Introduction
Being
a vegetarian means that you do not eat meat. Many claim that a vegetarian
diet significantly improves one’s health. Others believe that eliminating
meat from a diet does more harm than good. People often choose to
be vegetarian for a variety of reasons. Some do so for moral reasons,
while others may stop eating meat for health reasons. Today our
debaters will discuss whether a vegetarian diet is the best diet.
Let’s see what they have to say.
Henry
(Constructive)
A vegetarian diet is the best diet. Let’s start with the health
reasons for becoming a vegetarian. A vegetarian diet often contains
high levels of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This
is why a vegetarian diet significantly lowers the risk of sickness.
Researchers at Oxford University found that vegetarians often live
longer than meat eaters. There are also moral reasons why many people
elect to be vegetarian. Eliminating meat from your diet is helpful
to the environment. It also supports the fair treatment of animals.
Ashley
(Constructive)
A vegetarian diet is not the best diet. Meat provides us with protein,
healthy fats, and nutrients that give us energy and make us strong.
I know that it is important to eat lots of fruits and vegetables
as well. That is why I think it is better to have a well-balanced
omnivorous diet. Omnivores eat both meat and plants. Eliminating
meat cuts out a big source of nutrients that are important for our
health. We must include meat in our diet.
Henry
(Rebuttal)
Your only argument for eating meat is that it contains certain nutrients.
However, vegetarians are able to replace the nutrients found in
meat in other non-meat foods. For example, eggs, beans, and nuts
provide a substitute for the protein found in meat products. There
are many ways that vegetarians can get all the nutrients found in
meat through non-meat products. Therefore, if you consider all the
added benefits of vegetarianism, it is clear that a vegetarian diet
is the best diet.
Ashley
(Rebuttal)
Meat eaters also benefit from all the healthy nutrients found in
vegetables and fruits. However, meat eaters generally have stronger
bones and muscles because of the nutrients that they also get from
eating meat. I admit that there are benefits to a vegetarian diet.
However, a well-balanced omnivorous diet is the best diet, allowing
us to get nutrients from both meat and plants. Also, eliminating
meat is not the only way we can support the fair treatment of animals
or the preservation of the environment.
Judge’s
Comments
The winner of today’s debate is Henry. Both debaters made great
arguments. However, Ashley only had one point in her constructive
argument. She said that people should eat meat for its nutrients.
Henry was able to effectively counter her argument in his rebuttal
by saying that vegetarians can get those nutrients from non-meat
products. That is the problem with having only one point in your
argument. If your opponent successfully counters your point, you
are left with nothing.