Vegetarianism

[ARLO]

I was born into vegetarianism.
My parents have always told me that I can eat meat if I want, but I've never wanted to. I've never eaten meat of any sort.
I am not religious. In fact, I'm almost anti-religious. Not in the way that I hate people for being religious, I just hate the idea of one old dude controlling everything that's ever happened.
I'm not underweight. Actually, a little bit overweight. Better hit the gym.

I've never really copped a lot of shit for being vego, but whenever I tell someone I'm vegetarian, they either don't believe me or ask if I eat fish. A real vego doesn't eat fish or chicken. Some do, but they're mostly converts who can't completely give up meat.

So what I'd like to know is:

Are you a vegetarian? If so, why?

If not, what are your thoughts on vegetarianism.

 

[Nate DaMac]

I tend to look at it the same way I look at religion; I have absolutely no issue with what you believe in but if you were to shove your beliefs down my throat, I'm going to insult the shit out of you.

I couldn't do it, hell I get ripped on quite a bit for not liking very many vegetables at all. The ones I do tolerate are the ones that tend to not have any nutritional value, especially the way I prepare them. Meat is delicious. I couldn't survive without it.

 

[Uncle Phatso]

Are you a vegetarian? If so, why?
Hell no, I love steaks and being a carnivore.

If not, what are your thoughts on vegetarianism.
Honestly if you can live that lifestyle, good for you. I'm personally not a fan of it because I belive that tofu, letus, vegtables are ment to go on the side of my steaks, burgers, and whatnot. I eat salads, hell I've even gave Tofu a try. But I'll allways have a soft spot in my heart for killing something with a gun, then eating it. If you want to do it, good for you. But like Nate said, don't shove it down my throat. Because I won't take to kindly about it.

 

[Xemmy]

I'm not a vegetarian, but I think the lifestyle is a bit healthier. I've never seen a 300lb vegetarian, unless he just started.

The only issue I have with Vegetarians is that there is a branch of them that make it more than a lifestyle choice. They turn it into a world view. People at PETA especially piss me off. I'm all for cutting down animal abuse. That's totally understandable, but to try and make it a vegetarian world because it's not "ethical" or "moral" to eat meat, is little different than saying that all people are sinners and the only way to save yourself is through "insert messiah's name here". Meat eaters become the enemy. Basically it becomes another religion.

No problem with vegetarians. It's healthy, and there's nothing wrong with- just don't blow my kitchen up because you don't like my lunch.

 

[Mac Attack]

I do not take part in vegetarian, I love steaks but I have nothing against them.

Personally I feel that more and more people should be trying to get more vegetrian, but most things are good in moderation. I think there are beneifts to both sides but you got to look at diet as a whole. Meats give you protein which is essential for the human body. Without protein the human body does not function as properly. I know of several people who have attempted to become vegetarian but ultimately get sick because of lack of vitamins. I think you must be wise on making decisions that will affect your life. Vegetarianism could help problems such as obesity but then it could also negatively effect those who harvest animals for consumption. I think either way there is no true wrong or right morals in this it is simply just what you feel suits you the best.

 

[Cena's Little Helper]

I'm not a vegetarian per se, but I don't eat pork, beef, or lamb/goat. Simply put, I only eat the things that I could imagine myself killing. I know for a fact I'd have no problem killing the likes of a chicken or a crab, but I know I'd have a hard time killing, for example, a cow (cows do nothing but graze and stare at you from time to time...how could one ever kill something so peaceful?).

 

[HBK-aholic]

I don't like or care about animals in a way that would make me not want to eat them. They're there, and I wouldn't go and abuse one for the sake of it, and I dislike those who do. But having them killed so I can eat a burger, leg of lamb or chicken breast with my meal doesn't cause me a lack of sleep. I enjoy eating them, and I think that they're there for that purpose. I personally could never be a vegetarian, but it doesn't bother me if someone else is. As long as they don't attempt telling me how bad eating meat is and that I should stop. Or make me cook for them.

 

[Richard]

Nope, I'm not vegetarian.

I can see why people would say it's bad to eat animals, yes they're living things but people have been eating animals since people were around. We have the teeth needed to eat meat and it is healthy for us to have a bit of meat and fish in our diets. Not only the health benefits, it also tastes awesome. I don't think I could be vegetarian. I almost had to be once because I was starting to get sick but that was avoided. I love eating meat too much.

