Ask Mike: Vegans vs. veggies
Hey Guys,
The last thing I could ever be described as is a vegetarian. In fact, as I write this, I’m finishing up my third steak smoothie of the day. Kidding aside, I do find the vegetarian lifestyle admirable, if a little confusing. For example, what’s the difference between a veggie and a vegan? And is there anything more “hardcore” than a vegan?
While vegans and vegetarians are often confused by carnivores, there really are quite a few differences. Definitions tend to vary, but generally speaking, a vegetarian abstains from eating meat and fish, but can eat cheese, yogurt, eggs and other dairy-based foods. Vegans? Not so much.
Confused? I found an excellent resource at Vegetarian Nook that talked about the specifics. The site explains that vegans don’t use animals for clothing, either. In short, veganism is more a way of life than just a diet.
The American Vegan Society writes that vegans also exclude animal products like wool, fur, and silk in clothing and upholstery. The site recommends folks think of it as a diet, lifestyle, and philosophy rolled into one.
Clearly, being a vegan isn’t for everybody. But is there another diet that can be considered even more stringent? Well, maybe. Fruitarians, according to an official-looking site, eat only raw fruit and seeds (no cooked vegetables). Transbay.net lists some pros and cons. Be sure to talk to your doctor before changing your diet.
What are your thoughts on veganism and vegetarianism? Could you ever make the switch? If not, why not? And, by the way, what the heck is tofu? Please leave a note below.
Thanks for reading,
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I strongly admire all the vegan and vegetarian out there, because I know I can never do what they do. Also I heard that from a vegan friend that the lifestyle is also very expensive.
I use to be a vegetarian when I lived with my aunt and uncle. It is really not that bad. I like to eat vegetables and meat, now. Tofu is made of soybeans and other good stuff I love to eat it ^-^
I was considering becoming vegitarian….
Tofu is made from soy. It’s low in fat, high in protein, and quite good for you. It doesn’t really have a smell or a flavor on it’s own so it’s very versatile for cooking/flavoring…etc.
I’m a vegan. I decided to become vegan in opposition to factory farming. Some people become vegan for health reasons, others for environmental reasons (factory farming isn’t green by any stretch of the imagination),but I find most vegans I know decided to give up animal products because of ethical reasons.
Vegans are definitely more strict than vegetarians. We do not drink milk, eat eggs, butter….etc. Some people may see this as “extreme” but to those of us who believe in animal rights, it is simply boycotting industries we see as cruel and exploitive. This means ALL of the industries (not just the meat industry)
To understand the motives behind veganism, it takes a little research. Most people don’t think of the dairy industry or the egg industry to be cruel towards animals….(Cows just give their milk voluntarily, right?) but if you actually look in to it, you’ll be very surprised.
I could completely be vegetarian, not Vegan. As a not vegetarian, I still find eating meat sort of gross as I’m chewing it. Taste isn’t that great. I already most likely only eat meat like once a week without even noticing.
But I guess, I couldn’t be completely. Part time lol. Cause my family’s Hungarian foods have meat in them like sausage added in the soup. Though I don’t eat the sausage, vegi people wouldn’t be able to eat it at all if had meat in it even if they where to avoid it.
Plus I could not turn away from turnkey on thanks giving.
Though I do like the taste of sow protein and sow meat better.
Plus, what’s the real point of eating meat? Do we need to? Back in the day and also if you’re poor, YES, completely fine, but now there’s soy and other things HEALTHIER than meat if your in the position to be able to do that.
But yeah. And hey, did you know, in some cults far away, there’s people who only eat fruit after it’s fallen, and some people who don’t eat dairy, meat OR plants cause they think plants have feelings!
Though I couldn’t be vegan. I wouldn’t be healthy enough anyway.
I’m not aloud to be vegiteran, but I’m pretty young so my mom says I need the fat. Also, fish is super good for you as a growing child, even when a grown up.
I think when I grow up, I’ll be a vegetarian except for the occasional sometimes, like once every two weeks fish and shrimp.
And thanks giving turkey. lol, I’m pathetic.
Thanks for the form, seeeeee yaaaaaah.
I’m a vegetarian as of a couple of months ago, and I made the switch mostly for moral reasons. I loved meat, and ate very few vegetables, but the only reason I ate meat (as most people do) is because it tasted good. There were other sources of sustenance available to me that reduced suffering and the loss of life. After a while, I came to the conclusion that by eating meat I was putting my taste buds above animals, and that this wasn’t the basis for a good moral decision.
It took a couple of tries at first for me to stop eating meat, and I don’t pretend like I don’t contribute to any suffering whatsoever. Accidents happen, but I try and make an effort to reduce the suffering and killing. Supply and demand is the name of the game, and for this reason, boycotts work. If a large percentage of the consumer population stopped eating meat, there would be a reduction meat production (and thus suffering and loss of life).
I recall a time when I once picked up a magazine (back in the days of the first Spiderman movie) and saw that Tobey Maguire was a vegetarian. This struck me as very odd, and even a point against him at first. I couldn’t see why anyone would not want to eat meat.
I’ve changed my ways and started drawing my own conclusions other than not challenging what I’ve been indoctrinated to believe. And by the way, tofu is basically a sort of soybean curd, made from curdling hot soymilk. It is typically white and comes in cubes and different levels of firmness. It tastes pretty mild, although I think it has quite a recognizable smell and taste. Its really not as bad as people make it out to be and actually tastes really good with rice and soy sauce, and I even like it with butter noodles for a nice mild dish.
P.S. My first comment on one of these Y! Blogs
Alright, I’ll get straight to the point: being Vegan is unnatural. Literally. Human beings have two sets of teeth for a reason. We’ve been so busy separating ourselves from nature that we’ve forgotten that we adapted our entire digestive system around the consumption of multiple food sources – an adaptation that has made our species extraordinarily flexible and successful. Ideological Veganism is foolish. If even 1 million people suddenly gave up meat, there would be billions more chowing down on a daily basis, and would change nothing about the cruel practices used to farm animals.
If you want to be a real idealist – that is, act for the animal’s sake and your own – switch from Vegan to an all Organic diet. Grass-fed beef and game meat like buffalo is leaner and better for you, and patronizing these farmers will help shift the industry away from packed cattle farms and toward grazing, where these animals (that will die regardless of whether you yourself eat them or not) might live a somewhat dignified lifestyle. You will also avoid taking massive amounts of protein supplements and a quite a few health problems involving malnutrition, under-consumption of amino acids, and overdoses of estrogen from tofu.
Vegetarians are a little more reasonable I find. The many that I know don’t have much of a choice. They either just flat out don’t like meat, or it makes them sick in one form or another.
But omnivore nature has made me, and omnivore I shall stay.
i am a vegetarian myself. i have been for 2 1/2 years. i am 16. i would become vegan because i do not enjoy eating eggs or milk, i just cant live without cheese.
i did some research a while ago, and it said every vegetarian saves 100 animals from slaughtering a year. many people think that is not true. even if i stop eating meat, other people will still eat it and companies will still produce the same amount of meat. but i believe it does help, i am saving animals, weather people think i do or not.
i really am fond and proud of being a veggie and i think it really does make a difference, even if it is microscopic.
by the way, tofu, is mostly a soy based product. it comes in a box with water surrounding it to keep it moist. you take it out of the box, usually soak the water up with a paper towel, but you dont have to. then u cook it any way you want!. it obsorbes anything you cook it with, making it a perfect addition to any meal. it is high in protein, a staple for veggies and vegans.
thanks for reading!
I am usually entertained by your commitment to find something of interest in the most benign item of life and the persuit of happiness.
Today was no exception. I could not make the switch easily. I enjoy meat of all kinds too much. While my diet is not high in meat protein, I do enjoy biting into a piece of chicken, pork, beef, fish way to much to give it up. That is not to say that I do not also consume beans, whole grain breads (made from scratch), as well as yogurt and cheese. I guess the meatitarians out there are going egads a healthy diet, while the vegans are saying yuck to most of it.
Tofu is bean curd. It is high in protein and can be eatten in many receipes. I personally fry it up with a few egg whites and veggies, but others use it like spam-fry it up and eat it like any other fried “meat”.
Vegetarians and vegans have good intentions with their diets. They dislike the idea of having an animal suffer to produce a food. Which is understandable. But there is a point where excluding items from your diet is just plain stupidity. There is no point to excluding meat, animal products such as milk, cheese, etc, and vegetables from your diet. While it is their right to do so, that kind of diet makes no sense. There’s no morale choice behind it and all you get out of it is having to take supplements that you could get from other foods.
As a Buddhist, I asked a monk from our temple how to best explain what we can and can’t eat as vegans. He explained that we don’t eat anything that would react fearfully from the threat of being killed. That all life is precious and that killing another living being for our own momentary pleasure is something that hurts us spiritually. For me, that is a touching way to bring me back to doing the right thing when I’m tempted to stray.
The only thing that pisses me way off is when people try to convert a vegetarian back to eating meat. Hey, if said person doesn’t want to eat meat, that is THEIR decision. I agree though, it’s very admirable and every year I see at least one person who turns to vegetarianism whether it is to lose weight or for animal cruelty purposes.
I am an 18 year old vegetarian, I have been since I was 11 years old. ‘Making the switch’ was not hard at all, as I never ate much meat in the first place. I really disliked the taste, etc. Tofu – I don’t eat much of it. It’s a soy product, and comes in heaps of different forms. It tastes and has the texture of sponge. It’s good for protein though
I’ve been a vegetarian for almost 2 years
I’m not sure if I’ll ever become a vegan, but I most certainly do not include dead animals (fur, leather, etc.) in my wardrobe, simply because it’s disgusting. I never knew that vegans were categorized to not wear fur & other animal products – I was always under the impression that it was no more than a stricter version of the vegetarian diet. Hmm..I think that all vegetarians should eliminate fur/leather from their fashion if they’re a part of the diet for ethical reasons. (:
I don’t think I could make the switch, primarily because meat is just too good.
I think to deny our nature to be omnivores is strange. Plants are alive too, we’re literally bound to kill something in order to live, so it’s not that big of a deal.
Hi Mike!
A vegetarian abstains from meat (including fish and poultry) and slaughter by-products such as lard and gelatin. Lacto-vegetarians eat dairy, ovo-vegetarians eat eggs, and lacto-ovo-vegetarians eat both dairy and eggs. These are the technically names. Most vegetarians are lacto-ovo-vegetarian but it may be wise to confirm this before you feed them eggs or dairy!
There are many reasons why a person may decide to be a vegetarian (or vegan). These include religion, animal welfare, environmental concerns, health, personal taste, and perhaps other reasons as well.
To anyone considering a vegetarian diet, I would advise that you eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and legumes such as beans and lentils and peas. If done responsibly a vegetarian diet can be very healthy.
As a long-time vegetarian, and recently a vegan, I am always delighted when people show interest in the subject.
Cheers,
Liz
I’m a vegetarian and I love being one! I know that I am doing something great for animals,for my health, and for the environment. Ive talked to many doctors and read some health books, and the vegan lifestyle just isnt for me. im all for fat-free,organic dairy and eggs. I dont wear any leather fur or silk except for a leather baseball mitt my grandpa gave me but i mean – my grandpa gave it to me! I am all for vegans but veganism isnt for me.Tofu is like “magic food”. Its a soy ‘thing’ that tastes disgusting plain but you can season it to taste like literally any food! You can use it as a substitute for meat (trust me you wont notice the difference!),for smoothies,desserts,anything at all! Being a vegetarian really is not hard at all because of tofu. You dont need to lose the BBQs!
Hi Mike,
Yes, I know veggie and vegan can be confusing sometimes.
I think most people Say “What do you eat?”
I have been vegan before for a few years. It was hard at first but then it got easy.
Being vegan made it very easy to stay slim, have more energy and maintain a positive attitude.
I made the switch because I was always tired and wanted to feel better. And it definitely worked.
I think beaing a raw vegan is the most difficult! I never tried it but all a person does is eat raw uncooked vegetables, seeds, nuts, sprouted beans and fruits.
Anyway, those are my thoughts…
Have a good day!
Vegetarian girls are sexy.
yeah im a vegetarian
First of all, fish is meat by the way. ok, here’s the thing. There are different types of vegetarians and vegans. Some vegetarians also don’t wear any woo or leather and so forth, but still eat dairy products.
Vegan: NOTHING that comes from and animal.
Vegetarian: doesn’t eat any FLESH of an animal (this varies. some still eat chicken and fish. They are not hard core vegetarians.)
