Hello, Omnivores, Herbivores, and Carnivores alike!
That was a pretty all-inclusive greeting I just started out with, there. It pretty much includes every living thing on the Earth (except for plants and fungi). But, really I’m just talking about people—I didn’t expect any animals to be reading this Blog anyway. Whether you’re familiar with the above three terms, or not, you definitely belong to one of them.
Today is Vegetarian Day. 
Vegetarians (or herbivores) don’t eat meat but will eat other animal products like milk and eggs (unlike vegans who cut out all animal products). Pretty much no humans are carnivores—eating an all-meat diet (though some people have attempted this which is not doctor recommended and cannot be a healthy option). Then there are omnivores who eat both plant-based foods as well as meat.
The vast majority of people in the world would be classified as omnivores. But no matter which of these diets you ascribe to, it’s a great idea to observe Vegetarian Day. Here are three good reasons why:
Meat in the Middle
Our meat industry has become so oversized that it has taken a serious toll on the environment. You don’t have to go 100% vegetarian to make a difference (though you might feel better if you do); if the world observed Meatless Mondays throughout the year, it would be the equivalent of removing 273 million vehicles from the road for those 365 days!
Dream of Leafy Greens
When considering our dental hardware as well as the length of our intestinal tract, it shows that we are not biologically meant to eat meat. Obviously meat has been a great source for us to resort to when necessary, but unlike true omnivores (such as raccoons or bears), our bodies are simply not built the same. Not only that, but consuming less meat has been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and more.
Creature Compassion
For anyone striving to be more conscientious about their diet, Vegetarian Day is a great opportunity to really think about the meal you’re having and how it got to your dinner table. Despite a meat industry that poses so many threats to our environment, people tend not to think about where their food came from. Observing Vegetarian Day can help to break down this cognitive dissonance and have a deeper appreciation for the animals of our world that we love so much!
So get your healthy dose of vegetables and other plant-based foods in observation of Vegetarian Day and enjoy looking into the options of this alternative. If you aren’t used to it, you might find yourself surprised at the boundless options you still have after nixing the meat. And, as always, thanks for reading!
- John