Health wise; How would a vegetarian and non-vegetarian be compared?

Here's an idea:

If i was raising 2 children, both the same age, health, and genetics, and i raised one on a vegetarian diet, and one on a non-vegetarian diet; What would be the health outcome of the both?

What do studies say? Do vegetarians live longer? Or, are non-vegetarians the healtheir ones?

What is your personal opinion? Would you base your life style upon that opinion?

Many of our least usable substances that we consume are in meat. In fact, most of the more damaging substances we consume are in meat.

I'd say the vegetarian would live longer, but I'm certainly not going to stop eating meat.

I do smoke for a reason. I don't want to live THAT long.

eating a balanced diet with lean meats (not a lot of processed or cured) is perfectly healthy. its over consumption that is unhealthy, not the act of eating meat itself. my grandpa ate meat and fish till the day he died at the age of 102. Its not a goood idea to base your life style on someone opinion. opinion is not fact. talk to your doctor and get some real info. remember that studies are often biased and cater to those who want positive information from them, so only trust certified studies and such.

It would depend on more issues than that. If you fed your child nothing but fruit pies day in and day out, it wouldn't be too healthy. Likewise, if you only fed your child meat, it wouldn't be too good, either. Human bodies need certain nutrients to thrive and grow and you can get those nutrients as either an omnivore or as a herbivore. I have heard, however, that it is far easier to provide protein and fat with a non-veggie diet.

Depends on what they eat, however cholesterol levels are generally lower for vegetarians.

http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/cont...

If you knew how to take care of yourself under both options, I think the results would be very much the same.
I am a non vegetarian and see no reason to change.

Vegetarians generally have lower bad cholesterol. My cholesterol is remarkably low when it is tested, so that would lower my risk of heart disease and stroke.

You can't always prove that vegetarians are going to live longer, though--everybody's got to die of something.

Depends on what they eat.

If the omnivorous one eats beans, lentils, fruits, veggies, and has a turkey sandwich once a week, and the vegetarian eats potato chips, nachos with cheese, sugary cereals with cow milk, cheese quesadillas etc on a daily basis, the omni will be healthier. You really can't base it on vegetarian vs. omni. There are a lot of factors.
If they ate exactly the same thing (a healthy, balanced, varied diet) but one was vegan, the other one added dairy, eggs, and meat I'd say the vegan will be healthier. They won't have the added fat and cholesterol of the animal products.
Not to mention the vegan's bones won't be leached of calcium (research calcium and phosphoric acid) to process the cow's milk so they have a lower chance of osteoporosis.

Veg*ns on average live 2 or 3 years longer than meat eaters.
However you should not base your decision on those numbers. It is all the complications along the way that are troublesome. I.E. Heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and the list goes on. Your odds of being part of those scenarios are more than double if you consume meat, compared to the diet of veg*n.
But as mentioned by some people above, cola and french fries are veg*n. Make sure to eat a balanced healthy diet.

And thems the facts!

I'll stick with my family's history of eating farm raised meat, dairy and vegetable/fruit, and living well over 90. Most of the people in my elder generations died in their late 90's and my maternal grandfather died when he was 102. They all ate meat, and lots of it. Mainly lamb and goat. Based on my family history, my lifestyle choices, and my decision to stay fit and healthy...I'd say I run a good chance of living just as long and happily meat fed till the day I expire.

Go Meat.