I think that I’ve become a militant vegetarian overnight. Excluding meat from my diet is not what is new for me; I started experimenting with vegetarianism in the spring of 2007, and I’ve been what you might call “strict” since February of 2008. What is new is an evangelizing attitude that I have developed, a habit of spouting my vegetarian manifesto in various social and academic situations.
The people in my philosophy class have been the first victims of my new agenda. I’ve surprised myself with the conviction that I show about being meat-free more than once in that class. I attempt to argue rationally and objectively about different philosophers’ views on vegetarianism, but find that I often end up spouting subjective and emotional anecdotes about how vegetarianism is best.
The fervor I’ve developed is particularly surprising if you know how I became a vegetarian in the first place. It was both a kind of begrudging obligation and a desire for social advancement that started it. I had just declared Environmental Studies as my (first) major, and I was starting to get involved in the Gustavus Greens. I wanted to be like the older students I was spending more time around, who to me seemed so cool for being involved and aware of environmental justice issues, and for doing things that weren’t “mainstream”. If I became a vegetarian, I would be one step closer to the cooler-than-you-because-I-am-AWARE-and-do-things-that-you-don’t club. It was self-centered, superficial and elitist.
It should be no surprise that I wasn’t that strict of a vegetarian then. My personally-imposed dietary restriction rarely stood up to convenience. I would come up with all kinds of excuses to eat meat just because I had no real reason in the first place. My last major excuse was when I went to China for two weeks with the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra in January of 2008. I, of course, had to eat meat in China.
Who knew when I would ever get the chance to eat real Chinese food again? Looking back, I am glad that I ate just about everything that was offered to me, because the food turned out to be a huge part of experiencing the culture. It also turned out to be the turning point that made me really think about what I was eating, but for the right reasons this time.
Back in Minnesota, my subconscious started telling me that something was wrong, and I quickly connected it to food. It wasn’t just that I had eaten meat everyday for two weeks, it was that I was lying to myself and others about my lifestyle. I can’t really describe what was going on in my head, but I was, and still am, completely certain that it meant I needed to stop eating meat.
Today, I consider myself a vegetarian, and, with few exceptions, have cut meat completely out of my diet. I have eaten game meat twice in the past few years, because game meat, by default, is organic, free-range, less environmentally destructive and more likely to have been humanly killed than factory farm meat. Next time, though, I will probably politely refuse. It’s no longer a sense of obligation that drives me to be a vegetarian; it’s a complete lack of desire or need to eat meat.
As someone who took on the title of veggie while still considering eating meat, I wasn’t alone. According to a November 5, 2009 article on the BBC News website, popular labels related to reducing or ceasing meat consumption are changing. There is still the classic vegetarian (eats no part of any dead animal) and vegan (eats no animal products), although apparently there are some self-titled herbivores who eat fish. (As the article states, representatives of the Vegetarian Society and Viva insist that fish-eaters cannot adopt the title.) There is also the categories of “meat-avoider” (tries not to eat meat but has occasional relapses), “meat-reducer” (is trying to eat less meat), and “green-eater” (avoids meat because of environmental impact).
When I think about these distinctions, I’m really not sure if I’m that militant of a vegetarian after all. I’ll still talk about vegetarianism to anyone who will listen, but I won’t think less of anyone who is not exactly on the same page as me when it comes to eating. I started out reducing my meat consumption; I can’t judge the meat-avoiders, meat-reducers and green-eaters.
One of the best benefits of choosing to stick to a “non-mainstream” diet is that I am forced to be more intentional about the foods that I choose. Every day, I think about what I have eaten, what nutritional value it had, where it came from, and what impact my choice to buy and consume it had on those around me. While vegetarianism is the right choice for me, I have respect for people who find their own way to be more aware about the food they eat. While I have never felt any desire to go hunting or humanely raise meat animals myself, I tip my hat to men and women who do. These people face the reality that meat does not start out bloodless and wrapped in cellophane. They take responsibility for every step of the process that brings our food to our plates. In our society, that’s a hard thing to do, vegetarian or not.
I am sure I could still be accurately accused of being self-centered, superficial and elitist for being a vegetarian. What we eat is very personal, and sometimes I feel that just by existing as a vegetarian, I am inherently saying that I think I am better than others. When I am a guest in someone’s home, they often have to go out of their way to make sure that food fits in my diet. I also often consider the fact that I am affluent enough to afford food that many Americans don’t eat. At the same time, I can’t help but hope that telling others about my choices will help someone else to start thinking about taking the veggie route.
If you’ve ever wondered about vegetarianism, start right now. (Talk to a dietician or do some research, though; make sure you get your protein, iron, calcium and B vitamins!) Even if it’s not right for you, you’ll be better off for the lessons you learned in the process. If you know that you don’t want to go meatless, find your own way to bridge the growing divide between you and your food producers. Think critically, research, form your own food morals, and start stickin’ to ‘em. You don’t need to get militant; you just need good, old-fashioned personal conviction.
To meat or not to meat isn’t just a conviction. It’s also a responsibility. For example, it is not wise to advocate vegetarianism to kids, because they still have a long way to grow.
