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Do Vegetarians Live Longer?

2/19/10 at 10:30 am | 15 Comments

BLOG by Chris Prelitz

Some scientific studies show that in communities where elders live the longest—they eat less meat than the rest. It’s hard to say if it’s their greens or their genes. But, there’s no question that our PLANET WOULD BE HEALTHIER if everyone ate more veggies and less meat.

Growing livestock for meat production and processing requires an immense amount of water and land—more than any other form of food. To produce 1 pound of feedlot beef requires about 2,400 gallons of water and 7 pounds of grain. Cornell University scientists estimate that the U.S. could feed 800 million people with the grain that livestock eat.
Meat production is also one of the top contributors to our most serious environmental challenges—from deforestation to air and water pollution.

Last year, even the World Bank scientists came out against the meat industry, estimating that meat production is responsible for at least 51% of greenhouse gases.

If you're still looking for ways to go green for 2010, doing the veggie thing once a week may be a great next step. Find your local Farmers Market and support a few local organic farmers. You'll be making better choices for our planet. And, you might even live longer. :)

FILED UNDER: VEGETARIANS, MEAT PRODUCTION, AIR POLLUTION, DEFORESTATION, GO GREEN, HEALTHY PLANET

Comments (15)

• 1.
  February 19, 2010
  9:55 am

  Chris, not all of us can be strict vegetarians, a B12 deficiency can result from eliminating meat entirely. But your suggestion of doing the veggie thing one day a week is do able. And visiting a local farmer's market will not only stimulate our appetites for fresh fruits and vegetables but promote organic farming too.

  – Valerie Curcuro, Life Coach
• 2.
  February 23, 2010
  5:58 am

  Thank you Chris for this post. I lived in a third world country for three years growing up and was told that for it takes 10 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of meat. I am an avid vegetarian and feel healthier than when I ate meat. When I want vegetarian, I was amazed at how much more varied, not to mention healthier, my diet became.

  – Mary
• 3.
  February 25, 2010
  7:36 am

  Livestock can also spread viruses to humans. The excessive livestock population is a burden to humans and the planet.

  – Karin
• 4.
  March 2, 2010
  2:19 pm

  Hi Chris, I remember listening to you once when someone asked a question which was "What was the one thing we could do that would save the most water?" you said, Eat less red meat. . Wish more people knew this important fact, so thank you!

  – Theresa
• 5.
  March 4, 2010
  8:30 am

  Today I'm cooking an indian dish called dhal soup, red lenses and coco nut milk :) Haven't done it before, looking forward to serve it! Want to learn kids to love vegetarian food. :D

  – ingrid
• 6.
  March 5, 2010
  1:25 pm

  Hi Ingrid, You might be interested in the Slow Food movement. It's all about embracing good, clean and fair food. They are an international organization that aims to reawaken our senses and move away from fast food to slow food... Get it :)

  – Chris
• 7.
  March 5, 2010
  2:52 pm

  I eat meat sparingly, both for my own health and that of the planet. If you're interested in trying to eat less meat, here are a few of my tips. Ramp up the familiar things that you already eat that are vegetarian. Healthy home made pizzas seem to be one common thing we are not automatically programmed to associate with meat.

  – Joe
• 8.
  March 5, 2010
  2:54 pm

  Increase your use of foods that we dont automatically think of as meat dishes, like pizza. Make your own healthy pizzas at home. Some of my favorites are Potato/Arugula; Portobello mushroom and leeks; and Spinach-feta and olives. Same with pastas, you don't need meat in pasta dishes and I'll bet your family won't even notice.

  – Joe
• 9.
  March 5, 2010
  6:48 pm

  Thanks Chris! Breaking it down into an easier approach, like beginning with one time per week is a totally doable solution. Thanks for the reminder!

  – Blythe
• 10.
  March 7, 2010
  2:56 pm

  Absolutely! Great advice Chris and easy to do! Loved the movie "Food Inc:" They really explained this topic well.

  – Amana
• 11.
  March 10, 2010
  12:04 am

  I've noticed that my meat intake has been steadily decreasing over the past year. I didn't intend to become a vegetarian, it is just slowly happening. If I eat a steak today, it had better be a $60 steak! ;)

  – Holmes
• 12.
  March 12, 2010
  7:06 pm

  It's amazing that folks don't get the connection between eating meat and a healthier planet for all of us. Thanks for the reminder.

  – Paul
• 13.
  March 15, 2010
  5:44 am

  I also have limited my meat consumption due to the antbiotics, growth hormones & mercury content...Poor slaughter practices creates FEAR in the animal & I don`t want to eat the fear...(since everyting has energy I don`t need to consume that kind of energy)

  – Brenda
• 14.
  March 29, 2010
  7:23 pm

  I just saw that Sir Paul McCartney is spearheading an movement called: "MEATLESS MONDAYS". Supporters include: Kate Moss, Glyneth Paltrow, and even L.A's Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

  – Gavin
• 15.
  April 1, 2010
  11:41 pm

  It is really simple;having dead animalis in your stomache that are in the process of decay can not be very healthy.Let's do ourselves and our earth a favour and eat less meat!

  – hantawi