Why I Choose Vegetarianism: A Personal Story Backed by Science

Yesterday, during a Zoom call with my new virtual assistant, he asked me with genuine astonishment, “So what do you eat?!” when I told him I don’t eat meat. I couldn’t help but laugh. It’s true — God has blessed us with an incredible abundance of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds. Why would I need to kill innocent animals when the earth already provides everything we need for nourishment and vitality?

Growing up in a traditional Hindu Brahmin family, eating meat was simply unthinkable. It was more than just a dietary choice — it was a deeply rooted cultural and spiritual principle. But even if I hadn’t been raised with this mindset, my experiences and what I’ve learned over the years would still lead me to vegetarianism. Not just for the well-known physical health benefits but also because I believe deeply in the energetic and biochemical consequences of eating dead flesh — meat that carries hormones and stress chemicals from the animal’s final moments, which can influence our own body and mind in ways science is just beginning to understand.

The Health Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet: What the Science Says

Extensive research has consistently shown that well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets can promote excellent health across the lifespan. The American Dietetic Association states that vegetarian diets are “healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.” Here’s why:

Lower Risk of Chronic Diseases: Vegetarians tend to have lower rates of heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. This is linked to a higher intake of fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, and lower intake of saturated fat and cholesterol found in animal products.
Improved Gut Health: Plant-based diets promote a diverse, healthy gut microbiome due to higher fiber intake. This positively affects immunity, mood, and digestion.
Weight Management: Vegetarian diets are generally lower in calories and higher in nutrient density, supporting healthy weight without calorie counting.
Better Kidney Function and Bone Health: Diets rich in plant foods reduce acid load and inflammation, improving kidney health and helping maintain bone density through alkaline-forming foods.

The Environmental Impact: Meat and Methane Emissions

Another powerful reason to choose vegetarianism is the environment. The livestock sector is responsible for about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). A significant portion of these emissions comes from methane (CH₄), a greenhouse gas with 25 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period.

Methane Production: Ruminant animals like cows produce methane during digestion through enteric fermentation. This methane escapes into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change.
Land and Water Use: Meat production consumes vast amounts of land and freshwater compared to plant agriculture. For example, producing 1 kg of beef requires about 15,000 liters of water.

By choosing plants over meat, you significantly reduce your carbon footprint and conserve precious natural resources.

The Energy and Hormonal Impact of Eating Meat

Beyond the physical and environmental benefits, I want to highlight something less commonly discussed but equally important: the energetic and biochemical impact of eating meat.

When an animal is slaughtered, stress hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, and noradrenaline surge in its body. These hormones influence the quality of the meat and remain present after death, entering our bodies when we consume it. Studies have shown that consuming meat from stressed animals can increase oxidative stress and inflammation in humans.

Aggression and Fear: These stress hormones are linked to heightened states of anxiety, fear, and aggression — qualities that can subtly affect the eater’s mental and emotional state over time.
Vibrational Energy: Many holistic traditions, including Ayurveda and modern energy medicine, teach that food carries the energy (prana or life force) of its source. Eating the flesh of an animal that experienced fear and pain may influence our own vibrational frequency and emotional wellbeing.

Choosing plant foods allows us to consume life-giving energy free from these distress signals, supporting calmness, compassion, and clarity.

In Conclusion

I feel grateful to have been raised in a culture that honored vegetarianism, but even if I hadn’t, the science and spiritual wisdom available today make the choice clear. For me, vegetarianism is not just a diet — it’s a conscious commitment to health, compassion, and sustainability.

So when someone asks me, “What do you eat?” my answer is simple: I eat life.