I. Thesis and DefinitionThe purpose of this article is to study the trend of vegetarianism and its growing popularity in the United States, the possible causes for the existence of this trend, its effects on our society in general and the practicing population, and finally, the future of vegetarianism. For the purposes of this article, vegetarianism is described as a plant-based diet (fruits, vegetables, etc.), although the most important factor is the complete exclusion of meat, excluding fish for most practitioners. Although there are many sub-levels of this lifestyle, including veganism (abstaining from consuming any animal products) and semi-vegetarianism (a person reducing their meat intake), this study focuses on will mainly focus on lacto-ovo vegetarianism (with the exception of all products of animal origin). meat and fish, but incorporating eggs and dairy products).II. Evidence of the Trend Despite the fact that the vegetarian lifestyle has been around since around the sixth century BCE, it is a relatively new practice in the United States, having gained popularity during the "health craze » of the 1970s and early 1980s. Beginning with the 1971 publication of Frances Moore Lappe's best-selling book "Diet for a Small Planet" about "high-protein, meat-free cooking", vegetarianism began he has gradually built a reputation as a healthy and ethical alternative to meat consumption. The moral argument for vegetarianism was introduced with the publication of the book Animal Liberation by Australian ethics professor Peter Singer, aimed at American readers. Shortly after the outcry over Singer's cry for equality between humans and animals came the founding of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, in 1975. Since PETA's conception, the "organization called for equality and an increase...... middle of paper ......iets" Eatright.org. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, July 2009. Web. January 15, 2012. Rohrer , Finlo. "The Rise of the Non-Veggie Vegetarian" BBC News, November 5, 2009. Web, January 9, 2012. “The United States could feed 800 million people with grains consumed by the world. livestock, Cornell ecologist advises animal scientists Future water and energy shortages likely to change face of American agriculture. Cornell University, August 7, 1997. Web, 17. January 2012. Singer, Peter Animal Liberation, New York Review of, 1990. Print “Vegetarianism in America” Vegetarian Times. Vegetarian Times Magazine, 2009. Web. January 15, 2012. “Veggie Tales” Time.com. Time Magazine, 2002. The web. January 10, 2012. Whorton, James C. “Historical Development of Vegetarianism” Ajcn.org. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1994. Web. January 6. 2012.