Eating Meat一Less or More?

Every second in the United Statesalone,mnore than 250 animals are slaughtered for food,adding up to

more than 8 billionanimals each year. Reducing the amount of meat in one's diet isnutritionally,environ-

mentally,andethically beneficial.

People who eat meatusually have weaker immune systems compared to those of vegetarians.Meat has

been directly linkedto diabetes,obesity,arthritis,and many other illnesses.Furthermore,meat-eatersare

at a higher risk fordiseases,including cancer,and they are more likely to die from thesediseases.Critics

say that a meatlessdiet does not provide enough nutrients,especially protein andiron.Actually,according

to A Teen's Guide toGoing Vegetarian,by Judy Krizmanic,protein is found in almost every food,andiron

appears in manyvegetables.Getting enough nutrients in a meat-reduced diet should not liedifficult.A 1988

study found thatsome of the highest pesticide residues appear in meat and eggs.Diets includingmore fruits

and vegetables willonly make people healthier.

Some skepticsbelieve that there will be a shortage of food if animals are not eaten.Infact,the opposite

is true.More than80% of the corn and 95%of the oats grown in the U.S.are fed to livestock.Theworld's

cattle alone consumeenough food to equal the caloric needs of 8.7 billion people,more than theentire hu-

man population.Onehalf of the water used in the Unites States also goes to livestock;250 gallonsof water

produces only 1 lb.（磅）of beef. If people eat less meat andmore plants,the amount of available ftod will

increase。

Many people becomevegetarians I)ecause they feel that eating animals is unethical.90%of theseani-

mals are raised inconfinement.Chickenls arid other birds have only about half a square foot ofspace each,

and since they areraised so close together,a lot of blade is used to cut off their beaks toprevent them from

pecking each otherto death.Likewise,pigs that are repressed will bite each other's tails,so boththeir

teeth and tails areremoved as soon as they are born.

Eating animals ishazardous in numerous ways.Even a slight reduction in meat intake is betterthan

nothing atall.Consuming less meat is beneficial to the health of animals,the health ofpeople,and to the

health of the world.Why do some peoplebecome vegetarians?

A.They feel thateating animals is unethical.

B.There are fewerlivestock available due to the environmental pollution.

C.The consumption ofmeat will lead to financial problem.

D.Being a vegetarianis beneficial to the protection of water.