How do you explain to vegans?

Question

How do you explain to vegans that they need to include red meat in their diet for good health?

peter c, I noticed they always look skinny myself. This is why I think they should include some red meat in their diet.

sandra f, I am so glad to have read your answer. It is good to know that we still have some good doctors out there who encourage people to include meat in their diet for good health. I just wish people would listen to health professionals like yourself.

Answer 1

Why can't they eat what they want, even if it kills them or is deadly for them? Why are you forcing red meat down everyone's throats? What are you doing in the Vegetarian & Vegan section of Yahoo Answers anyway? Why is a confirmed meat-eater repeatedly posting antagonistic questions in this section?

Your behaviour can be taken as a form of harrassment. You are guilty of the very same thing you accuse vegans of doing - you are trying to convert everyone over to your meat-eating philosophy. We are all mature enough to make our own choices, thank you. Leave us alone!

There are whole races and religions following vegetarian diets that have survived for thousands of years. There has to be some attribution for their longevity to their diets.

And take a look at this:

"The Jewish Old Testament, however, is full of references to vegetarianism, and the Israelites were constantly upbraided for eating meat and making animal sacrifices. Genesis starts off with a very plain indication that Man's diet should be vegetarian - fruit, grain, leaves - "I have given every green herb for meat." No injunction could be plainer.

Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel have many references to things suitable for food: bread, unleavened bread with olive oil, pottage, milk and honey, olives, fruit, fine flour, grapes, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, garlic, coriander seed, pomegranates, figs, raisins, wheat, barley, corn, wine, meal, beans, lentils and pulses. The Israelites are said to have "lusted" after flesh, and Isaiah has it: "He that killeth an ox is as he that slayeth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb as he that breaketh a dog's neck, he that offereth an oblation as he that offereth swine's blood … yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations." It is not very difficult to pick out the priestly interpolations which justify flesh-eating, not that vegetarianism is based on the Bible, we mention its contents to show that when Christians become so minded they will find just as much textual support for vegetarianism as for eating dead animals."
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Answer 2

Whatever a person eats is a matter of choice. SOme people like red meat, others don't.
The only person who can really tell a person to add/subtract a food from a diet would be a trained healthcare provider.

Answer 3

Although I am neither Vegan nor Vegetarian, I know many that are and none of them have health problems - in fact, I would go as far as to say they are a LOT healthier than I am.

You don't need red meat in your diet at all, I rarely eat red meat myself, I see no need to feast on it every day or even week - in fact I can't remember the last time I ate red meat!

But judging by your name, it appears that its *you* that has the problem here. Perhaps you have a chip on your shoulder about the Vegan/Vegetarian campaigners that took away your beloved "sport"? Maybe you should look inwards before insulting others.

Answer 4

Actually you don't need to incorporate red meat in a vegan diet. Legumes such as beans, barley and others are also an excellent source of protein. The big difference being, you need to eat a whole lot of beans to ingest the same amount of protein it would have taken in a nice sized steak.

Answer 5

I'm not sure that's true. By choosing not to eat meat they have to be a bit more particular about what they do eat, but all of the nutrients that you find in meat can be found in other foodstuffs. Most vegans, in fact, would argue that there are health benefits to be had from not eating meat.

I do eat meat, however. Not for the nutrients - I just think it's delicious. What's been good enough for humanity over thousands of years is plenty good enough for me. But each to their own, I suppose...

Answer 6

You can explain all you like, all day and everyday but they are just not listening !!!! I'm AMAZED you haven't taken the hint yet!!! Veggies and vegans won't eat meat because you and an old fashioned GP say that we have to!!!

Answer 7

i haven't eaten red meat in 12 years now. i don't like the way it tastes - i am in perfectly good health and have a healthy 13 month old also. why do you think you have to eat red meat? even when i didn't eat fish and fowl (for a while i didn't like the way those tasted either) all you need are substitutes. beans and nuts substitute the protein, leafy greens for the iron... etc. just because you want to eat red meat, doesn't mean everyone has to. and my husband loves red meat, i don't make him not eat it. the only rule is if he wants it we either have to go out to dinner or he has to cook it because even just cooking it makes me queasy.

Answer 8

Please define good health to me, because I'm clearly mistaken in my belief that I am healthy.

In the last ten years or so, I've barely had 10 days off work through illness.

1rm bench press = 125kg, 1rm squat = 180kg,

I regularly run 10km in around 50mins.

I am 179cm and 88kg.

VO2 max = 55 ml/kg/min

No dental work, ever

3 medals at national standard jiu jitsu competition

Currently working as a fitness trainer

No meat since 1984.

Clearly I am in need of greater health and fitness. Please teach me, oh wise one.

(My offer of direct competition against your mighty meat driven physique still stands...)

Answer 9

You can use something else instead of red meat. Red meat is very unhealthy, although it is important. You dont have to explain vegans about this. They made this choice, i dont like meat becaus of the flavour and texture, it puts me off of it.

Answer 10

You don't need to.

Most vegans plan and think about thier diet far more than other people.

a human can have a healthy diet without red meat.