The vegan push is moreover a political statement than a push for health.

Many Americans and people around the globe are pushing for people to stop eating meat. They use everything from global warming to suspect claims that it will improve your health to convert mediators to veganism. I will not deny that adding more vegetables to your diet is good for your health and weight, but will not agree that eating meat is something would be outlawed or vilified. Eating meat can and is a part of normal healthy diet for humans.

I understand the eating meat is started by taking animal life and I do sympathize with people who want to avoid meat because of the near-religious belief that it is wrong. I am a pet owner and love each and every one of them. I understand the moral and ethical argument. That being said, please do not push your beliefs on me or others.

Humans are omnivores and we have canines for a reason and that is to rip and tear flesh. Eating meat is a nearly essential part of the human diet. We can survive without it, but it takes significant effort and knowledge to acquire the full complement of vitamins, minerals, and essential macronutrients. I am not pushing be a belief on you but my educated opinion is based on medical and nutritional science.

Why is it difficult to get the right mixture of essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients? Many of these essential “nutrients” are not found in plant matter in significant amounts to meet the nutritional needs of human beings. Sure you can come close with the right mixture of plants, but this takes meal planning that most people do not do. Sure you can supplement with a vitamin or powder, but this is not a natural source.

There is some research to indicate that a vegan or vegetarian diet may reduce your risk of coronary artery disease. A vegetarian diet has also been tied to a lower body weight. Then again I have seen some overweight vegetarians that probably are supplementing their calories with sugar and other forms of empty calories. A vegetarian diet has also been tied to an increase stroke risk.

The bottom line: The vegan or vegetarian lifestyle does provide some health benefits and may reduce your weight and cardiac disease risk, but it is unclear if it provides any benefit over low meat or dairy with a high vegetable diet. I would recommend that you add vegetables to your diet with at least 6 to 8 servings of vegetables per day, but I do not recommend a vegetarian or vegan diet.