Vegan vs. Omnivore: Comparing Health Benefits and Risks

Dietary Choices: Veganism Versus Omnivorous Lifestyles

“The man is what he eats,” said Ludwig Feuerbach. According to that quote, the human body is regulated by the nutrition it receives. Consequently, each person chooses their lifestyle and diet, whether it is vegan or omnivorous. Both alternatives offer benefits for human health but also carry risks associated with the consumption or non-consumption of certain foods.

The Vegan Lifestyle: Benefits and Nutritional Planning

Being vegan is a decision that more people are taking every day. If this diet is well planned, it can provide the ideal proportion of minerals and vitamins that the body needs. One of the most relevant advantages of veganism is that the diet is low in cholesterol, rich in fiber, and free of the hormonal treatments given to the animals whose meat we eat.

Key Advantages of Veganism

For these reasons, the vegan diet is low in calories, which reduces the risk of obesity and diabetes, potentially increasing life expectancy. As stated by Gabe Mirkin (1995):

“If you want to lose weight or reverse heart disease without taking drugs, you may restrict fat and meat consumption.”

Potential Risks of a Vegan Diet

Nonetheless, the vegan lifestyle has disadvantages that should be taken into account before making the decision. The main nutritional challenge of this diet is that it can be very low in essential nutrients. Deficiencies in the following could be risky for physical and mental development, especially for children:

• Proteins
• Amino acids
• Vitamin B12

Understanding the Omnivorous Diet

On the other hand, there is the omnivorous diet, which includes plants and all kinds of animal meat. This lifestyle is considered to provide a convenient balance of vitamins, proteins, and the substances required for human body health.

Omnivores as "Opportunistic Consumers"

Following Dr. John McArdle, omnivores can be described as the **“opportunistic consumers”** because they eat what is available and have many ways to mix foods to achieve a healthy diet.

Criticism of Omnivorous Consumption

However, in accordance with Joel Khan (cardiologist and professor at the Wayne State University School), being omnivorous makes us predators of the animal race and forces the industry to add prejudicial substances to the meat for its conservation prior to our consumption.

Conclusion: Achieving Nutritional Balance

In conclusion, both the vegan and omnivorous diets can be adopted successfully if we choose the right combinations of foods to ingest the necessary quantities of minerals and vitamins that the body needs for proper functioning.