Western culture today is overflowing with fad diets and health crazes
             while conflicting political and social viewpoints rage among the masses.
             Somewhere within these often unexpectedly controversial subjects lies that
             of vegetarianism versus meat-eating. Meat-eaters often take personal
             offense at the idea of a person excluding animal products from his or her
             diet and view vegetarians as unrealistic idealists. However, it is
             actually no wonder that many people are attracted to vegetarian diets, and
             this lifestyle choice hardly qualifies as a simple fad or social rebellion.
             Health experts for years have been telling people to eat more plant foods
             and less fat, especially the saturated fats found in meats and dairy
             products. Meat and other animal products have been found to be full of
             toxins and to be connected to many serious health problems. Studies have
             shown that a diet high in saturated fats, such as diets that include meat
             products, can contribute to obesity, which causes diabetes and heart
             disease among other problems. With the nation facing an obesity epidemic--
             particularly in children-- vegetarian diets certainly deserve consideration
             as one way to reduce the risk of chronic illness. There is a great deal of
             evidence that shows vegetarian diets to be more healthful for both adults
             and children; pregnant women and children may experience particular
             benefits from a vegetarian diet that have been under-appreciated in decades
             past. However, a strict plant-based diet comes with other potential risks
             that parents should carefully weigh before adopting it into their family
             The concept of a vegetarian diet for humans is not a new concept, but
             rather one that has been speculated upon and practiced by the philosophers
             and great thinkers of ancient times as well as recent ones. Albert
             Einstein was among those that have promoted the adoption of a vegetarian
             diet for th...