Non-Vegetarian Culture

Non-Vegetarian Culture: Comparison between vegetarian and non vegetarian food, its effects and promotion of vegetarian culture in Pakistan. Shahzaib Raza

Non-Vegetarian Culture

Advisor: Miss Rida Sarfraz Lecturer Center for English Language University of Management and Technology, Lahore

Abstract:
The demand of red meat in Pakistan is growing rapidly. People are diverting towards the non-vegetarian culture and giving it priority in their daily life. This research is

Non-Vegetarian Culture made to promote beneficial and healthy food in Pakistan. Most of the people in Pakistan are suffering from high blood pressure, heath diseases, diabetes, skin problems and obesity. Many people in Pakistan are overweight including children, because of taking unbalanced diet. It is noticed that almost 52% of the people prefer to meat in their daily routine. Thats why after the age of 40, they start suffering from different diseases. To control over this social issue, vegetarian culture ought to be promoted in such way that people should start using vegetables in daily life. Through this, we can control over various problem which may arise in future. The main focus will be on daily diet plan in which vegetables are taken in every meal. Through this culture meat ingestion in Pakistan can be decreased which is currently very high and our agriculture will also be promoted. Various health diseases can be insured through healthy food. A proper healthy infrastructure can be developed to promote vegetarian culture for healthy food. The daily use of vegetables can give us pure health as compared to non-vegetarian food. Non vegetarian food is not pure because it is harmful for health due to fats, proteins and cholesterol found excessively in it. On the other hand vegetables have balance nutrition with very low cholesterol and high amount of water due to which it gives us long and healthy life. A healthy food will make a healthy nation.

Table of Contents:

Non-Vegetarian Culture Introduction Scientific Views Methodology Contrast Real World Examples Situation Analysis of Pakistan Questionnaire Results Conclusion Resources 13 14 7 8-9 10 11 12 5 6

Introduction:
Pakistan being a Muslim country is diverting towards the non-vegetarian culture. As one can see the families and executives of the country, each and every one goes for

Non-Vegetarian Culture the red meat. Lamb, Beef, Mutton, Chicken are the most wanted foods in Pakistan. Instead of vegetable oil they are being cooked in Banaspati Ghee (Hydrogenated animal fat) which contains fats, cholesterol, carbohydrates redundantly. Noticing in

our surroundings there are numerous restaurants, resorts, food stalls, hotels, banquet halls which are generating their revenue daily on the basis of non-vegetarian food. All the parties, marriages, functions are being held in Pakistan. Seeing all those it is noticed that all of these contain non vegetarian food items in their menus. No one goes for vegetables. More than 50% of Pakistanis prefer meat over vegetables and fruits but they are unaware about the disadvantage of such inordinate usage of meat. We can see in Pakistan, that many new diseases are being discovered now. People are getting sick rapidly without concentrating on their diet. Almost 20 years ago, there was no such amount of patients in the hospitals of Pakistan. It is also because of the excessive consumption of meat on daily basis.

Scientific Views:
According to the new developments and research in medical sciences, vegetarian diet is more beneficial for humans. Because of this, many countries are now adopting vegetarian diet as part of life. It is a fact that non-vegetarian diet contains cholesterol

Non-Vegetarian Culture

and saturated fatty acids and is the base of diseases like heart attack, nervous system disorder, eye diseases, diabetes, kidney failure, high blood pressure and many more. In a non-vegetarian diet, only 40 % of its content is useful for human body, rest 60 % contains harmful and toxic products. In addition to it, non-vegetarian diet is generally unbalanced for stomach and produces acidity, which in turn can cause many diseases of gastrointestinal system. Another significantly important difference between vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet is that vegetarian diet contains dietary high fibers whereas non-vegetarian diet is lacking in fiber. The dietary fibers in vegetables are very useful for human body. It has been observed that vegetarian people suffer less from diseases as compared to the non-vegetarians. These vegetables include carrot, spinach, eggplant, bitter gourd, peas, onions, potatoes and many other vegetables. Many disease causing organisms can harm the body of human being due to of non-vegetarian diet and can produce serious diseases, whereas a vegetarian diet is free of these. If Americans want to live long they should avoid non-vegetarian diet. Not only Americans but also Bruisers and Germans are adopting vegetarian as dietary style of their lives. Therefore in a nut shell, we can say if we want a healthy and disease free life, we must adopt vegetarian diet as our diet pattern. A message from: Robbins J., Diet for New America (1998)

