4th period Healthy Food Research Packet Source Summaries
Source A: Ms. Schlueter
The article "Should People Become Vegetarian?" from the ProCon website presents an
overview of the issue of vegetarianism; the article includes the key studies and proponents
of each side and explains how the issue has evolved over time in the United States. Those
who support vegetarianism say that "eating meat harms health, wastes resources...and is
cruel and unethical". On the other hand, opponents of vegetarianism argue that "moderate
meat consumption is healthful, humane" and has been happening for millions of years. The
article describes how vegetarian diets were first endorsed by the American Dietetic
Association in 1987, and, since then, the USDA, a Cornell University and Oxford study, Bill
Clinton, and Michelle Obama have supported them. In contrast, the Weston A. Price
Foundation advocates for eating "organic nutrient-dense foods" which include dairy and
meat to promote good health.
Source B
In the web article “The Myths of Vegetarianism by Stephen Byrnes in 2002, Byrnes argues
that there are many misconceptions about meat consumption and the health risks it
carries. Various myths such as “Vitamin A can be entirely obtained from plant foods” are
refuted by the fact that “True vitamin A, or retinol, and its associated esters is only found in
animal fats and organs like liver”. The various examples found in this article can only
support the claim that a meat-filled diet is not unhealthy. Contrarywise, it is nutritious.
Source C: Yuki, Jacob, Ashley
In “Long Term Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet” by Erik J Lindbloom (American Family
Physician, April 1 2009) the author argues that “the evidence base favoring a vegetarian
diet is encouraging, and informed patients who choose to reduce or eliminate meat
consumption are likely to improve overall health”. Lindbloom generally argues that
vegetarians are at less risk to suffer from health problems. He uses the Oxford Vegetarian
Study to show that “mortality from ischemic heart disease was 24 percent lower in
vegetarians”.
Source D: Eli, Andy, Edwin
In the article “Why Eat Organic Meat?” by James A. Riddle, Riddle states that people should
eat organic meat because it is rigorously monitored and bears little risk of health risks.
Additionally, inorganic meat is not regularly nearly as closely, come with a higher chance of
disease. Organic meat must be slaughtered in clean facilities, fed with feed from monitored
mills, and to come with records
Source E: Sasha, Alex, Gabby, Elvin
In Sally Fallon Morell’s article “22 reasons not to go vegetarian” published by
westonaprice.org on March 13 2013, while many say that living a vegetarian life is
healthier, there are many misconceptions about the benefits. For example, the
International Atherosclerosis Project found that “vegetarians had just as much
atherosclerosis as meat eaters”
Source F: Kaylee, Karen, and Mary Grace
The article “Benefits of a Meat Diet” on livestrong.com – Jan 2010, describes 5 reasons why
people should eat meat. According to JHUM, “meat is an excellent source of protein and a
variety of vitamins/minerals”. These vitamins/minerals provide energy, strong muscles,
healthy eyes and satiety.
Source H: Will, Lexy, Max
“Vegetarian Foods: Powerful for Health” is a web article by Physicians Committee for
Responsible Medicine, that takes a side that having a vegetarian diet has many health
benefits. The article explains that this diet will “help prevent cancer” “lower blood
pressure” reduce one’s risk of “forming kidney stones” “diabetes” “osteoporosis” and is a
low fat diet. The author also claims that you will get all the necessary nutrients and is
healthier in the long run. They also explain that vegetarian diets contain most nutrients
except some protein. Yet, they explain that most protein leads to disease.