In the list of banned meat products, not only beef, veal, pork and chicken, but also fish and crustaceans. "Catastrophe!" - the average Ukrainian salood thinks. "Not at all!" Retorts the vegetarian. Fruits, vegetables, cereals, tofu and other soy products, nuts, eggs, milk, cheese, yoghurt ... A decent list of provisions for a full-fledged menu is coming out.
Many represent vegetarians, as eternal fighters, defending animal rights. Ideally, the fight should be public. Before the eyes there is a picture of an angry mob pouring bloody paint on a celebrity fur coat. Effectively, but all this is extreme. Of course, vegetarians think of defenseless cows in slaughterhouses. However, if you dig deeper, meat eating really kills our planet.
Livestock is the source of methane emissions into the atmosphere, and the production of meat products on farms is 1/5 of the total carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming. In addition, the breeding of animals for a meal requires 50 times more drinking water, compared with the production of 1 kg of fruit or vegetables.
We were taught from childhood that the human body needs meat to function properly. As if without him there is no strength and endurance. Nevertheless, many modern nutritionists say that a vegetarian diet positively affects both the physical and mental health of a person. That's why vegetarians consider themselves spiritually meat-eaters. And these judgments are not groundless. Athletes of ancient Greece, for example, preferred to eat wine berries, nuts, cheese and maize bread. But the diet of the Roman gladiators consisted mainly of barley cakes with olive oil. The Roman legionaries, who conquered vast expanses from the Atlantic to the Caspian Sea and from the British Isles to Egypt, also watched in about the same way.
Moreover, scientists believe that the human teeth and digestive system are more like herbivores than carnivores. The human intestine is much longer than the intestines of predators, and even with its ideal patency, the processed meat remains in the body for a long time, releasing toxic substances that poison the blood and the whole body. It is known that people who have vetoed meat are less likely to face cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, strokes).
This is due to low cholesterol. But at the same time, representatives of a vegetarian diet may have problems with the gastrointestinal tract (colitis, enteritis, gastritis, and so on). Therefore, before completely giving up everything that recently ran and jumped, it is necessary to undergo a general examination with a doctor. Also it is necessary to make a discount on the climate. Still, vegetarianism was born in the warmth of the South. The north of the people, the less vegetables and fruits in its diet for purely climatic reasons. Well, do not make a vegetarian from a Chukchi, no matter how hard you try!
Eating meat of animals (people eat mostly herbivores), we get twice recycled energy of the Sun. In such food, there is not enough vitally important vitamins and minerals, and it contains much more protein than a human needs. In order for the organism to restructure on a vegetable diet, you will need time. If you abandon animal protein, you need to replace it with plant. Such protein is found in nuts, peas, beans, lentils and other products. If you dig a little in the directories and find out what the products consist of, you can create your own ideal menu yourself, so that the body gets all the necessary elements.
With meat, a person receives many essential amino acids and minerals that are not found in plant foods. For example, cholesterol, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the body (sexual function, libido, the function of childbearing in women and men). The level of cholesterol can be controlled by reducing the percentage of fat content of the corresponding products and playing sports. Often, all the problems of meat eaters are associated with uncontrolled and improper intake of meat, as well as a combination of products.
Serious case
Lacto-vegetarianism allows the use of dairy and fermented milk products that provide the body with calcium.
Ovolacto-vegetarianism, in addition to milk, also allows the eating of eggs. The source of calcium and vitamin B12.
The diet of frutorianism is based on fruits and berries. True, cereals, nuts and even tomatoes with aubergines are allowed.
Attention! Often, vegetarians are confused with vegans - adherents of the most radical diet. "It is unacceptable to eat what has eyes," thought Pythagoras. And according to the laws of strict vegetarianism, everything that creatures with eyes have. Therefore, vegans refuse not only from animal meat, but also from dairy products, eggs, caviar, honey (which is obtained through the "exploitation" of bees). In addition, they do not wear things made of fur, leather and cashmere.
Unfortunately, there was an opinion that they become vegetarians only because it is so fashionable now. Another interesting version is to specifically get and annoy everyone around. Undoubtedly, there are various specimens ... A vegetarian friend who insistently demands the same steak, only without meat, is able to bring even the most unflappable waiters to white heat. A potential boyfriend, turning a peaceful dinner into a discussion about cruel treatment of animals, will ruin the most romantic evening. But in fact, we often do not even notice that someone from our company has long been a vegetarian. If you ask colleagues and acquaintances, then, believe me, you will be surprised to find that many of them do not eat meat. And most importantly, they are not going to impose their preferences on others. The only problem that local vegetarians face when they go out is the meager vegetarian menu in restaurants. During the great post the situation is improving, and throughout the rest of the year it remains rather deplorable. But even in this case, you can get out of the situation by ordering a classic risotto with vegetables or a fragrant vegetable soup.