Methodology:

Non-Vegetarian Culture

Contrast:
Vegetarian: Vegetables contain more water:

If a man does not get food he may survive for 60 days but without water he can live at maximum of few days. The human body requires water for the circulation of the blood and digestion process. The non-vegetarian food contains 60 per cent of water but fruits and vegetables contain 95 per cent of water. Complete food:

Vegetarian food is a complete food. Dr. Keti Scientific and Industrial Research Council (National Science Institution, Bangalore) High caloric diet:

The red meat contains very high levels of cholesterol, fats and proteins. They get inside the arteries and block the way for the free flow of blood which causes heart problems. Oiliness:

Human body contains oiliness which is very important for it. Its deficiency can cause paleness in the body. The body looses the capacity to fight against diseases and hence it is attacked. Best source of vitamins:

Vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals which are essential for our body. Vitamin C and B-complex increases ten times when we eat vegetables regularly. Fiber rich food:

The vegetarian food is rich in fiber whereas the non-vegetarian food lacks in fiber. These fibers are helpful in providing minerals and vitamins to the body. High fiber

Non-Vegetarian Culture diet is recommended by the doctors so that it could help the body to maintain itself. Thus vegetables can provide us high fiber.

Non-Vegetarian: Non-vegetarian is not strength giving:

Herbivores like bulls, horses, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants very efficient, but jackals and lions are not that much efficient in spite of eating meat. Cause for various diseases:

According to the World Health Organization report non-vegetarian food causes 159 different types of diseases. These diseases can be cancer, kidney failure, lungs and intestine problems and other awful diseases. In contrast to it the vegetarian food is totally harm less, beneficial and cures many diseases. Wild nature due to non-vegetarian food:

Non-vegetarian food plays a major role in rising anger, anxiety, restlessness, hastiness, harassment, criminal mentality. Therefore it is true that our mind and mentality is developed by substances present in our diet. Uric acid:

Uric acid present in non-vegetarian food causes joint pain in later age. Most of medical sciences experts say that people get more than enough protein daily because they think that high caloric diet will be good for them. But it is not true, because high caloric diet is dangerous for human health and may cause cancer or other physical problems.
Nutrients Cholesterol Fat (g) Protein (g) Dietary Fiber Vitamin C (mg) Vitamin E (mg) Iron Calcium (mg) Magnesium Vegetarian Food -----4 33 31 239 11 20 545 548 Non Vegetarian Food 137 36 34 ----4 .5 2 252 51

Non-Vegetarian Culture

Real World Examples:

It is an old saying An apple a day keeps Doctor away. According to the medical science, apple juice is very healthy. As it helps you fight off viruses and germs. Perhaps eating an apple would do the same thing. If we truly believe in this saying then we should also believe that vegetables would also keep us away from doctors. Some examples are here to describe the benefits of vegetables. Aldabra Giant Tortoise Eat grass, leaves, woody plant stems and fruits as well as vegetables. Average life span of large tortoise is 150 years. Parrots Parrots enjoy fruits, vegetables & nuts. Their life span is 80 year some species also live about 120 years. Elephants Elephants Eat grass, leaves, twigs, bark, fruits, seeds and pods. Life is about 80 years. Vegetarian People The people of the state Abakhasiyansa of Russia have the average life span of 100 years. These people are totally vegetarians. The Honjas community of Kashmir is also vegetarian therefore they are disease free and long living.

