Are Vegetarian Diets & Vegetarians Good for the Economy?
Help me count the ways. There are several natural reasons why vegetarian diets and vegetarians are bad for the economy.
Lately I have been wondering why even scientifically-proven information is merely given lip service and all technological and economic decisions seem to be pro-economic more than pro-health.
In general, people on vegetarian-type diets live longer. This means to a longer time to pay out retirement benefits.
They threaten modern agriculture - especially those vegans - the meat industry does not get their support. These folks could crash your Thanksgiving Day dinner and let lose your turkey.
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People on a vegetarian diet generally don't get sick as often as other people who are on an animal protein diet. Their health is better, on average. Can you imagine what this does to the pharmaceutical drug industry?
Because of the lower incidences of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular problems among strict vegetarians the medical industry loses revenue. There are fewer heart bypass-surgeries, fewer cancer treatment cases among non-meat eaters.
People on a strict vegetarian diet are a tiny fraction of the overweight population. Do you see how the weight loss industry could be losing thousands of dollars if people keep switching to a plant-based diet?
Most vegetarians are really health-conscious, they exercise often and practice healthy habits. When most of the causes of sickness and disease are limited better health results. That's why one study is showing the vegetarian population living 6 or more years longer than non-vegetarians.
What research is saying about vegetarian diets
A paper by the Research base of The Slovak Medical University states that, "a sufficient consumption of plant proteins has the protective effects against chronic degenerative diseases."
In a publication by Berkow and Barnard (2006), the authors concluded that "vegetarian diets are associated with reduced body weight, lower incidence of certain chronic disease, and lower medical costs compared with non-vegetarian diets."
Nutritious, attractive, and tasty vegetarian!
Benefits of vegetarian food consumption have been associated with longevity in studies as well. This is what we read from another recent publication:
"Epidemiological studies on vegetarians indicate that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are associated with certain health benefits, which may lower mortality and morbidity."
p>So how is all this bad for the economy? Ask the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. They will bellow the following complaints about vegetarianism:- Vegetarians are a threat to the billion dollar meat industry - they leave the meat on the shelves.
- They threaten modern agriculture - especially those vegans; most of whom are animal rights activists.
- Some 800,000 cattle producers in the US alone would be jobless, were it left to vegetarians.
One smart vegetarian said...
"Nothing will benefit human health or increase the chances for survival of life on earth as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." - Albert Einstein
I am sure that some people will think that vegetarian diets and vegetarianism are bad options for economic viability. That would be short-sightedness.
All the "reasons" cited above are actually positives. When a nation spends less on health-care, it means it has more healthy productive citizens building the country.
However, if anyone is thinking that they have to choose the gratification of their appetite over healthy living, that is like suicide. Anyone who wants to patronize meat producers, prescription drug makers, and health providers by self-sacrifice is not being patriotic. They are being reckless.
Consider anti-diabetes vegetarian diets and practices that make a healthier you. Put you first, then the economy.
References
Krajcovicova-Kudlackova M., Babinska K., Valachovicova M. (2005). Health benefits and risks of plant proteins. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2005;106(6-7):231-4.
Berkow S. E., Barnard N. (2006). Vegetarian diets and weight status. Nutr Rev. 2006 Apr;64(4):175-88.