- NEW!
by Suby the Coat on November 9th, 2008
There are many who are born into families that have been vegetarian by tradition, like me. For us vegetarianism is a way of life since birth. But we tend to be somewhat more liberal in our attitude towards vegetarianism than those who chose to be vegetarians later in their lives. Some among whom become fanatics where this principle is concerned.
Also we see in the converts to vegetarianism a tendency towards taking the principle to extreams. Refusal to consume milk, unfertile eggs of poultry birds etc. are some examples. They tend to refuse to take part in any basically vegetarian food that has a remote connection to an animal source.
Generally speaking the choice of vegetarianism could be for the following reasons:
a] Prevention of taking the life of an animal or bird or fish or an insect to make food for ourselves.
b] Prevention of the cruelty involved in killing.
c] Awareness that vegetarian food can be as nutritious as food sourced from animals.
d] Awareness that by being vegetarians one is putting a much smaller burden of earth. It takes upto 10 pounds of grains to make up 1 pound of meat.
e] Discovery that vegetarian food makes much smaller demands on our systems for digestion.
f] Discovery that Obesity, high cholesterol levels etc. are better controlled by choice of vegetarian food. Health reasons to be short.
g] Discovery of the compassionate nature in themselves.
h] Discovery that human beings ware not meant to be carnivorous by nature.
i] Witnessing the process of butchering an animal for the first time can turn some people to vegetarianism.
j] Adoption of a new religion or cult which recommends abstinence from non-vegetarian food. Here brainwashing too may be involved.
See, the list can go on and on. For every individual it could be any single reason or a combination of reasons.
I welcome additions to the list I have made up in answer to the question.
by Rinky Dinky Do on November 19th, 2008
Health reasons
by Needs some coffee on November 9th, 2008
The don't feel the need to slaughter animals to eat when there are plenty of other healthier options.
by Trouser Snake on November 21st, 2008
not liking meat
lover of animals
member of PETA or green peace
by Don Gorgeous George on November 19th, 2008
To eat a healthier diet, to rid the body of cholesterol, out of love for the animals. There are very many health problems and diseases that can be cured from eating a raw vegan diet.
by Ownster on November 9th, 2008
They may not like thinking about the slaughtered animals
by Presidente on November 19th, 2008
I became vegetarian for a few reasons. I like vegetarian food. My church serves vegetarian food at lunch so as not to offend anyone who happens to be veg or those who don't eat pork. I always thought about how easy it'd be to be vegetarian. I have extended family members who are vegan and vegetarian, so in part I've spent some time in a "healthy" environment, and I like it.
I value my health. My uncle, youngest of my aunts and uncles, has suffered three (or four) strokes because he refuses to do as his doctor recommends and stop eating fried foods and junk food. He's now in a nursing home; his brain can't repair itself the way it had the first couple times; he's in a wheelchair. My mom's been in the hospital on one occasion, as well, and she was told the same thing. At first she didn't adhere to the suggestion, but now she doesn't seem to eat as many fried foods. (She doesn't stray far from fast food and junk, though. She hates vegetables, as well.)
American food is full of chemicals. There's really no way to avoid it, but at least as a vegetarian I cut the risks of getting cancer, suffering a stroke, developing diabetes, having high cholesterol, and more.
by kodyMR on November 9th, 2008
Many of my cousins are vegetarians some of the reasons being...
-animal cruelty
-health problems
-weight loss
-not liking meat
-religion
by Scott D - ex-QnA on November 9th, 2008
Some do it for health reasons, but many do it for strictly political reasons.
by engineer is Terminator on November 30th, 2008
Animal lover,health conscious,strict follower of yoga and desire to be a horse.
by Discipline on November 19th, 2008
1) for compassion; 2) for health and a longer life; 3) for reduction of carbon emission into the atmosphere; 4)for the right of an animal to life; 5) to reduce the risk of super bugs in the making inside the livestock farming industries, 6) to increase land to grow more needed grain production for the global demand.
