what did you learn about yourself, about others, and about life from your vegetarian experience?

Question

please share...

Answer 1

well, i learned that:
-non-vegetarians will always judge you because you dont do things the "healthy way."
-you really dont need to eat meat to survive, as long as you get some protein
-i have become sickened at the thought of eating anything "with a face"
-i appreciate animals much more than before i was vegetarian
-i have lost 10 pounds since i have became vegetarian
-after eating a vegetarian diet for 2 months, i ate meat on accident (i didnt know it was in my food). after eating it, i threw up... not too sure if it was because of the meat, or because i was so grossed out. but yeah, that hasnt happened since, and its been 3 years
so congrats if you are changing to a vegetarian lifestyle!

Answer 2

The answer before this is a really good one.

There ARE a ton of people for ever vegetarian who could laugh in the face of an animal that they were preparing to eat. And since I am a vegetarian the thought of that causes me to tear up. I love animals... and I find that there is a difference between people who love pets and who have the capacity to love all creatures. I'm not sure if this has to do with exposure to many different types of animals/wildlife or not. I'm a lot more sensitive to this as a veg.

People will ALWAYS be concerned that you are not getting enough protein. Many will assume you "didn't know you were giving up protein" or that you can't get protein from any other source. Most of the time though this is just because the person cares about you.

It's not as hard as it seems. It's easier to make the change with someone else.

Vegetarian cooking is a lot of fun and can be really interesting and tasty. I love cooking up something veg and sharing it with non-vegs and seeing their reaction. (This doesn't count the one person who insists that tofu and TVP would be way better if they could just get that "blood flavor" ... gross)

People can be mean. Sometimes it's hard to hold your mouth when the meat subject comes up, I've found it better to not say anything instead of arguing with someone who truly believes I'm wrong.

Veg*n's can be mean, annoying and make the whole community look like a bunch of elitist jerks.


This is such a good question.

Answer 3

Excellent question! (star for you!)

I've learned many things:
1. People are truly afraid of the unfamiliar and are quick to judge if you are different from them. Growing up a black kid in an all-white town, I thought I'd seen the most extreme cases of being judged b/c I was 'different', but I see it just as often now that I'm a vegetarian. It's sick! I learned that it doesn't just stop at racial, cultural, economic or religious differences.
2. For every vegan or vegetarian out there, there are scads of people who are heartless when it comes to the treatment of animals. That goes for not only the ones that are consumed, but for pets as well.
3. In my research, I've learned a LOT about the human body, the way it works, and how far off the mark Americans are with our dietary habits. I've learned the infinite health benefits of the vegetarian diet.
4. Many large, commercial food companies are not in tune to the vegan/vegetarian populations. There are very few options for us if we want to eat at a restaurant or if we want some frozen food for a quick meal.
5. I'm a religious person and my faith has deepened since becoming a vegetarian. I love and respect animals much more than before. I think that God has put us all on this Earth according to His divine plan and as humans, we are in no position to alter it by disrespecting other creatures.

~Peace, love & light~

Answer 4

Others- Most don't care and if you tell them anything they think you are trying to push your beliefs on them and they think you are trying to change them. Almost as complicated as trying to discuss religion with people. That bad.

Myself- I am a very couragous person for thinking outside the box and acting on my beliefs. I am very compationate. I like the idea of change as most do not and don't even realize that they don't and just think they do. I think outside the box. In fact I'm thinking in a way that only a few do. I tend to think more like Martin Luther King JR. and other activists than I do regular everyday people. I am a very strong person. I put up with so many mean comments due to being a vegetarian I have to be. I am so strong because with all that crap I'm given for being veg I never once think about giving up and going back to eating meat. I could never do that.

My life- My life is much harder solely because I'm veg but so much more rewarding than a 'normal' life. I stand for something great ANIMAL RIGHTS. I am very proud of my life and what I'm doing. I can say I don't kill inocent animals for food. How many people say they are doing something to drasticly help end the suffering on this Earth. I can. I love being a vegetarian!

Answer 5

To me being a vegetarian and then a vegan was a health choice, not a moral one.

I learned that I felt the healthiest I ever have in my life, I had more energy, my body was in the best shape ever. I was amazed how strong my sense of smell got, I could smell a colleague who had smoked a cigarette outside and then walked inside from 3 rooms away. I also never got sick while I was vegetarian.

At times, I also felt lonely and left out, especially when it came to family events, special occassions & fun things like going to a carnival and a football game.

I learned to be creative & to not let my life be controlled by addictions to food.

Answer 6

You have to be you. People always tell you when you're a vegetarian that you're unhealthy, but you should stick to it because it's your decision and it's what you believe in. I love my life now 'cause I've learned that vegetarianism is a lifestyle, not just a diet.

Answer 7

I've learned that if there was one thing people could do that would change the world in the most profound way, it would be to become vegetarian. I believe that the world would be a healthier, cleaner, more peaceful place.

Answer 8

My wife persuaded me to become vegetarian, which I was for 18 years. I have since gone back to carnivorous ways.
What I learned from it was a lot of useful data about nutrition and cruelty to animals. The best thing to do is to kill and eat your own meat, but this is not an easy thing to do in a modern, highly industrialised society.

Answer 9

i've learned that my stomach have a brain of it's own, it wants junk food, greasy food, sugary food, at all times.

and if i feel this way, when i do not eat any of those things, then that means everyone else is eating those things, and they're eating those unhealthy things.

being a vegetarian is the best thing that happened to me, i am no longer a slave to my stomach, i don't have to work for food, now i just eat for food.

Answer 10

well, i've learned that being a vegetarian is actually quite easy, and that those who convert are often healthier with lower cholesterol, more energy, and less of a risk for a numerous amount of diseases.

i've also learned so much more about staying healthy and working out.