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Some individuals believe that following a vegetarian diet is healthier for the environment and the individual, while others argue that meat is essential for a balanced diet. Discuss the merits of both viewpoints and state which one you support.
MODEL ESSAY / ANSWER
There's ongoing debate regarding whether a vegetarian lifestyle trumps a diet that includes meat, both for individual health and the environment's wellbeing. Personally, I side with those advocating for vegetarianism's benefits.
Firstly, the environmental impact of a vegetarian diet is significantly less severe than that of a meat-centric one. The production of meat, particularly beef, is resource-intensive, requiring vast amounts of water and contributing to deforestation. For instance, it takes roughly 15,000 liters of water to produce a kilogram of beef, whereas crops like beans demand substantially less. This considerable resource usage coupled with methane emissions from livestock intensifies the argument for a plant-based diet being eco-friendlier. It's hence plausible to conclude that a shift towards vegetarianism can alleviate some environmental strains.
Additionally, the health implications of both diets have been extensively scrutinized. While some advocate for meat as an irreplaceable source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients like B12, others point to the benefits of a plant-based diet, such as lower risks of heart disease, hypertension, and certain cancers. Through carefully planned vegetarian diets, individuals can acquire all necessary nutrients without the saturated fats and cholesterol present in meat. For example, legumes, nuts, and quinoa are excellent protein sources, while leafy greens can provide ample iron and calcium.
Summarizing my arguments, the vegetarian diet stands out as a more sustainable option for the environment and offers substantial health benefits when well managed. Though meat has its place in a balanced diet, I believe the scales tip in favor of a plant-based lifestyle for a healthier individual and planet.
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View Detailed EvaluationIn today's world, many people have started a vegetarian diet as they believe it has several health benefits and eco-friendly too, whereas alot of individuals stick to a meat-based diet believing it is a must for a balanced diet. Both the diets have their own merits and demerits. However, in my opinion, the former is always a better option than the latter owing to several reasons.
Firstly, in our part of the world, our food is often determined by our religion. If our religion does not allow us to eat a particular item then we tend to avoid that. Animal meat is often restricted in our diets because of our religious conviction. Secondly, the anatomy of our body is more suited for plant-based diet. Our digestive system has resemblance with herbivores than carnivores. Thirdly, we have more options. There are lots of vegatables and fruits that we can eat and still get all the nutrients required for the body which many people argue that a vegetarian diet does not provide. Furthermore, many athletes and influential figures have started changing their food culture as they believe a veg diet can help them improve their performance. For example, Virat Kohli is now a vegetarian and has greatly vouched on the health benefits of this kind of diet in many interviews.
In contrast, a non-veg diet encourages people to kill animals for food which is inhumane. Killing an animal for food is not what we humans are supposed to do. Eventhough, people support a meat-based diet for it is essential to provide us nutrients that veg-diet does not; I believe, there are numerous vegetables and fruits that can adequately fulfill our nutrient requirement. I completely disagree with this notion. Besides, people would also argue that it is easily available, tasty, cheap, and can be presented in a wide variety. In present world, a lot of ailments are a consequence of this. Obesity, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. are some of them. So, changing the food habits for own benefit is a sign of a smart individual.
In a nutshell, both the diets have their own merits and demerits. In my perspective, the benefits of vegetarian diet outweighs the benefits of non-veg diet. The former has greater health benefits, suitable for the ecosystem, and a plethora of options, whereas the latter has health disbenefits in the longer run albeit people argue about health benefits, availability, and taste of it.