For 2.3 million years humans have relied on meat as their main source of nutrients, but today the rise of vegetarianism has people wondering what exactly we should be eating. Some claim, “Eat veggies!” while others voice the benefits of a meat based diet. Perhaps the answer lies not in this side or that but instead, in balance.

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One of the most famous misconceptions about the term vegetarian is the many other forms in which it presents itself, some of which are as follows: vegan, pescatarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, and lacto-vegetarian; all of which have different restrictions and categories. Today, “the vegetarian” is defined by the Vegetarian Society as “someone who lives on a diet of grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, fungi, algae, yeast and/or some other non-animal-based foods with, or without, dairy products, honey and/or eggs.”

But Vanessa Anguiano, junior, said she couldn't become a vegetarian because she enjoys the flavor of meat and the nutrition it has. She also feels eating meat is great for someone who is working out and doing body building.

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In fact, the first recognized legacy for the promotion of vegetarianism came from the Greek philosopher Pythagoras (580 B.C.E.) who taught of souls and reincarnation. He believed that souls resided in both animal and human lives, and eating them corrupted the soul and prevented union with a higher form of reality. He also believed eating meat caused humans to wage war with one another, a concept that influenced the work of the Greek philosopher Plato (428 B.C.E.)

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A former vegetarian Brita Vicente, senior, said, “It was hard having to make my own food, and I had to eat veggie burgers,” but she enjoyed the overall experience.

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Vegetarianism isn't exactly a new thing, and actually isn't as popular as many might think. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) only 3.3% of the U.S. adult population are vegetarian and only 4% of the youth population have diverted to a meatless diet. As the rise in cancer and disease rates continue to grow it has scientists looking to our diets for explanation, and the results to which are quite stunning and sadly unknown to many.

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Various studies have linked processed and red meat to the increase in risk of many cancers including but not limited to breast, lung, pancreas, stomach, esophagus and prostate; while also raising the risk to developing diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol. The non-profit organization, The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, noted that meat contains animal protein, saturated fat, and, in some cases, carcinogenic compounds such as heterocyclic amines (HCA) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) that are believed to increase cancer risk.

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While many might argue that meat harms health, causes deforestation and promotes animal cruelty; others beg to differ, claiming that producing crops causes many of the same environmental concerns and contains many of its own health issues including vitamin B12 and D deficiency, low bone density, and insufficient levels of omega-3 fatty acids, all of which if left untreated can have threatening effects on one's life.

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Today the world's population is around 7.6 billion and is estimated to be around 11.2 billion people by 2100. The ocean covers 70% of the Earth Surface and land makes up 30% but 11% of that land is used for Agriculture. A report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says 26 percent of the earth's terrestrial surface is used for livestock grazing causing a decrease in forests and natural habitat. Both crop farming and animal farming cause a lasting effect on the environment which will only continue to get worse as population rate increases; however, the future perspective on diet may hold out to some promising solutions.

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A Switzerland Company Essento, for example, is trying to incorporate a bug based diet into the focus of both Western and Northern standards of eating, claiming it cost less, provide nutrients and reduce the need to clear more land for farming. Their main course on the menu, mealworms. But they are not the only ones, other companies are finding it healthier and cost efficient to add ground bug protein to health snacks and protein shakes.

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“I have tried fried crickets from the Philippines and it was good,” said Jaezel Garcellano, senior. But she can't imagine eating worms for lunch. “I’ll eat gummy worms but that's it.”

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It may not be your wish to begin the bug diet but as for eating right, balance is always key. So instead of the regular high cholesterol dinner, swap out red meat for white such as chicken, turkey and fish that tend to be leaner and beneficial to the daily diet. It's also important to remember the nutrients obtained from vegetables and fruits are also key components of a healthy diet; perhaps with those thoughts we can all eat a bit healthier and live a lot longer.

* Questions: That correlate with the Vegetarian Survey taken by 30 students at PVHS

1. Are you a vegetarian?

2. If meat caused cancer and diabetes would you become a vegetarian?

3. Would you date someone who is a Vegetarian?

4. Does a vegetarian eat no meat or some meat?