Why I am a vegetarian

There are several types;

Lacto-ova is the most common, not eating slaughtered animal including fish but still eating dairy.

Pescatarians - eat fish but no meat.

Meat reducers, eat less meat on environmental grounds.

Vegans eat no meat, fish, dairy products or anything derived from animals.

Hinduism encourages vegetarianism because the religion is against violence and because of beliefs about reincarnation.  The few Hindus who do eat meat do not eat the cow as it is considered to be a sacred animal.

The Buddha strongly denounces eating meat as it strongly distinguishes the seeds of great compassion.

It takes a lot more grain to feed animals to feed to people than to feed grain to people direct so a lot more land is used and more waste products, this causes problems for poorer parts of the world where there is not much land for growing food. All the waste products are also adding to global warming.

It is easy to go without meat now as there are so many alternatives and a healthy way of life.

Pythagorus

Sir Francis of Assisi

Leonardo da Vinci

Shaolin monks

Sir Paul McCartney

Mike Tyson [vegan]

Scott Maslen [Eastenders actor]

Chris Martin [Coldplay singer]

Russell Brand

Ringo Starr

George Harrison

Monty Panesar [cricketer]

Andy Robinson [rugby coach and retired player]

Lizzie Armistead [British cyclist, silver winner London 2012 Olympics.

Less risk of cancer, particularly bowel cancer.  There is likely to be more fibre in the diet and less cancer causing chemicals in food.

Less risk of heart disease.  This is because there is less risk of obesity but of course if you eat a lot of dairy and a lot of sweets you undo this benefit.

I recommend Vegan Stories Edited by Julie H. Rosenfield-moving stories from a number of people about why they became vegan with useful tips about nutrition, In the back of the book there is also a useful list of books, websites and organisations to do with animal welfare and national and international vegan and vegetarian organisations.  A very thought provoking book written from differing perspectives.  Well worth reading.

My favourite recipe book also explains the nutritional value of the food and has a lot of ideas to try is Vegetarian Kitchen by Sarah Brown.