A point of view from a vegetarian: I am a vegetarian myself. I can tell you why i don’t eat meat and aren’t a vegan? I don’t eat meat because i don’t think an animal deserves to die just because we think they taste good. But i only believe this when we can live perfectly healthy lives without the meat. They are a living, breathing things and deserve rights. I don’t like the way we discriminate between meat as well. We only eat stuff like veal and beef, but we don’t eat dogs or dolphins or elephants. Cows and deer have just as much right to live as anything. I completely understand why people eat animals. i don’t have a problem with other people eating animals at all. like lion king says “lion dies and turns into grass, deer eat grass, lion eat deer.” Fair enough. I’m not a preacher, except for one thing. Please don’t eat caged pigs! They are kept in a cage so small the can’t even turn around. It’s animal cruelty, which i don’t like. Eating animals is one thing, but torturing them is another. I’m not a vegan because i think the animals in captivity look perfectly healthy and happy and live longer lives. They live a happy, long, free ranged life in a paddock and then die of old age instead of being eaten alive by a lion. I don’t see a problem with it. Also, i like ice-cream too much and already can’t eat wheat, let alone animal products.
I did check with a doctor about becoming a vegetarian. It’s actually a good idea.
TOFU is beancurd. It’s an asian cuisine and can taste either bland and spongy or beautiful and tasty. Choose it wisely. I recomend a japenese restaraunt and NOT a chinese one. Soyco tofu is also pretty good and you can gind that in Coles. Do you have coles? my favourites are malaysian peanut satay and honey soy. Thank you for reading:)
vegetarian and lovin it!!!!
Hi Mike,
I am on a way to become a vegan. The political, philosophical, or even religious compound of being/not being a vegan is actually very easy to comprehend. Have you seen clips about seal hunt. I acknowledge that seal hunt produces money. People who kill seals are payed for it. They may skin seals, they sell them to manufacturers who produce sheets of fur from it, coats, caps, etc. I just see these pictures and I believe they are teaching violence and I believe that this is unnecessary violence. leather products are coming cheaply i.e. from India to Canada. If you ask people on the street here – considering that Hindus/Buddhist are considered friendly towards animals – think that cattle is treated decently in India. See PETA clips and you will be taught differently. If you are eating Hamburger from fast food chains, the meat is usually coming from milk cows. Again, pls check PETA’s website how unbelievable cruel these milk cows are treated. I watched a clip, showing how with high likelihood urine and other cow excrements are getting into milk. These cows are slaughtered, when they, i.e. cannot stand up anymore and look like they are sick – for me anyways (I am not a vet). To consider to eating meat of these sick animals (disease transfer jumps into my mind) or to consider drinking milk containing urine or or solid excrements is quiet disgusting.The same applies to other milk products (like cheese). If you don’t want to support the insanity of saving money by imposing cruelty on animals you automatically will come to a vegan solution. There are many things I also find disturbing about easy minded Vegan aragumentation and I am not at all hesitant to discuss this i.e. on FB, but basically I do think that respect towards life, living beings teaches respect towards yourself and helps develop “the good human”. Oh, maybe I forgot: I had high cholesterol, which does not bug me anymore.
When I first moved to CA, I was living with a vegetarian and a vegan.
Having come from a fairly carnivorous family, it was quite a shock to the system to be asked to not bring meat into the house. Not wanting to make waves, I tried to stick to this new lifestyle, but two weeks in I discovered that that much tofu and vegetation made me cranky and gassy. Not to mention the fact I went into meat withdrawal.
So, I went down the street to have a burger and discovered the unfortunate fact that one’s body can ‘forget’ how to digest animal protein. After a night of indigestion I decided that I did not like the idea of not being able to remain an omnivore and went back to my meat eating ways.
Now though, I find myself drawn to the salad bar more often than I was in the past..and soy milk is a regular part of my diet. So, while I’ll never become a true veggie, I would encourage my fellow carnivores to give the vegetarian options a regular place in their diets.
Yes,it’s a Life Style and it comes naturally to me,since i was a child — i liked fruits and vegetables(things too many children were forced to eat),just to observe raw red meat was so disgusting(gross) to me(and still)…
When you vegetarian or vegan,it’s almost the same — you always light,your thoughts and body are young,your immune system is great with all the vitamins(like Vitamin C….all the time),so,maybe it’s harder for some …men(i understand, you can’t eat like ballerina all the time,but you can try to eat less meat …at least¿can you?)
I like hot food ,so i eat steamy vegetables or…cooked,i love TEA(mostly black …with lemon or…jam),coffee(only with milk),hot chocolate(with some milk),yogurt,some cheese(not too much),fruits with yogurt,all the salads,don’t use salt or pepper(almost) and tofu is …soya_cheese(at least for me)
urban life,trance music,young fashion,light design(no smoking or drinking) …
Tofu is bean curd, made from soybeans, it’s a little like a soft cheese in texture, has very little flavor of it’s own, packed with protein, and takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with, or stir-fry it into.
There are several classifications of vegetarian, strict vegetarian does not eat any animal products, including honey. There are lacto vegetarians who drink milk, ovo vegetarians who eat eggs, lacto/ovo’s, and pescatarians who eat fish. Jack LaLanne is vegetarian, has been for decades, but occasionally eats fish, and calls himself a “vegaquarian”.
I was vegetarian for a time several years ago, but decided I really like meats too much to give them up forever. I feel better eating some protein each day also.
I’ve been a Vegetarian for five years (16-21), and I’m nearly a Vegan. I still find it funny that my mom thought it was “just a phase.” My brother thinks I am nuts.
Tofu is delicious, that is what it is. When cooked right, it absorbs the flavor of whatever you’re cooking it with. Try a stir-fry with firm tofu (gotta press it first!) and vegetables. If done right, it’ll change your mind about that “bland, tasteless white block.”
What the heck is a steak smoothie? I have never heard of meat being made drinkable.
I could never become a vegan or vegetarian, too much trouble to not eat some decent meat
There is such a thing as a diet where one only eats things that have died naturally, and they view “killing” plants as literally killing something. In their diet, they would eat a cow that has died naturally from old age or sickness, along with plants that have also died naturally. I think that this would be more restrictive than veganism.
As a vegan, I can tell you that the most “stringent” diet, as you say, would be the raw vegan diet, especially if that raw vegan person really wanted to maintain optimum health. From several sources, I’ve learned over the years about my adopted lifestyle, and the only nutrient the raw vegan diet seems to be lacking is Vitamin B12, which can be found in fortified soy milk, supplements, etc. One article I read actually stated that back in the stone age we obtained this nutrient from raw veggies straight from the ground, perhaps from the remnants of little bugs or soil, I really don’t remember the specifics. :/
But overall, I love being a vegan! My body seems so more resilient and I love trying out new foods and discovering my changing tastes. For example, I used to hate spinach, but now I can’t get enough of it! I hope more people choose to be vegan, because there are so many great reasons to do so.
Finally, tofu is just processed soy beans, just like every other vegan meat replacement for those still getting used to the whole lifestyle.
I actually did make the switch once. for 3 years in high school after reading how meat is murder. it was a nasty slaughterhouse. I didn’t eat any meat or fish. and then one day I switched right back, that was the best steak i have ever had.
Vegetarians dont eat meat. Vegans dont eat meat or anything that came from an animal. The vegetarian lifestyle isnt that hard, I’ve been one for two years. They have many vegetarian products out there that taste really good. Vegan on the other hand is much harder, I tried being one… it lasted about 1 week.
But im going to be trying again soon.
I admire vegetarians and vegans and hope to be one when I get out on my own.
I think a lot of vegans and vegetarians are elitist aye-holes. Well, let me get that right. The ones from PETA at least. Or is that the very most?
These people are insane and put animal lives over humans any day. I mean what other kind of organization or whatnot would seriously recommend using breast milk instead of cow milk for ice cream or that fish be called sea kittens so less people would eat them?
If you do it for health reason – fine, maybe I can understand that. But if you do it for ethical reasons then I consider you dumber than a rock.
I agree that you shouldn’t kill an animal – any animal – for any reason other than to eat it unless it was endangering something or someone, whether it be a person or the environment but that’s as far as I go. Go ahead and eat animals – we’re supposed to, we are built to. Why is it alright for other animals to do it but all of the sudden it isn’t right for humans to eat other animals?
Don’t give me that stupid answer that “We don’t have to anymore”. That is the most asinine answer to the debate I’ve ever heard.
I’ve said enough.
Veganism is based off the idea that animals should not be forced into servitude or unwrongful death… and you can be however “vegan” you want to be.
It’s not really a change in life style, it’s just an active protest… such as those people who refuse to buy chinese products because the people in china get paid so little. (Of course, they’ll get paided less if you don’t buy their products [supply, demand...].) And veganism is designed to make the transisition as “painless” as possible (”active protest”) with meat substitutes, made with all organic food (you seemed to miss that one) called ToFu or Gluten…
But just to clear up a few misunderstandings…
Fruititarians are people who’s primary intake is from fruit, vegitarians are people who’s primary intake is from vegtables… you can’t really eat eggs and drink milk while being a vegitarian (the idea is to avoid meat and dairy), but most people do it anyways. And the operative word is “primary”.
Problem is, pure “vegitarianism” and pure “fruititarianism” is insanity and will kill you… Veganism, however, is NOT a “diet” in the oh so popular american sense… but it is a complete and ballanced way of eating (and, well, living but…) foods labeled “vegan”, unlike “vegitarian” (which is often a misuse of the term) are “suppose to” aim to become your ownly diet…
While BlahBlah”tarians” may skimp out and eat something else to get the essential vitamins, protiens, minerals… vegans eat, healthy.
And WHY americans insist on calling herbaviors vegatarians is beyond me… I DON’T EAT VEGGIES, just because I don’t eat meat doesn’t mean I’ll be ordering the “vegitarian special” *:|
But W/E… it’s all latin anyways.
Oh, and ToFu is Food(Fu), made of Toe(To)
I am a vegan, and there is definitely something more extreme out there. Ever heard of raw food vegans? They don’t eat anything that has been processed or heated to above 120 degrees.
Then there are freegans, who are usually vegan but not necessarily. They live off of trash, basically. They get their food, clothing, and furniture from what others throw away. Granted, the food that they use is still good, it’s just past it’s expiration date. They go through dumpsters at restaurants and stores like whole foods market.
Love the article!
I’m a vegan, and you got the definitions right.
There’s one more diet that’s really hardcore. It’s called the raw vegan diet, where people don’t eat anything that was cooked above 115 Fahrenheit, as they believe anything above that temperature destroys the nutritional value of food.
I agree that a vegan diet isn’t for everyone, but I think everyone should at least give it some consideration or a try for a few weeks just to see what it’s like.
Some pretty big assumptions in this post. I already made the switch, 7 years ago, on a day to day basis I don’t even think about it. I hate it when articles (like this one) frame veganism as some weird “hardcore” thing. It’s easier than most people think and it makes sense if you are against animal cruelty.
Humans are omnivores and so am I…yay.
Tried vegetarianism, except cafeteria at my university has little that isn’t for carnivores, so after about a month of cheese pizza and salad, I decided it wasn’t for me.
Did it for a girl. Things with girl didn’t work out. Stuck to it because I was stubborn.
I could never be a vegan. I don’t understand how anybody can. Vegetarianism, maybe, but I couldn’t live without cheese and milk. Not only do vegans have to avoid the obvious animal products, from what I hear, there are also preservatives in many foods that are derived from animal products, so that bread that they intend to eat may not be safe at all.
It requires a great deal of research, but I suppose if your convictions are strong enough, you can be a vegan. Many fast-food places even cook their fries in the same fryer that they use to fry the burgers, and vegans and vegetarians try to avoid so much as a burger even touching their fries. So, yeah, it is a complicated lifestyle.
I am a vegetarian and it’s relatively easy. The only difficult part is that I don’t eat gelatin either, so I have to constantly check labels. And tofu is basically soy milk curds. It doesn’t taste bad, as long as you get extra-firm so it’s not mushy =P
Tofu is bean curds fermented(?) into something more edible. On its own it’s almost flavourless, it absorbs the flavours of the food around it.
In Asia, Tofu is a hit, many people eat it and it’s not considered “Vegetarian only” food that us in the western world do.
I myself am a recent vegetarian , only made the switch a while ago. I tried vegan, but dairy Ice cream holds a powerful clutch on me
I am a vegetarian but… Tofu = disgusting! How people eat it is beyond me.
I’m not sure exactly what tofu is, but I believe it’s made from soybeans. And by the way, it’s quite good. It’s a staple in many Asian dishes. I’ve never figured out why people always make fun of tofu when they rag on vegetarians. For some reason, many people seem to think that eating tofu makes you a dork. Yet it is used in Asian cuisine, which I thought was hip and cool. So which is it, people? Is tofu dorky and vegetarian, or hip and Asian? I say it’s hip and Asian, since they invented the stuff, and I personally like it. And by the way, I am a vegetarian (not vegan) and proud of it!
I’m 18 years old and vegan. I went vegan for animal rights reasons. I saw Earthlings on youtube (full movie in parts) and knew I couldn’t go back.