 

[ThUnDeRpHoEnIx]

Nope.Im a Carnivore.

But I dont eat Beef.Mainly because I just never did when I was young and never aquired a taste for it.Plus Cows are just so chill.They just stand around and Mooo.How could you eat something so peaceful?

 

[LigerBomb]

It's simple unnatural and against our basic evolution to be vegetarian/vegan. Ultimately it can also be very unhealthy as well. Biologically/physiologically speaking, there is no such thing as an essential CHO (carbohydrate). There are however essential lipids and amino acids (fats and proteins respectively).

Best meal I ever had was a 48 oz steak and steamed broccoli.

 

[Vega]

To clear things up from the beginning, I'm an utilitarian vegan. That means I try to avoid acts that cause more harm than benefit and judge decisions by that ratio. The ethical measure for me is if and how much the interests of beings are regarded or ignored, no matter if the being is a German, a woman, a black person, a felon or a pig. I don't think it's important if and how well somebody can fly or think, but if and how strong somebody can feel. Of course interests differ in it's strenghts. My interest in surviving is definately stronger than my interest in owning an expensive car, and my interest in freedom is likely stronger than that of a pig (while it's still there). However, I think my interest in surviving may be just as strong as the pig's. Often, different interests collide. The interest of a society in safety is may be much stronger than the felon's interest in personal freedom, so it's justified to put him into a jail cell. The interest of a poor person in a life-saving surgery for 5,000$ is stronger than the interest of 5,000 rich people in 1$, so a health care system is necessary. And I think it's undisputed that the interest of a cow or a chicken in surviving is much stronger than Johnny's interest in a cow steak, especially when he could buy a soy steak instead. That's why I don't eat meat. I could make more points on why I am vegan (yearly milk cow impregnation, wresting of newborn calves, shredding of newborn male chicken, almost no room, exhausting life, being killed after being unprofitable, ...), but I think you get the principle.


Honestly, I couldn't care less about the natural argument. I provides nothing for how you should behave and it's impossible to draw a line. You could make a point that rape, war and murder are all natural, yet I guess nobody on here would say it's okay to do so because of it being natural. It doesn't affect our decision on wether we use a computer, take a shower, use our car to go to work or use condoms for sex, and rightfully so. If anything, it should tell us to stop drinking cow milk and eating eggs.

There's another thing called ecology. Tropical deforestation is heavily caused by the creation new farms which solely produce animal food. The world is full of bread and hunger. Between six and 26 plant calories are needed to produce one calorie of meat. And by the way, like that is a small thing, cattle is responsible for an overwhelming part of emitted greenhouse gases. Please check the links.
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Deforestation/
http://rainforests.mongabay.com/0812.htm
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?newsID=20772&CR1=warning
http://www.care2.com/causes/real-food/blog/factory-farming-and-world-hunger-video/

And some words about the health thing some people brought up. It's funny that meat eaters suggest that a vegetarian or vegan diet is unhealthy when studies actually suggest the opposite (with a longer life, lower cancer and heart disease rate and so on). Yes, with a vegan diet, if you don't follow basic rules, it's easier to develop deficiencies (the cattle breeding industry is the largest buyer of dietary supplements by the way). But if you just mind your intake a little bit, it's much healthier. All essential amino acids are delivered in plants, and milk is actually very unhealthy and even divests minerals from the body.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism#Health_aspects

The weak and malnourished argument is also invalid. At least I don't think Robert Cheeke, Mike Mahler, Alexander Dargatz, Bryan Danielson, Mac Danzig, Luke Cummo and so on (all vegans) actually suffer from undersize. Vegetarianism and veganism are even more common in the bodybuilding and martial arts scene.

I often hear about how there's nothing left for me to eat, but that is also not true. I actually learned much more about food and have a much larger variety of things I eat than I had before. I use soy, rice and oat milk for my cereals and cakes, change meat to tofu (there's a large variety), seitan or soy meat, use agave juice as honey and so on, hell there's even cheese and spray cream. There's almost no animal product which doesn't have a vegan counterpart. Sure, some of those ingredients are harder to get and are a bit more expensive, but it's definately worth it. That's coming from someone who was a pleasurably meat eater three years ago.

