BBC随身英语:No meat, but two veg 素食麦当劳

Hindus see cows as sacred and abstain from eating beef, while Muslims view pigs as unclean and avoid pork. Since it decided to enter the market, McDonald's has tried not to risk ending up with egg on its face. The chain's Indian menu has some meat-free dishes and some that include chicken.

Vegetarianism has been around for centuries. According to the Vegetarian Society in Britain, the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras favoured the practice due to concerns about cruelty to animals. He also thought it could be a healthier lifestyle as it prevented men from being violent. Nowadays, the pressure on natural resources from rearing animals has been turning environmentally-conscious people into veggies.

Some people are even stricter about eating animal products than vegetarians. They are known as vegans and they do not eat dairy products and eggs either.

But some experts frown upon the idea of a meat-free diet. Dr Elizabeth Weichselbaum, a nutritional scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, says meat is an important source of a number of nutrients in our diet, including high quality protein, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin D and some B vitamins.

"It can make an important contribution to a healthy and balanced diet. Meat and other protein sources, including eggs, beans and nuts, should be eaten in moderate amounts."

Quiz 测验 Why has McDonald's decided to offer meat-free dishes in India?

Because about 40% of the households in India are vegetarian.

According to the article, which group of people abstains from eating pigs?

Muslims, because they consider pigs unclean.

Is the following statement true, false or not given? Some people, concerned about the over use of natural resources, have decided to become vegetarian.

True.

What expressions in the article include the name of a type of food but have a meaning that's nothing to do with food?

'To beef up' and 'with egg on its face'.

What phrasal verb used in the article means to disapprove of something?

To frown upon (something).

Glossary 词汇表 the customer is always right顾客永远是对的 vegetarian素食的 household家庭，人家 outlet销售点 to beef up加强 fast food快餐 with egg on (someone's) face（比喻）非常难堪，丢脸 meat-free dish无肉的菜肴 vegetarianism素食主义 to favour赞同，倾向于 lifestyle生活方式 to rear animals饲养动物 veggie（俚语）素食主义者 vegan绝对素食主义者 dairy奶制品 to frown upon不赞同 nutritional营养 protein蛋白质 iron铁 zinc锌\ selenium硒 balanced diet均衡的饮食