I also reaped the health benefits. I lost weight and still stay at 108-110. Yes I do get protein. Anything that’s in cow’s milk (which is very unhealthy, look it up by unbiased doctors NOT payed by the dairy industry)
can definitely be found in vegetables.
Being vegan is the best choice I’ve made, and I’m so happy that everyday I oppose all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty by my food choices, and educate others.
Haha, those fruitarians sound a bit crazy, judging by the website.
I think I could go vegetarian, but not vegan. Lately, more and more meats have made me feel sick, but I’m still okay with fish.
You don’t know what tofu is? Wow. I love it!
http://www.geishablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/tofu_mound_by_way_opening.jpg
It tastes good, but I usually have it cooked with an outer-layer sort of thing.
I could never live without my meat LOL
Yum yum- with the veggies and vegans, there’s more meat to go round
its very easy to be a vegetarian. eat everything except the flesh of animals. i was a meat-eater for 22 years of my life, and abstained from it for 2 years & 4 months. There is no “lifestyle” of being a vegetarian, thats being stereotypical. vegetarians are normal people, that just don’t eat meat. its quite simple
Tofu is bean curd from coagulated soy milk, just like cheese is milk curd, shaped and processed in much the same way. It has little flavor, so it takes on the flavor of the food it’s in, those I know who don’t like it have an issue with its texture. I’ve only had it in Chinese dishes, Hot and sour soup mainly, while I can eat it, I am definitely not ready to make it my “turkey” come Thanksgiving.
No, I don’t think I could, I love my meat =D Tofu is a wonderful food product that not only is low in calories but very healthy and nutritious. It’s made from soybeans, I believe I read somewhere that it is made by coagulating soy milk. All you have to do is boil it (which, surprisingly, not a whole lot of Americans I know actually do… it tastes nasty if you don’t cook it…) and eat it with soy sauce and it tastes marvelous (to me at least), or of course you can put it in with a special dish.. it goes good with a lot of things.
Anyway, thank you for your post. I never actually knew the difference between a vegetarian and a vegan but now I know! Thanks!
Wouldn’t ever consider to be a vegetarian or vegan, I like meat too much. Kudos to the people who do though, they clearly have strong convictions and lots of willpower.
Definitely check with your doctor before changing what you eat – especially diets that eliminate other major food groups – taking suplemental vitamins is a must – specifically vitamin B-12 if you choose to go Vegan – without which can cause a irreversible demylenating disease that mimics Multiple Sclerosis.
i’m a proud veggiehead:D.
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I’m 16; and have seriously basically been one since i was four.
i’ve only eaten like a minuscule about of chicken since then.
its not hard for me because i’m not used to meat at all; so it would be like foreign to me.
but its great for my health !
you jus thave to make sure you get protein; yougurt, nuts, cheese, milk, beans, etc.
Vegans and vegetarians are quite possibly the most fu***** annoying and judgemental people on the planet.
Hi,
I consider myself a vegetarian because I don’t eat meat and meat products.
I am not going to attempt to answer your questions as the definitions of ‘vegetarian’ and ‘vegan’ keep varying. (The definitions are furthur skewed by the number of eccentrics in the “V” community.
I have one doubt about non-vegetarianism which I will ask you. I am sure the taste for chicken, beef, pork, etc. is an acquired one, i.e. the more you eat it, the more you’ll like it. I wonder why other animals than those listed above, like horses and sheep are not so commonly eaten.
Hope you get my point. What are your thoughts?
PS: Tofu is a food extract made from Soya milk (which, in turn, is prodced by rinding Soya beans). (Say, just as cheese is made from cow’s milk.)
Hey there Mike,
How about a Raw Foodist Vegan ?
Now that is hard core !
I couldn’t do it. I like being an omnivore too much. Though, I find those that are vegans are veggies pretty neat though; definitely have to respect their ability to abstain from eating meats and what not.
Mike, I have been vegetarian since my teen years, for many years, and vegan for the past few years, and never missed meat/fish since switching. I hated milk and meat as a child, so switch for me was easy. I am in great health, without having to take supplements or vitamins, and do not get sick at all. Switching to vegan lifestyle was also easy – who wants to carry a dead animal’s skin on your feet or in your pocket? Maybe you can start having a veggie day one day at a time; it really improves your health, and since we have only one precious life, why waste it on being ill?
I found my transition from a meat eater to veganism very easy.
your talk was good enough mike!keep on writing.
i would like to tell i don’t like vegeterian.
My sister-in-law considers herself to be a vegetarian but eats fish. Isn’t that still killing an animal?
Hi! I’ve been a vegetarian for over seven years. I maintained this throughout both of my pregnancies as well. (This is perfectly healthy, but if you’re a vegan you’ll have to take extra supplements during pregnancy.) A couple weeks after the switch, I felt SO MUCH better physically. Although the first few weeks I craved a hamburger, the way I felt ensured I would NEVER go back! The switch was much easier than people think, and well worth it. Cravings were not bad and subsided quickly. Now, meat doesn’t even look good!
I let my kids choose what they want to eat and support their decisions. However, I do make sure it’s an informed choice. Did you know you can get all the vitamins and nutrients from a vegetarian diet as from eating meat? The protein is actually healthier from plants because it does not contain all the cholesterol.
It also makes me feel good knowing I’m doing something very positive for the environment. Stopping the consumption of meat is the single most helpful thing we can do to help our planet. We use a lot of resources to raise that meat, slaughter, and transport it. Plus, if all the grains used to feed animals we eat were given to people, we would have more than enough to feed the WHOLE WORLD!!! Amazing, right?
As far as the question on tofu, it’s actually made from soy beans (just like all meat alternatives). It has no taste and can be purchased in different consistencies. Whatever you marinate it with or cook it with is what it tastes like. Very healthy and yummy if you have a good recipe! There are also many other meat alternatives, like chicken nuggets, ground beef, sausage, bacon, hot dogs, and burgers (and more!). They taste differently depending on the brand you buy. I have been very pleased with Morningstar Farms brand.
Becoming vegetarian or even vegan can be one of the best decisions you make for yourself. It certainly was for me. And with all the meat alternatives, you don’t have to drastically change the way you’re eating. Overall, I support doing what’s best for you and your lifestyle. But don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
I’m a vegetarian mostly because I can’t easily digest meat. The same thing is true about a family friend of ours (my family’s). Everyone just thinks we’re protecting animals. This is true although the more practical reasons are alot easier to stay true to.
I don’t have any pull to be vegan although I don’t think I would mind it too much. I don’t have many dairy products as is and I don’t wear fur.
Tofu is a soy product. It tastes really bland unless you add flavoring. Then, it tastes like whatever you flavored it as.
I agree…non-meat eaters can be confusing with all the restrictions, “categories” and rules.
It’s simple once you get the hang of it, though. I’m a vegan and I enjoy the lifestyle a lot. I remember being younger (like 11/12 years old) and saying to my mother, “I could never be a vegetarian! I love cheeseburgers too much.” I still love cheeseburgers, but I’m now eating veggie burgers with rice cheese.
At any rate, tofu is a versitile food that has tons of nutritional benefits. It can be used on the grill, in desserts and everything in between. It’s bascially a bunch of soy beans processed and molded into a little block. When prepared correctly, it’s very tasty! Try some!
well with all do respect to vegetarians and vegans i will never make the switch cuz human bodies are designed to eat meat and vegetables and depriving our bodies from a huge source of essential protein does affect our health cuz i noticed many vegans have an unhealthy look on their faces!
I currently am a vegetarian. I’ve been one since I was 11, b/c of loving animals way too much at that age type thing. But I haven’t turned back since, I’m 23 now. It wasn’t that hard to do and my family is very supportive of me. They’re all carnivores even my 4 yr old. Who by the way I would never force vegetarianism upon. But if it’s something you really want you normally go for it full force right?? That was one thing I was truely strong with and stood for and I went full force into it.
I am not quite all veggie yet (I still eat fish), but the switch was not all that hard. My choice was based on health reasons because meat was making me sick.
The choice between veggie and vegan is a very personal one. I doubt that I ever go completely vegan, mainly because I don’t like the vegan cheeses and the milk alternatives are so prohibitively expensive.
Keeping meat out of my diet hasn’t been that hard. I simply have to read labels on food and check nutrition data for restaurants.
Tofu, by the way, is bean curd. It is made from soybeans and takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with. It is an excellent source of protein. I usually freeze a block of extra firm tofu, thaw it, press the water out and then cook it any number of ways. My personal favorite is to slice it, coat it with egg, dredge it in cornstarch and fry it in a little oil. The resulting sticks are great with any sauce, especially Buffalo wing sauce.
Tofu is made from soy if I remember correctly, I watched a ‘How it’s made’ on it once. I can’t remember the process it went through to go from soy beans to that familiar block, however.
As for non-meat eaters, I’ve always seen them as less then healthy looking, Ron White covers my feelings on it quite well, but it’s not exactly ‘family friendly’. I’ll try to paraphrase..
“If you’re a vegetarian, shut up. You’re not going to recruit me, I didn’t climb to the top of the food chain to eat carrots.”
Basicly, if it’s your choice to be vegetarian that’s fine, I won’t bother you, you don’t bother me, but don’t try to look down your nose at me for eating meat, and definately don’t try to inform me of what the animal had to go through to get on my plate. I’m well aware of what it went through, which to me is even more incentive to eat it. Reguardless of whether I was going to eat it or not, it was still ’slaughtered’…
I love meat, I probably eat more meat then most people, I just can’t get enough of it, If a dish doesn’t have meat in it, I won’t touch it.
Thoughts? Well, I’m a vegetarian slowly making the transition to vegan. I don’t wear animals and have the philosophy, but still eat some animal products. I hate it, but if I don’t want to be 5′2” for the rest of my life, I need abundant protein. Tofu? It’s soybean curd. Nasty to think about, delicious to eat!
To make matters even more confusing, there are a lot of sub-categories that tie into being a vegetarian, such as a pescetarian, whose diet includes fish and other seafood, in addition to fruits, vegetables, plants, legumes, nuts, and grains, but exludes land animals and birds. Eggs and dairy may or may not be present in the pescetarian’s diet. I am a pescetarian, however, I do not eat eggs or dairy. I made this transition about two weeks ago to become a pescetarian, and I am very happy with my choice, but I do want to eventually stop eating fish. I just couldn’t do it “cold turkey”.
I personally just made the change to vegetarian. I honestly can’t and don’t see myself as a full blown vegan. I choose not to eat meat, with the exception of seafood, I made the switch to soy milk but I still eat cheese and certain dairy with the exception of yogurt. I have found myself loving sushi like never before, and as for tofu I have yet to try it, but its not something Im dying to try! I absolutely love cheese! so I eat it. I made several changes to my lifestyle after reading the book “Skinny Bitch” they try to get you to live the vegan lifestyle while also teaching you a lot about whats really in our foods, but I chose to take what I felt was good for me, and dismiss whatever else. Meat was my adoration! Skirt steak was my number 1, but now I am grossed out by it, and I believe thats what has made it so easy for me to switch up. Thats just my experience with the subject.
Veggies rule. =]
x
Vegans miss one major point, animal fat is necessary to the brain. This makes me think they may be one or two brain cells short of a normal quota. Almost all animals consume animal fat in some form. Gazers and browsers snag an insect every so often. No ape will fore go a juicy insect even if their diet is primarily fruit. The point being, vegans are acting abnormal and probably have a mild psychosis.
I am actually a vegetarian, and I found it pretty easy. Then again, I didn’t eat meat that much anyway.
I became a veggie because I felt sorry for all the dead creatures I was eating, but a vegan is something I could never do. No chocolate, yogurts, eggs or butter? Impossible.
hey i am a vegetarian, i would love to be a vegan as i am a vegetarian because i hate animal cruelty but it is just to hard for me and i can not fit it into my life style, i did try being vegan for a month. i do how ever try to avoid buying other animal products eg. clothing, hair products, facial products etc.
tofu although not for everyone i love it. you can get different types…well not really types but…oh well its too hard to explain and im not going to go into a huge thing about tofu.
You left out “breatharians” who live on fresh air and sunlight. At least for a while.
When you say “carnivore,” I think you actually mean “omnivore.” On the other end of the spectrum, there are indeed carnivores who abstain from eating all plant-derived foods.
Okay-firstly, I dont know what the heck tofu is, all I know is that you can eat it!
I just wanted to say, that there IS one more thing more hardcore than a vegan…
A vegan on a RAW FOOD DIET!
Wooooaaaahhh!
I’m on my way to vegetarianism. But I don’t think I’ll leave fish.
And Tofu is bean curd. Made of soy beans.
It’s also called “Cheese of Asia.”
I’m a vegetarian, (ovo-lacto, but I don’t use leather or eat geletain, either) but everybody has those qwirks. I decided to go veggie when we had to do dissections in 7th grade, and I almost couldn’t handle the thought, I turned pale as a ghost and stayed in the library during that class!
