Six Health Benefits of Vegetarian Diets
Vegetarians and interested individuals from around the globe will be joining the North American Vegetarian Society on October 1, 2012, for the annual celebration of World Vegetarian Day.
This event was founded by the North American Vegetarian Day in 1977. It commemorates the health-supporting and life affirming benefits of vegetarianism. World Vegetarian Day is the annual kick-off of Vegetarian Awareness Month.
There are many reasons people choose a vegetarian diet. It has proven health benefits, saves animals’ lives and helps to preserve the Earth.
Vegetarian Diets:
- Reduce the risk of major killers such as heart disease, stroke and cancer while cutting exposure to foodborne pathogens
- Provide a viable answer to feeding the world’s hungry through more efficient use of grains and other crops
- Save animals from suffering as a result of farming practices and from the pain and terror of slaughter
- Conserve vital but limited freshwater, fertile topsoil and other precious resources
- Preserve irreplaceable ecosystems such as rainforests and other wildlife habitats
- Decrease greenhouse gases that are accelerating climate change
To encourage non-vegetarians to give meatless eating a try, the North American Vegetarian Society has developed a prize-winning contest.
Non-vegetarians who pledge to abstain from all meat, fish and fowl during Vegetarian Awareness Month (October) will be entered in a random drawing for cash prizes. The top winner will get $1000 in cash.
One winner will be chosen in each of the following three categories: One day $250 — One week $500 — One month $1,000.
People can enter the “Vegetarian Pledge” contest online at worldvegetarianday.org
