Why You Should Turn to a Vegetarian Diet and Omit Meat Consumption

Body

Introduction
I. We eat meat in a variety of ways, meat that is loaded with chemicals. These chemicals enter our bodies upon consumption and may lead to serious health problems.

II. Meat saps more energy than it imparts. It is very difficult to digest; meat stays in the stomach up to six hours and stays an additional four days in the intestines before leaving the body. The sources utilized for this presentation comes from Hartbarger and Hartbarger, The Vegetarian
Handbook by Null and Vegetarianism and Veganism by Newton.

III. Today, I want to convince you how important it is to omit meat from your diet and to influence you to think seriously of turning to a vegetarian diet.

Body
I. Currently, the American Meat Institute promotes a slogan, “Real Food for Real People.”

A. These ads do not state that this real food and other meat products are laden with chemicals.
1. There are approximately 2,000 different drugs and chemicals that are administered to livestock and poultry.
2. The residue from these drugs remains in the animal’s flesh and is consumed by you.

B. There is strong evidence as to the health risks associated with excessive meat consumption.
1. Saturated fats and cholesterol found in meats have been linked to breast and colon cancer and can contribute to hardening of the arteries and heart disease.

2. Meat that is contaminated with toxins can have a negative, long-term effect on health, emotions and physical stamina.

II. Currently, there are fourteen million vegetarians in the United States. According to Null (1996) “throughout most of the world, vegetarianism is the rule, not the exception. Over three-quarters of a billion people follow vegetarian diet” (p.4).

A. A lot of people think being a vegetarian means a life-sentence of brown rice and broccoli.
1. This is a boring image. The word vegetarian comes from the Latin word vegetare meaning “to enliven.”
2. Vegetarianism is a health-enhancing approach to diet and life. A vegetarian abstains from flesh of warm-blooded animals.

B. There is more than one way to be a vegetarian.
1. Total vegetarians – thrives solely on plant food.
2. Vegans – have total commitment to vegetarianism.
3. Lacto-vegetarians – includes milk in their diet along with plant foods.
4. Pesco-vegetarians – consumes fish along with vegetables.

III. By altering your eating habits and eliminating meat from your diet you benefit in many ways.

A. Morality from coronary artery disease is lower in vegetarians; vegetarians maintain lower weight and have increased physical stamina.
 B. Consequently, vegetarians that adopt this form of eating reduce the chances of contracting many of the diseases that afflict our society.

IV. Currently, more and more people are turning to a wholesome and natural diet.

A. People are becoming better educated, more concerned as to what goes into their bodies and the effects that food has on their appearance and health.

B. A vegetarian diet can and does provide protein, minerals, and vitamins.

Conclusion
I. Today, I have given you many reasons why I feel it is important for you to abstain from meat and incorporate a vegetarian diet into you eating habits.

II. By abstaining from meat you not only increase your chances of living your life free from the many diseases humans inflict on themselves but also a life style that increases your awareness of your body.

III. A vegetarian diet gives you the opportunity to give your body the best nutrition that humankind was intended to have. Our bodies were designed to consume organic foods in a natural state. The choice is yours.