You remember that whole Protein World 'Are You Beach Body Ready' advertising debacle, right? You'd think advertisers everywere would have entered it into The Textbook under 'Never Do Again'.
Only Gourmet Buger Kitchen (GBK) didn't take note. The new offender in town: Juicy beef burger, with the caption: 'Vegetarians, resistance is futile'.
Really GBK? As an animal-loving meat eater who struggles with the hypocrisy at times, I still fundamentally disagree. There are many reasons why being a vegetarian FAR outweighs missing out on a GBK burger. (I had one once, it was slightly dry):
Compassion for the animals
I'm not going to go into too much detail here, but there are some methods of farming, maintaining and slaughtering livestock that would make you vegetarian in seconds.
Humans are designed to be vegetarian anyway
We have the flat teeth designed for grinding, not the sharp ones for tearing or ripping. Also we have an enzyme in our saliva that breaks down carbohydrates in plant foods, something carnivores don't have. Think giraffe vs lion.
Avoid scary food contaminants
How many of us went temporarily vegetarian when the Mad Cow Disease fear happened? Livestock are often pumped with hormones, pesticides, antibiotics, not to mention bacteria that we can ingest. Not all of it, granted, but vegetarians just don't have to worry about that, ever.
Lose a bit of weight
The obsesity rate in vegetarians is tiny compared to the meat-eating public in general. You still need exercise and a low-fat vegetarian diet, but that is widely regarded as a healthier lifestyle choice.
Reduce risk of some cancers and heart disease
The high fat content of meat can increase hormone production, which, along with the carcinogens often associated with cooking it at high temperatures, is a cancer risk. Vegetarian diets are naturally lower in saturated fats and cholesterol, so vegetarians are proven to have a 25% lower risk of heart disease than meat eaters. There are also measurable cancer-protective properties in diets rich in legumes, vegetables and fruits.
Get older, slower
A British Medical Journal study found that vegetarians outlive meat eaters by six years. Their diets are also naturally rich in anti-oxidants that boost the immune system and slow the ageing process.
Save the world
The United Nations reported that livestock generate more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined.
So, GBK not so tasty now, huh? (I always preferred Byron burgers anyway).
Sophie Beresiner is the Beauty Director for ELLE UK. Having cut her teeth on teen titles she spent her career working up to the ELLE mothership, the brand she loves above all else. Except perhaps her Cornish Rex cats and extensive shoe and lipstick collections. Sophie is also a brand founder of luxury ceramic candle brand No.22 (and single-handedly keeps ASOS afloat)
