Debate: Steak or Salad: Is Vegetarianism foolish?
Side: Salad

Vegetarian diets are healthierVegetarian diets are lower in fat, cholesterol and saturated fat. Both the American Heart Association and American Diabetic Association say vegetarian diets decrease the risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, obesity, kidney stress, certain types of cancer, and digestive problems. [1]Vegetarians get enough proteinIt's a very common myth that vegetarians don't get enough protein. Nearly every food has protein. "Protein intake in vegetarian diets is only slightly lower than in meat diets and can meet daily requirements for any person, including athletes and bodybuilders. Studies at Harvard University as well as other studies conducted in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and various European countries, confirmed vegetarian diets provide sufficient protein intake as long as a variety of plant sources are available and consumed." [2]Too much protein is harmful. "It's been estimated that the average person in this country eats two - six times more protein, usually from animals, than is needed for good nutrition. At it's most extreme, our protein fixation has led to the popularity of high-protein low-carb weight loss diets, condemned by doctors and nutritionists from coast to coast." [3]A vegetarian diet is better for the environmentThe United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization said one of the largest contributors to air polution, water polution, land degradation, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. The report said "the livestock sector emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global." [5]Factory farms are unethicalFactory farms are just concentration camps for animals. WARNING!!! the following videos are very graphic and show just how horrific the treatment of animals is in factory farms.Shocking cruelty at tyson foods supplier: http://www.nsfwyoutube.com/watch?v=bNY4Fjsdft4What Are Factory Farmers Hiding? See for Yourself: http://www.nsfwyoutube.com/watch?v=tGIsNXudxg8What is factory farming? - LAYING HENS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kipdLxzTw4gFactory Farming in 60 Seconds Flat: http://www.nsfwyoutube.com/watch?v=I2dGvZiHUJ0Death On A Factory Farm [HBO] (2009): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfiolWwzD94Vegetarian/Vegan AthletesA study by the University of British Columbia says "plant and animal protein sources appear to provide equivalent support to athletic training and performance." [4]There are many athletes who are vegetarian or vegan.-UFC fighter Mac Danzig-Professional bodybuilder Robert Cheeke-Professional triathlete and ultra marathon national champion Brendan Brazier-Six-time Ironman winner Dave Scott-Four-time Mr. Universe Bill Pearl-World-record holder in bench press Stan Price.-Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek-Professional baseball player Prince Fielder-Professional hockey player Michael Zigomanis-Minnesota Twins pitcher Pat Neshek-Atlanta Hawks Guard Salim Stoudamire-Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Tony Gonzalez-Tennis star Martina Navratilova-Strength trainer Mike Mahler-Multi-sport olympian Carl Lewis said his best year of track competition was the first year that he ate a vegan diet. Sources:[1] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701103002.htm[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism#Protein[3] http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/articles/ protein-veg-diet.php [4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/15212753/ [5] http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a0701e/a0701e00.HTM