by Anonymous on September 14th, 2009
"One Hundred and One Reasons to go Vegetarian"
People, Land, Air, Water Efficiency, Animals, Health
PEOPLE
Every year in the UK we feed our livestock enough food to feed 250,000,000 people while in the world 30,000,000 people die of starvation
20 vegetarians can live off the land required by one meat eater
Every 3 seconds a child dies of starvation somewhere in the world
If Americans reduced their meat consumption by 10% it would free 12,000,000 tons of grain - enough to feed 60,000,000 people (the population of Great Britain)
If all Americans became vegetarian, it would free enough grain to feed 600,000,000 people (the population of India)
Intensification in animal farming has displaced 1,000,000's of people from their traditional lands - eg. indigenous people in south & central america, native americans in north america & crofters in Great Britain - this is continuing today
People displaced from their lands into cities succumb to dietary deficiency, diseases, parasites & opportunistic diseases
In third world countries 1 in 10 babies die before their first birthday
The UK imports ?46,000,000 worth of grain from third world countries to feed our livestock
Due to overgrazing 850,000,000 people live on land threatened by desertification & over 230,000,000 already live on land so severely desertified that they are unable to sustain their existence & face imminent starvation
1,000,000,000 people in the west gorging on meat & dairy leave 1,000,000,000 to waste away & 3,500,000,000 teeter on the brink
LAND
If they continue to clear American forests to raise cattle at the present rate, in 50 years there will be none left
1 acre yields 165 lbs of beef or 20,000 lbs of potatoes
8/10 of cultivated land in the UK is used to grow food for animals (14,732,000 hectares)
It takes 16lbs of high protein soya to produce 1 lb of beef
Since 1945 in the UK we have lost 95% of flower meadows, 50% of ancient woodlands, 40% of heathlands, 50% of wet lands & 224,000 km of hedgerows all due to animal farming
Pressure on land due to meat farming leads to soil erosion 6billion tons/year in the USA
If everyone went vegetarian upto 90% of land used for animal farming could be taken out of production & used to replant woodlands, leisure activities etc.
25% of Central america's forests have been destroyed for cattle grazing since 1960
Between 1966-1983 38% of the Amazon rain forest was destroyed for cattle grazing
90% of cattle ranches established on cleared forest land go bankrupt in less than 8 years as the land becomes barren due to nutrient loss & overgrazing
Overgrazing by cattle is destroying the land & increasing desertification, nearly 430 million acres in the USA alone has suffered a 25-50% reduction in yield since first grazed
An inch of topsoil takes 200-1000 years to develop - yet in the USA they have lost around 1/3 of their prime topsoil in 200 years (around 7 inches) due to animal farming
Land will be lost due to rises in sea level due to global warming due to animal farming
AIR
The destruction of the rainforest by cattle farmers is destroying the lungs of the planet & reducing the worlds capacity to replenish our oxygen supply
The 1,300,000,000 cattle in the world emit 60,000,000 tons of methane per year (methane is a greenhouse gas & leads to global warming)
Burning of forests, grasslands & agricultural waste associated with animal farming releases 50-100,000,000 tons of methane per year
Combining these figures, 25% of methane emissions are due to animal farming (not including the billions of sheep, pigs & poultry so the real figure is much higher)
Fertilizer used to grow crops to feed to animals releases nitrous oxide - thought to account for 6% of the greenhouse effect
Fertilizer, weedkiller & pesticides sprayed on crops enter the atmosphere creating a noxious carcinogenic cocktail
CFCs are released into the air from refrigeration units used to store decomposing flesh (meat), milk & butter - CFCs are destroy the ozone layer
Ammonia from animal urine also pollutes the atmosphere
CO2 is released by burning oil & petrol in lorries, ships, abattoirs, dairies, factories etc. associated with meat & dairy production
Emissions from large chemical plants which produce fertilizer, weedkiller & other agricultural chemicals are also poisoning our air
WATER
25 gallons of water to produce 1lb of wheat & 2500 gallons to produce 1lb of meat
UK farm animals produce 200,000,000 tonnes of slurry (liquid excrement) every year, the majority of which ends up in our rivers
Bloody waste water from abattoirs ends up in our rivers
In the USA every second humans produce 12,000 lbs of effluent while farmed animals produce 250,000 lbs
Nitrates & pesticides used on crops grown to feed livestock end up in our rivers
Meat & dairy farming uses 70 litres of water per day per animal in the UK or 159,250,000, 000 litres per year in total
The water used to produce 10 lbs of steak is equivalent to the average consumption of water for an entire household for an entire year
Depletion of groundwater reserves to grow crops for animals & to supply abattoirs will lead to greater water shortages
Aquafers (stores of underground water) in the San Joaquin valley in the USA are being drained at the rate of 500,000,000, 000 gallons/year to produce meat
18% of all agricultural land in the world is irrigated & as global warming increases (partly due to animal farming) it will cost $200,000,000 to keep these systems going
The water used to produce a 1000 lb beef steer is enough to float a Destroyer battleship
The liquid waste from the various parts of the meat & dairy industry flow into the rivers & from there into the seas polluting them & encouraging huge algal blooms to grow
EFFICIENCY
To produce 1calorie of energy from meat takes 60 calories of petrol, whereas growing grains & legumes to directly feed people produces 20 calories for each calorie of fuel used ( thats 1200 times more efficient)
Meat & dairy farming uses billions of gallons of oil to run tractors, fuel ships & lorries (to move animal feed & animals), pump billions of gallons of water to irrigate fields & run slaughterhouses, power refrigeration units to prevent the corpses from decomposing & to power sewage plants to clean up some of the pollution produced
Cattle convert only 6% of their energy intake (mainly grains & soya) into flesh, the remaining 94% is wasted as heat, movement (which is why they keep many animals in very close confinement) , hair, bones, faeces etc
1lb of beef takes 1 gallon of petrol to produce
A family of four eating beef for a year uses enough petrol to run a car for 6 months (obviously depending on how far you drive!)
