Plant-Based Diet with White Meat: A Balanced Approach to Health

This outline examines the potential benefits and challenges of a plant-based diet, arguing that incorporating white meat can create a healthier and more balanced approach to nutrition.

1. Introduction

a. Topic: Food, health, vegetarianism, vegan b. Problem/Question: Is vegetarianism actually the healthiest approach for everyone? c. Thesis Statement: While plant-based diets offer numerous health benefits, a plant-based diet with the inclusion of white meat may be the most balanced approach for many individuals, as it addresses potential nutritional deficiencies. d. Supporting Claims: i. The benefits of a plant-based diet. ii. Potential drawbacks of a strictly plant-based diet. iii. The role of white meat in addressing these drawbacks.

2. Support: The Benefits of Plants

a. Claim: A plant-based diet has many benefits for health. i. Harvard Health Publishing. (2022, April 15). Becoming a vegetarian. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/becoming-a-vegetarian ii. Gale, part of Cengage Group. (2021). Vegetarianism. Gale in context: opposing viewpoints. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?resultListType=RELATED_DOCUMENT&searchType=ts&userGroupName=udel_main&inPS=true&contentSegment=&prodId=OVIC&docId=GALE|PC3010999016&it=r iii. Donatelle, R. J. (2022). Health - for health: the basics, 13th edition [eBook edition]. Pearson. https://www.pearson.com/store/p/health-the-basics/P200000006989/9780134842783 b. Explain: A plant-based diet can lower the risk of chronic diseases, help with weight management, and improve digestive regularity.

3. Support: The Problem with Plants Only

a. Claim: A purely plant-based diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies. i. Gale, part of Cengage Group. (2021). Vegetarianism. Gale in context: opposing viewpoints. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?resultListType=RELATED_DOCUMENT&searchType=ts&userGroupName=udel_main&inPS=true&contentSegment=&prodId=OVIC&docId=GALE|PC3010999016&it=r ii. Cofnas, N. (2018). Is vegetarianism healthy for children? Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 59 (13). 2052 - 2060. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2018.1437024 iii. Doheny, K. (2019, November 4). Are there health downsides to vegetarian diets? NOURISH by WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/news/20191104/are-there-health-downsides-to-vegetarian-diets b. Explain: Vegetarians may face a higher risk of deficiencies in B12, protein, and iron, which can potentially lead to conditions such as depression and hair loss.

4. Support: How to Fill the Gap

a. Claim: To address these nutritional gaps, incorporating white meat into the diet can be beneficial. i. Harvard Health Publishing. (2020, February 1). What’s the beef with red meat? https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/whats-the-beef-with-red-meat ii. Mayo Clinic. (August 20, 2020). Meatless meals: The benefits of eating less meat. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/meatless-meals/art-20048193 iii. WebMD Editorial Contributors. (2022). Health benefits of chicken. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-chicken#:~:text=A%20food%20rich%20in%20protein,the%20risk%20of%20heart%20disease.&text=Chicken%20contains%20the%20a b. Explain: While red meat can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, white meat, particularly chicken, provides essential nutrients while being lower in saturated fat. Chicken is a rich source of protein, vitamin B12, iron, and other vital nutrients.

5. Counter Argument

a. Claim: Some argue that vegetarians can meet their nutritional needs through supplements or beans alone. i. Cofnas, N. (2018). Is vegetarianism healthy for children? Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 59 (13). 2052 - 2060. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2018.1437024 b. Explain: While supplements and beans can contribute to a healthy diet, they may not always provide the same bioavailability of nutrients as found in whole foods. This can make it harder to achieve adequate intake, particularly for children and individuals with specific nutritional needs.

6. Conclusion

a. Restate thesis: While plant-based diets are beneficial, a plant-based diet with the inclusion of white meat provides a more balanced approach for many individuals by addressing potential nutritional deficiencies. b. Call to action: Consider incorporating lean white meat like chicken into your plant-based diet to create a balanced and nutritious eating pattern that supports optimal health and well-being.

Reference List

Cofnas, N. (2018). Is vegetarianism healthy for children? Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 59 (13). 2052 - 2060. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2018.1437024

Donatelle, R. J. (2022). Health - for health: the basics, 13th edition [eBook edition]. Pearson. https://www.pearson.com/store/p/health-the-basics/P200000006989/9780134842783

Gale, part of Cengage Group. (2021). Vegetarianism. Gale in context: opposing viewpoints. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?resultListType=RELATED_DOCUMENT&searchType=ts&userGroupName=udel_main&inPS=true&contentSegment=&prodId=OVIC&docId=GALE|PC3010999016&it=r

Harvard Health Publishing. (2020, February 1). What’s the beef with red meat? https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/whats-the-beef-with-red-meat

Harvard Health Publishing. (2022, April 15). Becoming a vegetarian. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/becoming-a-vegetarian

Healthline. (2020). Vitamin B12 Foods for Vegetarians. https://www.healthline.com/health/vitamin-b12-foods-for-vegetarians#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

Kitchen Daily. (2012). How many beans equal the protein of chicken? https://www.huffpost.com/entry/great-protein-sources_n_1347235

Mayo Clinic. (August 20, 2020). Meatless meals: The benefits of eating less meat. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/meatless-meals/art-20048193

WebMD Editorial Contributors. (2022). Health benefits of chicken. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-chicken#:~:text=A%20food%20rich%20in%20protein,the%20risk%20of%20heart%20disease.&text=Chicken%20contains%20the%20a

Plant-Based Diet with White Meat: A Balanced Approach to Health