Going Vegetarian Many people believe that vegetarians aren’t able to find meatless items at restaurants. It may seem to be more difficult, but according to the “Vegetarian Times” eight out of ten restaurants in the United States offer vegetarian choices. Although being a vegetarian can be challenging, the benefits outweigh the burdens. Today, there are many healthy, vegetarian choices in restaurants around the world. For example, apples and yogurt can even be found at McDonalds! “Farmer’s Weekly” says that not only is a vegetarian diet healthy but it also helps cut greenhouse gases, conserve water, and conserve land. Today, many people are trying to become eco-friendly and don’t know what they can do to help. Giving up meat is a healthy choice for you, for the animals, and it could even help solve world hunger. Many people, when they think of becoming vegetarian, wonder how they are going to get enough protein and iron in their diet. According the book, The Case for Vegetarianism, people are mistaken in thinking that protein comes from animals. Protein actually comes from plant food, meaning that all animals get protein through the food they eat. When trying to figure out what foods have protein, whole grains, beans, nuts, eggs, and peas are all high in protein, as well as all dairy products. To be the healthiest, one’s diet should include a variety of whole foods. Excess protein actually puts stress on the liver and kidney and is also linked with calcium loss. As for iron, women who eat meat have thicker uterine tissues and higher estrogen levels in their blood, causing them to have heavier and longer menstrual cycles; so vegetarian women are actually proven to retain iron better. Leafy vegetables such as spinach, dried fruits such as raisins and prunes, and soybeans are all high in iron. Vitamin C can also help absorb iron. Most