Example Of Hypocrisy And Falsehoods Relating To Vegetarian Diets Argumentative Essay

Argumentative Essay: Why a vegetarian diet means more than just what you eat.

Many people ridicule the idea of eating a vegetarian diet. Some see it as a form of self denial which is undesirable and others see it as a movement that negates the fundamental essence of society and instates an inappropriate socio-economic order that is against the known traditions of society. The purpose of this discussion is to prove that a vegetarian diet goes beyond these shallow prejudices and pursues the higher essence of humanity in society.
This paper will critically argue for the presentation of vegetarianism and vegetarian diets as more important and more superior to the eating of other diets, including animal diets. The paper will build on important theories and concepts that are related to the improvement and enhancement of human society and the natural environment by eating vegetarian food rather than meat-diets.

First of all, it must be identified that there has been a lot of falsehood and propaganda spread about vegetarianism. One of these groups of people are the so-called “Conscientious Omnivores” who claim that there is a more “humane” way of raising and killing animals. This idea was meant to undermine the vegetarian diets. However, this is false and it provides a very negative illusion to people in the society. This is because it is an insincere view and presentation of the way animals are killed.
This insincerity is steeped in the fact that the raising of animals for human consumption comes with high costs to the environment and to the society at large. This is because the production of one pound of meat comes with the consumption of 16 pounds of grain and 2,500 gallons of water. This implies that in whatever form animal consumption takes, either as cruel omnivores or conscientious omnivores, animal rearing for human consumption causes a major burden on the environment. This causes more water to be consumed and this reduces the natural resources in the society. Also, most of the grains that are used to feed these animals are taken from the developing world and this is made up of poor people who sacrifice their natural resources.
Therefore, it is conclusive that any kind of excuse or guise that animal consumption is put into is false and it leads to major destructions of the earth’s natural resources. This implies that all these practices and excuses like conscientious omnivores are just presented to sooth the scarred conscience of meat consumers who typically get funding to cover up their negativity.

Nutritional Benefits of Vegetarian Diets

Again the negative elements and detractors of vegetarianism argue that it is almost impossible to get adequate levels of nutrition by eating vegetarian and animal products. This is not true and there are many generations of people in different parts of the world who have lived their whole lives on nothing but plant products. Many Hindu sects are fundamentally vegetarian and they tend to live longer than most people in countries where animal product consumption is the norm.
Although I must concede that it might take some kind of care and professional nutritional advice, it is possible to have a perfectly balanced diet through the consumption of vegetarian diets. On the other hand, there are many health risks that are associated with eating meat. Evidence shows that Asian men and Western vegetarian males have a lower incidence of prostate cancer. This is due to the presence of phyto-oestrogen which are chemopreventive agents that are found in the grains and vegetables eaten in vegetarian diets. These are present in soya and other cereals consumed in most typically vegetarian diets. These ingredients and components of vegetables and cereals improve metabolism and inhibits enzymes that cause these forms of cancer. The implication is that vegetarian foods are healthier and stronger in preventing major diseases and problems.
Studies also showed that the American Indians had less meat in their diets and they were more interested in fruits, vegetables, cereals and legumes. These communities were healthy and did not have any medical conditions that were dangerous. However, the shift of their diets from traditional diets to the consumption of meat at huge scales and huge levels caused them to suffer from major disease like diabetes and other complicated sicknesses that are linked to the consumption of animal products and animal-related substances in their diets.
There are also rare minerals and vitamins that are traceable in the diets of vegetarian foods and meals. This includes Iron and Zinc elements that are found in the foods of vegetarian meals and they are such that they help to prevent many disease and sicknesses and they go further to enhance the hemoglobin levels of the blood of the consumers and this leads to better bodily functions than those who consume meat and animal products.
However, it must be pointed out that vegetarianism is based on responsible standards and responsible targets and responsible standards that must be met. Vegetarianism is a way of life. It is not a form of anorexia whereby people who do not want to eat pretend to be. Real vegetarians try to get diverse sources of different nutrients that are presented to the consumers through nice and well planned recipes and meals. These meals are balanced and they are consciously prepared with the advice of knowledgeable nutritionists. This provides proper sustenance and better attitudes towards regular eating. Such Vegetarians are more likely to reap better health benefits than those who do not follow a structured plan.

