First off, let me introduce myself. I'm J.R., and I'm a Texan vegetarian (oxymoronic, I know). I chose vegetarianism not because of animal rights or environmental concerns, but because my total cholesterol peaked at over 300 (180-200 is normal). Since becoming a vegetarian only months ago, my cholesterol has dropped 60 points and my overall health has improved. When I first changed my diet, I fully intended to return to my old ways once I got healthy, but I ended up learning too much (ignorance truly is bliss) and now I have decided to stay vegetarian indefinitely, and I'm planning to switch to veganism within a few months.
When I abstained from meat for health reasons, everyone was fine with my descision, but when I announced to my family or friends that my diet had become a moral descision they looked at me like I had just spit on them. There was an immediate shift from my healthy diet to "J.R.'s ****ing stupid diet".
Everyone I know was genuinely afraid that vegetarianism was contagious, and they needed to "cure" me. They constantly try to temp me with meat (which has become completely anappetizing to me) or give me lectures about protein (I've been into powerlifting and sports nutrition since high school, my protein intake is higher than anyone I know). I haven't been preachy to anyone, and I've only talked about my diet at all when I'm asked.
Has this sort of thing happened to anyone else, if it has, how did you handle it? I don't want to step on any toes, but I won't throw away my morality for someone else to be comfortable.
2007-09-08
18:01:22
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10 answers
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asked by
Divided By Zero
5
in
Vegetarian & Vegan