My bottom line is: As long as it's legal, it's fine for you to buy meat and eat animal products. But please don't behave like it doesn't cause a lot of harm, because that would be a lie. Every step - even if it just cutting meat one day a week - is worth going and makes a difference.

And by the way, if you eat plants and meat, you're an omnivore, not a carnivore.

 

[Sparky]

I eat meat. In fact I can't eat a main meal unless it has some kind of meat in. (unless it's hot dogs but that's for another thread) But I don't care if somebody else is a vegetarian it's their own choice. as long as they don't try and pull a guilt trip while I'm eating a burger I'm cool with it. But I hate it when you're eating with a vegetarian and they try to turn you off of it. I get the urge to ram it down their mouth.

I guess another thing I sort of get bothered by is if they say they're a vegetarian but still eat eggs that pisses me of more then anything.

 

[Avrusha92]

No I am not Vegetarian, I tried it a couple times for health reasons.

I cut down on eating meats, and now I eat Chicken once a week, Beef once a week, and the rest of the week just soups, salads, rice, and fish.

But, I understand why people are vegetarian and why the choose that lifestyle.

Its either:
A) U feel bad for the animal
B) Get disgusted from eating a dead animal
C) Health Reasons

I am pretty disgusted when I'm cooking a big fat steak, having the thought that it is an animal that was once alive and now its killed for our own good.

But the moment its fully cooked and all sauced up, there's no way I aint eating it.

No matter how sickening the thought of eating an Animal it is to me, its hard to resist some chicken, beef, or lamb.

Think about it, if these animals were alive they'd obviously will be eaten by another animal, and second of all...they're already dead why not just eat it?!?

But Kudos to u vegetarians, for the will power to control yourselves from that fat yummy juicy steak

 

[Calderownz]

Are you a vegetarian? If so, why?

No. I am not. I'm not, because I enjoy eating meat.

If not, what are your thoughts on vegetarianism.

Not much, truthfully. I don't really think anything about it. If that's how people want to live, I can understand and in some ways, it's healthier. However, it's simply not the lifestyle for me.

If someone tries to stop me from eating what I want, I have a slight problem. But, I'll still eat meat. Otherwise, until that day comes, I really don't see how people's eating habits effect my life in any way.

 

[LigerBomb]

Honestly, I couldn't care less about the natural argument…

I won't even address the attempted "rape and war: meat-eater" analogy, suffice it to say I don't agree. Anyway, it's not an "argument", our genes were effectively shaped by the two and a half million years during which our ancestors lived as hunter/gatherers prior to the introduction of agriculture twelve thousand years ago. This period, know as the Paleolithic era, constitutes 99.5% of human history. It's not an argument of position but just about as close to fact as provably possible save for the advent of time machines.

If anything, as a meat-eater I am an advocate for the most humane conditions of the animals—after all, I eventually ingest them—as well as the continued study of methods that could make such things obsolete –the days when we can grow meats in a lab without the need for slaughter is approaching faster than many of us think.

As to the issues of ecology we need less people and corporate greed not less grassland for cows (and BTW, cow farts/poop? Really?). I say keep the grazing lands, feed the stock their natural diet and start thinking about population control and better business practices/regulations; in that sense I'm somewhat glad people continue to eat themselves into an early grave.

And some words about the health thing some people brought up. It's funny that meat eaters suggest that a vegetarian or vegan diet is unhealthy when studies actually suggest the opposite (with a longer life, lower cancer and heart disease rate and so on). Yes, with a vegan diet, if you don't follow basic rules, it's easier to develop deficiencies (the cattle breeding industry is the largest buyer of dietary supplements by the way). But if you just mind your intake a little bit, it's much healthier. All essential amino acids are delivered in plants, and milk is actually very unhealthy and even divests minerals from the body.

CHO drives Insulin drives Obesity and Disease; meat, i.e.combinations of proteins and fats, do not. A diet of fats and proteins in the absence or limitation of carbs—the exact opposite of vegetarianism—is perfectly healthy and safe. In fact, in the obese population it routinely leads to lower BP, higher HDL (the good cholesterol) numbers and larger LDL (the bad cholesterol) molecule size, preventing the LDL from causing athero/arteriosclerosis, the chief reason it's even thought of as the "bad" cholesterol. The driving down of insulin, combined with the increase of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) like docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, also brings down inflammation, a known contributor to and exacerbator of diseases. Oh yea, it causes body-fat loss too.

