Are you a vegetarian?

Question

If you are why are you? Is it health, religion, respect for creatures? Just what is it?

I am away from home on another computer but how I wish I could reply to you all - you are so interesting. Thank you very much for answering. At an early glance many of you mention health as being one of your reasons and again many talk about animal cruelty and this is sad. I, myself, don't like eating animals and could easily stop if those around me didn't. I have never thought of the health issues but I certainly hate the idea of battery hens or anything like that. Once again thank you and if there are any more replies I will read them before selcting a best one tomorrow. Once again , thanks

Answer 1

Yes, and have been for over 23 years.

I gave up meat because there was a lot of press coverage linking high meat intake with rheumatoid arthritis which my grandmother (a great meat lover) suffered from very badly. As I learned more about animal welfare and other similar issues, it simply strengthened my resolve.

I wouldn't say I'm the healthiest person in the world, and in fact had a brush with cancer a few years ago, but I'm sure that I feel a dam sight better not eating meat than I would do otherwise.

Answer 2

Yes, I am a vegetarian (not vegan). I initially started at the age of 10, because I was on a cruise ship and the turkey had veins in it-that grossed me out. Also, I've always been an animal-lover. The first couple months were hard- I think I cheated once or twice- but ever since then I have not eaten any meat at all. I just have no desire to eat dead animals. Plus, its SO much healthier. People always question me- where do you get your protein? Well, I get plenty of protein from beans, eggs, nuts (peanut butter too), and legumes, such as chick peas (hummus is great!). It may be hard at times, ie: ordering at restaurants, eating over friends or relatives house,etc. but after a while you can adapt easily and the people around you will accomodate you accordingly. its a great lifestyle, but you have to be willing to commit- its personal willpower. I know some people who call themselves vegetarians because they haven't eaten meat in a week. Now, that might be a huge deal for some people,but to be a true vegetarian you have to be dedicated!

Answer 3

I am a vegetarian and I have been for about a year now. I made the change because I just thought about it, really thought about what I ate before and was grossed out that I was eating flesh! Some get it, may don't.
Other reason is that some farmers treat their animals with respect MANY do not and I was not going to take the chance. I am strongly against cruelty to animals. I eat eggs but only free-range. We don't have to eat meat and if you did your research you'll see why.

Answer 4

Yes, I am. I 'd known a few vegetarians for years, but never felt any particular impulse to follow the dietary restrictions. Then, one day in college (November 1990), I went to the cafeteria and received a slab of undercooked turkey on my plate. Something clicked, and pieces tumbled together. I'd always known that meat was animals, but suddenly, that knowledge became real for me. Creatures were being killed for me, and it seemed totally unnecessary.

I spent the next few days researching the health issues associated with vegetarianism before deciding to walk away from meat. I don't proselytize about vegetarianism, being content to let each person find their own path (including my family - my wife and kids are not vegetarians). In turn, I find that most people are very supportive of my dietary choices.

Answer 5

good question. I've been fortunate enough (in my opinion) to have been brought up and raised in a vegetarian family, so I've never really questioned it. Although the part of my religion I belong to does prescribe vegetarianism, according to our scriptures, I'd ascribe my being vegetarian to both family and personal values, along with health, respect and love for animals, and just because I don't need meat to survive and live healthily. I'm very much interested in veganism and strongly prefer vegan food and other items. I personally don't want to justify being vegetarian on religious reasons because I know people from my religion who eat everything.
Given my background, I have great respect for those who consciously made the effort to become a veg*n on their own. Kudos for them, I know it must not be easy.

Answer 6

I'm a vegan. None of my friends or family are vegan, or even vegetarian, but it doesn't bother me. Going vegan had nothing to do with health to begin with and was entirely for moral reasons. Animals (in particular factory farmed animals) are mass bred in filthy conditions and are made to bear appalling cruelty, just to satisfy human demand. People in our culture have been brainwashed into thinking meat and dairy is essential for your health, while in reality almost the exact opposite is true.

See www.viva.org.uk or the peta website for more detailed info.

Answer 7

I am, out of respect for creatures. I love animals too much to support the common practice of cramming them into too small crates, pumping them full of so many hormones that they can't even support their own weight and are forced to lay in their own **** untill they are dipped live into boiling wax and then sent through machines that only torture them further before killing them.

I became vegetarian a month after my sister did, when we were 14(twins). Now we are 16. Our whole family is vegetarian. For a few months I was vegan, but I stopped recently, but my family has showed interest in becoming vegan, so we are all going to be vegan.

Answer 8

I am a vegan.

This is mainly for animal welfare but my religion places high value on animal life and improved health is a plus.

I became a vegetarian at 7 and a vegan at 16.Am now 25 and 100% healthy.

Answer 9

Yes I am a vegetarian, well I don't eat meat anyway. Have been for 16 years - for me its a combination if laziness because eating meat seemed like too much of an effort when I was young. Plus I think animals are treated too badly, I hate to see them in transporters to slaugher houses. I wouldn't have a problem if people killed their own but animals are treated like worthless commodities which I don't think is right!

Answer 10

I am a vegetarian and have been most of my life, ever since i was very young I never liked the taste or texture of meat and refused to eat it from an early age. I love animals more than people and why would I want to eat them - they deserve the right of life. I am not religious at all.
It is proven that the vege diet is the healthiest & vegetarian woman have the healthiest babies & plecentas!!