We're not saying that meat is not good for you, we're merely stating that vegetables are a healtheir choice.

As humans we are creatures of comfort, habit and stubbornness. People get sick over time from consuming an inadequate diet or overeating and from leading sedentary lives.

Lets get our definitions right first.

Mostly, we humans can be divided into two rough categories:

1. The veggie lovers

2. The non-veggie lovers

• A vegetarian diet (veggie-lovers) is one wherein a person consumes all types of plant foods along with milk and dairy, but completely avoids consuming all meat and animal derived foods and by-products. This includes avoiding contact with these products as well.

• A non-vegetarian diet (non-veggie lovers) includes all plant foods as well as foods and by-products derived from animals like meat, poultry and fish, etc.

VEGETARIANS & their DIETS

Nearly every significant study carried out on people who are vegetarians has shown the following:

Vegetarians are at an increased risk for:

• Iron deficiency anemia

• Zinc deficiency

• Vitamin B12 deficiency

But, Hey! Before you non-vegetarians jump in here and say, "See I told you so!" Lets get this straight.

VEGETARIANS CAN and ARE ABLE to get adequate nutrition from an exclusively vegetarian diet.

If vegetarians consume a variety of foods along with the right amounts of foods from each food group, a veg. diet can meet the recommendations for all nutrients. Those vegetarians that especially focus on including foods that are rich in calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12 to counter a potential deficiency, achieve optimal health.

Of course, the most important part in this equation is EXERCISE. If you keep that element out, no amount of healthy vegetarian food will help you in the long term.

NON-VEGETARIANS & their DIETS

The biggest increase in consumption has been for poultry. Chicken and fish in itself have not been shown to cause chronic diseases, but when the chicken and fish are deep fried in partially hydrogenated oil, they become one of the most potent causes of heart disease as they then contain trans fatty acids.

Studies have also found the following with non-vegetarians:

• Have shorter lifespan and are more prone to chronic diseases as compared to vegetarians

• On average have more heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.

• Predominantly eat lesser amounts of fruits and vegetables than recommended.

So which one is better? Today, both these categories are falling short.

Looking at current trend of a veggie lover and a non-veggie lover, they are BOTH consuming more of refined cereals (white bread, white rice, etc.), as compared to whole grains (whole wheat bread, brown rice, etc). Refined grains are devoid of their vitamins and fiber due to the polishing process.

Have you counted how many varieties of packaged and processed foods are available on the shelves today for both Non veg and veg diets. Well! Don't count as it will make your head spin. We are all emptying our pockets for convenience at the cost of damaging our health. The only ones laughing all the way to the bank are the manufacturers of these products.

We are consuming more of processed and ready to eat foods such as baked goods and fried goods in place of more healthful foods such as raw fresh fruits and vegetables. Also lets talk about SALT. Huge amount of salt is found in baked goods, packaged and processed foods and fatty meats. The combination of all the above, i.e. high intake of refined cereals, baked goods and fried goods, salt, fatty meats, promote obesity, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. (Please note, `Dear Reader' that this applies to both veggie lovers and non-veggie lovers)

Both non-veg. and veg.diets are killing us: The use of refined foods (that are devoid of natural & healthy nutrients) & foods containing saturated fats and cholesterol