A very good evening I bid to Dr xxx and everyone present. My name is xxx and before I start my presentation I would like to share on how this idea of lifestyle came about to my family. It all started few years back, during our dinner time and my little sister announced that she was going to go vegetarian because she wanted to make the world a better place. We all thought that it was just a phase that she was going through, so we just brushed it off. Fast forward today; she’s still living the vegetarian life. Throughout the few years that she has been a vegetarian, we as a family had took the liberty to educate myself with the knowledge on the vegetarian lifestyle. So today with that thought, I would like to share with everyone here on the types of vegetarian and the health benefits of it.
Firstly, the types of vegetarianism. The main idea would be to not consume meat, poultry or seafood for a range of health, environment, ethical, religious or economic reasons. Well according to a study from 2010 it is estimated that there are 1.45 billion vegetarians are of necessity and another 75 million are of choice. They make approximately 21.8% of the world’s population. But not all are just living a one type of lifestyle as vegetarianism are divided into 5 types. First off would be vegan, which is the most restrictive as they do not consume any animal products or by-products, which include silk, leather and wool. Then there is Lacto- vegetarian, they do not consume meat, poultry or fish but do consume dairy products such as cheese, milk and yogurt. Meanwhile, Ovo-vegetarians do not eat meat, poultry or fish but do consume egg products. Next is Lacto-ovo vegetarians that consumes the normal vegetarian diet including egg and dairy products. Lastly is partial vegetarians, who avoid meat but may eat fish or poultry.
Secondly, a plant based diets often emerge as nutritionally and environmentally advantageous; which could be the possible way to reduce both the rate of risks of chronic illness and prevent the environmental deterioration. According to the American Dietetic Association, “appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.”. When done right, a vegetarian diet is low in saturated fats and cholesterol. According to The Journal of Clinical Pathology, vegetarians are also less prone to cancer and heart diseases as their diets are rich in acid which combats the hardening of arteries. The acid; salicylic acid, is also the main component of aspirin- which is prescribed by doctors to reduce the risks of heart attack.
Next is on how does a vegetarian- free of beef and other meats, benefit not only the healthy lifestyle but also in environmental conservation as well? By going vegetarian you can help in reducing the greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and fluorinated gas are gases that traps heat in the atmosphere. A research done by the Worldwatch Institute indicates that 51% of worldwide greenhouse-gas emissions can be attributed to animal agriculture, which are raised and killed for food. The main source of agricultural methane is from a process called enteric fermentation, a normal part of digestion in ruminant animals. This process produces methane gas, which the animals then releases out into the atmosphere. A research done at the Oxford Martin School’s Future of Food Programme indicated that if everyone were to go vegetarian by 2050 the food-related emission would drop by 60% but if the world were to go vegan it would decline to 70%. Fortunately the whole world does not have to convert, but the frequency in eating meat is key. One study found that simply abiding to the World Health Organisation’s dietary recommendations, would bring the greenhouse gas emissions down by 17%.
In conclusion, becoming a vegetarian is more than cutting meats out of our diet. It is the act of being more conscious on what you consume and how it would impact the world today and also in the long run. I have shared with everyone here on the types of vegetarian and the benefits of being a vegetarian in terms of health and environment. Just like my little sister, who wanted to see a change in the world when she decided to go vegetarian. Because of her my family are more aware of how the choices we make might affect us in the future. So I urge everyone to start making a change not just in terms of eating but as a whole, as the saying goes “One to change a few, a few to change many, many to change the world. It all starts with one. ” Be the one to make a change. I believe that is all from me, with that I thank you.