Articles, By Fiona Steinour
The Deadly Reality:
How The Meat Industry Is Destroying Animals And Their Meat
Fiona Steinour
Senior Thesis
Mr.Zontine
24 March 2021
Many people across the world question why individuals choose to leave out meat in their diet, for most meat is the center piece of the meal and isn’t a second thought when cooking. However, these same individuals who eat meat everyday are the cause of thousands of animals being slaughtered a year. In fact, the statistics of animals being raised on factory farms, only to be slaughtered for human consumption are astounding, and are as follows: “Broiler chickens (99.9%) live on factory farms, Turkeys (99.8%) live on factory farms, Egg chickens (98.2%) live on factory farms, Pigs (98.3%) live on factory farms, and Cows (70.4%) live on factory farms” (Lingel). With these statistics it is no doubt that the leading reason people turn to the diet of vegetarianism is to reduce the endless slaughter of animals. Furthermore, the factory farms that raise and butcher these animals have no regard for the humane treatment of said animals, these farms' only goal is to produce as much meat as they can within a year’s time. Also these very practices occur on a daily basis, and are so severe animal rights activists are currently trying to make these factories’ practices known so they can be shut down. It is because of the endless abuse of animals and the poor meat quality produced by factory farms that so many people are switching to the vegetarian diet, and why you should too.
To understand how these factory farms work it is important to understand the history of the modern meat industry, which began a century ago.“The first factory-farmed animal was the chicken and that started in the US back in the 1920s. For decades, it was only the chicken that was brought indoors into what today would be considered a CAFO. They were bred year round for their eggs and meat” (Lingel). However, these early factory farms are not like the ones we have today, they had little to no laws surrounding them. However as time went on, new laws and policies were created to ensure safe food quality and sanitary conditions within slaughter houses. “In the 1960’s factory farming was changed to meet the global demand for meat, causing a rapid surge in the number of animals being raised and slaughtered. This rapid surge in the product led to many unsanitary conditions and poor practices within the meat industry. In the 1980's animal activists persuaded local and national governments to re-establish disease and food quality laws” (Lingel). However it has now been 40 years since new policies have been created, and animal abuse and poor meat quality is becoming so abundant in the modern production that a change needs to be made. Nowadays the quality of meat is so bad it is spreading disease, which is due to overcrowding and over producing these animals to meet the demand of meat for the world.
The main issue with factory farming is the conditions the animals face within the factory farms, which causes suffering and poor meat quality. For example, “many animals will only see light once or twice before they are slaughtered and in many cases they are confined to a cage for their whole lives. These very cages will often be a foot by a foot long, and the animal won’t be able to move at all, instead they stand in the same position for days, weeks, or even years” (Lingel). To go further into depth, these animals also eat in these cages, causing major germs and diseases to arise. Another practice within these cages is impregnating the animals and forcing them to await giving birth in the same cage. This cycle continues on and on until the animal is slaughtered or dies from the conditions and the exhaustion. Although chickens and cows are victims of this practice, Pigs are the most numerous victims of the practice of staying within cages their whole lives, in fact, “A vast majority, 97 out of 100 of the pigs being raised in the US are on factory farms and never leave their cage” (Lingel).
Another negative effect of factory farms is the abuse of animals while being on factory farms. These animals face injustices on a daily basis and are just as complex and emotional as humans are, it’s inhumane and needs to stop.“Cows and bulls raised for meat are socially complex animals who develop friendships and experience pain, fear and anxiety when beaten or separated from their herd. Painful mutilations are common in the industry. Farmers cut off or burn their horns and castrate male calves. All of this cruelty occurs before they even reach the slaughterhouse” (Cahlara). These are just some of the examples of abuse faced by one animal, and other examples are just as troubling. Pigs, for example, are another victim of more abuse, in fact, “Tail docking and tooth clipping happen and the farmers claim it’s to help the pigs. Farmers believe that by physically modifying their pigs they are keeping them safe. In reality, this only hurts the animals and makes the farmer’s lives easier” (Lingel). Worst of all, the most common abuse towards all of the animals is the food that they eat, “Mixed in with the grain [the food used to feed livestock] can be an assortment of trash, including ground glass from light bulbs, used syringes and the crushed testicles of their young” (Solotaroff). Many of the individuals who run these farms know what they are feeding their livestock, and they overlook it, with absolutely no care.
