Tell me about being a vegetarian?

Question

I don't eat a lot of meat but I feel like such a hypocrite even eating a little because of how much I love animals so please tell me about being a vegetarian. Anything you want.

Answer 1

I've been a vegetarian for 18 years now, and became one for about the same reason you have. If you decide it's right for you, give it a try! Since you don't eat much meat anyway, it probably wouldn't be that hard.

Eating out can be a little tricky, but not as bad as you might think! Ask for things to be prepared without certain ingredients at restaurants. I do it all the time (and tip well!) Even fast food places have salads, fruit/yogurt cups, baked potatoes, bean burritos, etc. And you can always go with Chinese food--usually they have veggie options.

Depending on where you live, you may have an easier or harder time. I live in the Southern USA, on the East Coast, and in my city and even many small towns, practically every restaurant has vegetarian options. Nicer supermarkets have plenty of vegetarian and organic options.

To get enough nutrition, you may need a multivitamin, but that's no big deal. I also take calcium supplements (Tums) because I don't eat much dairy (just not my thing). Getting protein is actually easy--just eat some kind of beans frequently, along with rice! Rice and beans, eaten in the same day (not even at the same meal) form a complete protein, I think. And soy beans are delicious, and a complete protein all on their own! I also like to eat pasta with black beans. I eat lots of vegetables--usually frozen, but fresh is better, really. Plenty of people like tofu. I don't really, but it can be prepared almost any way, and even my non-vegetarian boyfriend likes to get it at a nearby vegetarian restaurant.

And one of the people who answered this said soybeans destroy the rainforest--this is at least mostly untrue. Cultivating grains and vegetables uses a lot less land that cultivating meat because the animals must have somewhere to graze and must eat grains, etc. that already take up land. Here in the South, soybeans are replacing tobacco crops, which are not as prevalent as they used to be. So don't worry about the rainforest!

If there's a downside to being a vegetarian, it's finding out that something you ate/like eating is not vegetarian. But you get over that, and some people don't worry too much about it. If you are still living with your parents, you may have to explain your decision or eat the side dishes. My parents were fine with it.

Basically, besides little frustrations, being a vegetarian can be totally manageable. It can be rewarding, too. Less chance of foodborne illness, too, I bet. If you want to try, then try! It won't hurt. And if you decide it's not for you, then that is fine too.

Answer 2

I used to work at a camp with some real hippies. We would prepare a meal for about 200 people each day, and 20 or so would be for "vegetarians." Whenever a group came up, we would ask them how many vegetarians they had, and the answer would be 10%. We would explain that only vegetarians would get vegetarian meals, and the vegetarians would have to eat only the vegetarian meals.

Some days, when the meat was hot and spicy and really good stuff, we would have 19 leftover vegetarian meals that nobody picked up other days, when the meat was not so great, we would have to make 30 or 40 more vegetarian meals. Go figure, you're a vegetarian today, I'll be one tomorrow, and the next day we'll both go down to the gas station for some pork rinds and jerky.

(I also had a vegetarian friend who would eat both pork rinds and jerky if you offered them to her. She said there was nothing left of the animal in them anyway at that point.)

Answer 3

well...
i can be a bit frustrating at times bc everyone will always ask u why u dont eat meat. then once u answer they will go on and on about their opinion and why they arent a vegetarian as if u care.
also if ur family eats meat and they all order meat from a restaurant it gets a bit sickening. and u cant go 2 places like wendys bc the only vegetarian meal they have there is a potato.

Answer 4

Being a vegetarian can be complicated. Eating out can be frustrating at certain restaurants! Parties and catered events can be equally frustrating.

The benefit for me is better health. I feel better. I've lost weight. Not everyone loses weight, though. Vegetarians can still eat pasta, cheese (lacto-vegetarians, that is), and sweets. I just try to fill my diet with whole grains and fresh fruits and veggies.

Answer 5

you are not hypocritical if you eat meat cuz u like animals. i love animals and eat meat. so, if you want to become a vegetarian then you can try it like this: first try going a day without meat,then a week, month, year, and so on. if you don't want to give up meat but want to be egetarian for the animals then you should try meatless burgers and veggie burgers and soy protein. all of them have the same proteins as meat and taste the same but they are meatless and have less fat. good luck with whatever you choose to do!!! :-)

Answer 6

Ever since i became a vegatarian and then a vegan i feel more healthier, and I have more energy. if you get a good vegatarian recipe book you wont even miss eating meat. The best cookbook I have is called Native Foods.

Answer 7

a vegetarian is a person who does not eat any meat. and there is a vegan who does not eat meat or anything that comes from animals.(no milk,eggs,or cheese ect.)

Answer 8

I read goVeg once, nothing on it at all is true, it's hippy propaganda and lies.

How does not wanting animals be killed suddenly manifest itself in people's desire not to eat meat? Do you think the animals care whether you eat it or not after it's dead? All you're going to do is destroy the rainforest with all that soya you'll eat.

Answer 9

there are different kinds of vegetarians. there are pseudo vegans who eat mostly veggies ,but also eats dairy products. there are vegans who eat mostly veggies but eat white meat. and then there are the vegans who eat strictly veggies.

Answer 10

its kinda hard especially since im young and u get some pretty stupid remarks but its worth it i feel okay when ever im around animals like sheep or pigs or cows (my gramas farm)