If the full ecological cost of meat was passed onto the consumer - the price would be quadrupled (at least)
The EC spends ?100,000,000' s to subsidise animal production resulting in lakes of unwanted milk & mountains of unwanted meat & butter. This money could be better spent encouraging organic fruit, vegetable & grain production
In the USA in 1979 145,000,000 tons of crops were fed to cattle resulting in only 21million tons of animal bodies - the cost of the wasted crops was $20,000,000, 000
Between 1950 & 1985 grain production in Europe & the USA increased massively but 2/3 was fed to animals
70% of all grain is fed to animals
Eating vast quantities of animal flesh, eggs, milk & butter is a luxury that most of the planet can not afford
ANIMALS
Fishing with drift (and other modern) nets weakens & destroys ecosystems by indiscriminately killing billions of sea creatures & disrupting the sea bed
Fishermen's nets kill 10 times as many other animals as the fish they are hoping to catch
Fish caught in nets die an agonising slow death of suffocation
Each year 15,000,000,000 land animals are slaughtered for food & an unknown but much larger number of sea creatures (including 1000's of dolphins caught accidentally)
Chickens are crammed into battery cages with upto 3 other birds, they are unable to even spread their wings & many can not even stand up
Unwanted male chicks (because they can't lay eggs) are gassed or pulped while their sisters go to the battery sheds
Chicks are debeaked without anaesthetic to prevent them injuring each other in the unnaturally confined conditions they are kept in - this is equivalent to having your fingernails pulled out without anaesthetic
Modern farming methods using growth hormones & artificial lighting mean that many chickens out grow their bones, resulting in fractured & broken legs
Sows are kept tethered in stalls 1.3 x 1 metre on concrete or slatted floors - they can not even turn around
Poultry raised for meat are kept in windowless broiler sheds, with around 20-30,000 in each shed, they live in an area of 10-20 cm square - fighting due to overcrowding is common & like battery hens they commonly suffer from supperating bed sores
Broilersheds are artificially lit 23 hours a day to produce rapid growth
Animals travel between farms & to slaughter in overcrowded transporters with no food or water - resulting in stress, injuries & deaths - legal requirements are widely ignored
95% of poultry suffer injuries before being killed & 30% suffer broken bones
Problems with stunning practices mean that many animals have their throats slit while still conscious (around 6% of cattle or 200,000 per year) & are then dipped in tanks of scalding water (to loosen feathers, bristles etc.) again while fully conscious
4000 animals die spurting their blood out every minute in a British slaughterhouse
Calf leather comes from animals killed at just 2 weeks old
Cows were fed on the ground up remains of other cows & sheep - the result is thought to be BSE (mad cow disease) in the USA cattle are fed partly on recycled plastic pellets
Cows only give milk for 10 months after they have a calf - so they are routinely artificially inseminated (ie. mechanically raped) to keep them pregnant & milking - their calves are taken away (usually at 12 hours old) for meat or export to veal crates
Cows would naturally live upto 20 years but are slaughtered after 5-7 years when their milk production begins to fall
In the UK animals are killed by first being stunned with electricity or a captive bolt gun (ie. a bolt is fired into their heads) before having their throats slit & being plunged into boiling water - all this happens on a production line with the animals being hung upside down from a moving conveyor belt - this is factory farming
"Animals are those unfortunate slaves & victims of the most brutal part of mankind" - John Stewart Mill (philosopher)
Veal calves are confined in stalls in the dark, unable to move & are fed on pigs blood , chocolate & dried milk (we are drinking the rich fresh milk of their mothers)
Cows naturally produce 5 litres of milk per day for their calves - under the intensified systems of modern farming they produce 25-40 litres per day - resulting in swollen & inflamed udders - at this rate they are soon worn out
Large areas of land are under monoculture to grow crops to feed to animals - these areas are wildlife deserts supporting fewer & fewer species.
