Which Food is Best – Vegetarian vs Non Vegetarian Diet?

If you’re the only vegetarian in the group, you must be tired of answering the one question all your friends have to ask you, “So don’t you get tired of Paneer and Gobi?” or “How do you get energy if you don’t eat meat?” And if you’re a non-vegetarian food lover you may be the one asking these questions. This is and has always been an endless debate.


Here are a few pros and cons of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.


Let’s see vegetarian vs non vegetarian diet.

Vegetarian vs Non Vegetarian Diet

In this article, we will see here vegetarian vs non vegetarian diet.

Pros of Non-Vegetarian Food

• People who consume meat and its other related products have a wide range of food to choose from. They often have numerous options to pick from. They can enjoy a share of the vegetarian food ordered and at the same time indulge in all the non-vegetarian food. They are definitely in an advantageous position when food options and variety are taken into consideration.
• For those who travel often, one of the primary concerns is the availability of the food they desire to have. However, in the case of non-vegetarians, this is not a big problem. They can have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items. It is also easier for them to adapt to different types of food.
• Proper development of physical and mental strength requires an intake of appropriate amount of protein. Vegetarians have a limited choice of legumes and milk when it comes to protein rich food. Non-vegetarians, on the other hand, have meat which in itself offers a wide range of choices. It has also been proven medically protein from animals is far better than that from plants.
• Heart diseases are one of the most common diseases today. Whether it is caused due to the food or the lifestyle we follow, it cannot be ignored. This is why food rich in omega 3 fatty acids must be included in our diets. Seafood is one of the major sources of omega 3 fatty acids. This is yet another advantage non-vegetarians enjoy. Omega 3 acids have also been proven to be beneficial in preventing cancer.
• Other than this, non-vegetarian food items are also a rich source of vitamin A. This, in turn, helps the brain to function properly giving it a boost.

Cons of Non-Vegetarian Food

• For all those meat lovers out there, you may be surprised to know that consumption of red meat as well as processed meat has shown increased mortality rates. Too much of meat eaten may also lead to heart diseases, diabetes, kidney disorders, cancer and weight gain, as the chances are higher in this case.
• Studies have shown that over a period of five years, those who consumed the highest quantity of meat have gained the most weight. This trial was held for men and women, normal-weight and overweight individuals and smokers and nonsmokers. Findings have also revealed that there is an inverse relationship between weight gain and vegetarian food like fruits, whole grains and yogurt.
• According to WHO, 159 different diseases are caused by non-vegetarian foods items. Out of those, the most common ones are heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney problem, gall bladder problems, wounds in arteries, eczema, paralysis, tuberculosis, constipations and others.
• Non-vegetarian food may lead to the gradual weakening of the bones and cause deterioration. However, when compared, vegetarians have stronger bones. Non-vegetarians excrete high amounts of alkaline and salts through urine. This leads to the deficiency of these salts in their blood. The blood compensates this deficiency from the bones thereby creating an imbalance. This reduces the resistance power in humans.
• Non-vegetarian food produces nitrogen which acts like the poison to the nerves. According to studies around 85% of throat and intestine problems occur due to non-vegetarian food.

Cons of Vegetarian Food

• Firstly and most importantly if you switch from non-veg to veg you will be consuming lesser amount of protein. This will have a great effect on your diet because protein constitutes a major and significant part of it. Protein rich food generally acts as the building blocks of the body.
• In order to give your body all the benefits of amino acids, you need to include all of it in your diet. Eggs contain this which you will miss out on being a vegetarian. However, for some protein providing sources of food to have an effect on your body, they have to contain the appropriate quantity of IAAs and DAAs.
• The absence of the right amount of protein in the diet will result in more time to heal wounds. It will also make your skin less healthy and lose its glow. It will become more difficult to develop muscle tissues. It will make you weaker and have an effect on digestion.
• Vegetarians will by default consume more carb rich food items in order to make up for the loss in protein. This may lead to increase in body weight.
• Meat is rich in fats and oil as well. Fat is essential in small quantities in one’s diet. Only a huge portion will have negative effects. It is significant for your skin, hair, joints and also helps in breaking down protein enabling better utilization. Important fatty acids like the omega 3 fatty acid are essential for brain functions. They also prevent any harm or damage that free radicals which cause cancer lead to.
• Meat is also the only source of vitamin B12 excluding dirt in the ground.
• Deficiency of B12 can lead to various serious issues like nerve damage, low levels of energy and problems in making use of the appropriate amount of calcium required by the body, thereby leading to osteoporosis.

Pros of Vegetarian Food

• Arachidonic acid comes from animal sources and thus vegetarian diets are not high in arachidonic acid. This is beneficial, as studies have shown a link between arachidonic acid and mood disturbances. Research confirmed that mood improvement happens when eating meat, fish, and poultry is avoided.
• According to research, the symptoms of Psoriasis, which is a skin disease that causes skin redness and irritation, can be reduced with a vegetarian diet, thereby helping in the cure of the disease.
• Vegetarian diets help in significantly reducing diabetes. It can even reduce the possibility of its development by half.
• A vegetarian diet can help in bringing down the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The diet contains antioxidant rich food items. These antioxidants help in reducing any damage caused due to oxidative stress.
• The consumption of animal fat does not benefit one’s health. When this is removed from the diet, one also gets rid of the adverse effects it has on one’s body and health condition. Korean researchers have studied the effects of a vegetarian diet on a long term basis. According to their conclusion, body fat and cholesterol levels are much lower in vegetarians.

Vegetarian vs non vegetarian diet could be an endless debate that has the potential to go on. However, the fact remains that those following a non-vegetarian diet will have a much more balanced diet. This is a result of a combined intake of veg and non-veg food items. A pure vegetarian diet contains a higher proportion of folic acid, fiber, magnesium, vitamins C and vitamin E, unsaturated fat, and numerous phytochemicals. This helps vegetarians to keep their cholesterol levels low, remain thinner and fit, have a lower blood pressure and lesser risk of heart diseases when compared to others.


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