Vegetarianism has been constantly growing  in America. According to the Vegetarian Times, around 7.3 million Americans are  following a vegetarian-based diet. Around 1 million of these people are also vegans, who abstain from eating all animal products such as meat, eggs, dairy, gelatin, and honey. Meatless diets have spread to McLean High School and these students explain why.

“I became vegetarian because I just don’t like the taste of meat. I don’t eat any red meat, fish, or poultry,” junior Evelyn Basham said. According to mygreenplanet.org, vegetarians change their tastebuds through eating smooth foods like vegetables as opposed to rough and chewy foods like meat. This can allow the tastebuds to heighten their ability absorb flavor.

Avoiding meat can also help reduce carbon emission that can lead to global warming. In 2006, the UN calculated that the combined climate change emissions of animals bred for the meat industry were about 18% of the global total – more than cars, planes and all other forms of transport put together.

The vegetarian diet can also reap health benefits. According to the American Dietetic Association vegetarians are at a lower risk for colorectal, ovarian, and breast cancer. They are also at a lower risk to develop obesity heart disease, and high blood pressure.

“I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 3 years old and I feel healthy and energized during the day,” junior Ana dua said. Switching to an animal free diet can promote weight loss, which can cause vegetarian to feel lighter and more energized.

Others do it to stand up for animal rights. Animals can sometimes be treated like objects on a conveyor belt  rather than living organisms. Sadly, the meat industry has been growing rapidly and the health and safety of animals in meat factories are dwindling just as quickly.

“I became a vegetarian because I was completely shocked by the lack of guidelines there are for animal safety and cruelty in the food industry,” senior Ana Garvin said. “Pigs are supposed to be euthanized humanely instead of slaughtered but a lot of times that is not the case. They’ll be given the [euthanasia] shot and then immediately put through the process and they are still alive when their skin is being stripped off and dunked into a boiling cauldron.”

Animal-free diets can help end this atrocity and can help people be healthier and happier.