I am a Vegetarian. Are you?

1. 69

   jainismusposted 12 years ago

   
   I am a vegetarian because I do not want to live on killings of animals. What about you? If you are, what are the reasons behind your being a vegetarian? And if you are not, what do you think about vegetarian people?

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      bushraismailposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I respect your decision but your arguement is totally wrong.
      If you wanted to be a vegan because of health issues thats fine but what u say is that you dont want to eat animals. you dislike killings. Come on dont you kill and animal?? ants??
      
      just read what i have to say...
      There is a man who is sighted, good hearing hes has no health problems, hes not disable.
      but he has a brother who is dumb and immobile.
      A man kills both of them. Who will you feel sorry for?? the perfect man or the dumb man? the dumb man right.
      
      Thisi sthe same case of plants and animals. science proves that plants respond to stimuli its living but cant express its feeling...So who should you feel sad to kill?? plant or animal??

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2. 73

   Shanna11posted 12 years ago

   I have several vegetarian and vegan friends, and I've tried to be vegetarian, but as much as I try to turn myself off of meat, I can't. It tastes too good.

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3. 55

   SanXuaryposted 12 years ago

   Excellent health choice its to bad we can not save more peoples lives. A vegan diet automatically improves your health and will insure your weight is healthy. A vegetarian diet is just as fine as long as you eat a serving from time to time. No matter what diet you choose its the mass consumption of animal based products that is one of the main factors in our current health crisis. 70 to 80 percent of every product sold contains eggs, milk or animal in it. If you can eliminate those and have a portion of meat from time to time you should be just fine. Compared to those who do nothing and end up obese and with countless health problems I am certain that you our doing fine.

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4. 91

   livelongerposted 12 years ago

   I've been a vegetarian for 20 years, and my primary motivation has always been one of taste (I don't like the taste of meat). I do have some humanitarian concerns about animals, but believe that animals can be killed humanely. I also don't care if others eat meat.

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5. 98

   Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years ago

   As a young child, I was the definitive carnivore - wanting to eat only fish and animal flesh - rather than the omnivore (eating both meat and vegetables) that is often mistakenly referred to as a carnivore.
   
   I vividly remember swapping my, "Green stuff," for steak at the family dinner table with my brother, who was more vegetarian inclined. I used to rub my hands with glee at getting a good bit of meat in exchange for a few Brussels sprouts!
   
   As I grew older, I went to great lengths to educate my palate and eat a balanced diet. I learned how to cook and enjoy vegetables, as well as fish and meat. I still do my best to eat this way today, even though red meat and fish/seafood will always be my preference.
   
   My Mum was (and remains) a vegetarian, so I was used to vegetarianism from my earliest days. I think it is very much a matter of personal choice but I hate to see the reputation vegetarianism has of being boring - it need never be any such thing.

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6. 61

   wellnessguidesjaposted 12 years ago

   I have tried the vegetarian lifestyle - the longest for a six month stretch. I like how I feel and how my skin looks when i cut out meat. A skin condition I have disappears when I go vegetarian. I am drawn to this lifestyle no doubt, but have lacked the discipline and the supportive home environment. Every time I try to go healthy, I am  laughed at in my home, or tempted with the foods brought into the house. When I was on my own, I did much better. But, that being said, I blame myself for not doing the right thing. I am determined however, to return to this lifestyle, and have begun my journey to wellness one step at a time. Joining this community is part of that journey. I find when I immerse myself in the right environment, my mindset undergoes some level of change.
   
   When I do revert to this lifestyle, I will not be vegan. Leave it at that.
   
   So what do I think of vegetarians? I have utmost respect for their decision and for their discipline.

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7. 64

   Journey *posted 12 years ago

   I went vegetarian for the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2011 just to take a break from consuming animal fat. I enjoy eating meat though and had some on Christmas day and beyond...