I’ve been vegan for over 4 1/2 years. Not only is it better for the animals, but it’s better for me too, as evidenced by an effortless 120 pound weight loss.
Well, I as well admire both of them. In fact, I admire them almost to the point that I’ve considered becoming vegetarian. However, I can’t live without meat. Not only do I need it, but I also like the taste of meat, although I do believe that it is cruel how animals that make this meat are killed. That’s why I’ve considered it and for a while all I would eat was vegetables and rice and beans and eggs. But, I’m Cuban, so there’s always a chance that pork will make it onto my plate, so I can’t stay vegetarian for long.
I’ve been a vegetarian for 5 years now. I do eat dairy and egg products and I also try to abstain from wearing leather and suede. The transition wasn’t difficult for me, as I have a deep spiritual connection with animals. People can make all the generalizations they want, but I’m happy with how my life has changed since becoming a vegetarian.
Oh, and tofu is made from soy bean curd.
err, i think the only eat fruit thing is a joke, unfortunately some people fall for jokes, I feel sorry for the people trying to make a living like that
being a vegetarian is great, it forces you in to tasting the variety of many foods in life, never have i had such great tasting food in my life, it would be great if everyone could join in and experience the many tastes of life!
Mike, I am a steak lover through and through. I’m sure that is cutting my life short but at least I’ll be happy!
As for tofu the only thing that comes to mind is the Everybody Loves Raymond episode where Debra tries to make everyone eat a tofu turkey instead of the”bad for you” turkey turkey. The family ends up around the table at 2 AM eating the one that Ray had ordered from a restaurant gloating over the delicious food and not worrying about their health. Very funny episode.
I personally find the idea of vegetarianism/vegan-ism a little pointless, but it’s they’re choice. My sister is a vegetarian but not a real one in my mind, as she still eats fish.
And being already hypocritical, she also eats ‘mock bacon’ which is made out of mushrooms. If she wanted to eat bacon, she should just eat me and not try faux products (I’ve tried some and it is the worst stuff I’ve ever eaten).
I have many friends who are vegetarians for a myriad of reasons and lot of those reasons while good natured long term are flawed. For example I know vegetarians who while not eating meet eat pasta and Doritos on a regular basis. I also have a friend who is a masseuse and her job is so strenuous that with her vegetarian diet she is not getting near the amount of protein her job requires so she is on pills (which supports another bad industry), the same could be said for my dancing friend (who was actually told by her doctor she had to at least eat some fish every so often since she was refusing protein pills). I am an Omnivore, I am not going to deny my animal nature and while I could be an omnivore on a gorillas bug diet umm… I’ll just have to be hypocritical I guess. My hair stylist friend is vegetarian for the animal rights reasons and when I prodded her about beauty products she said, “Woah, one thing at time. I gotta make living.”
Soy products, the alternative protein, is claimed to be less harmful than eating meat, this is true to a degree. Though huge soy farms may still use pesticides and still destroy the landscapes displacing local flora and fauna. The same can certainly be said of corn and other large agribusinesses.
Another misnomer is when people claim they only eat organic foods. Well all food is organic even meat for Pete’s Christ. That’s just a stupid marketing gimmick when they put a sticker on an apple and call it organic. Organic is not the same as sustainable or grown without pesticides or growth hormones though people assume this is the case.
The other part of this debate I find odd is that many do it for animal rights issues and that is noble but, for example, in the case drug testing would you be willing to take the monkeys place if a cure for AIDS was to be found. Also we seem to forget in the animal rights game that humans are animals too. So when you fight for the cow, which has a purpose as a food source, do you also fight for the starving children in Africa or the displaced people in Naw’lins.
Now, I don’t mind what food route anyone chooses it is when they start to get preachy I get irritated because they act like it is so easy. I say it is better that kids eat horrid McDonald’s than nothing at all and in Oakland CA, that is often the only option for some families. Bad food is better than no food.
My personal philosophy is I try to be a localvore. I try not to eat anything that has come from further than 100 miles away. Support the local business that is the only way to get rid of the large farm houses and crop fields.
I have been a vegetarian now for over 3 years. It is very difficult, especially at first. It feels so great not to eat meat, or fish, though. My friend, when she was still a vegetarian, lost about 10-20 pounds from being vegetarian. She said that it was the first time she weighed that little (She was not underweight). I love being vegetarian because I have loved animals ever since I was born, literally. I have always wanted to help them somehow, but could not figure out how. I finally came to the conclusion that I wanted to stop eating meat, because that would be helping more animals than I could ever help by eating meat. I have promised animals that I would never eat meat again, and that I would do my best to help them. I have been living up to that promise since then, and I feel great!
I’ve only had tofu once, and that was actually recently. My boyfriend cooked in into the spaghetti sauce, and that’s how we ate it. It was actually REALLY good! A lot of people say they don’t like it, but that is because they do not know what to do with it. It is true, it does not have a taste. If I am correct, it is suppose to taste like whatever you’re cooking it in.
im a vegetarian, an have been since i started eating. i would get sick every time my mom would feed me meat, but besides that, a vegan consumes nothing that ever once had a face. Ex: any dairy products, fish and so on. They have a very limited diet, and usually eat a lot of tofu. A vegetarian just does not eat meat, either they do not like it, or believe in animal rights. Some don’t eat fish, like me. But others do. =)
Interesting blog
I am a vegetarian, but a little bit different.
I also eat no milk, yoghurt, or any dairy product other than cheese. I also eat eggs. I wonder if there is a name for this! ^_^
That is, I eat no meat or fish. Of course!
hi everyone, im thinking of becoming a full vegetarian. and i have just 1 question that is stopping me from becoming one. i dont want to give up on eating gummy bears, since they resemble bears which is a living creature. Am i allowed to eat them and other foods that may be made to look like animals. ex. animal crackers, goldfish(tiny fish like crackers)…etc.?? please help me
My understanding has always been Vegans don’t eat or use anything that has a face, had a face or someday will have a face(eggs). I do find it odd to learn about the silk. Silk is from a worm, right? You would be hard pressed to make me believe the silkworm has a face.
Glad to see this getting some attention on Y!A today.
A couple of points to make:
1. Fish *is* meat. I don’t know why people insist on calling it something other than what it is.
2. There’s obviously a lot of confusion out there about what a vegetarian diet really consists of. To clarify for anyone who’s confused: If you eat fish, chicken, pork, beef, or any other kind of animal flesh, you are NOT a vegetarian. Period.
3. Probably the question I get the most, the one that absolutely refuses to die, is “Where do you get your protein?” I like to respond by saying: “Cows are vegetarian. Where do you think they get their protein?” Virtually all foods contain protein. It’s a myth perpetuated by the meat industry that you can’t get protein from a diet that doesn’t include meat. In fact, some studies now show that most people who eat a meat-based diet get *too much* protein, which can lead to all kinds of health problems. Among them: osteoporosis, since when excess protein is excreted from the body, it carries many of the body’s nutrients and minerals — including calcium — along with it.
The point of an ethically based vegetarian/vegan diet is not to stop all killing. To eat, even vegetarians and vegans have to kill plants. The point is to act compassionately and minimize suffering. Animals have central nervous systems; thus, they can feel pain. Plants aren’t sentient. They don’t suffer, and they don’t feel pain. They nourish us. They give us all the nutrients we need.
I’m a macrobiotic vegetarian.
I have recently, within the past week, made the switch to vegetarian in opposition to factory farms. I do buy animal products, and I think I would switch back to meat if I found a nearby farm that allowed me to see the facilities they kept the animals in. So, I’m sort of a faux-veggie. I’ll eat meat if I know where it’s coming from. Until then, though, it’s boycotting time.
I’ve been vegetarian since I was 13, so it’s been 15 years now. I don’t miss meat at all. I’ve never enjoyed meat or seafood, and I gradually took it out of my diet as I got older and found it more repulsive. I’m also a huge animal lover, so I can’t bear to eat them.
Dairy allergies are forcing me to become vegan. I haven’t quit dairy yet, as I’m finding it very difficult to do so.
I’ve put up with a lot of crap from people because of my choice not to eat meat, but it’s my choice and I can’t understand why anyone would pick on someone just because they don’t like to eat meat.
I encourage anyone who wants to try a vegetarian lifestyle.
If you eat eggs, you’re an ovo-vegetarian. If you eat dairy, you’re a lacto-vegetarian. If you eat both, you’re a lacto-ovo vegetarian.
Both the vegan and vegetarian life style leave out some very important aspects of being healthy. As you will notice, the vegans end up looking emaciated and typically die of a stroke or have to change their diets to survive. Vegetarians, like Pavlov Areola that were famous and wrote lots of books on the subject die of a stroke at 62.
Osteoporosis is very common with both these diet lifestyles and being vitamin B-12 deficient should be enough to make people realize that nature did not intend for people to eat like that. Many of these people eat lots of soy that destroys the body in many ways and contributes to many of the problems they end up having as they age.
The lack of fatty acid, protein, and carb digestion can be the root of the problems and realizing that a balancing act that has to happen is very difficult to master and this results in these people getting the booby prize in the end.
good luck to all who are attempting to make those lifestyles happen.
vegan for life! its not hard, I’m even giving up on solid chocolate (original aztec drink xocolatl is more pleasant). if there’s a “vegan society” logo on products, things get easy. otherwise even “natural flavour” can be animal based. so yes, sometimes I’m wondering what to buy, but I always have corn cereals cause they have vit B12 (I cant find any info if its an animal based vitamin) and some pineapple cause I just love sweet and sour chinese food. I’m mainly relying for seeds, beans and grains for energy, but I hope sugar from fruits also gives some energy.
I absolutely dont eat any vegetables at all. they are poor on nutrition, you will get more vit C from a canary melon than from a bowl of salad. did I mention I’m mostly a raw foodist? sweet and sour dish with tofu is the only cooked/fried thing that I eat. everything else I buy packed, frozen or canned and eat just like that and I save lots of time that would otherwise be wasted for cooking and cleaning.
the taste of meat is already mostly from veggies and spices, so its really no big deal being a vegetarian. no one is tasting the real taste of meat, unless if you eat raw meat like I used to ate raw salmon and canned tuna in water, not oil. but strangely I dont have iron issues. and no bone issues either, cows milk wont make anyone stronger, its actually causing osteoporosis. half of the world is lactose intolerant and they have no bone issues.
except I wish that people would know that you are suppose to cook/steam/fry tofu and not eat it raw. use sesame oil and ginger.
I’ve been an on and off vegetarian for 4 years. I’ll stop because my Dad always wants me to eat meat every once in a while, but being a vegetarian. Not everyone supports or understands me, but I’m doing it for my health. By being a vegetarian I’ve been losing a pound a week as of lately when I added a more variety of fruits and veggies to my diet.
I’ve been a vegetarian for about 13 years. I think vegans have different reasons for being vegans than vegetarians have for being vegetarian. Also, there seems to be more consensus among vegans with regards to their reasons, which is not true for vegetarians.
Oh, and tofu is fermented soymilk, basically tofu is to soymilk what milk is to cheese.
Veganism is pretty intense. I tried it for a few months and it felt really quite healthy, but it grew increasingly difficult to plan interesting meals and eat out at restaurants. I hope that I can incorporate it into my lifestyle again, someday. If you delve deeper even into dairy farming and the rearing of chickens for eggs, you’ll find evidence for gross mistreatment of animals, sometime even on ‘organic’ and ‘free-range’ farms. If you take a more selfish perspective too, it is also in the best interest of humans to adopt a diet closer to vegetarianism when you consider the exhaustion of resources and land which is occurring as a result of meat produce.
The whole vegetarian thing is basically the equivalent of a fashion trend. People like the idea, so they do it. But they don’t really know why and few have any actual nutrition knowledge.
The key to being healthy is not blacking out all animal products. To be healthy all you have to do is know what is healthy and what is not, animal products are not automatically unhealthy.
For instance, chicken, beef, veal, etc, are all bad. They have high levels of hormones, cholesterol and pharmaceuticals, among other things. On the other hand, fish, which is often shunned by vegetarians, is extremely healthy and independent university studies show the supposed mercury contamination is actually so small a problem there’s basically zero chance to ever suffer from it.
Pasteurized milk is very bad for health, the pasteurization modifies the very structure of it, and the pus, blood, lactose, hormones, and pharmaceuticals in it all cause problems. On the other hand, whole unpasteurized milk is mostly healthy, apart from the lactose which most adults are allergic to.
As shown by these examples, people who say “all animal products are bad” basically, like idiots, categorize everything far too simplistically.
I’ve been a vegetarian since about the age of 10 or 11 (I’m 21 now). At first it was for both moral reasons and taste, but several years ago I grew out of the moral phase, and I’m now a vegetarian purely because I don’t like eating meat. Red meat, white meat, fish, cured meat, you name it, I’ve tried it and not liked it.