HEALTH
Vegetarians have a 20% lower rate of mortality from all causes (ie. they live longer & don't get sick as often)
Meat is full of traces of antibiotics, hormones, toxins produced by stress & pesticide residues that become concentrated from all the crops they have eaten
Fish contain heavy metals & other pollutants -many of which originated on farms
The world health organisation recommends a diet low in saturated fat, sugar, salt & with plenty of fibre - exactly what you get on a vegan/vegetarian diet
Farmed animals contain upto 50% saturated fat in their bodies
Vegetarians have 24% reduced risk of getting heart disease & Vegans a 57% reduction (heart disease is the biggest killer in the UK accounting for 50% of deaths)
Obesity is rare in vegetarians, obesity is related to many diseases
Vegans & vegetarians have lower blood pressure & cholesterol levels - high levels are associated with heart disease, strokes & kidney failure
Vegetarians have a 50% reduced risk of dying of diabetes
Vegetarians have a 40% reduced level of cancer than the general population thought to be because they have a higher intake of vitamins A,C & E
Vegetarians have a reduced risk of developing gall & kidney stones
80% of food poisoning is due to infected meat (faeces, bacteria etc.) after all meat is decomposing flesh - most of the rest is due to salmonella in eggs
Osteoporosis due to calcium loss from bones is mainly due to the sulphur content in meat & casein protein in milk that cause calcium to be lost in the urine - the countries with the highest meat & dairy consumption are those with the highest levels of brittle bones
50% of people do not have the enzyme to digest milk properly & milk allergy is related to asthma & eczema
Meat eaters have double the rate of Alzheimers disease as Vegans & Vegetarians - some people also think that Parkinsons disease is also linked to meat eating
Egg yolk is a dense concentration of saturated fat & the white is high in albumin protein associated with leaching calcium into your urine. Butter is 80% saturated fat, cream is 40% saturated fat & cheese is 25-40% saturated fat
Meat eaters are two and a half times more likely to get bowel cancer than Vegetarians
The cling film used to wrap meat in supermarkets & butchers contains chemicals linked to falling sperm counts in men
Chinese people (living mainly on a vegetarian diet) consume 20% more calories than Americans but Americans are 20% fatter
Of 2,100,000 deaths in the USA in 1987, 1,500,000 were related to diet (ie. meat & dairy)
AND ONE COULD GO ON !
If you've read this far, I hope that you are beginning to see that the Meat & Dairy industry is a major contributor to misery on this planet. It is destroying the health of people in rich countries, starving those in poor countries, it is torturing & killing billions of animals every year and in the meantime it is one of the major factors in the destruction of the environment - so what does the meat & dairy industry have to say in it's defence?
Well their only real point is usually "Meat is tasty" - fair enough a lot of people enjoy the taste of meat - but there are plenty of delicious alternatives (just consider the huge range of vegetarian dishes in Indian cooking - one of the oldest & most sophisticated cuisines in the world) and if you really crave meat & dairy, nowadays there are plenty of healthy non animal alternatives - just look in the supermarket & health food shop. So I hope you will agree it's pretty pathetic to consider all the evidence & then say "well I know you're right about the environment & health & the animals - but I just love my meat"
by Ms. JP on November 30th, 2008
I personally could not kill an animal to eat it when there are so many tasty alternatives. (Think about the slaughter house the next time you want a hamburger. Not so appealling is it?)
By buying prepackaged meat, it would just mean I was paying someone else to kill the animal. I do not want to put other people in that horrible position. No do I want to contribute to the fear that the animal feels prior to that horrible death.
by dea_ex_machina on November 9th, 2008
I was a vegetarian for 14 years. I became vegetarian when I was young and idealistic, and my reasons had more to do with the way animals were treated during their lives than the cruelty of killing them for food.
I was concerned with the "greed not need" culture of meat eating, that people ate meat because they wanted to, not because they needed the protein. How many times do we go for a hmaburger when we are out, even though we have already had a proper dinner? I was concerned that meat was being farmed intensively purely for profit, and that animals were being fed chemicals purely to make them grow faster rather than for the quality of the meat. So, I decided to vote with my feet and not buy meat, until such time as there was a decent supply of organic and free range meat products. Now, in order to retain that supply and encourage meat producers to raise animals in a free range way, I have once again started eating meat, but I buy from sources that I know and trust, and eat only good quality free range or organic meat. I realise that this is not always an easy option, as the meat costs more, but I would rather eat less of a well reared product, than more of a cheap intensively farmed product. I do not eat meat every day.