Not only is the treatment of the animals bad when they are alive, the process of killing these animals are worse. Factory farms have a few ways they kill their cattle, that is not painless and not designed for them to die instantly. The most common being, gas chambers that spew out CO2. “For any living being, pig or human, inhaling high concentrations of CO2 is like being burned from the inside out. With each panicked hyperventilation, the pigs draw the toxic fumes deeper into their bodies, simultaneously suffocating from the lack of oxygen and convulsing violently from the abrasive poison being pumped into their lungs” (Zampa). This practice of gassing the animals was adopted in effort to speed up the process of killing large amounts of animals, and cause less stress to the workers on the factory farms. Even worse, the United States knows about this killing process and the pain it causes the animals, yet nothing is being done about it. A simple solution to this problem could be put into effect and help these animals, the United States should go along with the EU, who is now putting together more efforts to change the way cattle are slaughtered. In fact, “Of the organizations calling for alternative pig stunning methods, 26 are from EU member states. Groups from Switzerland, Serbia, Norway, Australia, and Canada have also joined Eurogroup for Animals, an umbrella NGO that urges the adoption of higher legal standards for animal protection” (Zampa). However the only thing being done about any of this is animal activists and people, choosing not to participate in the slaughter by not eating meat by being vegetarians.
With nothing being done to stop the suffering of these animals, many animal activists are going undercover to stop the barbaric practices. However, due to the huge demand of meat in the United States, the law is doing everything it can to maintain these farms. “A wave of new laws, almost entirely drafted by lawmakers and lobbyists and referred to as “Ag-Gag” bills, are making it illegal to take a farm job undercover; apply for a farm job without disclosing a background as a journalist or animal-rights activist; and hold evidence of animal abuse past 24 to 48 hours before turning it over to authorities” (Solotaroff). Since it takes weeks or sometimes months to develop a case – and since groups like HSUS have pledged not to break the law – these bills are stopping animal activists in their tracks and giving factory farmers free rein behind their walls. It is unfortunate that the law is protecting all the horrible practices going on, especially as most of the workers at the compounds know that there is nothing they can do to improve the situation for the animals. It seems the only solution to this issue is to keep pushing for change with conscious effort and participating in vegetarianism.
In relation to the previous information talked about, the meat industry’s effect on animals and people is very negative, causing animals to suffer on a daily basis and is causing the distribution of poor meat quality to the United States. This is because of the poor living conditions and treatment of these specific animals, which cause bacteria and germs to build up in the meat, which is later consumed by people of the USA. These very germs go into and stay in the bodies of people, and is why vegetarians have been proven to be healthier than those who consume meat. With no end in sight to the suffering of animals and the spread of disease, only the pushing of animal rights by animal right activists and undercover journalists might ease the situation of factory farming, and one day change the entire situation. The only other thing being done to help these animals is becoming vegetarian or at least not buying animal products, which can be done by you.
Bibliography
Cahlara, Cooper. “The Meat Industry.” animalequality.org, Accessed 8 Feb. 2021.
This source talks about the exact abuses on the animals in factory farms, that have been discovered by activists and have been stopped. This source is also made up of numerous other information like photos and videos that are useful in further understanding the topic material. I will use this source to showcase all the abuses in the farming industry. nI will also try and use the videos and photos found in this source for my magazine.
Eswaren,Vijay. “Vegetarianism Is Good For The Economy Too.” WeForum.org, 18
Dec 2018. Accessed 15 Sep. 2020.
This source discusses the benefits to the economy if the country were to reduce the amount of factory farms there are being built. It also states the benefit of not buying meat products when grocery shopping because it will save the average American consumer a significant amount of money. This source really goes into the numbers and prices of not being a meat eater, I think this source will be valuable because of this, as I will be able to provide the reader with quantitative data rather than just qualitative information.
Lingel, Grant. “Factory Farms Are Awful for Animals, People, and the Environment.”
sentientmedia.org, 5 May 2019, Accessed 6 Oct. 2020.
This source talks about the abuse animals go through when in factory farms, especially physical. This source also talks about the history of factory farms and laws involving their practice. This is valuable because not many people are aware of the methods they use when raising livestock and killing the live stalk. It also goes into the details by providing pictures and videos of the
conditions in the factories.
