With the Swine Flu in the news everyday, i thought this was a much needed post

We all have our own reasons why we choose vegetarianism or veganism. Whether you have been a â??veggieâ?� since birth, or if you are for political, health, taste or humanitarian reasons, it doesnâ??t matter. Just add these 10 other reasons to be thankful that you donâ??t eat meat.

If you eat meat, beware. You could end up feeling very, very ill. Hereâ??s a list of illnesses that are directly linked to handling and eating meat.

1. Salmonella Poisoning â?? bacteria found in feces. Causes diarrhea in humans and may lead to death in infants, elderly and immune-compromised.
2. Campylobacter Poisoning â?? bacteria found in raw fowl. Infection symptoms include nausea, headache, backache, fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Prolonged illness can lead to arthritis and paralysis.
3. Escherichia coli (E. coli) Poisoning â?? bacteria that is part of the normal intestinal flora. Some strains have been found to cause food poisoning due to fecal contamination of food. Symptoms of infection include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody). May lead to death in children, elderly and immune-weak.

4. Listeria Poisoning â?? bacteria associated with farm animals. Causes miscarriages, stillbirths and serious illnesses in newborns.
5. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the widespread use of antibiotics.
6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome â?? triggered by eating such foods as red meats, poultry (dark skin and meat), dairy products and egg yolks. Symptoms vary per person and can include constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and general gastrointestinal discomfort.
7. Pancreatic Cancer â?? has been linked to prolonged ingestion to processed meats.
8. Hardening of Arteries â?? a diet high in saturated fats (meat, dairy, fast food) are risk factors linked to the formation of plaque in the arteries that can lead to heart attack.
9. Colon Cancer â?? eating a lot of red meat over a period of time has been linked to increased risk of colon cancer.
10. Heart Disease â?? most instances of heart disease and fatal heart attacks can be avoided by decreasing or eliminating meat from oneâ??s diet.

I’m off to enjoy a nice veggie pasta dish i think ..