Approximately how much meat is the average German? The average German eats 1,094 animals
in their lifetime . That is 4 cows or calves, 4 sheep, 12 geese, 37 ducks, 46 turkeys, 46 pigs and 945 chickens – per person! There are also countless fish and other sea creatures. The good news: Meat consumption in Germany is slowly but steadily declining.
Can excessive consumption also harm?
Yes! Meat consumption is one of the main causes of widespread civilization diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and gout. These ailments are the result of overeating and malnutrition. The cause of many diseases and allergies can be found in animal protein.
What exactly does a vegetarian diet mean? And what are you giving up?
The word vegetarian is derived from the Latin “vegetare” (= to revitalize) or “vegetus” (= fresh, lively, animated). A vegetarian diet therefore characterizes a way of life and nutrition that is “alive” and “invigorating”. That’s why vegetarians only eat products that come from living animals in addition to plant-based foods. Examples include eggs and dairy products. Meat and fish, but also all products made from them, such as gelatine or lard, do not end up on their plates.
How many vegetarians live in Germany?
We assume that there are a good six million vegetarians, which is 7 to 8 percent of the population. About 600,000 of them live vegan.
In your experience, why do people choose to be vegetarian?
Because there are a number of reasons that speak for little or no meat, such as civilization diseases, climate change, environmental destruction or the world hunger problem. However, the main reason for most of them is of an ethical nature, such as the poor conditions in factory farming or the reluctance to have animals killed unnecessarily.
Are there positive effects on physical or mental states?
A London study compared the health of vegetarians to that of meat eaters over 12 years. The result: those who ate a meat-free diet had lower blood pressure and blood lipid levels, more active kidneys and a healthier body weight. This is partly due to the fact that animal protein and fats are hardly or not at all absorbed in a vegetarian diet. In addition, vegetarians like to eat healthy foods such as legumes, vegetables and fruit.
And vice versa: Are there any deficiency symptoms in vegetarians?
Vegetarians are automatically better supplied with most minerals and vitamins than people who do not eat vegetarian food. Because a balanced and wholesome vegetarian diet contains all the necessary nutrients in sufficient quantities. However, vegans should use a B12 supplement. Since vitamin B12 is found in large quantities in milk and dairy products, vegetarians are usually adequately supplied.
What do people who suddenly become vegetarian have to pay particular attention to?
Anyone who eats a healthy, balanced and varied diet is optimally supplied with a vegetarian diet. If you want to be on the safe side, you can refer to the ” vegetarian food pyramid “ that the VEBU developed in cooperation with Dr. Markus Keller (Institute for alternative and sustainable nutrition) and Prof. Dr. Claus Leitzmann (nutritionist).
Can you identify a trend in recent years and for the future? Will there be more? Fewer?
Yes there is a trend. Especially in the last five years, the vegetarian way of life has become more and more popular. We assume that the number of vegetarians and vegans will increase by at least ten percent every year. The number of members of the Vegetarian Association, founded in 1892, has tripled in the last three years.