Since the day I was born I’ve been a vegetarian and I’ve never wanted to ’swap over to the dark side’. Although I occasionally eat meat if someone offers me some. For a while my whole family tried to be vegan and although my mum and sister still drink soya milk we all missed chocolate and eggs far too much!
My friend’s family are vegetarian and she herself chose to become vegan.
And to answer your question ‘is there anything more hardcore than vegan?’ there is such a thing called fruitarian which basically means eating nothing but fruit. It’s very hardcore and I wouldn’t recommend it.
i became a vegetarian when i was twelve, and it was the best decision i have ever made. I am so proud of myself for it, and honestly, anyone could do it. i think it is quite an accomplishment to completely uproot your lifestyle for the benefit of another.
I personally have been a vegetarian for a few months now. making the switch was as easy as pie.
I basically stopped cold turkey…literally! 
I’m planning on slowly moving into the vegan lifestyle but for now I’m sticking with this.
I don’t really know what to call myself though….I usually call myself a vegetarian but I don’t eat fish, eggs, milk, or yogurt but I DO eat cheese. I do NOT believe it is right to use animals at all! But i can’t resist cheese…
I don’t know.
I drink lots of soy milk and eat lots of tofu to get that protein in.
I’m not sure. I think vegans are quite admirable. All of my friends tell me not to be vegan that its going to kill me but its my choice.
Thanks!
Arr, Arr, (Grisly Bear), Mike:
Frankly, I love being a strict vegan vegetarian and I’ am also extremely glad that you’re interested in vegetarianism. Who knows? Maybe you could make the switch yourself and be a ‘real man.’ It’s called animal cruelty-free commitment; even tasty with 100% pure vegetables, grains, nuts, legumes, rice, beans, soybeans, wheat bread, flour tortillas, wheat pasta, tomato pasta, soy meat alternatives fried or grilled on the veggie-Q-pit. -And of course tofu tastes really great cooked with virgin olive oil or olive oil. Try even making scrambled tofu eggs by crumbling the block of tofu in a pan and add veggie ingredients like: mushrooms, olive oil, salt, imitation bacon bits, and whatever else satisfies those veggie cravings. The tofu scramble cooks great breakfast like in 2-3 minutes time. Still be advised that you still have to take your veggie vitamins while making the transition from carnivore to vegan. All vitamins like: 1000 – 2000 mcg vitamins B12, calcium, milled flax seed omega 3, and all the others plant based vitamins you need to survive. Well, I hope this helped! If you have any more questions feel free to ask again. Go Vegans! Stay Animal Safe All The Way!
P.S.: Thanks!
Respectfully,
Monica G.
I am vegetarian… not only are they not meat eating, we also avoid foods containing gelatin… (Jello, pop tarts, marshmellows)… were you aware gelatin is made of ground animal ligiments and connective tissue? yum
I’ve been vegetarian for 8 years now and was vegan for six months. I’m still trying to make the transition. I don’t like when people say that they could never be one or the other. I never thought I would’ve been at the time, but a friend challenged me to go 2 weeks without meat.
If you have the will, than you are capable and you are stronger than you realize! It takes time to get used to and you just have to find staple foods like pastas and substitutes in your diet! I’ve made my sister foods and she never questioned the fake sausage she ate. LOL. I bet most of you reading this post did not know that taco bell beans and rice and tortillas are vegan!!
Burger King has the BK veggie sandwich that is vegetarian! Whole foods and Trader Joes have great foods for you to eat, or you can order them online! Bigger cities or beach towns maybe more likely to be vegetarian or vegan friendly. Most grocery stores have vegetarian sections in the freezer or produce aisles. All of your resources are there, you just have to find the will. Try it for two weeks, you might be amazed! Good luck!!
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Some helpful books are:
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The idiots guide to becoming vegetarian
The idiots guide to becoming vegan
vegan freak
vegetarian cookbooks
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Learn to read food ingredients!!
Did you know that there are animal products
in white cane sugar?? in tattoo ink?? Most chocolates?? Your makeup?? in your Body-wash?? Marshmellows?? Car tires?? Jello?? Cereal??
Stay away from cheese ingredients (enzymes) Rennet and Casein. Rennet is the lining of a cows stomach. Casein is a dried skim milk protein.
I hope this helps somebody or somebody learns something new or will try to be or convert vegetarian or vegan.
I have found being vegetarian is a lot more fun than being omnivorous – I get such a variety of flavors for my nutrition than the bulk of meat. Humans do not need meat in their diets. It’s fun, great for the environment, and cuts down your cholesterol. Plus veggie burgers taste better than genuine burgers. And you know it!
But if I were to switch to vegan … I wonder how easily I could fill up? It seems to extreme a switch for me; I am very comfortable being vegetarian.
Not to mention fruitarians won’t eat anything that doesn’t fall to the ground of its own will.
I am a vegetarian and have been my whole life, and I’m thirteen. I really think it’s cruel to hurt animals that way.
But I don’t wear wool, fur, or silk either.
i’m working on becoming a vegetarian, so far, i have given up all mammals (pigs, lamb, cow etc.) , and now i’m working on birds (turkey, chicken, goose, though i’ve never had goose…)
wish me luck!
i am a vegetarian myslef but i do like to become a veggan but my moom wont alow me she say it un heathy
i’m a vegan…its not easy because i’m a teen living in a household of meateaters and sometimes there isn’t much to eat because my family won’t go out of their way to buy “vegan” foods for me.
I’m vegetarian, and have been for 5 years. I will occasionally eat fish, especially if I am traveling, but that is the only exception I make. I like knowing I’m doing what I can for the environment and saving some lives =) It isn’t that hard, at least in my opinion, and I have been able to stay healthy and fit for almost my entire time as vegetarian… will I ever go back to eating meat? I don’t think so, but we’ll see what comes up in the future =)
This is my short but sweet, and unresearched but lived, definition. I’m a vegetarian. That means, if it has or had a face, I don’t eat it. Vegans (I heard) do not eat anything–even if it never had a face, ears, hands, or feet–if it was taken from where it was to your mouth violently. To vegans, it’s about the energy that went into the act of picking, killing, refining, preparing, etc. as much as whether it was an animal, and if so, what kind.
I didn’t become a vegetarian completely by choice. It was either the result of trekking through 35 temples in Tibet, or artificial disc replacement done by going through the front of me to my spine, and the damage done to my intestines. I miss a good burger, steak, etc., but even chicken broth in soup makes me violently ill.
So, while I have an answer I know is true, I have many questions too.
I’m a vegetarian, and always have been. I live in an area where there are a lot of vegetarians, a takeaway shop with vegetarian options, and my school is a vegetarian school.
It’s not a strong moral choice at all. I would eat meat tomorrow if I needed it for dietary reasons, or if I got sick of having limited choices when I go to mcdonald’s.
I don’t really care if animal’s lives are lost because of my diet. I don’t think I could ever go vegan for a few reasons. It requires a lot of thought about diet. Many people disagree about whether it’s just a diet, or whether it’s a lifestyle, and I don’t want to argue with them about it. And I love my cheese, yoghurt and eggs!
I have been told – although it was by a somewhat biased source – that vegetarians live longer. I would believe it, because in general they would eat more vegetables.
Not all vegetarians read every label of everything they eat. I wouldn’t say that it’s inconvenient, but then again, it’s the only way I’ve ever really lived. I have had meat before, and I didn’t dislike it. I just wouldn’t eat it every day.
I’ve considered pesco-vegetarianism, but then I tried fish and didn’t like it.
I don’t care if anyone else chooses to be a fruitarian, vegan, pesco veg, or whatever else they want, as long as they don’t shove their beliefs in my face.
Re tofu, it’s protein that industry is now making that tastes better than BBQ ribs, hot dogs, or burgers. You can eat it Italian style, or any way you want. It depends on how much you like to cook, or if you have the dough to have Sunfare prepare and deliver your food. Or Morningstar and several other brands prepare excellent frozen meals at the grocery store. The ribs are better than any real meat ribs I’ve ever tasted.
Hey i think that vegetarians are kind of crazy. Vegans or whatever too. Meat is ok, and its very filling. It helps build muscle and fat, so you arn’t one of those super skinny people that are like just skin and bones, no muscles or boobs or anything. I mean, isnt eating meat natural? We’re omniviores, and we have teeth for both meat and veggies. Both should be eaten in moderation. Just like how the buddah tought people about the middle path, although i dont know how a 400+ pound guy has the balls to teach people about balance.
I’ve been a vegetarian for two years, but I recently went vegan. I’ve been vegan for three weeks today
There’s nothing moral about being vegetarian or vegan. Well, whether these people are delusional, or just plain stupid if they really think that by consuming vegetables and no-meat they somehow make their meal ethical. One loaf of bread kills 10 if not 100 times more animals then a scotch fillet. Think about that.
I would like to just argue a few points that have been bothering me in this debate.
1. The argument is often made that elephants, pandas, cows etc are vegetarian and they certainly are not weak so if they can do it why can’t we. Um… what? These animals have a totally different digestive system built to convert plant matter to proteins, humans do not. That is why you can’t put a cat on a plant diet either. Seriously!
2. As for the, “We eat cows but why not dogs/sheep/monkeys debate?” Also quite dumb. In some places they do eat dogs and sheep and monkeys but in most places they do not because these animals serve other functions such as wool producers, companionship, to herd animals, to dress up like humans and have them act in stupid Disney movies.
3. Then there is the intelligence debate and how we as a intelligent species should know better. Hmm… Maybe. But it is said dolphins are smarter than people and they are carnivores.
4. Anything with a biological cell structure is organic. So I only eat organic foods nonsense is just silly. People ASSUME this mean sustainable and pesticide free.
5. Eating a local solely plant based diet is just not possible for some people. Soy won’t grow in the many region of Europe especially in the north in place like Finland and Switzerland. The Eskimos could never survive on an plant only diet either. Nor could any Polynesian cultures their local environments just do not allow it. And frankly the cost shipping and rive food products I think is worse than having a little local fish or lamb.
6. The real issue when is comes to sustainability and animal “rights” is not what we eat or even where it comes from but the fact that there are way too many people on the planet. And that is something I never hear discussed in any debates on the issue.
FACT: Killing Animals is not cruel:
Animals kill each other, sometimes on TV. Some say survival of the fittest. Others say: Hamsters eat their babies too. However there’s a reason why we don’t keep polar bears as pets. don’t kid yourself – your cat wouldn’t think twice about tearing you from limb to limb if it weighed 400 pounds. We didn’t spend millions of years fighting our way up the food chain to live our days on tofu turkey roasts and bean casseroles. Prehistoric man would not have made it very far if he had sat around handing out crudites and spinach dips while organizing marches in protest of the treatment of the saber-toothed tiger. We kill to survive. We are simply better at killing than animals. Hate the game, not the player. Only a very stupid species stops doing the thing they are best at, surely?
FACT: Vegetarianism is not good for the environment:
It’s very simple, vegetarians eat plans. Growing plans for consumption is a very inneficent way of generating food and, pound for pound, far more energy and resources are expended on filling the bellies of soap-shy vegetarians than our carnivorous friends. Methane is about twenty times stronger than carbon-dioxide as a greenhouse gas and a major cause of global warming. And we all know that the biggest outputters of methane are cows and vegans.
FACT: Meat-eating is no more exploitative than plant-killing:
Put the slaughterhouse photos away. They are all doctored in graphics editing software to make the animals frown. What about the illegal immigrants who toil the fields for your finger buffet and brunch canapes? Vegetarians saturate the media with images of battery hens and then deny that there is nothing sinister about a combine harvester slashing up fields of genetically-modified, identically-sized baby carrots. it’s just not right.
Vegetables are a side dish at most, not a lifestyle. They can work occasionally, if deep-fried in lard, but they can never replace man’s fundamental need to flame-grill his fellow mammals. Beef, pork, lamb, dog, cat, chicken, penguin….
I wish I had a dime for every dinner party that’s been ruined by an undernourished tree-hugger spouting anecdotes about poultry-processing, and veal-fattening while you are trying to suck the last of the marrow from a rack of ribs: for every man and woman who has known the joy of arising slick-faced from a steaming animal carcass. If I did have a dime for each one, I’d be rich
Don’t believe the hype. Until we feel an instinctive urge to graze in our backyard, or chew cud at the weekends, we should embrace the base desire in all of us to rip flesh from the bone at every opportunity.
Stop this vegetarian madness before we are left with an ashen-faced nation of 120 pound weaklings who spend half of the day on the toliet. Wake up and smell the tofu! Oh wait, you can’t! It has no smell!
While vegetarians are merely attention-seeking, supercilious hyprocrites who drink milk and eat fish in leather army boots while licking the gelatin off cigarette papers and feeding animal by-products to flea-ridden German Shepherds, vegans are an altogether more dangerous breed who sould be approached with extreme care. A militians neo-hippie movement popularized in the 1960’s, the cult of veganism has been preaching hate around the world ever since.
