Is vegetarianism for teens?

Zac Sweets, Student Life Editor
December 7, 2009
Filed under Student Life

From the dawn of time there were herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. In the 21st century this has yet to change, although herbivores now go by a different alias. Vegetarian. Vegetarianism is a popular choice for many people today, but some may wonder if this is healthy and safe diet for kids and teens.

People choose the vegetarian diet for multiple reasons streaming from religion to ethics. Religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism have aspects of their religion where eating meat, or once living animals, is against their religious beliefs. For ethical reasons some people choose to be vegetarian due to concerns for animals, the environment or even their own health.

When it comes to ethics, junior Andi Replogle’s reason to maintain her vegetarian diet runs parallel with some religions.

“I’m pro-life and I think that goes for animals too,” Replogle said. “I don’t see meat as food but as death.”

Not all vegetarian diets are strictly no meat or animals products at all. There are four major vegetarian categories, and they are ovo-vegetarian that eat eggs but no meat, lacto-ovo vegetarian eats dairy and egg products but no meat, lacto-vegetarian eat dairy products and no eggs or meat, and vegans eat only food from plant sources.

To maintain a healthy lifestyle and be a vegetarian, diet nutrition is key. Calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin D and protein are some nutrients the body needs that is important for vegetarians to get in their diet. Taking in needed nutrients on a vegetarian diet can easily be accomplished. Some use protein substitutions, like tofu and soy products, which are available to insure that vegetarians get the protein they need.

Coach Eric Sherfenburg urged caution to vegetarianism because he sees the importance of protein in one’s diet.

“Be very careful about getting protein,” Sherf said. “It can be difficult to get a balanced diet.”

According to many dietitians a vegetarian diet that includes dairy products and eggs, lacto-ovo, is the best choice for growing teens. Teens who follow a strict vegetarian diet run the risk of meeting the certain nutrients necessary to grow.

To help vegetarians get the nutrients they need and have appetizing food at the same time, companies have developed foods as meat substitutes. Stores like Hy-Vee now carry an even a section of solely vegetarian foods.

According to 2009 graduate Monica Morlan those foods may not be for everyone at the same time there are some meat-eaters that don’t mind the food.

“I have a lot of meat-eating friends that come over and like my veggie burgers and other meat substitutes,” Morlan said.

Even with the benefits of a vegetarian diet there are some risks and concerns that also follow. While vegetarianism is considered socially acceptable and healthy, someone with an eating disorder may drastically reduce their calorie intake or cut out all fat or carbohydrates and call it “vegetarianism’. To keep from these unhealthy ‘vegetarian’ diets people, especially teens, must approach vegetarianism in a healthy and well planned way.