Housh 1

Rory Housh 

ENG 1201 

Dr. Cassel 

9 July 2020 

What is Vegetarianism and is it really one of the healthier eating options? 

Vegetarianism is an eating habit that has become the latest "trend" over the past few

decades. Vegetarianism is the practice of not eating meat or fish for moral, religious, or health

reasons. As Vegetarianism grows more questions rise as well. The meat-free diet has raised

questions like "Are we really getting enough nutrients with this diet?" Or "Does meat really

matter in our diets?"  

The habit of Vegetarianism can be dated all the way back to the seventeenth century. The

earliest groups of people to live this lifestyle were those in India, especially Hindus, and

Greece. Pythagoras is known for his mathematical theory but can also be known as the "father"

of vegetarianism. Butler says, “A meatless diet was referred to as a ‘Pythagorean diet’ for years,

up until the modern vegetarian movement began in the mid-1800s”. The "Black Pudding Debate"

began in the mid-1800s and according to Shapin, "Sir Isaac Newton abstained from this dish

because of the Old Testament prohibition against eating blood". Newton did in fact refrain from

eating this dish as well as rabbits as the meat remains bloody due to the way they are

killed. Newton insisted, "Meats strangled were forbid because that was a painful death & the

letting out the blood the easiest & that animals should be put to as little pain as possible, that the

reason why eating blood was forbid was because it was thought the eating blood inclined men to

be cruel” (Shapin). The concerns for vegetarian health have always been present, but the research

on the long-term health of this diet has just begun.  

 Housh 2

Many studies have shown that in Vegetarians Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), a disease

that causes less blood and oxygen to reach the heart, occurs less often than those who are on a

non-vegetarian diet. There is also a smaller percentage of obesity in those who

practice vegetarianism. Appleby and Key state, “Vegetarians have also been found to have lower

risks for diabetes, diverticular disease and eye cataract” In the study “Risk of hospitalization or

death from ischemic heart disease among British vegetarians and nonvegetarians” it was found

that “consuming a vegetarian diet was associated with lower IHD risk, a finding that is probably

mediated by differences in non-HDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure” (Crowe et al.). In

other words, studies and experts have noticed that the health of vegetarians is significantly better

than those who don’t practice vegetarianism.  

Many risks come with the Vegetarian lifestyle as it can cause mental and eating

disorders. According to the results of a survey taken in Germany, “Vegetarians displayed

elevated prevalence rates for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and somatoform disorders”

(Johannes et al.). These results cannot be associated with the socio-demographic characteristics

of the vegetarians. Facts like the one stated previously create a negative idea surrounding

Vegetarianism. While mental health can be risked on a diet like vegetarianism, it is not seen that

often. 

Vegetarianism like a tree has many different branches, like Vegan, Lacto Vegetarian,

Ovo Vegetarian, Lacto- ovo Vegetarian, Pescatarian (Pescetarian), Pollotarian, and Flexitarian.

Vegan diets cut out all animal byproducts including dairy and eggs, while Pescatarian and

Pollotarian diets allow fish and poultry but not red meat. Many people wanting to become

vegetarian think they must cut out meat and dairy all together but as the Vegetarian communities

have grown more people have been informed on the true meaning of the different types
 Housh 3

of Vegetarianism. One other misconception that is thought to be true is the statement “Humans

were made to eat meat”. On the contrary, “our digestive systems resemble those of herbivores

closer than carnivorous animals. Prehistoric man ate meat, of course, but plants formed the basis

of his diet” (Butler). So, Vegetarianism is the best option for humans in terms of dietary

options.  

Vegetarianism, while it does come with risk of eating and mental disorders, is a very

healthy option for humans. Vegetarianism is a diet option that provides us with protein from the

plants themselves and eliminates health issues later in life. It’s been proven that Vegetarianism is

perfectly healthy as the same nutrients found in meat can be found in plant products. Lastly,

human digestive systems speak for themselves in terms of the need for meat; we don’t need it to

survive.  
 Housh 4

Works Cited

Appleby, Paul N., and Timothy J. Key. “The Long-Term Health of Vegetarians and Vegans.”

Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, vol. 75, no. 3, 2015, pp. 287–293.,

doi:10.1017/s0029665115004334.

Butler, Stephanie. “Beans and Greens: The History of Vegetarianism.” History.com, A&E

Television Networks, 4 Apr. 2014, www.history.com/news/beans-and-greens-the-history-

Crowe, Francesca L., et al. “Risk of Hospitalization or Death from Ischemic Heart Disease

among British Vegetarians and Nonvegetarians: Results from the EPIC-Oxford Cohort

Study.” EBSCOhost, Mar. 2013, eds.b.ebscohost.com/eds/detail/detail?

vid=3&sid=40e2c274-20a1-40bd-8765-13cefd74ee72%40pdc-v-

sessmgr06&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=fsr&AN=85727207.

Michalak, Johannes, et al. “Vegetarian Diet and Mental Disorders: Results from a Representative

Community Survey.” International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical

Activity, vol. 9, no. 1, 2012, p. 67., doi:10.1186/1479-5868-9-67.

“Researchers' Work from University Health Network Focuses on Eating Disorders (Prevalence

and Psychopathology of Vegetarians and Vegans - Results from a Representative Survey

in Germany).” Mental Health Weekly Digest, 11 May 2020, p. 707. Gale In Context:

Opposing Viewpoints, link-gale-com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/A623355588/OVIC?

u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=80ba214a. Accessed 9 July 2020.

 Housh 5

Shapin, Steven. Vegetable Love. 2007, scholar.harvard.edu/files/shapin/files/shapin-

vegetable_love.pdf.