Vegetarianism, Humanism and Ethics

“Veganism is humanism. Becoming a vegan is good for the planet and good for hungry people around the globe”. Veganism is a branch of vegetarianism that is carried out in a way and manner that promotes responsible consumption of natural resources. Veganism is vegetarianism that integrates elements of sustainable development on the planet. Not all veganism supporters are vegetarians, but all vegetarians play one role or the other in furthering the values of vegans.
First of all, veganism is about the ethical and the fair treatment of all creatures. Thus, as a vegetarian, one ensures that the ethics and values that we espouse in our societies are extended to animals. Technically, the chicken or the cow is also a biological creature like all other human beings. Therefore, there is an argument to ensure that these creatures are treated fairly and humanely. Thus, it is not fair and not rational for them to be killed and consumed by human beings. One who eats a vegetarian diet ensures that this sentiment is not only expressed in arguments, but rather, in deed and in act. This provides a clear conscience and ensures that the realities are carried out in ensuring that the world becomes a better place.
Secondly, throughout history, the realization of the rights of weaker members of the society always came with issues and matters from conservative groups and patriarchal entities in the society. Slavery was protected and arguments against slavery were countered. In the same way, the argument of vegans for the protection of the rights of animals is greeted with ridicule and contempt. This should show that vegans are doing what they have to do in their generation. And it is only through the consumption of a vegetarian diet that this end is fully accomplished and all human beings are compelled to respect the rights of animals as members of the earth’s national biological system and processes.
Thirdly, the consumption of meat leads to the high consumption and abuse of the earth’s natural resources. Consumable animals consume a lot of water and a lot of forage and this means that more forests and more plant resources that humans could have consumed directly are wasted and the world’s natural resources are destroyed faster than normal.
All these issues might not be so serious. However, the world’s greed and the exponential growth of the human population means that there is an unquenchable demand for animal products and if vegetarian diets do not become staple, more natural resources will be consumed and used by animals and this will destroy the society.

Practical Considerations

Every truth is first ridiculed before it is internalized by people and then it becomes accepted as the truth. Vegetarian diets are seen to be superior to other animal-based diets. Thus, it must be identified that a lot of people are being converted from being animal consumers to vegetarians. It is identified that there are the classical or strict vegetarians and they are complemented by the new vegetarian or partial vegetarians who consume some animal products albeit in lower volumes. This is because these new vegetarians have identified the objective reality that animal consumption is unethical and dangerous in some instances. Hence, they are gradually being weaned to the consumption of vegetarian diets fully.
In spite of this, some unrepentant meat consumers continue to hold on to their position. However, time is the best solution and it is going to help to resolve this issue and provide important pointers that will expose meat consumers as people who are destroying themselves.

Conclusion

This study identifies that there has been a lot of falsehoods and the presentation of some deceptive notions about the consumption of animals that are raised in a somewhat different form. All these claims are false and there is no scientific basis for these demands. Rather, animal consumption is destroying the natural habitat. Secondly, vegetarian meals promote healthier lives of their consumers. This is unlike animal diets that promote diseases like prostate cancer and other sicknesses. Also, vegetarianism promotes humanism and better treatment of animals who are biologically related to us as human beings. The truths of the superiority of vegetarian diets are apparent to most people. However, the moderates are being weaned to the side of non-animal diets whilst the ruthless continue to consume animal diets.

Works Cited

Denis, Louis, Michael Morton and Ken Griffiths. “Diet and its preventive role in prostatic disease.” European PubMed Journal (2009): 377-387. Print.
Elmadfa, Ian. Diet Diversification and Health promotion. London: Karger Medical Publishing, 2013. Print.
Hunt, Janet. “Bioavailability of iron, zinc, and other trace minerals from vegetarian diets1,2,3,4.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2003): 633-637. Print.
Povey, Rachel, Ben Wellens and Michael Conner. “Attitudes towards following meat, vegetarian and vegan diets: an examination of the role of ambivalence.” Appetite (2011): 15-26. Print.
Taylor, Sunaura and Alexander Taylor. Is It Possible to Be a Conscientious Meat Eater? 17 February 2009. Web. 16 February 2015.