Benefits Of Being A Vegetarian for US

African Americans who have chosen to become a vegetarian appreciate knowing that their food choices can not only remain familiar, tasty and healthy, but they are now compassionate and humane as well. Not to mention the enormous benefit of plant-based diet to our rapidly deteriorating environment. Did you know that vegetarian diets:
...are arguably the most healthy way to eat. Numerous studies have shown that vegetarians tend to have lower rates of obesity (a significant and timely point, now that our nation has become so fat, with 300,000 Americans dying each year of obesity-related diseases, according to our Surgeon General), heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, and adult-onset diabetes.
...give their practitioners the edge against cancer. Studies of vegetarians show that death rates from cancer are much lower than those experienced by the general population. Research has shown that vegetarians have a stronger immune system, possibly due to higher than average intake of vitamin-packed vegetables, grains, and legumes. Fiber-rich vegetarian diets may reduce the risk of cancers of the digestive organs.
...help guard against gender-related cancers such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, and prostate cancer.
...protect against heart disease. Health experts agree that eating foods high fiber and complex carbohydrates can help reduce the risk of heart disease. In addition, plant-based proteins reduce cholesterol levels, while animal protein raises them.
...help avoid some of the most virulent forms of food-borne illnesses caused by e coli, salmonella, and listera. Food-borne illness, a majority related to contaminated meat, sickens 750,000 Americans each year enough to send them to hospitals (this doesn't count unreported cases) and is believed to kill about 5,000. Food-borne illness is particularly dangerous to children, whose immune systems may not be developed enough to withstand the dangers of contaminated meat products.
Other benefits of plant-based diets are numerous and include:
Weight control: It's hard to get fat—or stay fat—on a balanced soul vegetarian diet. Grains, legumes, many types of vegetables, and soyfoods are bulky and filling, yet contain little or no fat. They provide a feeling of fullness that keeps the body fueled and satisfied for hours.
Economy: It's hard to match the economic value of bulk grains and legumes supplemented with fresh produce carefully chosen in season. Even a ready-to-eat food such as tofu averages about $1.75 a pound—less expensive than quality meats and fish. Variety: Those who eliminate meat almost inevitably discover a world of diverse foods. And diversity is not only fun and appetizing, it's also a healthful way to eat, ensuring a balance of essential nutrients.
Ecology: Many environmentally aware consumers derive satisfaction from "eating low on the food chain" —that is, getting the bulk of their diets from plant-based foods. It's not only good for the body, reducing the intake of pesticide and animal antibiotic residues, but also for the planet as livestock deplete enormous land and water resources. Consider that:
Raising livestock contributes to the loss of millions of tons of irreplaceable topsoil each year.
It takes 25 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat, as compared to 390 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef.
Livestock produce massive amounts of excrement, which has been shown to pollute soil, water, and air.
A sense of compassion: Animal agribusiness is one of the cruelest practices imaginable. Millions of sentient creatures are subject to confinement, overcrowding, disfigurement (as in the common practice of debeaking poultry) only to face an equally cruel demise in the slaughterhouse (which, by the way is no picnic for its human workers). I can’t imagine enjoying the results of such misery on my plate. A primarily plant-based diet is a more humane way to enjoy the fruits of the earth.Animal agribusiness also primarily goes to feed those who already have enough to eat. The tons of grain that used to feed animals each year could be put to better use by feeding it directly to those who need it most.
SOUL VEGGIE -Good company:
The July 2003 issue of Ebony magazine (which serendipitously has vegan Russell Simmons on the cover) has a lead article inside, page 70, headed, "Should you Become a Vegetarian?" with the subheading "Think Before you Eat. Go Veg for Life," over a great looking photo of rap artist Common holding up a luscious looking veggie burger of some sort - looks like black bean.
The article by Zondra Hughes opens with: "BLACK vegetarians are sprouting up everywhere. A-list actress AngelaBassett, singer Erykah Badu, pop music icon Prince, hip-hop mogul/entrepreneur Russell Simmons, R&B sensation India.Arie, rap artist Common, actor Darius McCrary, model/actress Traci Bingham, members of thehip-hop group the Roots and civil rights activist and icon Coretta Scott King are all among a growing list of African-Americans who have sidestepped the traditional delicacies of soul food in favor of living a meat-free existence." The spread includes photos of Coretta Scott King, Dick Gregory, and WhitneyHouston.Coretta Scott King and Dexter King sing the praises of vegetarian living. They are vegan though the article does not explicitly say so. It justnotes the foods they tend to eat -- Dexter King eats "fruits, vegetables,grains, nuts and legumes only" and Coretta Scott King eats mostly raw. Hughes writes about the spread of vegetarianism:"Whatever your brush with vegetarians and vegetarianism, one thing iscertain: It's a health trend that is spreading in the African-Americancommunity, gradually changing the traditional soul food menu in Blackkitchens all across the land."The article stresses the health benefits of vegetarian diets:"Those who decide to choose a vegetarian lifestyle to improve their overallhealth apparently have plenty of good reasons to do so. "According to the American Dietetic Association, several research studies point to the health benefits of incorporating meatless meals into American eating patterns, including lowering the risk for heart disease and some cancers. "Other studies suggest that women can also enjoy the health benefits of a veggie lifestyle, via incorporating more soy into their diet. Numerous studies indicate that women may experience fewer hot flashes during menopause and may and lower their risk of breast cancer if they consumed 3-4 ounces of tofu or 8 ounces of soymilk each day.
Hughes makes it clear that soy is an excellent source of protein and recommends "grilled veggie burgers, curry soy shrimp, barbecue soychicken and sweet and sour tofu, just to name few." We learn that as vegetarianism gains popularity in the black community,"Soul food restaurants all across the country are also tweaking their menus to accommodate Black vegetarians. For instance, a new meat-free favorite, a veggie platter consisting of greens, yams, salad and garlic potatoes, is making the rounds at Sylvia's Soul Food Restaurant in Harlem, in order to satisfy the appetites of a growing number of vegetarian customers."
Hughes describes the various types of vegetarian diets and closes with, "Health specialists agree that with careful planning, a vegetarian diet can be healthy and nutritionally sound, no matter which type of vegetariandiet you choose."