Solotaroff, Paul. “A Small Band Of Animal Rights Activists Have Been Infiltrating
Factory Farms.” rollingstone.com, 10 December 2013, Accessed 8 Feb. 2021.
This source discussed first person views of workers on factory farms and the abuses they have seen. This source also mentions numerous factory farm laws which is useful to know when doing research. I will use this source to talk about the issues of factory farms and how meat eaters are encouraging this to go on, with the massive amounts of meat consumption in the US. I also hope that readers will become more aware of the things happening at these horrible places.
Zampa, Matt. “There’s Nothing “Humane” About Killing Pigs in Gas Chambers.”
sentientmedia.org, 12 November 2019, Accessed 9 Oct. 2020.
This source discusses the popular method of killing pigs with CO2, however contrary to popular belief this method is not humane, nor is it painless. This article talks about how these places treat the pigs in horrible conditions and how they don’t plan to do anything about it. I see this as a valuable source to discuss the cruelty to animals due to the demands of meat in our country. I also see it as a way to incorporate an emotional response in my readers.
Article 2
A Way To Save Money And Animals:
How Individuals, Families, and the United States of America Benefits Economically from a Vegetarian Lifestyle
Fiona Steinour
Senior Thesis
Mr.Zontine
24 March 2021
As the world progresses through time there seems to be an everlasting issue, money and how to save said money. Unknown to most people, the way to save a great deal of money is by paying close attention to what is bought for food. Currently, the average consumer spends $17.00 a day on food. To clarify this, this statistic excludes beverages and alcohol. When compared though, to a vegetarian, a vegetarian saves $2.00 a day by simply not buying meat products. This reduction on the grocery bill adds up yearly. For example, “The cost of a vegetarian diet is typically about $1,000–$1,500 cheaper per person per year” (Miller). Although the savings for an individual are vast when switching to a vegetarian lifestyle, there are still larger scale benefits. The United States, in fact, can save billions of dollars if the meat demand is lowered, and families can save tens of thousands too. The economic benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle are vast, ranging from an individual benefit all the way to a country wide economic benefit, Non-meat products are much cheaper in the long run, and the cost of producing meat products is much more expensive than producing plant based products.
To begin, non-meat products are easier and cheaper to produce than their counterparts. In addition, the demand for non-meat products is increasing. For example, “Thirty-six percent of consumers and 60% of millennials buy plant-based ‘meats.’ Also, between 2000 and 2017, dairy consumption fell 24%. And market research firm Mintel reports that plant ‘milk’ sales (such as almond, coconut, and oat milks) rose more than 60% between 2012 and 2017” (Sass). The popularity of reducing animal-based products is making the demand higher for plant-based companies.. With the rise in demand for plant-based products, more new companies are starting up. Ultimately, consumers are realizing plant based products are cheaper and healthier. “Research by Bailey Norwood and Jayson Lusk found that “obtaining a gram of protein from the cheapest meat product is 3.26 times more costly than obtaining a gram of protein from the most expensive plant-based product” (“A vegetarian diet”).
To produce plant based products, all costs are associated with the crops: fertilizer, water, and land are bought, which are all renewable and cheap. To go further into depth, here is another quote that summarizes the cost of production: “It’s estimated that it takes 16 pounds of grain/soy and 5,214 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of edible beef. And it takes 78 calories of fossil fuel to produce 1 calorie of protein from beef, while only 2 calories of fuel to produce a calorie from soy. Those are significant costs to producers” (Miller).
To produce meat, farmers and ranchers must feed their animals, take care of their animals, and butcher their animals, all of which costs significant amounts of money. The crops used for feed include “Corn, wheat, and soybeans” (“A vegetarian diet”). Another cost of production is that most of the animal product-producers spend money on hormones, medicines, and other supportive products to make their animals last longer and grow them larger. In fact, “In modern factory farms, animals are routinely injected with hormones and stimulants to make them grow bigger and faster. Many dairy ranchers use recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) to enhance milk production, despite the fact that this chemical - which has been implicated in causing cancer and other diseases - shows up in milk” (Bello). Not only is producing meat more expensive but also it is much more damaging to the body.