I would encourage viewers to read up this page to check out the benefits and risks:
http://www.epigee.org/vegetarian.html
Meat eating is one of the main ways we have sustained ourselves for millennia. It’s embedded in our cultures and our rituals, and perhaps even in our DNA, as our front incisors and the carnivorous behavior of our chimpanzee cousins would suggest. Fat and salt and protein simply taste good.
I would agree with Scott about meat eating being a part of how our species has developed over its entire history, but I do support vegetarianism in the modern age simply due to the ways animals raised for being eaten are treated. They’re pumped full of hormones, they’re genetically modified, they’re abused and mistreated and they’re killed in inhumane ways. We have to realize that the things we eat get absorbed by our bodies – we’re not just eating for flavor, we’re eating for nutrients. So if the beef we eat is full of hormones and genetically modified DNA, we absorb those things into our own bodies too. We wouldn’t inject ourselves with hormones, right? But when we eat them we get a similar effect. So it’s definitely an age for considering vegetarianism, or at least organic eating. –Mat Board
Many people believe that vegetarianism is a bad diet form but it seems that things are different. But let’s not ignore the danger that lie when going to the extreme and not maintaining the right balance of nutrients such as vitamin B12 deficiency that can cause neurological damages. Also growth retardation was detected among children taking vegetarian diet to the extreme.
http://lifestyle-after50.com/Vegetarianism.html
Vitamin B12 deficiencies are so common among vegetarians. This info we just got from my wife’s anthroposophic doctor.
My wife turned out to be B12 deficient because she always feared and avoided liver, oysters and clams.
http://www.myhealthblog.org/2010/08/12/b12-deficiency-and-difficulty-healing-bronchitis-pneumonia-cure-attempt/
A vegan diet is very easy with regards to ensuring protein levels as fruit and vegetables and pulses/beans have varying amounts of protein. It is a well known myth bornr out of nutrional ignorance that only animal products have protein – this is completely untrue The protein from plant and fruit sources are wonderful and have the added advantage of being naturally low in fat, as well as being far more nutritionally dense.
You may want to check out what is vital in veges from here
http://healthypro.net/218/eating-vegetables-is-vital-for-your-health/
Well, I have to say I’m a carnivore but I have friends who are vegans and they are healthy, happy people. We’ve had lengthy discussions about the pros and cons of eliminating an entire food group from our diets but as they are quick to point out, all nutrients necessary for our bodies to function well can be obtained from a plant based diet.
And I must admit that even though I’m not a vegan, I do look for meat that has been raised without growth hormones and I buy as much organically grown veggies as I can.
Interesting article and great comments.
Chris
http://lose-weight-sensibly.com/vegan-diet-weight-loss/
Meat in itself is not bad. What IS put in and on meat IS a major problem. One thing that can really help is a thorough internal cleaning to rid of toxins and heavy metals. This will also help the metabolism work more efficiently.
I’ll admit that my thoughts on this matter are contradictory. On the one hand millions of years of evolution have shaped humans as omnivores, hence our teeth are suited to both meat and vegetables.
However the evidence seems to suggest that vegetarians are often healthier than meat eaters. Perhaps the answer is at some balance point between not eating so much meat, and going to the other extreme and being 100% vegan.
Christina Harris above also has a valid point, most of the bulk of antibiotics being manufactured and consumed these days are antibiotics injected into the cows, chickens and pigs that we eat every day, and I’m sure that that cannot be healthy.
In any event I enjoyed your article as you put over your points in a rational and sensible way.
Regards
site:.edu inurl:blog “post a comment” – “comments closed” -“you must be logged in” “eating”
Brian Barghout
I agree that eating meat is not necessary. While there are issues with the diet such as vitamin B12 this can also be an issue in people who eat meat as well.
While I do not eat meat myself the main problem with people that do eat meat is they eat far too much of it. A couple of small servings of meat a week is all that is needed if you want to eat it.
Too much protein is one of the reasons for all the health issues in the west, along with too much processed and nutrient deficient food. Moving to a more natural diet that revolves around fruit and vegetables is the best way to go, if you want to include some meat that is up to you. Going for the grass fed animals are better than the grain feed animals.
Andrew webmaster of Crohn’s Disease Diet website
i belive everybody have the right to chose if they ar a veget. or meat eater:) i eat meat:)
You’ll live a lot longer. Vegetarians live about seven years longer, and vegans (who eat no animal products) about 15 years longer than meat eaters, according to a study from Loma Linda University.
These findings are backed up by the China Health Project (the largest population study on diet and health to date), which found that Chinese people who eat the least amount of fat and animal products have the lowest risks of cancer, heart attack and other chronic degenerative diseases. And a British study that tracked 6,000 vegetarians and 5,000 meat eaters for 12 years found that vegetarians were 40 percent less likely to die from cancer during that time and 20 percent less likely to die from other diseases.
Dr. Vanderloop, D.C.
Houston Chiropractor
Vegetarian diets are interesting and for those that have the discipline to stick to it I think all the best for you. I’ve had friends who are strict vegans and often they look undernourished and weak. One in particular was always coming down with the flu as if they were on a constant ‘cleansing’.
