You might not be "there" yet, but nearly 8 million people in the US are[1]. It's likely that most of them are healthy[2].

On the point of "sacrifice," animals aren't making one. To sacrifice something, you must willingly trade it for something else. (Though plenty of BBQ joints will suggest otherwise[3].)

[1] http://www.peta.org/living/food/2011-vegetarian-vegan-stats/

[2] http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/70/3/525s.full

[3] http://vanishingsouthgeorgia.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/wil...