Comparison between the benefits of Vegetarian and Meat Diets Essay

Comparison between the benefits of Vegetarian and Meat Diets - Essay Example Plant foods are generally cheaper to obtain compared to animal foods. This is because of the reduced cost of production in plant foods. Going vegetarian can be beneficial for the environment. This is because of the reduced and none toxic waste associated with processing plant foods. According to Jaminet et.al; â€Å"†¦.vegetarian diets ensure vitality† (p.12). There are also aesthetic benefits associated with an all plant diet like better breath. DisadvantagesStrict vegetarians risk suffering from a deficiency of some essential nutrients like Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and Iron. Vitamin B12 and D, for example, are only found in animal products. There are questions about the bioavailability of the B12 in algae. Strict vegetarians, therefore, require supplementation to meet their body needs. The iron in plants is not easily absorbed because of the presence of anti-nutrients that bind iron. Therefore, a vegan needs to take plants rich in iron combined with those rich in vitamin C to counter this effect. Access to complete proteins may be limited in plant based diets. A complete protein is one which contains all the essential amino acids that are not produced by the body. It is, therefore, necessary to pair foods together. A meat free diet does not necessarily mean a healthy diet. The elimination of meat does not necessarily mean one has done away with sugar or fat. Few restaurants serve vegetarian dishes which means for one to main tain this lifestyle, they need to be committed and adapt to preparing food for themselves.