I think its more about being smart with your food combinations. Don’t kill yourself over it. Just be smart about the combinations that you mix together.
Having said all of that I prefer not to eat much red meat at all and feel a lot better for it. Each person needs to find what words for their specific circumstance.
CFD Trading System
Please Dont Kill other animals just for your taste & enjoyment.
Be a vegetarian 🙂
There is absolutely no way, to find an alternative for the full, high quality protein of meet and milk. I am a fan of a balanced diet witch includes everything.
“There is absolutely no way, to find an alternative for the full, high quality protein of meet and milk. I am a fan of a balanced diet witch includes everything.”
i fully agree you . i am a fan too
It´s a shame, how much energy, pain and lifes we could save if we would just reduce our meat consumption. While denying meat 2 days a week we could feed nearly the whole third world.
Keep on thinking about it.
Best regards! http://www.nachhilfe-kinderleicht.de
We’ve had lengthy discussions about the pros and cons of eliminating an entire food group from our diets but as they are quick to point out, all nutrients necessary for our bodies to function well can be obtained from a plant based diet.
Como reducir la celulitis
I’ve toyed with the idea of cutting out meat from my diet. Unfortunately, I have to admit I’m a carnivore and probably always will be but, have reduced my red meat intake. Thanks for your thoughts on this!
IRIYJO w0w this is good
afe intake
I think that each of us is different- some constitutional types will do better on a vegetarian diet; others will suffer. That’s the problem with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ attitude to health, right? It’s more about custom tailoring, don’t you think?
I do believe that as a culture (I’m in the USA), we need to concentrate on adding more vegetables and high-density nutrition…I’m a fan of meal replacement protein shakes…
Thanks for the provocative discussion!
Very interesting piece. I’m sure that there is sufficient information from research about being a vegetarian to know the overall long term health benefits v/s health risks. It certainly seems logical that if strict nutritional guidelines are followed there should only be benefits to ones overall health as a result of a strict vegetarian lifestyle.Thanks.
Jeremiah
I am still having the diet problem. I use pills and they make me to become more hungry.
Keep it in balance.
Eat like the Jewish or Moslim.
use your brains and read about it.
And your kids the need it!!
Humans should not eat meat because as a result of how much meat is consumed, there isn’t enough food. There are people starving in 3rd world countries. Too much meat can result in high blood pressure and increase the risk of some forms of cancer. Unless you agree with the fact that animals have to spend their whole lives suffering, just so we can eat them in 5mins, then I cannot see a reason as to why anyone would want to eat meat. You may say that it is healthy but a vegetarian diet is much more healthier if a wide range of foods are eaten. Other people may say they like the taste of meat but there are also alot of meat substitutes that taste just as good maybe even better. If you say that you can’t live without meat then that just shows how careless, weak and dependant you really are.
Some people may be vegetarian for religious reasons. Jains, for example, are either lacto-vegetarian or vegan, while some Hindus and Buddhists may chose to practice a vegetarian diet.
Jesus Castillo Culturismo sin Tonterias
Thanks for the article. I drifted along a steady progression, over the last 10 years or so, from ‘ethical omnivore’ (which label I now cringe at, since for me anyway it was basically an excuse to keep eating what I wanted, by just paying a bit more for the illusion of ‘doing something’ good for the environment/ buying ‘free range’ or whatever), to pescatarian, to ovo-lacto vegetarian, to vegan… In loyalty to my past self, and out of respect for the fact that humans are freakin’ diverse, I don’t ever want to come across as telling other folks what to do– people have to find their own way, and where you are now isn’t necessarily where you’ll be down the road.
But on the other hand, there’s so much most people have NO idea about regarding the standard American diet, and so much misinformation floating around regarding human nutritional needs! (cases in point: protein is EVERYWHERE, we don’t need meat to get it; most Western omnivores consume TOO MUCH protein and iron, which causes health problems, whereas vegans statistically do NOT experience more iron deficiency etc than omnivores; the calcium in milk comes from PLANTS– we do not need the breast milk of any creature to get enough calcium; higher dairy consumption correlates to MORE osteoporosis, not less; animal-based diets send your risk for cancer/ heart disease/ diabetes/ stroke/ Alzheimer’s through the roof… etc etc etc)
SO, when asked, it’s hard not to tell people all the reasons why I eat like I do: It just makes sense! It’s a healthy, environmentally friendly way of eating, I’m not killing/ exploiting stuff in the absence of true need, and– I could not be more serious– I LOVE the tastes of the diverse and varied diet I eat… it’s a satisfying, joyful way to eat, and I highly recommend it!
I don’t consider it ‘proselytizing’ if I’m answering a question to the best of my ability… Yes, people have to make their own choices, but without accurate information ‘free choice’ isn’t.
I do think it’s important to provide information to receptive minds, when questions are asked, while respecting where others are on their own path… people get so caught up in labels, and like to do the ‘us/them’ thing, which does no one any good. If someone is making an effort to think about what they eat and why– even if their conclusions are different from mine– if they’re trying to do the right thing, and keep questioning, and keep trying, then we’re on the same team. But: veg life is good! and I recommend it– joyfully and unapologetically. 🙂