The reason why families will save money when switching to plant based products vs animal products is simple, these plant based products are cheaper and last longer on a yearly scale. For example, “replacing a steak with a can of beans once per week saves money. [If] you were going to get steak for $6 or $8 to go with [your] meal, instead you pay a dollar for a can of beans as an alternative” (“A vegetarian diet”). The idea that eating cheaper is associated with buying non-meat products is spreading, and it is noticeable in food sales across the United States. In fact, “Sales of plant-based foods in the United States is increasing by an average of 8% per year” (Eswaren). The savings are endless when families switch meat-based products for plant-based products. Moreover when taking the average savings of an individual by switching to this diet, a family savings can be calculated as well. An average family of four individuals will save $6,000 a year when switching to a plant based diet, this is because an average individual will save $1,500 on food costs.
Another reason families are saving money is because buying a plant based product lasts longer, due to extended shelf life and they do not spoil as fast.Meat based products usually last a week at most in the refrigerator, but plant-based products can last up to a month, and canned plant-based food can last years.
Another reason families are saving money when switching to a plant-based diet is because health care is cheaper. It should be known that, “Research conducted by Johns Hopkins University has found strong correlations between excessive consumption of processed and red meats and “heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers.” Thus reduced meat consumption may also lower health care costs for individuals” (“A Vegetarian Diet”).
Families switching to a plant based diet will also help the country's economy in the long run. In fact, “The US stands to save more than any other nation by switching to a plant-based economy because of its high per-capita healthcare costs. If Americans simply followed recommended guidelines for healthy eating, according to the PNAS study, the US could save $180 billion in healthcare costs, and $250 billion if it switched to a plant-based economy” (Eswaren).
The meat industry is also losing a lot of money, and fast. The cost of producing meat is higher than its profit. “Research showed that if people continue to follow mainstream, animal-based dietary trends rather than shifting to a balanced plant-based diet, it could cost the US between $197 billion and $289 billion per year. The findings also determined that the global economy stands to lose up to $1.6 trillion by 2050” (Eswaren). To be blunt, the amount of meat products being consumed is hurting our economy, not helping it. In fact, Americans are consuming meat faster than it can be produced.
Once again, the economic benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle are vast. The individual benefits of switching to a vegetarian diet can be seen in just a year. A single person can save $1,500 on average in their grocery bill! Also families benefit a great deal economically from replacing the traditional meat-based products in their life, through healthcare costs and grocery bill costs. To summarize the benefits a family can receive from this switch, it is just about $5,000 dollars for an average family of four. It is also evident that the country will benefit, and is benefitting currently from people switching their regular animal-based products to the newly popular and trending lifestyle choice of vegetarianism. This is because producing and buying plant based products are cheaper than their meat based counterparts and currently the meat industry is losing money. It is also quite crazy that the price difference of plant-based products vs animal-based products is so incredibly drastic. Additionally, these same plant based products are healthier, which saves the country and families in the United States money in health care costs.. There are significant benefits from even the slightest switch, to a country wide switch of its eating habits. The next question is when this switch will occur, not if, as millions of people are realizing the wonderful impacts not eating meat have on animals, themselves, and their money.
Bibliography
“A Vegetarian Diet Is Not Only Good For You—It's The Most Affordable Too.”
medicalxpress.com, 23 May. 2018, 6 Oct. 2020.
This source goes over the health benefits as well as the monetary benefits of reducing meat in one's diet. It goes into depth of how an average American consumer would save a significant amount of money on their grocery bill. It also talks about national money saving if the country would cut out funds to the meat industry and how that would save the economy lots of money. I see this source as a valuable piece to really go into depth about how much money can be saved. This source also discusses other countries' success with their economy with less funding towards meat related products.
Bello, Walden. “Compassion For The Animals.” happycow.net, Accessed 15 Sep.
2020.
This source gives many examples on how the vegetarian diet is safe for all ages and those with special needs, such as specific medical conditions. This source also gives information about how to plan to have a healthy vegetarian diet, with the right amount of food groups daily. With the information of this diet, I will be able to continue to prove my argument. This source also gives insight on the author, and how the diet, even with his medical conditions, helped him become healthier.
Eswaren,Vijay. “Vegetarianism Is Good For The Economy Too.” WeForum.org, 18 Dec 2018.
Accessed 15 Sep. 2020.