Normally pale, thin and female with tiny offspring, these pallid creatures are typically found outside fashion shows clutching tins of paint, twirling fire sticks in city parks or huddld in backstreet doorway pumping breast-milk into a hipflask. you can tell them apart from methheads by the canvas shoes and tie-die clothing. If you come across a vegan, remember:
1. Do not panic, – vegans are manipulative but generally slow and clumsy from the lack of fat and protein
2. Keep your distance – they are likely to be banged out of their heads on skunk but the methane emission could be lethal.
3. stay in direct sunlight and start to recite the preparation techniques for Foie Gras. Within 20 minutes, they will either collapse or need to defecate.
I am a pescetarian. (I’m like a vegetarian except I eat fish)
and I’m thinking of becoming vegan one day. I mean since I’m still growing and only a teen. I need to keep my diet healthy. and being a vegetarian is probably healthier, it’s sort of hard to get my complete amount of protein just through soy, bean, products. even thought there’s morning star hotdogs and stuff like that. which I do eat, but eating burgers and chik’n nuggets and hotdogs, get’s a little bland. though I could probably eat it in a differnt way.
I’m basically vegetarian though, because I rarely eat fish anymore.
but I think anybody who’s considering of becoming a
vegetarian should become a pescetarian first. If you really loved meat like I did, and it’s hard to give up all of your meat so quickly.
I was a vegetarian at first, but I changed into pescetarian, because I really like fish.
anyways, am I the only one that still had meat cravings while being a vegetarian? :\
I’ve been a vegetarian pretty much all my life, and I’m going to try being a vegan when I live on my own ^^
Hi, I’m only 16, and have been a vegetarian for 11 years, but now I’ve become Vegan, only about 3 months ago. I do it for my love of animals. It’s a very hardcore version of Vegetarian. There are many types of vegetarians such as lacto-ovo (who eat eggs and milk) and a pescetarian (who eat fish) but I was a lacto-ovo. But now, as a Vegan, I don’t eat any of those. I enjoy it because I feel and I actually am making difference. My love for animals has always been strong, but as a vegan, I don’t eat meat, eggs, milk, honey, and I do not wear animal products, including makeup and shampoos tested on animals. You should hear what they do to them, its absolutely disgusting.
There isn’t really anything more hardore than a vegan, except some vegans use animal tested things, and some eat honey, and some wear animal fur. I guess it just depends on their personal choice.
Ever since I was young I would ask my mom (pointing to the meat on my plate) “Did this have eyes” and I would ask how they killed the animal, So Ive always felt strongly about animals. The Vegan way is the way to go. The Vegan lifestlye is expensive, but my family is supportive and my mom is use to it since I havent ate meat practically my whole life.
I hope I helped.
I have been a vegetarian my whole life, and people have always made that confusion, thinking that I couldn’t eat dairy etc. And actually people have accused me of lying about being a vegetarian, like as if someone would lie about it lol. Anyway, NO I don’t eat salads all the time, and actually I don’t even eat that healthy as I should.. oops. Anyway I just don’t eat meat. That’s all. Not a hard concept, but anytime I meet someone new, I have to answer the same questions. Ha ha, but I suppose if they’re not used to it, it can be confusing. My Godmother is a vegan, and I don’t know how anyone could ever be that, and what do they eat? So I get it. lol
i have been a vegetarian for four years and its really not that hard. at first i missed the special meals my family made that couldn’t be altered but i got over it quickley. when i’m an adult i will buy free run eggs and cow friendly milk but for now my mom does the shopping and doesnt want to spend the extra money on “special” dairy products. when i was first a vegetarian it was because i thought it was cool but when my mom made me research it for my health i actually discovered that i do want to be a vegetarian and not just because its cool. god created animals before people and they were here long before us. he is okay with us eating them, but he did not mean for them to be treated this horribley. when you think of human trafficing it is horrible, but people are trafficing animals not for sex but there LIVES. how would you feel if you were brought up just for the reason of being killed and wrapped in plastic and then going rotten in the fridge..?
I am currently a vegetarian and I am trying to become a vegan. Being a vegetarian isnt something you can really understand until you are one. I used to love to eat steak and ham and things like that but now that I’m a vegetarian I sit here and ask myself, did I really ever eat that? I can say vegetarian isnt for everyone but it is certainly for me!
Well, I’ve been a vegetarian for a while, though I’ve recently converted to veganism. Why? I disagree very strongly with the treatment of the animals. I feel hypocritical going to the zoo and petting the cows (yes, my zoo has cows.) and then making a one-way trip to Burger King.
I chose to be a vegetarian because of that and because it’s just overall healthier. My reasons for going vegan? Well, for me, it’s all or nothing. Again, I feel hypocritical refusing a burger only to scarf a milkshake. The cow was still abused either way, and I’m still contributing to the cruel slaughterhouses by buying the milkshake.
It’s just a personal belief. I don’t force them on anyone. If someone asks, I will share, but I don’t believe in shoving things down people’s throats.
As for the people who say: “We’re born to eat meat,” I disagree with that as well. Again, not everyone will agree with me here, but because of my religious beliefs, the Bible says we were originally created to eat vegetables and have animals for company. Only after the fall of man were we allowed to eat meat. God never said we had to, and calling vegetarian and vegan practices “unnatural” is simply absurd. We get the same amount of nutrients as carnivores.
Scientific evidence has proven it time and time again. My own personal experience has proven that eating no meat or dairy products has made my mind that much sharper.
I’ve been a vegetarian for four years now; I’m currently 17. I’m very active in having schools recognize vegetarian diets in their lunch meals and have written letters to the state government about the issue. I do not think that it should be a problem for schools to offer more vegetarian meals because it IS so laid back. True, it wouldn’t be as easy as just making chicken patties but tofu and other products rich in protein are easy enough to come by. However, I have not tried for more vegan friendly meals because although I DO commend them, it IS a difficult diet to provide for, and I disagree with some reasoning behind it. It is true that a lot of the conditions for animals prodicing milk/eggs/etc. are unacceptable, but none the less, cows must be milked, chickens must lay eggs, etc. to lead a comfortable life. That is not to say I agree with the conditions but it must be done anyways so why should that suffering be done in vain? I’m very much open to discuss this further, answer any questions, or tell you about my goal to get vegetarian lunches mandatory at schools, as the trends grows. Feel free to e-mail me at Lckleinhans@aol.com.
–Lindsay K.
I am 16 years old and a vegetarian for a year and a half. I have lost weight and no longer have high cholesterol, i am way more happier !!!
For many people, a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle is a serious ethical decision. It’s insulting that you talk about it as though we are a bunch of freaks, when the ignorance lies on the other side.
Ethical people who are informed of the horrific treatment of animals exploited for profit make a lifestyle decision that may be inconvenient in this society, but we abide by it because we believe it is the right thing to do.
Anyone who is still carelessly supporting the animal products industries is ignorant by choice because there is plenty of information out there, or you simply condone the misery and pain inflicted on animals for profit.
The vegetarians and vegans are making a lifestyle choice, yes, not a “diet” choice. I read an article by Linda McCartney 20 years ago and knew I would never eat another animal. I have never looked back. You should show some respect for the people trying to make the world a better place instead of talking about us like WE are the idiots.
Personally, I’m an omnivore, but I’ve got no problem with people who choose to be vegetarian. My mom has been ovo-lacto for years. To each his own as I say. My big problem is the militant bunch that condemns anyone who chooses a different lifestyle than them and who chooses to eat meat. Personally, I enjoy eating a steak. But I enjoy eating all kinds of different foods.
I am considered a vegetarian and I love it. I don’t find that type of diet to be difficult at all. I’ve been a vegetarian for about 4 and 1/2 almost 5 years. What I did was I slowly started to omit meat from my diet instead of giving it up cold turkey. I don’t think I could ever be a vegan because I love eggs and dairy products too much. Anyway, I do cook with soy products that are supposed to mimic the real thing. For example, I had bar-b-que ribblets made out of soy for dinner tonight and they were delicious.
I’m a meat eater, and believe it or not it is for health reasons. I have such a high matabulism that if I don’t eat meat I can’t get enough fat in my diet to maintain any weight. If I were to become a veggie or vegan I would die of starvation. Also I look at it this way our bodies have been designed threw evelotion to eat both meat and veggies for a balanced diet.
I don’t have anything against veggies or vegans, it just would not be heathy for me. I do agree with people who don’t wear fur or clothing of any kind that is made from an animal that is killed just for its hide and no other reason, but I will wear leather made from cow, pig, deer or another animal that is slaughtered for food and then the hide is also made into a jacket or boots or something like that.
I don’t like animal cruelty and want the food animals to be killed with as little suffering as possible. As a hunter myself this is something I always practice. I take head and neck shots because it gives the fasted kill with the least suffering for the animal. They are dead before they hit the ground.
My only complaint about vegans is when I hear one start preaching that we shouldn’t kill a living thing for our food. The last time I checked plants were a living thing weather you pull that apple from the tree or pick it up off the ground you are still killing a living thing to eat. So I say if you want to be a veggie or a vegan more power to you, but don’t preach to me because I eat meat. You are still killing a living thing to eat. I will not rant at you for your choice so please show me the same respect that I will show you.
If you’re a vegan, you won’t ever have a weight problem. You will lose weight. If you keep it up, you may lose ALL your weight and die.
True vegans won’t eat anything derived from animals. They won’t even wear a wool sweater. They seem to think shearing off a sheep’s wool is somehow painful to the animal. That, of course, is nonsense.
I know a couple of vegans who bent my ear a couple of years ago about their “ethical” diet. Then I surprised them one day when they were at a McDonald’s eating Big Macs, French fries, and milkshakes. They were shell-shocked, but admitted that, every once in a while, they “had to have a burger and fries.”
They both got extra ketchup for their fries. I wonder how many precious bugs died during the harvest of the tomatoes that were used to make the ketchup.
I’m a vegan and I’ve been a vegan for 2 years, since the 8th grade. In the 6th grade I become a vegetarian because I seen the way the animals were treated for the selfish ways of humans. It was actually really easy to give up all the meat and fish. When I became a vegan, it was a little harder because all my friends still eat meat and dairy products so when they offer things like cookies or when you go to a bonfire and they are all eating s’mores it’s kinda hard but other than that, it’s really easy and it makes you a lot healthier.
Tofu is AMAZING! (don’t know why they made it sound bad in the Twilight movie) The best way, I think, is fried with rice and vegetables!! AMAZING!!!
hey mike,
i’ve been vegan for a couple of years now, so i feel i can clarify some things, though i’m not quite sure about the difference b/w a veggie and a vegan (i thought they were synonymous).
more hardcore? try raw vegan. it’s no piece of cake (hah). but if you do your research and possibly attend a class or two, you can do it the right and healthy way.
tofu, i think, has been defined for you:)
what i’d like to elaborate on is the vegan lifestyle and some things that people do not know/understand about veganism:
if you’re truly set on it, you wouldn’t eat things like refined sugar, gelatin, mono and di gylcerides, and many other ingredients that are not commonly advertised as animal based.
also, many items used everyday have animal based products in them, such as camera film, bicycle tires, etc.
this is a great link with many (many!) definitions:
http://www.veganwolf.com/animal_ingredients.htm
oh, and carnivores aren’t confusing, they have just chosen a different (not lesser, evil, nor ‘bad’) lifestyle.
vegetarian for TWO years now
-best decision i’ve made in a while.
Do it for the animals, your health, and the environment!!
– I would go vegan, but that takes ALOT of courage. props to them!!
Well i’m a 23 year old guy, and i’ve been for 6 years now. I chose this lifestyle because i don’t like the taste of meat, And i don’t think that just to satisfy a 3-4 inch organ( tongue), another life is responsible. I mean if we can taste food as its going down, then at least it’ll be more reasonable , coz the taste lasts longer for another second or two. And i don’t eat eggs coz i hate the smell of it.
I never try to enforce my way of lifestyle on others, coz that’s really not wise. All of my friends eat meat, and they admire me for being a veggie as well.
All the best
Been veggie for 6 years**
Vegetarianism and veganism are extremely hypocritical. Regardless of where you get your moral code, be it a deity or from nature, our body is made to function one way, utilizing a specific diet. If you’re a more religious type, it’s time to accept the fact that your god wants you to eat meat (y’know, since he/she/it gave you teeth and a digestive system that requires essential vitamins and minerals from meat), or we survived and evolved through the consumption of both meats and vegetables and therefore omnivorism is required for survival and day-to-day functions.
Honestly, animals do it, we’re animals, we should do it. Enough said. It’s time to realize the world is a harsh place, and it’s a kill-or-be-killed earth.
I’d prefer I do the killing.
I am a vegetarian, and i have been most of my life.. I have never been vegan, but there were a few years where i didnt eat any diary, and i hardly any eggs as well as no meat whatsoever..
