I was flipping through the most recent issue of the Vegetarian Times yesterday and I came across a blurb that I found particularly interesting.
It seems as though big business might be on the brink of finally admitting to something we've known all along: the health benefits of engaging in an active vegetarian lifestyle.
I am coming up on the one year anniversary of my meatless lifestyle (and I am planning on celebrating at Zen Garden, my most favourite veg restaurant), and one thing that still baffles me is how many people question my physical health. Not only physical health, but also mental health and (get ready for a 'huh?!?!!!' moment), my intellectual health. Yes, one unnamed person told me that he read an article (which he conveniently couldn't remember the title of) that vegetarians 'have been proven' to be less intelligent than meat eaters.
...................... (cue sounds of birds chirping in the distance while I gaped at the man in silence).
Well, I managed to figure out where the article came from, or at least a similar article promoting the same findings. It was apparently put out by Health Canada's Food Guide. Which is owned by the Canadian government. Which, no doubt, wants to promote the consumption of Canadian beef after several mad cow incidents in Alberta, so that the industry can start pulling in cash again. This man did not draw any of these connections, he just saw an article that supported his belief, came from what the average person sees as a trusted source, and therefore saw it as truth.
What my little rant is getting at is that the myth that vegetarianism and veganism is detrimental to health is still alive and well, yet ignorance regarding meat's relationship to to the top killers of our time (obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes) is downplayed, dismissed as 'hippie jargon', or outright ignored.
Well finally, finally, big business might be catching on to what we have known for a long time.
Animal Friends Insurance, based out of the United Kingdom, is an insurance company that is offering premium discounts on life insurance for vegetarians. This company is rewarding its vegetarian clients for their ethical and health-conscious choices with approximately 10% discount on their life insurance premiums.
I worked as a receptionist for a local insurance company while I was an undergraduate student, so I was in charge of filling out applications and other forms with regard to new clients. Life insurance applications are very extensive: pages and pages of questions about pretty much every aspect of your life (smoking, alcohol consumption, sky diving, amount of time spent in a car, etc.) and aside from questions about diabetes or other major illnesses, very little is asked about an applicant's dietary choices. I always found this fascinating, as our existence begins and is sustained by the substances we put into our bodies.
In light of recent media awareness of the obesity epidemic, some insurance companies are becoming aware of the importance of diet and are beginning to ask applicants questions about the kinds of foods they eat. However, Animal Friends Insurance is the first company that I have come across that actually specifies the benefits of a full on vegetarian lifestyle as opposed to other omnivore-style diets. Plus, as an added bonus, they donate all of their net profits to animal welfare charities.
The life insurance industry is one of the most traditional and conservative entities that we have in our society. It carries a bottom line mentality and it is in the business of making money, not necessarily providing it's clients with what is entitled to them. We are probably a long way off from major life companies in North America taking initiative in recognizing the benefits of an animal friendly lifestyle. I am fully aware that Animal Friends Insurance is a small player in this industry, but I wanted to take a moment to applaud their innovation, consideration and perseverance in what can be difficult industry to be a part of.
If you're interested in life insurance, call up some local company representatives and see if they have any discounts for vegetarians. If not, ask why. Further, ask for appropriate contact information for head offices, and drop them a letter explaining why you think this is important. I know some insurance companies, such as State Farm, offer reduced car insurance rates to students with an 80% average or higher, why not offer the same discount to socially responsible individuals that care for animals, the earth, and their own bodies?
And finally, I pulled up a google search on vegetarian life insurance and came across this website. There doesn't appear to be much going on yet, but if you click on the contact link, an email address is provided where you can makes suggestions and give insights on how we move toward making this a reality.
It is time that the myth of the frail and feeble vegetarian is put to rest.
No comments:
Post a Comment