Dear Editor:
The cover story in this week’s issue of Time Magazine confirms that more than 30 million Americans have explored the vegetarian diet, and 11.4 million consider themselves vegetarians. Half made the switch to improve their health, and one third for ethical/religious/environmental reasons.
Mintel Consumer Intelligence projects a 100-125 percent annual growth rate for the $1.25 billion vegetarian food market, as an estimated 25 percent of consumers use meat alternatives for at least some of their meals. What’s even more encouraging is that Teenage Research Unlimited found nearly 25 percent of adolescents considering vegetarian diets “cool.”
Consequently, traditional animal product purveyors like ConAgra, Kraft, General Mills and Dean Foods are launching their own lines of meat and dairy alternatives, now available in every supermarket. McDonald’s, Burger King and other fast food chains are jumping on the vegetarian bandwagon with veggie burgers, as many major ballparks offer soy dogs.
The national trend toward wholesome, nonviolent plant-based eating is clear. What is terribly unclear is why 1.3 million Americans still have to suffer and die each year from heart disease, stroke, cancer and other killer diseases that have been linked conclusively with the consumption of animal products.
The only effective long-term solution to this national tragedy is to act on the unanimous recommendations of leading health authorities and to replace meat and dairy products in our diet with wholesome grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits. Let’s’s make tomorrow the first day of the rest of our long and healthy life.
Hugh Reilly