Non-Vegetarian Culture

10

Situation Analysis of Pakistan:

More than 50% Pakistanis prefer meat over vegetables and pulses. According to Gilani Research Foundation survey carried out by Gallup Pakistan, meat is the most wanted food item in peoples daily diet. A survey in October 2008 was carried out in which respondents were also asked to list what they would like as the main component of their daily diet. The results were as follows:

52% would prefer meat 37% would choose vegetables 10% would like to have pulses

Many changes are found over the years. As shown in the graph, the levels of preference of chicken and mutton have changed between the years 1986 and 2008. Also the consumption of meat has been increased in Pakistan from 1986 2008. Thats the reason that every person from us has blood pressure, kidney problems, bladder problems, arteries blocking, and tuberculosis. And for these diseases we consult doctors, surgeons, psychiatrists and take medicines. In spite of this why dont we use the vegetable which give us long and healthy life? There is a need to control on this high ratio of meat consumption. We should use vegetable in our daily life instead on meat. If we talk about poultry farm, they use chemicals. These chemicals increase the size of chicken, goats and cows within few days and their meat results in diseases.

Non-Vegetarian Culture

11

Questionnaire Results:

It can be seen that the percentage of non-vegetarian people in Pakistan is greater than the percentage of people using vegetables. Analyzing the survey of markets, food points restaurants, it is noticed that people like and prefer to eat meat in lunch and dinner. So, there is a need to develop vegetarian culture in Pakistan. Through which we can save our people from many diseases which induce people to death. Another important thing is observed that after taking high caloric diet, people dont exercise. There are only about 23% of people who exercise daily. Every person is busy in life and cant find much time for extra activities. If we observe our percentage of consuming meat, it is increasing day by day. And the use of vegetables is lessening. It is the main reason that people after the certain age face heart problems, diabetes, like blood pressure, heart attack and other diseases.

Non-Vegetarian Culture

12

Conclusion:
Pakistan is Muslim country and according to Muslims point of view red meat is part of their diet so we cannot stop this culture, but these days it is becoming trend that in every meal there should be meat, without meat no one likes to eat food. People want meat at least once in a day. Even if someone goes outside for amusement, prefers to eat non-vegetarian food and that is the basic reason for having different types of diseases. It is concluded that vegetarian culture should be introduced in Pakistan. Bringing this culture to the society could be a challenge but if people are told about the drawbacks of non-vegetarian food, they might deviate from it. This research can be helpful to change the eating trend of our people for long and healthy life. A proper health organization should be formed which is to be supported by the government to promote vegetarian culture. People should be aware of the proper balanced diet which is advised by most doctors.

Non-Vegetarian Culture This is the proper balanced diet which is recommended by the doctors and medical

13

science specialists. This diet plan should be introduced among the people so that they could have their balanced diet. The restaurants, food points, and marriage halls should also provide vegetables in their menus so that people could start adopting it. This will surely improve the health of the people and many diseases will be defeated.

Resources:
Parachin, Victor (1998). 365 Reasons to be a good Vegetarian Madani, M. S. Impact of Hindu culture on Muslims. (1979) Snippet Review Amato P. R, Patridge S. A. (1989). The New Vegetarians: Promoting health and protecting life Null G. (1996), The Vegetarian Handbook: Eating right for total Health Robbins J. (1998), Diet for a new America Beardsworth A. & Keil T. (2002), The Vegetarian Option: Varities, conversions, motives and careers Dwyer et al J. (1991) The New Vegetarians: Who are they? Maurer D. (1989), Becoming a Vegetarian: Learning a food practice and philosophy (Master thesis, East Tennesse State University) Krizmanic J. (2002), Heres who we are, Vegetarian Times http://successfulhealthcoach.com/nutrition-lifestyle/2011/06/15-myths-truths-onvegetarianism-8 http://cultureartistorganization.blogspot.com/2011/05/benefits-of-vegetarian-diet

Non-Vegetarian Culture

14

http://theveganurbanite.wordpress.com/2011/07/03/vegetarianism-on-the-increase http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20110701093720713 http://veg.ca/content/view/26/56/ http://www.vrg.org/press/ http://www.vegetariantimes.com/resources/why_go_veg/ http://www.ivu.org/resources/