According to a number of studies, non-vegans normally are deficient in a number of nutrients, some times severely. Since nutrient deficiencies are associated with various diseases, reduced immune system, increased risk for serious heath problems like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, I have to disagree that 'they're not required to in order to sustain themselves'. Unlike vegans, who normally come from another diet and therefore )hopefully) learn enough about nutrition to figure out which habits they need to change and to compensate with supplements if needed, meat eaters often live in the middle of two two illusions:
1) "We don't get sick if we just add some small or large amount of animal products to our diet"
2) "Unlike vegans, we get the nutrients we need from food".
Check out some of the info in these threads if you have time...
Cancer, adaptation and the vegan diet
Nutrient deficiencies more common in meat eaters than in vegans
According to this report about a
meat free (therefore a not omnivorous diet), vegetarian diets "offer a number of nutritional benefits, including lower levels of saturated fat, cholesterol, and animal protein as well as higher levels of carbohydrates, fiber, magnesium, potassium, folate, and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and phytochemicals. Vegetarians have been reported to have lower body mass indices than nonvegetarians, as well as lower rates of death from ischemic heart disease; vegetarians also show lower blood cholesterol levels; lower blood pressure; and lower rates of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and prostate and colon cancer."
This doesn't go well along with assuming that meal planning (read: seriously changing their eating habits) isn't required to in order to sustain themselves...
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