Published Letters and Op-Eds from
COK’s Writers Group

Adding More Vegetables Will Save You and the Planet

Published in the North Adams Transcript on March 29, 2005.

To the Transcript editor:

Thank you for pointing out how easy and important it is to eat more fruits and vegetables ("DA guidelines focus on veggies," March 28).

It's no secret that plant-based foods are chock full of essential nutrients that help protect us from a host of ailments including heart disease and cancer.

Alarmingly, however, studies show that nearly half of all Americans eat fewer than three servings of fruits and veggies a day.

Instead of settling for a bucket of cholesterol-laden, fatty fried chicken for dinner, try a protein-packed veggie burger topped with lettuce and tomatoes or a black bean and spinach burrito that's loaded with calcium and iron.

Every time we eat a vegetarian meal, we're not only taking an important step to improve our health, we're also helping animals -- billions of whom suffer tremendously to give us meat, eggs and milk.

Luckily, vegetarian options are sprouting up everywhere, making it easier than ever to choose healthier and more humane foods. For free vegetarian recipes, visit TryVeg.com.

Erica Meier, Director
Compassion Over Killing
Washington, D.C.