Now don't misunderstand me, a diet with cruciferous vegetables can be a healthy one. But, that does not make a vegetarian diet "much healthier" as you claim; especially when those who practice it become more anti-meat than pro-vegetation in their food choices. As vegetarians try to do the whole food-combining thing in an attempt to make up for the essential nutrients they require (and could easily get from animal products), they can potentially end up with a diet that's a metabolic disaster: inadequate protein intake, incomplete amino-acid profiles, EFA imbalances and deficiencies, too much sugar, fructose and refined flour, too many obesity and disease causing carbs, possible hydrogenated vegetable oils, too many phytoestrogenic compounds from soy substitutes, etc. Basically, vegetarian diets that make-up and meet essential nutritional requirements yet also avoid cereal grains, dairy products, sugary beverages and alcohol, vegetable oils, dressings and fructose, etc., could be healthier than the average diet but that doesn't make it better than one that contains animal products.

The weak and malnourished argument is also invalid. At least I don't think Robert Cheeke, Mike Mahler, Alexander Dargatz, Bryan Danielson, Mac Danzig, Luke Cummo and so on (all vegans) actually suffer from undersize. Vegetarianism and veganism are even more common in the bodybuilding and martial arts scene.

First, comparing professional athletes to average people is not an accurate comparison by any means. Second, as someone who is actively a part of said communities it's not as "common" as you may think. Beyond that, for every athlete you name I could name as many—if not several times more—who are meat-eaters… so what's your point?

Just because you can do something doesn't mean it's the most optimal and efficient way to accomplish the task. To paraphrase Chris Rock "Shit! You can drive a car with your feet if you want to; it don't mean it's a good fuckin' idea! " But yes, it's possible.

Bottom line: Eating the opposite of a vegetarian diet is healthy –throws some greens in for variety and your set. It's also natural and part of who we are on a genetic level. We're also naturally greedy and it's that greed that causes our problems, not the eating of meat per se.

 

[Davi323]

as long as mother nature produces animals whose method of receiving sustance is killing and eating other animals, I reject any ethical arguments against eating meat. Its a tough world. Some animals primary purpose is to die to provide food for other animals. That's reality, tough shit for those animals, but that's Earth. When lions apologize for eating meat, I will. When the shark expresses remorse for all the harmless fish its eaten, so will I.

If you don't want to eat meat, don't eat meat. But if you are going to sit there and tell me that eating meat is evil, that I should feel bad for it, I have two words for you. FUCK OFF. I don't give a shit what you eat, just don't try to tell me what I can and can't eat. Most vegetarians are cool, and don't bug me, but the extremist militant vegans who want to force everyone to give up meat annoy the piss out of me. Man is biologically designed to do eat both plants and animals, so why should I feel ethically compelled to abstain from eating meat? I am not going to to tell you you have to eat meat, so don't you tell me I can't.

 

[Calderownz]

as long as mother nature produces animals whose method of receiving sustance is killing and eating other animals, I reject any ethical arguments against eating meat. Its a tough world. Some animals primary purpose is to die to provide food for other animals. That's reality, tough shit for those animals, but that's Earth. When lions apologize for eating meat, I will. When the shark expresses remorse for all the harmless fish its eaten, so will I.

If you don't want to eat meat, don't eat meat. But if you are going to sit there and tell me that eating meat is evil, that I should feel bad for it, I have two words for you. FUCK OFF. I don't give a shit what you eat, just don't try to tell me what I can and can't eat. Most vegetarians are cool, and don't bug me, but the extremist militant vegans who want to force everyone to give up meat annoy the piss out of me. Man is biologically designed to do eat both plants and animals, so why should I feel ethically compelled to abstain from eating meat? I am not going to to tell you you have to eat meat, so don't you tell me I can't.

I will agree with you on most of your points. I will say however, that the food chain in the wild is the way it is because that's what they have at their disposal. If they had our options, they could theoretically choose to eat different substances.

Regardless, quality post.

 

[iwinulose]

1)im not a vegetarian, however i do eat both meat and vegitables.
2)being a vegitarian is kinda a good thing cause vegitables are good for you, but not eating meat is bad for your health, cause you dont get all the protien and other important nutrients that your body needs.

