Going vegetarian can bring a variety of health benefits. A few reasons to go vegetarian can be the following: (1) living longer, (2) more energy, and (3) warding off disease.

1. Switching from a standard American diet to a vegetarian diet can add years to your life. In fact, Michael F. Roizen, MD, states that it "can add about 13 healthy years to your life" (vegetariantimes.com, 2016). 
2.  When there is too much fat in your bloodstream, your arteries will not open properly, and your muscles will not get enough oxygen. According to Vegetariantimes.com, "balanced vegetarian diets are naturally free of cholesterol-laden, artery-clogging animal products that physically slow us down and keep us hitting the snooze button morning after morning" (2016). 
3. Vegetarian diets can be healthier in the way that it can prevent, treat, or reverse heart disease and reduce the risk of cancer. Since cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. (vegetariantimes.com, 2016), becoming vegetarian or at least reducing the consumption of meat can help to decrease/prevent these diseases from increasing.

Additional reasons can be found at: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/article/why-go-veg-learn-about-becoming-a-vegetarian/

Kristin - Meatless Monday Intern