This article provided information of how the reduction of food products will eventually help the government and its economy. By reducing the money that goes into the bad factory farms, more money would be able to go to other, more important things. It also discussed how there is a bad stigma in certain countries due to misinformation about the diet. This will be a valuable source eventually as I will be able to maybe change someone with a more politically inclined view.
Miller, G.E. “Want To Lower Your Food Costs? Become A Vegetarian.”
This source is valuable because as I will be able to quote it often when making the point that meat-free is cheaper for the common American consumer. I believe with this source I will be able to convince people the most, as many people have a negative connotation that vegetarianism is expensive, when it is really the opposite. This source discusses how removing meat from the grocery bill saves a significant amount of money yearly. Also a big topic in this article is how many people pay more for “cruelty free food” when in reality most of these labels are not true.
Sass, Cynthia. “What Is The Difference Between Vegan And Vegetarian?” health.com,
21 May 2019, Accessed 15 Sept. 2020.
This article was valuable because I learned many things I did not know about, for example how the popularity of this diet is spreading and more people are converting their diets. I learned how the rise of plant foods are also on the rise, like plant based milk or nut based milk. I think incorporating how there is a community of people will allow my readers to not feel alone if they choose to switch their diets. It's important that they know they have many options when going to the store or a restaurant. This is a valuable source because I will be able to distinguish the difference between vegan and vegetarian, so readers won't get the wrong idea.
Article 3
Uninformed Misconceptions
Knocking Down Common Misconceptions About The Vegetarian Diet
Fiona Steinour
Senior Thesis
Mr.Zontine
4 May 2021
Becoming a vegetarian in modern times has become easier and easier with all the support of the vegetarian society and the new wave of acceptance from those who choose to eat traditionally. Super-stores have also joined the movement of support by carrying plant-based food items and alternatives to meat products, restaurants for vegetarians have also popped up across the country. The main reason for this is the clinically proven information that supports that being a vegetarian does not harm the body, but instead, it is better for the body than the traditional diet that included meat. There is also sufficient evidence that all ages and situations in life, like pregnancy can be sustained with this diet. Although even though there is tons of positive information about the vegetarian diet, there are still many myths that are associated with vegetarians, which are completely false. Furthermore, the vegetarian diet can easily make up for the lost protein in meat, in many ways. There are many ways that the vegetarian diet completely disregards the fears and myths of some individuals about the diet, as it is sustainable for all ages and situations in life and there are not only recipes to do this, but ways to make up for the lost protein.
Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions about the vegetarian diet that are just false, and need to be addressed. One of which is that children who grow up with the vegetarian diet are not healthy, this is completely false. Even though these children exclude common protein sources like chicken, beaf, and fish there are still a great deal of ways to substitute this protein. In fact, avocados are great sources of fat and protein that many vegetarians commonly incorporate into their diet, and with a little salt and pepper, children will love them. Along with avocados, there are also eggs and tofu that are optional to eat if their diet allows eating eggs and lactose products (which is another variety of vegetarianism). Finally, ground nuts/seeds or nut/seed butter are a fun way to add carbohydrates and protein into a child’s diet, especially with peanut butter and jelly sandwich! However with many alternatives to meat products this advice to the parents of the child should be followed everyday: “Parents and caregivers of children who follow a vegetarian diet should ensure the child is obtaining the nutrients they need for their age and stage of growth. This may include making sure the child is not just eating the family meal minus the meat” (“What To Know About The Vegetarian Diet”). In fact, it is recommended that a child who is vegetarian should have these portions of food if they are between the ages of 6-13, “A child vegetarian should have, daily, vegetables: 2 ½ cups a day, fruits: 2 cups a day, grains (mostly whole): 6 ½ ounces a day, dairy: 3 cups a day, protein foods: 3 ½ ounces a day, oils: 27 grams a day” (“Vegetarian Diet: How To Get The Best Nutrition”).
