What hasn't been discussed -- just in my limited time here of course-- are the medical dangers of a vegetarian diet.
Usually the debate is about moral questions. Or about the dangers of meat, fish, eggs, processed food, and non-organic foods.
Just in the interests of a fair and balanced dialog. How healthy is it to be vegetarian in a high tech, fast-paced, commute-far-to-the-job-from-home, irregular hours at the office, kind of world?
I have been a vegetarian for a while and my dietary regimen leaves a lot to be desired. If my work schedule crosses over mid-day meals and dinner later in the day, either I eat salads constantly, or the default option is starchy foods and foods high in butter fat.
Whipping together a chana dal, some good whole wheat breads, some pureed and spiced green vegatables, some great chutneys (wet and dry ) is not going to happen until the weekend. So it is salad, grilled cheese sandwhiches, and vegetarian noodle dishes -- because that is what most restaurants and work-place cafeterias have for vegetarians.
My guess is that minerals, B vitamins and important aminos have gone missing from my diet. But I am not an expert on this. DrKhalsa ji -- what do you advise about a eating balanced vegetarian diet in today's world?