Well, the World Health Organization (WHO) has actually gone as far as to say red meat is carcinogenic! My doctor was very pleased when I said I had become vegetarian. However, it isn't really all that easy. Meat and fish provide a lot of protein and other nutrients. And....Americans love their meat.

You don't need a ton of vitamins, however, to be a healthy vegetarian. You do have to give some consideration to protein. But there are alternatives out there. You can't just eat a ton of vegetables. Being vegetarian really doesn't work that way. You have to eat carefully and in a well-balanced way.

I became vegetarian last year (I eat dairy) and I have to say I have noticed no real change in my level of health. It is about the same. For my age (older middle age) I have no physical problems. The one positive change is that I am now taking a lower dosage of thyroid medication. I don't know if that has anything to do with becoming vegetarian.