Another common misconception is that pregnant women should not be vegetarian if they are with-child, as it will not be healthy for the baby, and may damage their growth. This could not be further from the truth. Women who are pregnant are easily able to maintain all of the nutrients for herself and her baby if she follows these simple guidelines for herself: “Four servings of fairy products, four small servings of protein rich foods, and four servings of whole grains should be eaten daily to provide a recommended prenatal diet. Legumes furnish protein and high levels of minerals, such as folic acid and zinc, both of which are important in prenatal nutrition. Four daily servings of fruits and vegetables supply many of the vitamins and minerals recommended in a prenatal diet” (Walter). Even after the child is born, the mother is still able to provide for the nutritional needs of her child, as it is completely healthy for a mother to breast-feed after, as well as there are many formulas available if she feels the need. In fact, “Nutritionists agree that the breast milk of a healthy, well nourished mother commonly is the best and most complete food for her infant, at least during the first six months of life. A vegetarian diet provides a woman with adequate nutrition to support breastfeeding and maintain her own health” (Walter). After the breast feeding stage, more commonly known as the infant and toddler stage, a vegetarian diet with adequate nutrients can sustain the growth of the child and keep them healthier than ever.
Additionally, another common in-question part of vegetarianism is if high-demand athletes can be sustained by this diet, they can indeed. “If you’re aggressively trying to build muscle, there’s the option for plant-based protein powders, but most people won’t need them” (Frazier). There are completely plant-based protein powders that can be added to anything an athlete might want to eat, like smoothies, pancakes, oatmeal, ect. These plant-based protein powders help build further muscle for the athletes and can be found for reasonable prices in every super-store. Athletes can also still get all their protein from commonly found plant-based foods like: nuts, quinoa, oats, and beans. It should also be noted that the common misconception that vegetarians always feel starved is false. In fact, “A vegetarian lifestyle can help you feel fuller longer after eating, and prevent you from experiencing annoying blood sugar crashes throughout the day. This, again, has to do with all those fiber-rich foods” (Steber). Having no blood sugar rushes through the day is extremely useful to athletes as it maintains their energy levels for their needs.
Another misconception is that changing over to the vegetarian diet is very difficult, however with proper information and guidance the transition to eating no meat can be very laid-back, not to mention at your own pace! The first step all people need to take before switching to this diet is deciding if they are doing it for the right reasons like, they want to, and it isn’t something that someone else wants them to do. This diet also shouldn’t be started if its sole purpose is to lose weight, as it does the opposite, it maintains your weight. After these two things have been thought about, it is important to choose the diet you want, as there are many diets that go under the term vegetarian, “Lacto-ovo-vegetarians avoid both meat and fish but consume dairy and eggs, Ovo-vegetarians consume eggs but no dairy, Some people who do not eat meat will eat fish, This is a pescatarian diet, rather than a vegetarian diet, and A vegan diet excludes all animal-based foods” (“What To Know About The Vegetarian Diet”). Then after these two steps are accomplished it is smooth sailing. It is important to maintain your protein and carbohydrate intake, this can be accomplished by sticking to the nutritional needs for your age and weight, all of which can be recommended by a nutritionist or doctor or even credible internet resources. Another thing to keep in mind with the switch, is that it takes a short period of time for the body to get used to the shift of food. So, “Until you adjust to what a healthy vegetarian lifestyle looks like, you might notice that you're running low on energy. And this is mainly due to vitamin deficiencies, such as low vitamin B12, low vitamin D, and low iron levels. Try finding these vitamins in your local grocery store to help with the switch” (Steber). After that, the fun begins and you can start choosing which foods you want to incorporate into your meals and diet.
The last misconception is that the elderly can not be healthy if they follow the vegetarian diet, this is not true because all ages can eat this diet safely. An important part elderly need to consider when participating in this diet is that they need to maintain their nutritional needs like kids and adults. They need to incorporate all food groups in their diet like: protein, carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, and fat needed for their bodies. Also elderly might find that the switch to vegetarian eating helps with their health, which is another benefit! In fact, “A low-fat plant-based diet containing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain foods, pulses (peas, beans and lentils), nuts and seeds can lower cholesterol and even reverse heart disease for vegetarians. Also the vegetarian diet is healthier because of the healthier types of fat included and anti-inflammatory chemicals in some vegetables” (“Why Meat, Fish, and Dairy Harm”).
It is unfortunate that such a healthy diet has so many misconceptions and is commonly judged for its unique approach to eating. However these misconceptions are false, and are easily proven wrong. The vegetarian diet is great for the body and can be used safely for all ages in life, and it is also wonderful that this diet is safe for women who are pregnant, and it can support everyone, including all levels of activity. Due to all of these benefits, many people are becoming more and more eager to join this great community, which also has its benefits toward the animals and the planet. The biggest question now, is how many more people will join?
