Very thought provoking and nice read, thanks!

If I may, I would like to add my perspective:

About 20-39% of people in India are vegetarians, which is estimated to be 272 million. There are around 4 million vegans (my estimate is based on the population of followers of Jainism, who are vegan). Sources: here and here. I am sure many are getting almost all of the essential nutrients completely from this diet. The main problem with discussions in the western world about vegetarian/vegan vs. meat eating is either based on lack of nutrients from the former or the animal cruelty in the latter. If we focus on the nutrient argument, it happens because the western world hardly explores the diversity in vegetarian food like different grains, millets, pulses etc. It is always meat vs salad (more often than not, uncooked greens) rather than meat vs hundreds of well cooked vegetarian dishes. I don't undermine the fact that not all have the time to cook diverse vegetarian food everyday, and also hence the fact some people may not get all the nutrients. But I am sure, many vegetarians can actually say that their diet provides them with sufficient essential nutrients for a healthy and balanced living.

**Just so that I am not accused of being biased in one direction:

I have been completely vegetarian for 7 years, with no decline in my health. I only started eating a few portions of meat per week once I started doing longer cycling trips and a bit more strenuous hiking. Also, since travelling several European countries, I have experienced first hand the significant lack of diverse vegetarian cuisine (which is very understandable as meat was the main source of food in colder parts of the world where diverse vegetation scarce)**

Thanks again and cheers!