by katie on March 11th, 2009
bcause i gag every time meat is near me.....esp. red meat....eeeeeewwwwwww
by ILoveLois on February 6th, 2009
I've read all the pro-vegetarian answers to this question, and I'm sorry, but I'm still not converted. Man has been eating meat for tens of thousands of years, and has still managed to develop, grow and evolve into the (fairly) advanced civilisation we are today. I know that many will disagree, but in my opinion, and that of many others, the purpose of livestock is to be killed and eaten, simple as! The arguments about health, carbon emissions etc. are just smoke and mirrors; there is equal evidence to both support and refute all these issues so at present, none of them can be resolved. It all comes down to personal choice and preference - I have no problem with anybody being a vegetarian so long as they resist the temptation to tell me how wrong I am!
by Anonymous on October 25th, 2009
The primary reasons I've heard are ethical (treatment of food animals) and religious. +5
by Vaporeongirl on October 25th, 2009
Because they are upset about the way animals are treated in slaughter houses and on farms.
by L. Taylor on October 25th, 2009
Because they dont like meat.
by hitokaji on September 14th, 2009
for health reasons.. or if they like to protect the animals on this earth....
like.. if you eat meat you are more likely to have a sumthin...
if you dont eat meat... you are more likely to be healthier..
by BrunetteLeanaJo76 on July 2nd, 2009
Reasons:
1. Some don't like the killing of animals.
2. Some don't like the taste of meat or meat products.
3. A religious belief.
4. Living a healthier lifestyle (maybe to lose some weight easier).
5. A health problem that prevents them from eating heavy meals (such as steaks and such).
6. Or just want a change in their life (even the way they eat they want to change it too).
by Blackfire on March 1st, 2009
Didn't like the taste of meat,
How they kill the animals,
Loving animals,
Wanting to be healthier,
or just simply because they felt like it.
by Marguerite on February 28th, 2009
1. Harmful harmones in meat
2. They don't like the taste of meat
3. The believe it's healthier for them
4. They have problems digesting meat
5. They like to grow their own food
6. Maybe even spiritual beliefs
by LuckyKnickers on February 28th, 2009
for me..it's for the anmials
by Discipline on February 22nd, 2009
For all the good and right reasons.
by TeaBerry on February 6th, 2009
#1: Rampant animal cruelty in meat industry.
#2: Economic sensibility. It's much more cost efficient to grow food rather than growing food to feed food that you have to destroy to consume anyways.
#3: Ecological impact. Methane gas from cows is the number one contributor to greenhouse gases. I suppose it's because of all of the breeding they do for raising beef and dairy cattle. I'm not really clear on this one.
#4: Digestive/general health. You do have to watch you diet fairly carefully.
#5: Religion/spiritual beliefs.
#6: That's how the person was raised.
#7: Maybe they just don't like eating it.
#8: Reduce the possibility of certain food born illness.
by I belong in . . . on February 5th, 2009
My friend just doesn't like the feeling of eating any kind of flesh.
by James H1615 on February 5th, 2009
Personally I dislike the taste of any meat, fish or other living creature (that I have tried). There are no positives for ME to eat meat so I don't want to take another creatures life for food when I don't need it to live.
Some other people choose not to due to the cruelty of killing things, want to live a healthier lifestyle or for religous reasons. Some people become vegetarians temporarily to show off or see what its like, but these people don't usually succeed in being a vegetarian for very long (Some do).
by saywhat.Tobias on January 27th, 2009
Because:
* Best way to be healthy.
* Biblical... Genesis 1:29
* Plants taste awesome.
* Animal cruelty.
* Planet earth cruelty.
* The world is overpopulated. (Become vegetarian and it will not be a problem.)
Life at it's best by Professor Walter J. Veith
http://amazingdiscoveries.org/life-at-its-best.html
by TWA on November 10th, 2008
Seething hatred of vegetables.
by CaRbOnPrOdUcK is Baccuss on November 10th, 2008
My reason as far back as I can remember. I don't like it. It taste's bad. Fish is ok, but meat tastes bad. So that's the ONLY reason why I'm a vegetarian.
by Baccduckus is a Carbonproduct on November 9th, 2008
They bumped their head.
by Abdullah on November 14th, 2009
For so many reasons . like :
1. it's very healthy for you !
2. That reduce killing animals
3.We defense animals rights
and we show our point NOT to hunt
4. we try at least to save " in danger animals "
5.Vegeterianisime encourages farming...etc
by The0Rising on November 8th, 2009
No idea, the notion to stop eating meat to protect animals on earth is a bit odd. Yes, we need to refine the way we process animals for meat, but that doesn't mean not eating them. Its not a way to protest against it, as being a vegetarian has absolutely no effect on the outside world, protesting about it does yes : Yes, humans are not made to eat meat, but I can think of thousands of things humans are not meant to do either which do us no harm.
by Thriftymaid on November 8th, 2009
In young people it is for a topic of conversation -- a label to place on themselves -- trying to have an identity.
