad emotionally for starting eating meat again, all because I made it the higher ground for myself, and eventually others, and when I caught myself on that, started reflecting. I felt guilty over the animal lives I was now eating. I have grown from there to look at the meat I eat, and realise it comes from an animal that had a life, it had experiences, feelings, of which I can only hope most were positive for him/her, and the only thing that is in my power about all of that is what meats I choose to buy, and how my attitude towards that food is. Start with realising everything is life, and in all life there is balance. One that flows and sways, ever-changing yet never-ending. The cosmic dance of Shiva that resides in all. If you remain in that balance, nature will not suffer because of it.
As a person who has been a vegetarian for almost 12 years, I have to say going veggie is not per se good for you. You have people that need high carbohydrate diets, and people who need high protein diets, and a smaller group that sways between both. I’m a protein person, and going veggie was not good for me, and I substituted meat with veggie protein sources and eggs. Problem with protein people is they need those full chain proteins, since otherwise those protein rich subs are used by the body like it uses carbs. That’s because the carbs in protein diets already should be high protein carbs, like quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, instead of potatoes or rice, for instance. Full chains are not easy to find in veggie form, chia is one i know is good. Eggs are good, and I ate lots of em, but it was still not sufficient. I try to eat mainly organic meats from small animals (chicken, turkey, lamb, rabbit) now and don’t overdo on meats in my diet. I also use ALL of it. That means eating the meat, and making bone broth afterwards. The energy and health benefits I get from that, could in no way be given by just plant sources, not even substituted with eggs. And if you use all the meat and bones without overdoing, and keep an overall wholesome diet, you’re doing a lot for the planet already. And we are part of the planet, so part of keeping the planet healthy is keeping ourselves healthy. So if you are a protein person, craving eggs sooner than chips, you might want to think twice about throwing out the meat…
It may not be good for you but it is extremely beneficial for most people I know…..including me and my entire family.
GO VEG & GO RAW. save yourselves! lols! (save your DNA)