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8. 70

   jennzieposted 12 years ago

   I've been a vegetarian for about 3 years. I also do it because I am an animal advocate. A lot of people, particularly my own family and relatives, don't understand why I have chosen to be a vegetarian- but I am not going to change what I believe in just to make other people happy.

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9. 65

   theherbivorehippiposted 12 years ago

   I am a vegan...purely for the animals. I don't believe animals are ours to torture, kill or use as entertainment. There are enough alternatives today, not only in food, but also in apparel, footwear, cleaning products, beauty and hygiene, etc., that it is not necessary to use animal products or to support a company that tests on animals.
   
   I understand that others do not share my beliefs, but everyone makes decisions everyday that directly affects the lives of animals. Why buy mascara from a company that you know puts animals through horrific testing when there are 30 other brands that do not? Everyone can do their part in a small way, even if they are not vegan or vegetarian. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something to make a difference.

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   1. 64

      Bob Zermopposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Nicely put, why make animals suffer unnecessarily? We've as humans have gotten to a point where we can choose not to abuse our power.

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10. 91

    Daughter Of Maatposted 12 years ago

    I recently became a vegan. I started out by becoming a vegetarian. My main reason for taking on a completely plant based diet is the health benefits. After watching several documentaries including "Forks Over Knives" and "Food Matters," I learned that animal products are actually detrimental to our well being. The animal protein casein has been shown to cause cancer. Animal based foods, along with processed foods, also create a state of metabolic acidosis. The body's pH becomes more acidic than it should be and in order to neutralize this the body strips calcium from the bones leading to osteoporosis.
    
    I'm currently in the process of eliminating all cooked and microwaved foods from my diet. Digestive leukocytosis is the reaction of the body to cooked foods. It seems cooking the food changes it's chemical structure to a point that the body can't recognize it. In response, the body's immune system kicks into high gear and attacks the food you eat to nourish it! Digestive leukocytosis is most likely the main cause for the increase in autoimmune disorders suffered today.
    
    My other reason for going raw/vegan is the animals. Animals don't deserve to be treated the way they are. We wouldn't like it very much if we were treated that way, why do we do it to animals? It's repuslive to me. I have noticed a large increase in my energy levels since going vegan. I feel great!

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11. 60

    Eric Newlandposted 12 years ago

    My respect for vegetarians ends when they try to guilt me into becoming vegetarian. Other than that, more power to them.

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12. 64

    Bob Zermopposted 12 years ago

    Mulling over the decision right now, actually. I love food, in general, so it would definitely be difficult for me. But in the last week I've spend some time with camels and monkeys. Not equating their lives with human lives, but I think they deserve some respect. As delicious as my friend Helen might be boiled, I'm not gonna slice her up and cook her.
    
    ...............
    
    Don't know the protocol for forums, if I should start another one I will, but if their are any vegetarians on this forum I'd love some input.

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13. 0

    Arlene V. Pomaposted 12 years ago

    I'm getting there!  What it comes down to is wanting to protect my kidneys.  I'm working with a dietician, and I am delighted to say that it's all about the little changes.  Right now, I've pretty much given up dairy and beef.

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14. 61

    Veganrunnerposted 12 years ago

    I am vegan, and have been vegan on and off for about eight years. My reasons for being vegan are animal rights and I want to leave the smallest carbon foot-print possible. I also believe a vegan life-style is healthier for me.

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15. 60

    iefox5posted 12 years ago

    I'm not because I like eating meat, but I respect the life style of vegetarian people.

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16. 0

    flagostomosposted 12 years ago

    I tried a vegetarian diet for about a year, and I was impressed with it. I lost a ton of weight and could actually notice the increase in my energy levels, and all the stuff they say goes along with it. However, it became too difficult for me to maintain, being that I spend a lot of time with Spanish people and they eat a lot of meat. I respect anyone for whatever diet choices they make, but personally I didn't try vegetarianism because I dislike eating animals. I just heard of the health benefits and thought why not?

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