Plant-Based Diets are just as good if not better than Animal-Based Diets/diets with animal products

Pro claims “Plant-Based Diets are just as good if not better than Animal-Based Diets”First let’s define a few essentialsA plant-based diet (PBD) is based on vegetables, grains, legumes and fruit, with little or no animal products.[1]Animal Food Sources (AFS) include many food items that comes from an animal source such as meat, milk, fish, eggs, cheese and yogurt.[2]Pro has the BOP to prove that diets without AFS are as good or better than PBD alone.There are several problems with this position1. Nutrition – PBD do not contain performed vitamin A, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. [2] Also, many AFS give nutrients (like Iron and trace elements) in forms that the human body can use more readily. 2. Micro-nutrient deficiency is often a result of PBD [2] – “All six micronutrients richly found in AFS, vitamin A, vitamin B12, riboflavin, calcium, iron and zinc play a critical role in the growth and development of children.” 3. Vegetarian diets are linked to menstrual problems in young women. [3] 4. It takes intelligence and hard work to maintain a healthy PBD. Most people are not willing to do the study or work at the self discipline required. 5. Bacon – yum – seriously, just because I can live without AFS, why would I want my life to be made so complicated by unnecessary food rules. Often AFS products are in foods that might surprise you.[5] The focus of PRO's argument seems to be that PBD leads to greater awareness, which leads to greater health. If that is the case, the debate should read "greater awareness of diet is better than being a dietary moron" Looking at PRO's arguments one at a time leads to these responses "Dairy is completely unnecessary for anyone living in a developed country." The debate did not specify for developed countries. In fact, one reason for AFS diets is that animals can eat plants that we can't (grass etc.) and convert it to meat, milk and eggs which we can eat. In less developed agricultural areas (Canadian North, Greenland, harsh environments) where fruits and grains are impossible to grow there are cultures that thrive on AFS diets because it it what is easily available. "So far as I can tell, B12 is THE ONLY nutrient in meat that can't easily be found naturally in other foods." I hadn't expected you to debate for ASF. According to PRO vitamine B12 must come from AFS diets. BP diets alone are not as good. "Factory farms help produce and kill 56 billion animals per year" The economics and sustainability of PBD may be great. I was not aware this debate was about fashion, economics, music or anything but diet. PBDs are not as good as a diet where foods can be chosen from the full range of foods. I am all for improving harvest conditions of AFS. "Western society eats too much meat" Many cultures do not eat enough fish, eggs, milk or meat or other AFS foods and experience malnutrition. Excuse me for skipping your points 5-9 as they are about crazy obese American dietary problems of overfeeding on processed junk food and getting way too little exercise. Bone density increases with impact related exercise (walk, run, sports) and decreases with a sedentry lifestyle. Most of points 5-9 are similar. "Eating meat/dairy contributes to world hunger." If we as a culture stop buying meat and begin buying PBD foods the instability in food markets will cause harm.[6] A part of the problem is not just the need for grain foods, but a need for purchasing power and stable governments. Bad government contributes to world hunger.[7] I am not saying that PBD are always bad. They do take more work and care to get enough nutrients AND CALORIES I am saying that a balanced diet is easier with a varied diet. [8] [1] http://en.wikipedia.org...[2] http://en.wikipedia.org...[3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...[4] http://newsinhealth.nih.gov...[5] http://www.dummies.com... [6] http://www.guardian.co.uk... [7] http://www.hawaii.edu...[8] http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca... http://www.health.gov...