I eat very little meat simply because I love veggies and can prepare a fresh meal in minutes.
by kat on November 8th, 2009
I have recently discovered that vegetarians rarely get diverticulitis!..Too late.
by wisewoman on October 25th, 2009
To be healthier, to have a longer life expectancy, to not be partaking any more into the hellish conditions for the animals on factory farms and for the not partaking any more to contributing to your own human species on the millions that die through starvation in 3rd world countries, meat eating being a large contributory factor. Type in 1001 reasons to be a vegetarian. The whole world could be fed but only on a vegetarian diet.
by Wind in the Willow on October 17th, 2009
On an energy level, meat is usually from an animal that was killed in terror or fear. Not good to ingest.
On a spiritual level we are here to grow and evolve into divine beings living a human life. We do not need to harm other creatures for our instant gratification when so many plants have been put here for us. We are not even made to digest meat.
On physical level, meats have been bombarded with pesticides, horomones, carcinogens and they are poisonous. Fish are worse.
by Anonymous on October 17th, 2009
if you see videos on how they treat the animals, Castrate, kill etc You would know why.
by Nasiswand on February 22nd, 2009
I'm an omnivore, I feel that should be stated first. As for why people would become vegetarian:
1) It's healthy. There are many positive physical rewards that come from eating a well rounded vegetarian diet.
2) It's cheaper. Anyone who has shopped for groceries knows that meat takes up a good chunk of the bill. You could make 5 vegetarian dinners for the same price as us omnivores spend on just 1.
3) Your shit doesn't stink. (at least not as bad) Anyone who's had a baby knows that the diapers aren't stinky. At least not until you start giving the baby meat. Then it's OMG! My nose!
4) They care about the animals that are sometimes treated very cruelly.
5) And finally, they like the high that comes from being healthy. When you take excellent care of your body your body rewards you. The high you get from proper nutrition and exercise beats out any synthetic on the market.
by Max Power on February 10th, 2009
They want more fibre in their diet
by TeaBerry on February 6th, 2009
Oops! Double post.
by zarinakhan on November 2nd, 2011
Being Vegetarian in this fast food age is to difficult.Their are many diseases and health problem is cured only just being vegetarian. I read one article on www.iskcondesiretree.net. This which is very interesting site.I share the article link with you: http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/page/why-be-vegetarian.
Actually this site has helped me lot because becoming total Vegetarian , without anybody help is too difficult. so please read this article you will surely get help.
by Alishashaik on November 2nd, 2011
Share your answer...
by athrĂș beag on November 2nd, 2011
Because I think it's wrong to take life for any reason other than necessity.
I also have a big problem with slaughter houses. I have a lot more respect for a person who hunts for their own food than someone who buys it from a grocery store.
by lyonese01 on November 2nd, 2011
Some people are vegetarian for health reasons, others do it for moral reasons . I tried it for about 5 or 6 months, but I put on so much weight I gave up and went back to eating meat .
by Alishashaik on November 2nd, 2011
pls give me some gaurdiance
by Beavis - the other white meat on November 2nd, 2011
Good question. Personal choice?
by Sodapop on November 2nd, 2011
It's supposed to be better for you, but I've never had the willpower to give up meat.
Considering all the chemicals they pump into beef, pork, chicken etc just to make the meat last longer, and look leaner.. well, I suppose it would be something to look into.
by andy on November 27th, 2009
Because they don't want to be part of the barbaric ways animals are treated in a lot of meat trade. It is not natural the way the meat industry is run. Most times it isn't about the actual eating of meat.
Do vegans eat honey or honeycomb?
by fred flintstone on August 30th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
How much money would the meat industry lose if more people became vegetarian?
by jurybecca on April 20th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
I've recently started being a vegetarian-about a month ago- and haven't been feeling myself. I feel tired all the time, get headaches & feel dizzy often. Most of the people I know say it's because I'm vegetarian. When will I start to feel normal again?
by Riley Ran on November 24th, 2009
| 4 people like this
What is something a Vegetarian, might put on a Sandwich?
by DukeG on November 21st, 2009
| 9 people like this
Can vegetarians eat mushrooms? Can they eat yeast, or truffles?
by Gene H on November 27th, 2009
| 3 people like this
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Comments
I love g, the compassionate nature. I think most people wood not eat an animal that they wood have known by name.
by nicdebrug on November 9th, 2008
A Rabbit is a cute bunny lovely pet. But I have seen cooking lessons on how to cook a rabbit on the TV. The skinned animal has all resemblance to the live rabit minus the head. I watched it being cooked and placed on a plate and decorated for eating. I wonder how anyone would want to eat it.
by Suby the Coat on November 9th, 2008
I Agree. Most people will eat less meat if they have seen the process of slaughtering and eating.
by nicdebrug on November 9th, 2008
The beginner troll who was downrating my answers by -1 for the past one week has started downrating me by -2 now. Should I congratulate the troll on achiving higher downrating powers?
by Suby the Coat on November 21st, 2008
I don't think so. Rather annoying. Let me try to help
by nicdebrug on November 23rd, 2008
I have stared posting comments under every answer that the troll downrates with an invitation to come ou in the open and engage me in a debate so that He can either get convince or get convince.
