Pros of Animal Food vs. Plant Food
- Meats contain valuable protein needed by the body.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
While some vegetarians, known as lacto-ovo-vegetarians, do eat dairy products, others, known as vegans, are even more extreme, consuming only plant foods. Although many people think a vegetarian diet is healthier than diets that include meat, a plant food diet can be lacking in some nutrients. Before embarking on a plant-based diet, seek medical advice, because including animal food in a diet does offer advantages over vegan diets. - Because vegetarians don't eat meat, they can be lacking in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce the odds for medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, says Colorado State University. They improve vision and cognitive function, besides serving as an anti-inflammatory in the body. The best sources of omega-3 acids are organ meats, fish and eggs enriched with omega-3s.
- Although iron is found in both animal and plant foods, the body absorbs the iron in animal foods easier than iron that's contained in plant foods. Plants have less available iron for the body because of their higher fiber content, which isn't absorbed into the human body. Fiber can also tie up other minerals besides iron, preventing them from being absorbed. As a result, people who eat only plant-based foods have a higher chance for having an iron deficiency. Women require more iron than men do, so they particularly need to be cautious about their daily iron intake, especially when eating only plant foods.
- Animal foods contain more phosphorus than plant foods. The body can absorb phosphorus considerably easier than plant foods. Phosphorus is important to healthy bones, teeth and cell membranes. It's a co-factor for several enzymes and DNA and RNA, in addition to increasing endurance, says Healthy Vitamin Choice. Although foods including cereals and legumes have phytic acid, it must be processed before it's absorbed into the body, while meat can absorb phosphorus directly, notes the website Ayushveda.
- It can be harder for people who eat only plant-based food to receive enough vitamin B-12, so they should take supplements or eat foods fortified with vitamin B-12. This vitamin is found only in animal foods. Vitamin B-12 is essential for the formation of normal blood cells and cellular repair. A diet lacking in B-12, over a period of time, can cause lightheadedness, anemia or some form of neuropathy, notes the Lab Tests Onine website.