The reason for my choice as a vegetarian, is because of animal cruelty, if we can survive without eating animals, why wouldnt we?
However, I dont have anything against meat eaters =]
Its intresting all these different diets, however i think the most important thing is to be healthy =]
im a vegan. i was vegetarian for a little over 2 years, and vegan for a few months.
there is a diet called the “raw vegan” diet, where they dont eat ANYTHING cooked at all… my friend was a raw vegan it was hardcore. i tried it but failed haha!!
read below for even more stringent than that
I recently went from being a meat eating, cheese and egg loving whole food diet to a vegan or what is also called a strict vegetarian (no animal products at all) overnight.
This was because I was diagnosed with diabetes recently and the associated problems–potential loss of sight, limbs, IQ, kidney function (along with dialysis and its 30 times increase in one’s chance of heart attack, numbness, and 75% death rate from stroke and heart attack, drugs and damage to every cell in one’s body. Having watched my mom go on dialysis for non diabetes causes and suffer so much with 9 heart attacks, I am terrified I will wind up like her.
Having watched a boyfriend die in his 40s after just one year of diabetes, a relative die from diabetic coma and two others go blind, I was frankly terrified,
Fear is a tremendous motivator and many of the centuries greatest natural healers initially went that route through having to make hard lifestyle changes to save their own life (and had reversals of deadly diseases.
Often it takes something like that to make one be willing to give up the foods they grew up loving. Overnight, I also gave up buffets, fast food and junk foods (though my diet was generally excellent). And started daily exercise.
After praying I happened to find a website on many who cured their diabetes using a 85% raw, whole food, vegan diet. The author of the book just happened to be speaking in my state-free–from thousands of miles from his home so I went. (hallelujah diet)
I then found two other books where this type diet also reversed diabetes (there is a cure for diabetes and eat to live). I saw videos on people reversing it completely in as little as 3 days though some take up 6 months.
It is not too bad giving up these foods I loved as there are so many fabulous raw food vegan recipes online from raw lasagna to raw vegan pizzas to raw vegan fudge and brownies and so many creative and tasty things.
Luckily farmer’s markets are here as I am averaging 70-85% produce. I have to cut back on whole grains and fruits due to the blood sugar problems, so that leaves just soy, beans, veggies and nuts and seeds for the most part.
One in a while you feel you would like something more substantial but nuts seem to get me through those few times. It is more expensive eating this way and almost nothing in the regular store but produce and beans can I find to eat but I have the farmer’s markets and health food stores that open up much more.
Some people do NOT subscribe to that theory of not wearing animals, going to places like zoos and circuses, and not buying products tested on animals. Although I rarely do these things naturally that is not why I am a vegan. It is for the planet and a side benefit is it helps make a small dent in the cruelty of the animal industry and helps the planet.
Some people seem to go overboard..they are very defensive that only they are true vegans and told me I must say I am a strict vegetarians instead or that I am eating a vegan diet as opposed to I am vegan. Some were nuts..I heard one say that she hated people who fished and stepped on bugs.
I will not say that as I am now a vegan and those doing it to the extreme as a lifestyle are the ones who should say they live the vegan lifestyle to disguise there going beyond just eating vegan.
Most on here seem to be a vegan cause thgey love animals more so than for their health.
The next step is a raw food faddist..first 85 and then going gradulaly up to 100% raw.
the next as you say is a fruitarian..they eat raw above ground veggies, fruits and nuts/seeds.
the main difference between them and a raw food faddist is that the faddist includes beans and whole grains (some allow cooked other only sprouted) and beans legumes.Also soy and root veggies.
Then comes the juice faster they generally consuime just fresh juices, herb tea and someones a potassium broth
finally there is the breatharian.
I have read the books of Arnold Ehret and he popularized the fruitarian lifestyle and he and many of his followers acheived perfec t health bey0ond anything they ever knew..they experinced things like all health problems leaving, vision reversing to perfect, grey hair turning back to black, more pep than when they were children, able to walk up steep hills that left everyone else panting without scarcely even knowing they were walking uphill with zero exhaustion, complete personality changes to a life of joy and happiness and losing of anxiety and anger to the point all those around they noticed etc.
I have long admired them and now that I had become a vegan and trying to become a raw food faddist one day, maybe I will achieve a step to fruitarian as I would like to see if I could achieve perfect health like that.
I tend to see my diet getting better and better and better through the years so I may just keep going. Yes it can be hard but not as bad as I thought. You do kind of have to learn to do things differently. I find it takes me longer to prepare food but then, I like to do several courses and fancy things up.
I think the lifestyles are very good but I do find some of the people at least in that section militant and condescending to those believing otherwise and a kind of I am better than you demeanor. Maybe I just got the wrong ones. also saw vegetarians on here feeling like crap and guilty for not doing more (for animals) by not being vegans which I thought was really sad. anyone eating less meat and animal products is helping their cause of saving animals and should not be feeling guilty nor those who try to eat less meat but not go vegetarian or vegan. Before I was eating about 85% vegan and 90% vegetarian anyway and felt that did save some animal’s lives as I overeat I may have saved more than some vegetarians when you think about it.
Als the movie food etc made me glad I went vegan when I heard up to 1000 cows are in every hamburger and just 2 days ago on the radio they talked about a teenager who became paralyzed from eating a hamburger her mom made her that later was found to have e coli or salmonella.
I heard the slaughterhouses are filthy (and the animals are so mitreated) and the chickens are thrown into vats that workers affectionately call the fecal tank..over 2 in 3 chicken are contaminated I read once.
If you are going to eat hamburger buy steak and either chop it in a vitamix or have butcher make it into hamburger as that only contains one cow per burger and less chance of the cow being cancerous (they just cut off the tumors) or run through filthy cutting machines and processing.
If someone had a good source of clean, grass fed cows and organic chickens, they certainly would be better off than buying conventional.
Dairy and eggs have more pesticide residues than produce so buy organic there and not in the produce if money if limited.
Do not eat farm raised fish just wild caught as it is not fed foods that make its similar to eating beef or chicken and blunting many of the good properities of fish, It is now said that 100% of fish contain mercury and nearly all the fish in my state’s rivers and streams is polluted and likely other states too.
did you know that boneless, skinless chicken has the same amount of cholesterol as a fatty hamburger?
the agribusinesses is making it very risky to eat meats. One hundred years ago it was a lot safe
When you drink meat you are getting all the nutrients, RNA and DNA to feed a 2000 pound animal. We are the only animal that drinks the milk of another species an after the age of weaning. Now sometimes they just dump the antibiotics in the milk someone I trust said they were told this by a veterinarian.
As the meats continue to harm more people, as the extreme cruelty of the meat industry becomes more widespread, and as diseases continue to rise, I predict more and more people turning veggie and vegan and also raw.
Back in the 70s when I ate organic food, one could barely find it and when they did it was in the back of the store small and wilted looking. Now the stores proudly broadcast how many organic items they sell and even walmart’s sells it cause it is so popular.
all my life, I tended to do things earlier that later became trends and I predict the same will happen here. we always had vegans and vegetarians but it did not become a movement until the 1800’s
Now people have a wider selection of foods like various nuts, seeds, grains, legumes and produce than ever before in history as well as things like juicers, spiral spaghetti veggie cutter, food processor etc to make vegan cooking more diverse and easier than ever.
I hope more people do go to these lifestyles and am so glad I finally did what I also long admired.
they generally exist on only air and light
once in a while they eat a little bit (or not)
http://www.livestrong.com/article/5157-need-breatharian-diet/?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_Articles
I then fopund
I have been a vegetarian for 7 months I feel sooooo much healthier!
non veg is awesome
order and classifications of vegetarians going from least to most restrictive
1 Flexitarian/Semi-vegetarian mostly vegetarian but occasionally eat meat
2 Pescatarian-only flesh they eat is fish/seafood
3 Vegetarian (Lacto-ovo- vegetarian)
People who do not eat beef, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish or animal flesh of any kind, but do eat eggs and dairy products are lacto-ovo vegetarians (“lacto” comes from the Latin for milk, and “ovo” for egg).
4 Lacto-vegetarian is used to describe a vegetarian who does not eat eggs, but does eat dairy products.
5 Ovo-vegetarian refers to people who do not eat meat or dairy products but do eat eggs.
6. Vegan–Vegans do not eat meat of any kind and also do not eat eggs, dairy products, or processed foods containing these or other animal-derived ingredients such as gelatin. Many vegans also refrain from eating foods that are made using animal products that may not contain animal products in the finished process, such as sugar and some wines. There is some debate as to whether certain foods, such as honey, fit into a vegan diet.
so vegan eats no animals (flesh-pork, beef, lamb, chicken, fish, crab etc and also not animal products like eggs, cheese, milk. some eat honey and some do not
7.. Raw vegan/Raw food diet
A raw vegan diet consists of unprocessed vegan foods that have not been heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius). “Raw foodists” believe that foods cooked above this temperature have lost a significant amount of their nutritional value and are harmful to the body.
raw food faddist is the next step…they eat mainly or only raw foods..first 85 and then going gradulaly up to 100% raw.
Raw foods include veggies, fruits, raw nuts and raw seeds, sprouted grains and legumes, dehydrated foods under 115 degree temp like “raw” crackers an chips, also things like uncooked soaked oatmeal, muesli cereal, dried fruits, seaweeds and algaes, and homemade almond and oat milk, frozen fruit ice creams, raw pies with nut-date crusts, etc
8 the next as you say is a Fruitarian..they do not just eat fruit–they eat raw above ground veggies, fruits and raw nuts/seeds.
the main difference between them and a raw food faddist is that the faddist includes beans and whole grains (some allow cooked other only sprouted) and beans legumes. Also soy and root veggies.
9. Then comes the juice faster they generally consume just fresh juices, herb tea and sometimes a potassium broth
10. finally there is the breatharian. they generally exist on only air and light
once in a while they eat a little bit (or not) there is more on them at the link below
http://www.livestrong.com/article/5157-need-breatharian-diet/?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_Articles
I myself am a happy and proud Vegan!
I was pescetarian initially for 3 months vegitarian for a year before making the transition to becoming vegan. Both transitions were very easy for me as it is something I feel strongly in.
I agree with people here saying don’t knock it till you try it as people who have never even tried to become vegetarian will not know how benificial our lifestyle is. Personally I know no other vegans and only a few vegetarians.
Alot of people say omg your vegan! I could never do that! Well i bet they could! Personally I think the slaughter of animals should be outlawed, or there should be a restriction on how much familys should be able to buy a week.
Places like Mccdonalds and Burger King and Kfc and all them disgust me! Not only due to the mass amount of slaughter they cause, but to the unhealthy food they produce.
I know I’m writing a hell of a lot! But Vegetarianism and Veganism is very close to my heart
I want to personally say a warm congrats to all new and old pescetarians, vegetarians and vegans! If you are thinking of making the transition just do it!
I promise you will never be happier
xxx
lol i have a friend who is vegetarian she is awesome.
I am a pescetarian, or vegequarian as some people call it, that means I only eat fish & shellfish and anything that’s vegetarian too. I became a pescetarian as I like to change my eating habit but I just find vegetarianism or veganism too extreme for me. Though I do have some thoughts on becoming a vegetarian as I believe that we are over-fishing, and I may as well make the switch since I’m halfway there by not eating bird and mammal meat. So I do admire the vegans and vegetarians out there for all the efforts they put in for their eating habits for the betterment of animals’ lives and all.
Good article.
Being vegan isn’t nearly as difficult as some would have you believe though. It’s a lifestyle choice that (once you get into the right frame of mind) doesn’t really require a whole lot more effort than any other.
It can be an extremely healthy lifestyle too.
There are a number of excellent articles and some really useful online resources for anyone interested in finding out more.
A few that I would recommend include:
http://www.vegansociety.com
http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/
http://www.veganhealthandbeauty.com/articledetail.asp?ArticleRef=2
all vegetarians who abstain from meat for ‘compassionate reasons’ are hypocrits. Find out more what’s wrong with MILK on http://www.milksucks.co.uk/
Vegetarianism is fine. I enjoy white meat and fish and eat little red meat.
As for vegans, I think it’s ridiculous. My brother-in-law is vegan and he looks terrible. He has lost a lot of weight, he looks gaunt and sometimes his complexion is greenish/yellow. He says he feels great and has lots of energy, but he tires very quickly, sleeps a lot and is always cold. In my opinion, his nutrition lifestyle is stupid.
I’m vegetarian, and i’ve considered going vegan[but i love cheese way too much.] I had no idea that vegans dont wear fur, leather, or stuff like that. For a while i was a lacto-vegetarian[vegetarian+no eggs] it was really tough, because eggs are in so many things. Like my grandma made brownies, and i could never resist her brownies ^^ even though there were eggs in it
Now, i’m like a half-lacto-vegetarian i guess.. I wont eat just eggs, like scrambled eggs, hardboiled eggs, or omlettes. but i eat things that are made with eggs
Wow, i have no clue what the hell tofu is and i eat it a lott.