I was downrated by -2 for this answer. Thats when I posted this question on your here. Then I thought it better to let every one know and copied this comment and posted it as a question. I got good positive response. But the troll has not stopped. I will give the URL in my next comment.
by Suby the Coat on November 23rd, 2008
The URL for the question is:
http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/4669899
Plese do take a look.
by Suby the Coat on November 23rd, 2008
I am also often down-rated when I speak up for animal rights or vegetarianism.
by Tveg on February 5th, 2009
Its curious. Some people can't just digest vegetarian food or animal rights for that matter.
by Suby the Coat on February 6th, 2009
I think many of that type have been abused as a child.
by Tveg on February 6th, 2009
Could be!
by Suby the Coat on February 6th, 2009
We have little "trollies" on AB, Suby. Some become fixated on certain individuals and actually follow them around on the site. I have my little following. So do many of my friends. We have formed an organization we call the COATS: a coalition against trolls. You might consider joining it. Another are the Ninjas. We do essentially the same things. We converge when one of us is under attack and point up each other. We also have ways of finding out who the trolls are.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on March 4th, 2009
I never minus anyone here. If I disagree with a question, or answer, I just give a comment or answer of my own, saying why. Some good discussions result from this. Just "hit and run" minusing is silly and adolescent and very non-productive.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on March 4th, 2009
Excellent answer.
by HasntBeen on April 12th, 2009
Thank you, Tom and HasntBeen.
by Suby the Coat on April 12th, 2009
That was a very precise and informative answer Suby.
by Gnome of Kevonia is a Cheerwine junkie on June 11th, 2009
Finally Gnome got her treasure! How did you find it?
by Suby the Coat on June 12th, 2009
A well thought out and presented answer, Suby!
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I'm not a vegetarian, but I DO heat a well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies.
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In my opinion, almost everybody (myself included) eats FAR more meat than is necessary anyway, for those who do consume meat. The body is only capable of digesting/extracting so much from what is eaten before it passes completely through the digestive system anyway. So far smaller portions than what people habitually consume in meat would suit the body's needs anyway.
by The Chief on June 12th, 2009
I discovered motion and jumped into my treasure cove. I am building a gnome palace in Northern Kevonia.
by Gnome of Kevonia is a Cheerwine junkie on June 12th, 2009
Chief: You are right. Why else would there be so many questions on fatulance in the Answerbag?
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Gnome: Sell the treaure and put the money in a good bank. Treasures could be dangerous things to keep.
by Suby the Coat on June 12th, 2009
Aaaaw Suby.. I was using it to build a great castle with a moat so no one could hit it :)
by Gnome of Kevonia is a Cheerwine junkie on June 12th, 2009
HAH! Good one!
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Except for those beans, of course! They would keep the flatulence questions going!
by The Chief on June 12th, 2009
I will agree with all the above, Suby, except 'h'. The fact is, humans are very much designed to be meat eaters,..or omnivores. Our earliest ancestors had to become hunters for survival. The climate change in their habitat, southeast Africa, forced them out onto the savannas where plant food was inadequate. It also encouraged their more upright posture, better far vision, and bigger brains. It was actually hunting and meat eating that made us what we are now. And there is no completely vegetarian primate. They all must supplement their diet with animal protein and fat, mostly from insects, but, the larger ones will scavenge the kills of predators at every chance. Baboons and chimpanzees have even been observed to eat monkeys.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 13th, 2009
You are right Tom. Primates do consume non-vegetarian food when their food of choice, fruits, are rare. As humans evolved from primates humans too retain the capacity to switch from veg to non-veg anytime they want.
But the design of the teeth and instenal length of humans would indicate that they are primarily meant to be vegetarians. But provision for adaptability exists.
At this point we must consider the fact that among all life forms only humans have devised ways of cooking their food before eating. If this development had not taken place early in evolution, would the human digestive system have been able to cope with the rigors of digesting fresh meat? I think, humans would very much have limited themselves to easily digestable foods like fruits and vegetables. Or at the most have gone on to eating insects, like monkeys, that too are easily digestable.
