How would you advize an ex-vegetarian on how to deal with their veggie peers who judge them for eating meat?

Question

im an ex-vegetarian who struggled on a vegetarian diet for many yrs and have now been forced to eat chicken and fish again for medical reasons.after trying numerous times to remain vegetarian and finnally being so weak,sick and deficient in proten that i nearly killed myself due to my ideals,but still i have veggie people accuse me of being brainwashed by the meat industry or that there is no reason for eating meat,or saying that killing animals for food is wrong.What if u were so sick u HAD TO EAT MEAT TO REGAIN STRENGTH IS THAT WRONG???IF U SAY YES THEN U NEED HELP,im so tired of having my posts removed from vegan sites,or having veggie people try to debate with me its hard enough to change without the harrassment and the pain!

for everyones info I have a medical condition called malapsorbtion syndrome and im highly allergic to multiple foods,beans,nuts,soy,grains and many different kids of veggies.

Answer 1

Just tell them what you said: it is really difficult for you to consume enough protein that is necessary for your body to function when you're allergic to most of the foods that vegetarians eat for protein.

If your friends still don't understand that and still accuse you of "cruel," then it might be time to find other friends who understand your situation.

Good luck! :)

Answer 2

Just ignore these people who criticize you. Obviously, they do not have your best interests at heart. I am a vegan myself, however I *do* recognize that some people need to eat meat in order to survive and help with certain medical conditions. I would recommend finding a small family farm someplace that can give you fresh chicken, but where you know the chickens were treated humanely.
Here is something you can try, though, to limit your intake of meat but still get enough protein: look for Primal strips. It is setian (no soy) jerky and tastes very good, and has a very high protein level per strip.
I am hypoglycemic and I often find it difficult to get enough protein during the day, so I will eat those, along with beans and rice which also contain complete protein.
Good luck!

Answer 3

If you're ever looking for another source of protein, give hemp protein powder a try!

What a crappy situation! I realized a long time ago that the very worst thing to do for the vegetarian cause was to harp on people who were eating meat. I've certainly put veganism in a more positive light for my friends by debunking the "militant vegan" idea - they can sit with pounds and pounds of wings and I don't bat an eye. Maybe try to express that sentiment to your friends and explain how they are portraying all vegetarians very negatively?

They have doubtless had people initiating debates with them over their diet, and have probably gotten really frustrated because people have no right trying to interfere, so they should already know that what each person eats is their own business and theirs alone.

They are being completely disrespectful - perhaps some new friends are in order.

Answer 4

It must have been hard to start eating meat again after so many years of being a vegetarian. I have been a vegetarian for over twenty years and I can't imagine what it would be like to be forced to eat meat again! I don't know if I would, I have not been placed in that situation. My mother has been though. After a brain hemorrhage the people at the nursing home told her she would have to eat meat again to gain strength. She was very weak and fragile. She had been a vegetarian for fifteen years and she asked me what to do. Even though I'm still not sure if eating meat would help in a situation like that, I advised her to eat meat again. Just for the odd chance that it would help her regaining strength. Well, due to a lot of things she never did and due to her condition she lost the will to live and she died. Nevertheless I am glad that I advised her to start eating meat again. I will never have to think: maybe she would have been alive today if she had eaten meat. How did you get your condition? I wanted to email you but I can't and I would really like to know more about it.

Answer 5

I have the same problem exactly. I am allergic to many foods. I eat fish a couple of times a year for protein intake, and yes, I get judged too. I could give a flip less. I will eat whatever I NEED to survive, and anyone who is not signing my mortgage payment can kiss my, well you know. Why do you care what other think-you don't need to justify anything. I cannot eat most of the foods that vegetarians rely on. I am allergic to all wheat, soy, eggs, commercial dairy, tomatoes, avacados and other things. I can't eat the fake meat subs, nor do I want to. I eat mostly grains and rice, the veggies I can tolerate, and when I feel the need, I eat some fish or seafood. I need not justify this to anyone, nor should you. If you need chicken as well, then by all means have it-and don't feel guilty about it. I find that most people want to cram everyone into a neat little box with a label "vegetarian" or "vegan" or "pescatarian" No one, who is not in your shoes has the right to judge you. Just let it roll off of you like water off a ducks back. When someone who wants to judge me takes on paying all of my bills for me, perhaps I might give them some credence. So far, I haven't found anyone with enough convictions to take me on. So, I shall decide for myself what, when, and how I eat. My healing thoughts are with you. You can email me, if you like

Answer 6

not everyone has a body made to be a vegetarian! i think diet is a very personal choice. some people have to eat some meat.

very judgmental, but some people are also too poor (financially, physically or emotionally) to afford a comfortable vegetarian/ vegan lifestyle. for me, eating meat sometimes provides me with cooking experience and easier meals, since i've eaten meat for more of my life than not.

i think it is 100% ok; i do not eat meat in excess and i feel greatful for what i eat. as long as i eat it in small quantities, eat as much as i can to avoid wastefulness and really enjoy what i eat, i think i should eat it. what made me decide to start eating meat again was a menu at a pizza place: would i prefer a cheaply made salad or a cheaply made blt? i would go with the cheaply made blt any day! i think iceberg lettuce is gross and useless.

Answer 7

If I'm assuming incorrectly please forgive me.
It sounds like you were part of a very close
nit group within the veggie sub-culture and
that now you feel as though your friends
have turned their back on you. My advice
is to find new friends who won't judge you.
Keep the friends that are understanding
if there are any. If you really want to remain
friends with vegetarians that can't stand the
sight or smell of meat then don't bring meat
around them. As a vegetarian/vegan that's
the best advice I can give.

Answer 8

I was a strict vegetarian for over 4 years, my experience is that it had cleansed my blood and improved my vision. For years no one could convince me to eat meat. But lately I started experiencing cold hands/feet, low thyroid function, and I'm getting worried about possible infertility now that I'm in my 30's. I think I was cutting out the toxins ladden in meat, but also missing some essential ingredients for health. And I had 2 vegetarin friends died of cancer last year... I then came across the works of Dr. Weston Price, (www.westonaprice.org) and it provided me the science as well as the ethics of eating animal products. I now add raw milk, butter, and occassional grass-fed beef to my diet, while continue to eat organic vegetables and nuts. For all the right reasons to be vegetarian, there's also a right way to consume animal products- by chosing from good organic sources, and support humane treatment in animal raising. I used to be ladden with guilt for eating meat, but now that I support farmers that raise organic milk, eggs and meat, it is actually better Karma. Maybe you can sent your friends the link, they can debate among themselves, maybe even be converted. I would still avoid products from animals injected with antibiotics, hormones and raised inhumanely. You don't want to get toxins while you're eating more protein. Good luck.

Answer 9

If those people won't respect your decision after seeing your struggle to be veg, they are not friends. Try reminding them that no one has the right to be the "Veggie Police", we all do what we can and that's what matters.

Even though you have very strict food restrictions you can help animals other ways, like by purchasing animal friendly/vegan products. Every little bit helps, just remember that. :)

Answer 10

If these people are friends they should understand and not judge you. When people start giving you grief just tell them that it is for medical reasons and that you don't wish to discuss your health with them, then ignore them. You have nothing to feel bad about. Personally I feel all people need a bit of meat in their diet to stay strong.