My friends are vegetarians. They try to persuade me to become a vegetarian. Could you give me a plausible reason why should I become a vegetarian?

There are several reasons to become a vegetarian today. We could write pages about this. But, you want to know a plausible reason and I will give you one.

Surely you have heard about the greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases. They make our earth warm. If the average temperature rises 4 degrees C then we may not have ice on our poles and may low lying countries will be below the water level. Whole world is trying to agree to reduce these gases. You may ask why I am telling about this.

Today meat production is a big industry. The business with meat and meat products including milk and eggs is worth of several trillions. 50% of the world’s greenhouse gases are produced from this industrial animal agriculture. If we want to save our earth not only we must produce less greenhouse gases from our cars and industries but also we must reduce the production of meat.

I cannot apply pressure to make you a vegetarian. But, at least you can reduce the amount of meat you eat. It is a great help to our earth and of course, to you also.

The decision is yours!!!

Could you please tell me very shortly how to increase iron (Haemoglobin) status with help of food for vegetarians as well as for non-vegetarians?

It is very easy. Eat everyday 4 to 5 servings all vegetables and fruits which have red colour.

Red meat contains lot of iron with good bioavailability. If you are a vegetarian, then leave red meat and eat more red vegetables and fruits.

400 g vegetables and 400 g fruits are the minimum.

Haemoglobin levels must be above 14.5 g/dl and this is optimum. During pregnancy you need more iron.

Eat regularly healthy food and there will be no iron deficiency.

If you are a vegetarian consult with your doctor for vitamin B12 supplement. Never take iron tablets for a long period. Too much of iron is deposited in muscles and produce many dangerous hydroxyl free radicals through Fenton’s chemical reaction.

Avoid cucumber and tea.