chrisb1
Don't forget that Avocados are a very useful source of protein bling.
Mexicans have traditionally used them as a substitute for meat for centuries.
You can find very unhealthy vegetarians: it depends on what they eat. Just because you don't eat meat doesn't mean that your diet is healthy and visa versa.
B12 is normally of animal origin but you can get it from eggs or even fish.
This what Dr Mercola has to say on the matter....................
"Vitamin B-12 deficiency is quite common in vegetarian and vegans who do not supplement with B-12 or use fortified foods, since B-12 is not readily available, if available at all, in plants. If you are a vegetarian who eats eggs or fish, the risk for B-12 deficiency is considerably reduced, though you should still consider B-12 supplementation. If you are a vegan avoiding all animal products, and you do not already supplement with B-12 (it seems many already do), you should seriously consider it."
Longevity is decided by a number of factors including diet, but it is the quality of the diet that counts rather than whether you are a meat-eater or vegetarian or vegan,
in my opinion.
My father lived to be 92 years of age and was in relative good health the day he died: he ate both meat and vegetables for his entire life.
Regards
Chrisb1.