I admire the dedication of vegetarians and vegans. I’ve actually tried to become a vegetarian, but I grew up eating meat and couldn’t think of a life without chicken wings, juicy steaks, and pork cutlets. Just by that I know that I can definitly never be a vegan. By the way, tofu is pretty much a just a soybean patty. It can be soft or firm, and when you cook it correctly it can be pretty delicious.
I just switched to a raw vegan diet and I believe it is the best thing going. Society has been brainwashed into believing that meat is necessary, that processed foods can be healthy, and that something has to TASTE good in order to eat it. I have nothing against meat-eaters, it is a personal choice what you decide to eat, I just wish that everyone could see through the deception of big industry promoting unhealthy food products for the sole purpose of making money. I prefer to eat foods that do not have an ingredient label, in other words, what I am eating is what I am buying with nothing else added to it. When you start to read labels and see how many THINGS are added into foods, you will start wondering what those THINGS are doing to your body. For this reason, I try not to eat anything that is canned, frozen, or boxed, unless the ingredient list contains only that which is supposed to be in the package. In addition to eliminating meat from my diet, I have stopped consuming anything with sugar or flour in it. These are 2 things which make foods seem addictive to people, for example, why would you want sugar in your french fries ? It just does not make sense. I agree strongly with a couple of earlier comments about buying foods locally, and buying free range meat – this makes sense – the giant mass production facilities are unclean both for our health and our environment.
That was beautiful
My mom is a hardcore vegetarian… She won’t eat cakes because it contains Eggs.
Our teeth are flat rather than sharp like other animals for a reason. There’s many studies showing we’re truly vegetarians by nature. We can’t eat meat raw like other animals that are mean’t to eat meat & their teeth are designed totally different. We have to cook it in order to eat it, so that should tell you something right there.
I’m an omnivore. I like both meat and veggies. I don’t get the idea of going with all meat or all veggies. Balance is key, it’s silly and dangerous in my opinion to go either way full blast and ignore the other. It just doesn’t make any sense to me. To each their own I guess, but I still say both extremes are rediculous.
I am vegan, (by the way, I use ‘vegan’ as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun) and when I visited Thailand several years ago, I learned of a diet there that is stricter than the dietary portion of veganism. They abstained from all animal products, but also abstained from any sort of ‘fancy’ foods. Their belief is that food was for sustenance only, and should not be enjoyed. I wish I could remember what it was called, but unfortunately I can’t. Maybe someone else knows of it.
I am a vegetarian! I am only 13 and my whole family isn’t a vegetarian.My family doesn’t back my choice 100%, they are carnivores. I findeating meat simply repulsive! Imagine a slaughter house, now imagine you in the slaughterhouse, being skinned and chopped, then packaged for some cows to eat. Animals are just like us, anyone who owns a pet knows! So I ask you, why eat one animal ( a pig) and not the other ( your cat)?? We are all living creatures, none are meant for food!
I grew up as a meat eater, but now I really do not like the taste of meat, the only meat I eat now if I do eat meat is fish. I can go days without eating meat and not be bothered by it at all. Don’t get me wrong sometimes I’m like wow a burger sounds really good, but I know I won’t eat it. LOL…my bf thinks I’m nuts but I can live off of veggies and be a happy camper. Now as far as eggs and cheese go, I do enjoy them so I dunno what that makes me, a very picky eater is what I hear alot, but oh well…great topic btw
“I heard that from a vegan friend that the lifestyle is also very expensive.”
Not true, I am a vegan and my lifestyle is very cheap. Actually I spend less than any carnivore in food. Meat is more expensive than beans and other legumes (the main source of veggie and vegan proteines).
The only “expensive” product I have to rely on is soymilk. But that only means I have to spend $10 or $20 extra a month on something I really like, I was never a friend of milk (since I was a kid).
Being vegan also means you have to go to the restaurants less -and cook most of the food you eat- more (or at least buy precooked things). This way I actually save some money because in my city restaurants are quite expensive.
I don’t get the point of being a vegan or veggitarian at all. Most do it so they aren’t killing animals, but if they don’t eat the animals, they are killing plants instead. They are still living things, so I honestly don’t get the point.
I don’t get the point of being a vegan or veggitarian at all. Most do it so they aren’t killing animals, but if they don’t eat the animals, they are killing plants instead. They are still living things, so I honestly don’t get the point. Could someone please explain the point of being a vegan or vegitarian to me?
well, im a vegetarian and i get teased alot about this kind of stuff,
but a vegan is someone who doesnt eat any product from animals, not even cheese or milk
in my opinion animal cruelty is harsh, but eating like a vegan is unhealthy, but if you want to eat like that because you are standing up for a right then i say they can go for it, but also, eating meat is ok too, its really your choice.
My husband and I have been vegan for 3 years now and it is so much fun. Seriously we have learned to cook some of the coolest dishes and try new things. I was mostly veggie all my life prior so dropping the dairy was the only hard part for me. My husband went “cold Tofurky”, LOL. It is actually cheaper to eat veggie than to buy cuts of meat and cheese to add to your meal and you cut out wasting money for fast food.
I’ve been a vegetarian my whole life. I actually just recently tried going vegan. I had a lot of trouble with it and really admire vegans. However, I probably am just going to stay vegetarian. I think being a vegan was a little too much for me to handle now.
Anyway, any vegetarians/ vegans out there tired of being constantly challenged about being vegetarian/vegan? Because I for sure am.
hi there
I became a vegetarian about 3years ago, I really enjoy it and make way more food from scratch more than I ever did when I used to eat meat. I enjoy cooking and been vegetarian hasn’t stopped me. Some of the meals I have made have made meat eaters like my food better than their meat food.
You were mostly right about the difference between vegetarians and vegans, in that vegans will not have anything considered cultivated from animals, such as furniture, clothing, materials, food, drink, practically anything you can think of.
whereas vegetarians tend to eat vegetables and some like my house-mate also eats fish. But I wouldn’t really consider that as been a vegetarian as such. They also have dairy products such as milk, eggs, butter.
I chose to become a vegetarian, as I believe animals are sentient and know of emotions and have thoughts, and as such aren’t different from humans apart from they can’t talk. Also I don’t believe that eating meat is doing anything good for the planet and humans in general. One fact I always think of is that cows produce more methane than cars produce CO2, so by not eating burgers and meat from cows you are infact saving the planet from extinction.
I know you might think that ‘what is the point?’ when it is only one person, but everyone has to change eventually and if it is done one at a time so be it.
Also tofu is good, you can make tons of things with it, I use it to make stir fry, but I have used broccoli stalks in the past as substitute.
hope this helps
sam
Ive been a vegetarian since i was nine years old, im 18 now and Its the most easiest and refreshing thing i have ever done. I became one because i felt sick by the thought of eating something that was running about a few hours before it suffered a terrible fate. Some will argue that the animals are killed humanely, but i beg to differ, as killing something, even for survival is still murder no matter what. Yes humans need food but i have survived well on my tofu alternatives and im not going to say EVERYONE become vegetarian, but it would be nice to save a few cows or chickens here and there.
The one meat i cannot believe people would consider eating is lamb. How cute are they seriously? I want one! they are sooo cute running about
and not cute with mint sauce on your plate.
Vegan is too extreme, its not like anything died for milk, its usually farmed nicely. I heard dairy cows like their daily milk *wink wink*
But anyways, veggie fo’ lifeee!
We didn’t climb to the top of the food chain tem million years ago to eat frikkin’ CARROTS.
I am a vegetarian and going on vegan.
I hate meat because if you believe in death you probably eat it.
I am cutting out egg, yeast, algaes, fungus, gelatin, dairy, and obviously meat and other ingredients.
It is hard to try to quit the dairy at times, but it is getting easier since I became a vegetarian and am moving on to being vegan.
I also dislike tv shows with meat in it now, so I just prefer to watch anime.
Watch the whole episode, it isn’t as funny as episode 3, but it is episode 1 and pertains to food.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbkDeGIs1dA
To be honest, I love being vegetarian. I couldn’t handle being a vegan though. I do admire the ones who can pull this off right without having to take supplements and are perfectly healthy.
To answer your question, tofu is a soy product. It’s made my curdling hot soy milk with a coagulant.
love your
blog migh make me one well if you w@nt you c@n @dd me
Being a vegan is super tough and only reserved for the strong willed with high convictions. I have no trouble not eating meat, I really would only miss bacon (if that is really meat) but I could not get away without dairy. I can’t go more than a few days without cheese or eggs. I’ve tried!
I have been vegetarian since I was 13 and I am still one at 15. I am actually considering to be a vegan soon lol but I’m not sure yet.
Vegetarianism is more of a statement than it is a diet, I think. However, it crosses the line when someone takes their belief above and beyond just because you disagree with them. As if opposing their belief makes you a lesser person, as if their commitment makes them holier-than-thou. Who in the right mind has the indecency to be so god damn abrasive about it? They standout their key points on why they believe their conforming perversion of a religion, is something you ought to take part in to. So, you overt what anyone who’s not in tune with this self-exclaimed epiphany, the nitty-gritty’s, for instance, a healthy diet includes protein, and so, you ask your liberated chum; ‘but where’s you daily intake of protein? Since you aren’t eating meat and such.’ ‘And they would say; ‘there are exceptions. Fish and dairy’ To which you return; ‘then that doesn’t make you a vegetarian. In mean, in the stretch, doesn’t that contradict every mean to be vegan?’ They say, ‘Vegan is a way of living, as Vegetarianism is a kind of diet, besides, there are different extremes of Vegetarianism.’ Give me a fucking break, as much as this shoulders their craving for self exploitation, self gratification, or an irrevocable fulfillment for individuality. It’s debauchery to a once respectful practice. And to add; where does it say vegetarianism has different levels of belief? That’s such an artificial line, to divide a trendy diet into an absorbance to appoint your own need. Allowing this line to dip in and out just to mould to your faith you think that’ll be ameliorated just because you felt insignificant, wanting to stand out from the rest. Why draw the line there? Why not just entirely rid all meat? Like I said, doesn’t it be at variance with what it originally means to be a vegan? Damnit. Kay, I’m done ranting.
I’m a vegitarian, too. Someone here said it’s expensive. It’s not at all! Bulk grains are very inexpensive, as well as seasonal vegatables from the vegitable stand. You just have to know what you’re doing. Learn about the food in your area, and what is in season when. That’s the way to do it. I have saved close to 70 dollars a month just buying local. Don’t buy from cooperate, you get middled.
You made a wee mistake. Fruitarians eat only “given” foods… that is, foods that you can obtain without killing the plant.
The folks who don’t eat cooked foods follow a raw foods diet. They can be vegan or not, but for the purpose of this discussion, I’d imagine they are. They eat any plant that isn’t cooked, which means that tofu is out, too. They eat some kinds of grains and legumes, generally soaked and/or sprouted, seeds, and fresh or dried fruits and veggies. Different societies/schools of thought/sources have different definitions about what is “raw”, of course. Generally, though, “raw” is defined as any food that hasn’t been heated above 114 degrees F.
I never cared for red meat for two reasons. First of all, I have always felt much compassion for the poor animals and secondly, meat was a luxury that I couldn’t afford growing up. I love being a vegetarian because it’s cheaper and healthier. I usually buy my veggies from the outdoor markets. They’re much cheaper especially I’m able to make the merchants smile and laugh in exchange they compensate me with lower prices. Although some think I’m a character, nevertheless they ‘re always happy to see me.
Vegetarian foods are much easier to prepare because they require less cooking time. But, you have to be a little bit more creative when it comes to taste because some veggies may not taste so good. I managed to create many nice recipes to complement the meals, thus making them “yummylicious.” Although, I don’t mind a nice piece of fish occasionally. As far as “veganism” is concerned, I’m not sure I can be a vegan. I ‘d probably end up cheating. I love ice-cream too much because it is so “gooddylicious.”
I’m a vegetarian in the process of becoming a vegan. A lot of people say it’s expensive, but vegetarian foods are a lot less expensive than meat. Since becoming a vegetarian I’m much healthier and feel great:)
Thank you for referencing my site, VegetarianNook.com.
I’d like to suggest to your readers who believe they could never become vegetarian or vegan, they may find choosing a flexitarian way of eating supports them, the animals, and the planet.
To those who clearly do not want to eat a meat free diet – ever – “The Flexitarian Advantage” or “What is a Flexitarian?” pages, for example, explain omnivore and carnivore choices with a slight shift of perspective that most find easy to live with because we (people, animals, and planet) all benefit..
i dont think i could be either a vegetarian or becoming vegan. i would DIE (well, not really die, but whatever) if someone took away my meat!!!! and i dont want to not eat dairy products either. i also saw in a movie about someone becoming vegan, and she wouldnt even wear any wool stuff, or clothes made from animals, is that what vegans do?