Calling all vegetarians! Why are you a vegetarian?

Question

When people ask you why you are a vegetarian what do you say?

Answer 1

What I usually say is: I didn't decide to become a vegetarian, my parents did when I was born. The reasons why I'm still a vegetarian and not a meat-eater are:

*I think eating animal carcasses is weird and slightly disturbing
*I think it is highly unhealthy to eat meat
*I think it is cruel, especially these days, to kill animals just to eat their bodies
*I think it is unnecessary and pointless to eat meat
*I think it is somewhat primitive and backwards

That's what I say.

Answer 2

When people ask you, it's best to tell them a white lie so they don't tell you to "stop preaching". Just say that your dad had too much cholesterol, so stopped eating meat for a while, and now your family doesn't care much for meat.

I am a vegetarian for environmental reasons. Going veg for a year is better (less carbon emissions) than using a hybrid for a year! And it saves water (half of all water in the US goes to animals soon to be slaughtered).

My sister is a vegetarian for ethical reasons. She knows that even though half of all water goes to animals soon to be slaughtered, the animals are still starving and in need of a drink. She is a big-time shunner of furs and a fan of protests.

My neighbor is a vegan because she likes vegetables and was quite annoyed to learn that new taxes are being imposed on small vegetable farms, and that the govermnet will allow your cattle to graze on government lands for a day for $5 in some places.

One of my friends is a vegetarian because of his religious beliefs. What more can I say?

My cousin is a vegetarian because of health. She was *really* fat, and she was about to be married. She tried all the diets under the sun. South Beach? Tried it! Weight Watchers? Tried it! Atkins? Yup! Nothing worked. Then, she tried vegetarianism. She was skinnier and happier and had more energy.

Answer 3

I'm a vegetarian who lives in ca, has family in nv, and vacationed in az. You won't have trouble being veg. Stay away from authentic Mexican food (lard), but del taco, taco bell, rubios and la salsa are fine. You can have Italian food, Indian food, Thai food on the road. Diner food is iffy, but nicer restaurants can be fine. You can go grocery shopping and buy frozen food and microwave it. You can stay at an extended stay and cook your own food (they have kitchens and pots and pans and utensils) . Most places will let you modify foods, you bust have to be creative. Worst case scenario is travel with a cooler and hummus. You can purchase it anywhere now, and every place has ice. And salad is everywhere.

Answer 4

While pregnant w/ my second I grew a strong distaste for all meat and eggs. After giving birth tried some again and still couldn't help but gag. I decided to give it up. Then I found out how our bodies work over time to digest it, which causes other issues (I'm not speaking of cholestorol or high blood pressure, though those are concerns). So I took my daughter off it as well (son is still drinking from the tap). And that's how we became vegetarian.

Answer 5

I say "It's a personal choice; it started because I felt pity for animals and disgust at eating them. And for a while, I got all high-and-mighty about it, until I realized that it's none of my business what other people choose to eat. It's not inherently wrong to eat a hot dog, or to put mustard on it, or to skip the bun, or to have a tofu dog instead. So now it's just a personal choice, and I recognize that it's not something for which I deserve any credit or any blame. I do eat dairy products, because I can't imagine living without good cheese. And I also eat eggs, because I'm pro-choice, and by me that's not a chicken."

Answer 6

i don't believe in supporting cruelty to animals, especially when anyone can survive just fine on a vegetarian or vegan diet. there are of course the health problems, red meat has actually been PROVEN to cause cancer, but no one seems to care about that until they get older. finally, the idea of eating flesh just is repulsive to me.

Answer 7

its for healthy reasons and also becoz my parents are vegetarians . My dad used to eat meat rarely not at home So he cud tell it was unhealthy to be dependent on it..Also never felt the need to eat meat. although my spouse pigs on meat.so one more reason to not do it.

Answer 8

I'm a Vegan because I support animal rights, good health, environmental protection, and I prefer the taste of non-animal foodstuffs.

Answer 9

For two reasons:
- I'm against animal cruelty, and to eat meat nowadays makes you participant of that cruelty
- It has a lot of health benefits

Answer 10

I tell them it's for ethical reasons, and if they push it, I go into the dangers of the meat industry. Some meat eaters can be so needlessly defensive. You know, like your life choice offends their eating habits.