ADVANTAGES:

The first aspect to consider is the issue of nutrition. Eating meat comes with
numerous health benefits that cannot be derived from any vegetarian meal. To
start with, meat contains high quality proteins with all the essential amino acids.
Proteins are very useful in body building and thus persons relying only on plant
foods for proteins are more vulnerable to retarded growth and a weak body than
a non-vegetarian. A well cooked chicken provides amino acids that protects from
common influenza and enhances a person's immune system against common
ailments and allergies.

Meat contains creatinine which is necessary for building the body muscle mass
for locomotion and other physical practices. Most vegetarian infants exhibit
stunted growth

Iron which is a crucial mineral in haemoglobin formation and the consequent
blood level sustenance especially for menstruating women is present in huge
quantities in red meat than from any plant source. Animal liver for instance,
contains 6000 mcgm per every 100 grams as opposed to 325 mcgm per every
100 grams of carrots. Bone marrow and soup is also a very rich source of iron as
compared to green vegetables. Vegetarians are more likely to suffer from iron-
deficiency anaemia due to a low iron level.

The phosphorus content found in cereals and legumes is normally in the form of
phytic acid. This means this kind of phosphorus has to be hydrolysed first before
it can be absorbed into the body. On the contrary, the phosphorus found in
meats is easily absorbed in body tissues indicating that non vegetarians are
more likely to have the desirable levels of phosphorus in the body than
vegetarians.

Meat also contains high levels of vitamin B12 which is absent in plant foods.
Deficiency of vitamin B12 may lead to Macrocytic Anaemia in infants of
vegetarian mothers.

Strict vegetarians face the risk of nutritional deficiencies such as riboflavin, zinc,
iron, calcium and essential amino acids like lysine and methionine. Vegetarian
children face the risk of energy deficiency in calories

Fish, milk and milk products are very rich in calcium which is important for
ensuring strong bones and teeth. The calcium quantities in plant foods are
minute and unreliable when it comes to proper bone and teeth formation.
Osteoporosis may result due to calcium deficiency and cause bone
demineralization.

Some fish types such as tuna and salmon contains omega 3 acids which are very
useful in mental health and general physical health. Omega 3 acids also have
good anti-cancer properties.

Fish also contains vitamin A well-known for its ability to boost human memory
and thus intelligence and small quantity is required for food as it is rich in
mineral concentration and hence reduces food shortages.

Patients who eat meat are found to recover more quickly than those who don't
since meat helps to speed up the repair of damaged body cells and formation of
new cells.


In some countries, the climate are not suitable for plants to grow for food and
hence non-veg diet is preferred over veg diets.


DISADVANTAGES:

1. Non Vegetarian foods are fibreless:
The roughage portion is missing in non-vegetarian diets, therefore one should make a conscious
effort to eat foods high in roughage. The foods high in roughage (insoluble fibre) are wheat bran,
whole cereals like brown rice. Oat fibre is particularly beneficial for cardiac cholesterol related
disorders. Oats have soluble fibre which dissolves in the body fluids and helps the body to decrease
the cholesterol build-up.

2. Non Vegetarian foods are high in cholesterol:
Since non vegetarian foods contain cholesterol, it is important to avoid other foods which
can have additive effect on the cholesterol, like dairy products, particularly cheese.
Besides these, one must avoid foods which have trans-fatty acids.


3. Non Vegetarian foods which are processed and preserved may contain high amounts
of chemicals. Therefore, it is important to limit the quantity of nonvegetarian
food products which may contain preservatives.


4. Non Vegetarian foods are devoid of many vitamins. To keep up a healthy level
of Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C, it is important to eat fruits and vegetables in
adequate quantities to prevent any deficiency from coming up. Fruits should be eaten in
their natural state and drinking packed juices is not the solution. Similar is the case with
eating vegetables destroyed by deep frying beyond recognition.


5. Non vegetarians need strong digestive enzymes to be able to digest proteins. Hence,
it is important to include sources of natural digestive enzymes in the diet to help the
body keep its digestive capability high. Foods rich in enzymes are raw papaya (can be
eaten as a salad) - rich in enzyme papain; pineapple - rich in the enzyme bromelase,
and basic salads which are rich in natural enzymes.

6. Many authorities claim that people should be cautious while consuming fish found
near industrial zones as they may be toxic.


7. Red meat should be consumed sparingly if you have increased incidence of
hypertension and heart problems. Once a week, detox by eating fruits, sprouts,
vegetable juices, salads and non-roasted nuts.

8. URIC ACID EFFECT:
Its been seen that in non-veg diets, because of breakdown of nucleic acid of DNA and
RNA uric concentration is high. If not controlled diet of meat is taken then uric
concentration in body increases. Gout develops when too much uric acid accumulates in
your bloodstream. This dissolved uric acid then comes out of the bloodstream and forms
microscopic spike-like crystals in joints or soft tissues.
Your body reacts to uric acid crystals as if they were a foreign body or bacteria. White
blood cells and other infection fighting cells are sent into the area, which results in
inflammation. This reaction can look just like an infection: The affected area will become
red, swollen, hot, and very tender.