 

[Davi323]

well, to that point I would point out that just because mankind has more options at our disposal doesn't mean we have to voluntarily give some of them up. In nature, you see plant eaters and meat eaters in the same habitats, same climate, same types of food. some developed into meat eaters, some developed into exclusive plant eaters. Whether its simply adapting to your environment or not, it can't be the only reason meat eaters evolved, as both varieties evolved in the same types of locations. Either meat eaters evolved due to evolutionary design, or God created them that way. Either way, there is no ethical dilemma conceptually for me. Vegetarians can go on eating plants, it is completely their choice and I respect, if not agree with it. I just don't like it when some of them refuse to respect my right to eat meat. In fact, they should be thankful their ancestors ate meat. The proteins found in animal flesh are what lead to our increased intelligence. Then, once mankind discovered fire, cooked meat led to our evolution at a significantly increased speed. Our brains are as big as they are because humans have been eating meat throughout human history. The reason they have computers to write blogs about how evil meat is, is because over 250,000 years ago, man discovered meat, discovered the benefits of cooking it, which led to our increased brain size and intelligence, which allowed us to develop a civilization. Meat made us smart.

 

[ABMorales787]

It's said that people build their attitude on what they eat. Well, my religion teacher used to say that. I don't really know if it's made up, or true. I am more of the meal eating kind. I could probably eat 5 salads and still be starving.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I eat meat and I love it.

I personally think a person should eat meat due to the nutritional benefits that it provides that vegetables cannot.

However, if someone chooses to be a vegetarian then thats their choice. They can live their life as they please. I know plenty of veggies, and they do not mind me eating me just as I do not mind them being veggies.

Do whatever you like, I just resent people trying to force me to believe something. I would not try and force a vegetarian to eat meat, so I would not expect to be given shit because I eat meat.

I had a southern fried chicken burger this weekend for the first time. Sweet mother mary it was gooooood!

 

[Pole Smoker]

I don't mind veggies as they cause me no harm and save resources but I have no idea why or how they do it. We are meant to eat animals. It's natural.

 

[ARLO]

Hey everyone I thought I'd sorta update this or summarize a bit. (please don't call this spam, I'm putting in some rebuttals as well)

I'd first like to say I'm a little disappointed that not many actual vegos chimed in. Niño Vega, I'm sorry but your spiel was a bit much for me. At least you spoke up though.

As far as everyone else, I'm glad you at least have open minds.
You all don't like vegos forcing beliefs on you - NEITHER DO I. I'm told that I should eat meat a lot, and I never tell anyone not to eat meat. You really have to look at it from my point of view.

as long as mother nature produces animals whose method of receiving sustance is killing and eating other animals, I reject any ethical arguments against eating meat. Its a tough world. Some animals primary purpose is to die to provide food for other animals. That's reality, tough shit for those animals, but that's Earth. When lions apologize for eating meat, I will. When the shark expresses remorse for all the harmless fish its eaten, so will I.

This is the one point I really disagree with. I'm not having a go at you, but are you really naive enough to think that humans and animals are the same? Can you really expect an animal that can't speak and that has a tiny brain to apologize? Animals are no where near as intelligent as us. Plus, most animals are just built in a way that they just can't go without certain things.

But you are of course entitled to that opinion, and your post was very good.

Thanks guys. Please keep posting and if you're a vegetarian, please post your thoughts and motivations.

 

[LilacFray]

I'm a non vegetarian and I've got nothing against vegans.

My parents used to force me into eating beef and mutton when I was younger, and then later they gave up.

Now they don't even bring them home anymore..

The only thing that makes me a non vegetarian is that I eat chicken, egg occasionally and fish when I'm forced to.

I've never tasted pork, turkey or meat like that. It wouldn't be too hard for me to be a vegan......

As long as my mum keeps her irresistible chicken currys away.

 

[Serious Mozzarella]

If it tastes good, then I'll eat it.

That being said, I don't understand why anybody would have a problem with what other people eat, as long as they're not militant about it. As long as ignorant misinformation isn't spread about how "good" vegetarianism is for you, as opposed to a more complete dietary system, then I couldn't really give any less of a shit about what other people put into their bodies.