Bibliography
Eswaren,Vijay. “Vegetarianism Is Good For The Economy Too.” WeForum.org, 18 Dec 2018.
Accessed 15 Sep. 2020.
This article provided information of how the reduction of food products will eventually help the government and its economy. By reducing the money that goes into the bad factory farms, more money would be able to go to other, more important things. It also discussed how there is a bad stigma in certain countries due to misinformation about the diet. This will be a valuable source eventually as I will be able to maybe change someone with a more politically inclined view.
Frazier, Matt. “The Plant-Based Diet For Athletes.” nomeatathlete.com, Accessed 15
Sep. 2020.
This source discussed how, regardless of the amount of physical activity, having a vegetarian diet is healthier and more sustainable than a diet including meat. This source also gave many examples of foods that contain lots of protein for those of us who are athletes. I will be able to use this resource to write up recipes and create a mock grocery list for my readers. The author of this article is a weight lifter himself which gave a great insight into the ways to sustain oneself.
Sass, Cynthia. “What Is The Difference Between Vegan And Vegetarian?” health.com,
21 May 2019, Accessed 15 Sept. 2020.
This article was valuable because I learned many things I did not know about, for example how the popularity of this diet is spreading and more people are converting their diets. I learned how the rise of plant foods are also on the rise, like plant based milk or nut based milk. I think incorporating how there is a community of people will allow my readers to not feel alone if they choose to switch their diets. It's important that they know they have many options when going to the store or a restaurant. This is a valuable source because I will be able to distinguish the difference between vegan and vegetarian, so readers won't get the wrong idea.
Steber, Caroline. “11 Suprising Ways Your Body Can Change When You Become A
Vegetarian.” bustle.com, 31 January 2018, Accessed 15 Sep. 2020.
This article discusses the changes an individual goes through physically as they switch their diet. It also talks about what one should expect during this transition, and how to switch to meat free gradually rather than just cutting it out. Lastly the author talks about how one's outlook, emotions, and weight can benefit from the switch. This article provides me with a valuable way to teach my readers how to make the transition, if they choose to, comfortable for them, and how they will feel better very soon after this change.
“Vegetarian Diet: How To Get The Best Nutrition.” mayoclinic.org, 20 August, 2020,
Accessed 15 Sep. 2020.
This source provides multiple options for creating a well balanced diet while not consuming meat. There are a few suggested options like food groups, recipes, and substitutes. This is a valuable piece because I will be able to talk about how to properly substitute meat products with plant based products, for example, instead of using chicken someone could use tofu. Lastly, the author is a vegetarian as well which helped get an insight on someone who has successfully maintained the diet.
Walter, Susan. “Good Eating.” Vegetarian Cooking At The Academy, 11 Nov. 2020, .
pp. 6-12. Accessed?
This source provides valuable information about how to successfully maintain the vegetarian diet, as well as those who can participate in the diet. This source is most useful in convincing the audience that all types of people can do this healthily, including those who are children and those who are pregnant. This source is very valuable also, as it provides pages and pages of recipes and example-shopping-lists that can be used in a magazine format. This source also provides information on all the nutritional values of the many types of foods.
“What To Know About The Vegetarian Diet.” MedicalNewsGuide.com, June 2014, Accessed 10 Sep. 2020.
This source provides information on the different types of vegetarian diets: including options where you can choose to incorporate dairy or eggs, for instance.This article also provided specific examples of the benefits to the body from switching to a meat-free diet. This source is useful because it gives useful background into the whole culture and information on the many options a person can take when considering switching to a different diet. This is also a valuable diet because it provides information on how to also supplement the body when its not getting meat.
“Why Meat, Fish, and Dairy Harm.” vivahealth.org, Accessed 6 Oct. 2020.
This source goes over how the body is affected by meat medically speaking, this source provides many examples of what can go wrong in the body as someone continues to eat with meat predominantly in their diet. I see this source as a valuable source of medical information and I will be able to use it as I begin writing. This source also compares and contrasts the meat vs vegetarian in specific areas of the body, which is going to be useful when making graphs within my magazine. I see this source as one of my most important and it goes very in depth with science in the body.