Why you should go herbivore

American diets tend to be rather meat-heavy. The recommended healthy diet contains only 10% of calories from protein (about 50g). The CDC's studies show on average Americans are more than 50% above this level. Your 6-inch roast beef sub has 20 grams alone; it's easy to see how we get that high.

But why should you cut back on your meats? There's lots of stupid answers, like nutrition. People will try to tell you that fruits and veggies are better as far as vitamins are concerned. Ha! did you know a 3oz pork chop (170 kcal) has nearly 100% of the daily value for Vitamin B1? That's far beyond what 170 kcal of veggies will bring you. And what about liver? What vitamins CAN'T you find in a serving of liver?

No there are much better reasons for eating your veggies. For one, we'd be better off shifting the physiology of humans toward herbivores. Remember back in high school biology to the picture of the bunny rabbit? The eyes were towards the sides of the head since it needs a wider field of view to notice dangers. Same for humans. We have to cross streets with cars coming from either side, but where's our 180 degree field of view?

But you'll lose depth perception! Honestly, when is the last time you needed your depth perception? As far as judging distance goes, technology that makes 180 degree vision useful removes the need for depth perception: if you want to know how far away that car is, there's a convenient series of dotted lines at regular intervals. Computer and TV screens are flat, so we've long since adapted to use other techniques to determine the size and distance of an object.

Also the shift will have social benefits. Notice how the rabbits in Watership Down or the mice in Redwall form solid and friendly communities. But in wolf-related novels, the wolves always end up fighting for dominance within the pack. An even more positive social benefit will be seen when all the PETA and vegetarian organizations suddenly lose their major issue and dissolve.

And as far as our diet is concerned, look at the increase in food variety. Name as many meats as you can in 30 seconds, go! Beef, chicken, pork...um...lamb...tuna, salmon...um. Time. How about veggies? Lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, cucumber, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, Time. And all those meat are either pink or a shade of brown. The veggies are green, orange, red, brown and you could no doubt quickly come up with ones that are yellow, purple or blue. Much more pleasing to the eye.