Afraid of veggies?

Question

First off, let me introduce myself. I'm J.R., and I'm a Texan vegetarian (oxymoronic, I know). I chose vegetarianism not because of animal rights or environmental concerns, but because my total cholesterol peaked at over 300 (180-200 is normal). Since becoming a vegetarian only months ago, my cholesterol has dropped 60 points and my overall health has improved. When I first changed my diet, I fully intended to return to my old ways once I got healthy, but I ended up learning too much (ignorance truly is bliss) and now I have decided to stay vegetarian indefinitely, and I'm planning to switch to veganism within a few months.
When I abstained from meat for health reasons, everyone was fine with my descision, but when I announced to my family or friends that my diet had become a moral descision they looked at me like I had just spit on them. There was an immediate shift from my healthy diet to "J.R.'s ****ing stupid diet".
Everyone I know was genuinely afraid that vegetarianism was contagious, and they needed to "cure" me. They constantly try to temp me with meat (which has become completely anappetizing to me) or give me lectures about protein (I've been into powerlifting and sports nutrition since high school, my protein intake is higher than anyone I know). I haven't been preachy to anyone, and I've only talked about my diet at all when I'm asked.
Has this sort of thing happened to anyone else, if it has, how did you handle it? I don't want to step on any toes, but I won't throw away my morality for someone else to be comfortable.

Krister: You got it all wrong. I'm not saying I think my diet is stupid or unhealthy. I was explaning that my family was okay with vegetarianism for health reasons, but when I learned of all the abuses animals suffer to become a burger or nugget, my vegetarianism became a moral choice. It is my family and friends that view my diet as "stupid", not I. If I thought it was stupid I wouldn't be doing it.

Sarcastic comment of the day: I just looked in the mirror. AMAZING! My a** really isn't my elbow! Now I know... and knowing is half the battle. Gooooo Joe!

Thanks for the help. I just ordered "Earthlings" so hopefully it will ship soon. I hate to have to make someone watch the really disturbing stuff, but maybe they will understand where I'm coming from.

Answer 1

My best friend and roommate has tried to tempt me now and then. He didn't mean to offend, but he didn't fully understand where I was coming from. We ended up having a long talk about animal rights today, and I asked if I could show him the film "Earthlings" so he better understands my position. I warned him about what he would see, and that it would probably prompt him to make changes. He said he still wanted to see it.

We watched it together, and being the reserved person he is, he managed to keep himself from crying even when I cried. He was noticeably disturbed by what he saw, constantly shuffling in his seat, groaning, wincing, and saying "Dammit! Why do they do that?" At the end of the film we had a long conversation, and by his deep swallowing I could tell he was struggling to keep himself from crying. He said that these thoughts and images will stay in his mind and dreams for a long time while he decides how to respond. He now understands what I mean by the cruelty of commercial farming.

We went out to dinner tonight. He always has meat/poultry/seafood in his dishes, but tonight he ordered a vegetarian meal (and we hadn't discussed it for several hours). I know for a fact that he won't ever tempt me with meat again, and I suspect that he will make significant changes to his diet.

It's important to remember that you were probably once in their position. I know I was. I mocked PETA, touted my "right" to eat meat, etc etc. Only when my eyes were opened to the terrifying truth did I decide to make a change. No--I didn't decide. It's truly compulsory for me. This is something that I have to do. I know evil when I see it, and commercial farming is very evil.

To anyone who is reading this and thinks that I'm exaggerating and commercial farming ISN'T evil, then I would say that you haven't looked deep enough. With a close inspection, no reasonable person can say that the living conditions, daily abuses, and killing methods wrought upon livestock are anything but evil.

Answer 2

Yes, take it from a fellow Texan... I understand. I too started a vegetarian diet for health reasons... not because I was unhealthy as the definition goes... but I didn't want to become that way. Now I know that I will never eat meat again. My family will have a lot of the same feelings you have described from yours but I try to avoid it when possible... You will just have to remember when dealing with those who aren't vegetarian that they are exactly what you used to be... remember when you would have said someone was crazy for being vegetarian, especially in texas... well now you have a knowledge that most don't have as to the benifits and how it feels to be vegetarian... so as much as I hate to say it... forgive... you will have to just know that they are ignorant to the benifits and have no wish to learn... as you say... ignorance is bliss, now to them. It is just something that you will have to deal with... one circumstance at a time.
good luck.

Answer 3

It happens to me all the time. I just send emails to the ignorant few who think things like fish is vegetarian an all that. I usually post some very informative links in them about vegetarianism.

As far as the diet goes, I am with you man. My cholesterol has dropped too. My heart health has improved 10 fold, I eat less, and I think I even lost a few lbs.

Answer 4

I think people are afraid that if they see someone who is a content vegetarian and try vegetarian food, they'll realize that there's no need to eat meat. And that scares them.

Check out Carol J. Adams' "Living Among Meat Eaters." It will give you some insight into dealing with people who don't understand your veg*anism.

In the meantime, you can always say, very calmly, "Please don't belittle my moral and ethical decisions. I would never belittle yours no matter how much I disagree with them."

Answer 5

Simple: treat it as any other conscious choice. Your theoretical Aunt Gertrude likely doesn't approve of pornography due to her own particular convictions and thus doesn't watch it or really even approve of it, yet billions of folks all around the world really love the stuff...so does that make Aunt Gertrude a freak or an idiot or a bad person? Explain how this is another such choice. If they can't get that through their heads, then just accept them as being stupid/stubborn. :)

Answer 6

ppl always try to do the same thing to me I have actaully succeedd in turning a couple friends of mine into vegetarians every time I see them eating meat I always say do u know that is a really live animal u r eating and they throw it away....don't listen to them when there cholestrol goes high and they become unhealthey u can be the one laughing I say stick to it,it was a great desicion.good luck

Answer 7

You say you haven't been preachy to anyone but since your family and 'friends' are being so preachy to you, you should give them a taste of their own medicine. Tell them to prove to you that your diet isn't right (and of course they won't be able to), and if they can't, they should shut up.

Answer 8

I get the same for alcohol. "Not even one beer!?" "C'mon, one beer won't hurt you!"

I know it won't hurt me - I just choose not to drink. I try to not make an issue of it and when asked just reply, "not now, maybe later." I know its a lie but it helps me to avoid the confrontation.

Answer 9

"Oh really, what's stupid about it?"

"I didn't know you had an interest in vegan nutrition, please tell me what you have learned so far."

"If you have found any nutrients that are impossible to get on a vegan diet, please tell me about them, I would never want to put my health in jeopardy and would appreciate any education that you may offer me."

"How many recipes have you tried? It can take some practice to get it right, but it can become very rewarding if you know your *** from your elbow."

Answer 10

k i dont get it im vegetarian too