Humans are omnivores, I agree. But given a choice they would have stuck to fuits and vegetables, same as primates.
What are your thoughts on this. Particularly about the design of the digestive system of humans which would appear designed for herbivore life.
by Suby the Coat on June 13th, 2009
Gnome: Don't put Piranhas in the moat. They are not effective. Go for real crocodiles. That will keep your treasures safe!
by Suby the Coat on June 13th, 2009
It is possible today to be vegetarian and healthy, but it is still not true for all people, everywhere. I can go to my local supermarket and buy all the variety of vegetable matter I need to stay healthy. But a herdsman in Mongolia or Kenya, or an African Bushman cannot. Neither could most humans at any time. I agree that meat has taken a more prominent role than necessary in the diet of most people in modern times. I limit mine more than most. Fish and seafood is my main source of non-vegetable protein and amino acids. And it is not wise to try to inflict strict vegetarian diets on growing children. Most people, parents, are not knowledgeable enough to do this.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 14th, 2009
Thank you Suby. <gets real crocodiles>
by Gnome of Kevonia is a Cheerwine junkie on June 14th, 2009
And if there are no crocodiles in your area, you can use alligators. They have kept many bayou dwellers in Louisiana safe from civilisation for centuries...(lol!)
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 14th, 2009
With all the treasures at her disposal Gnome could very well import nile crocs, Tom.
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I very much appreciate your observations. It is indeed better to let children choose their diet patterns as they grow up. Only warn them against Junk Food and they will find the right foods all on their own.
In my personal experience, I have found that, my 2 sons who are independent now are sticking to a vegetarian diet while they have all freedom to switch to any food they want. Unlike me they live in Chennai, a large city, where the MacDonalds, KFC and Pizza Hut rule the food catering market. But the boys order veg pizzas to be delivered to them. Curious.
by Suby the Coat on June 14th, 2009
Many great dishes are now made with soy products. Excellent protein, and it is a bit strange that they are still more expensive than meat or dairy.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 14th, 2009
The technology to make excellent meat substitues from soya beans was perfected in the early 70s, I believe. But the market for these products never expanded beyond the vegetarians wanting a taste of the hamburger. Mass production was impossible as the market remained a niche one. That kept the costs high.
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Now I remember President Richard Nixon saying 'We have the technology to make excellent hamburgers from soya beans. China can't threaten us anymore with a food shortage' or something to that effect. I read it in early 70s when I was in the university.
Curious again. Why should President Nixon have had to say that?
by Suby the Coat on June 14th, 2009
He had a lot more farsightedness than he was given credit for. He had flaws, like delegating too much to underlings who were not too bright. It cost him his Presidency and reputation. He was a complicated man. He carried grudges. He did not really trust the American people, even after they had elected him by a huge majority. He was always on the defensive and even saw enemies where there were none.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 14th, 2009
During his time only the trade barriers were lifted and the trickling in of the China made products began. Thanks to Henry Kissinger and his ping pong diplomacy. The flood gates were opened and what started as a trickle eventually became a flood that practically drowned the consumer market. But I do not think there was any food import from China at that time. Only the US was exporting wheat and corn to China. Wonder where the question of food security came from.
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I know I am dithering. What comes to mind is the repeted 'expletives deleted' in the watergate tape transcriptions. We friends used to sit around and try to figure out what exactly were the expletives that were used in each instance in the benign surrounding of the Oval Office! The beauty is none of us knew the American expletives well enough. Still it was fun then.
by Suby the Coat on June 14th, 2009
(lol!) Well, I am sure you could guess. That 'sob', and that 'bastard', and that 'a--hole'...Certainly nothing unusual in any other discussions of politicos by their opponents. Jack and Bobby Kennedy were said to have very foul mouths when talking about political enemies, as was Lyndon Johnson. But, they are not on tape...(lol)
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 14th, 2009
Wonder how the tapes will play out if Obama's private conversations with his aids were to be revealed some day. Loll.
by Suby the Coat on June 15th, 2009
I would love to hear them..(lol)
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 15th, 2009
Lolls, Tom. Lets wait and see. 8 years of waiting at the most. Lol.
by Suby the Coat on June 15th, 2009
Only four, hopefully....
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 15th, 2009
I was putting the outer limit to be on the safe side, Tom..
by Suby the Coat on June 15th, 2009
Four would be nice.
by Gnome of Kevonia is a Cheerwine junkie on June 15th, 2009
See how the discussions go in a tangent from vegetarianism and hits politcs in the end. My mistake. A chance remark about President Nixon did it. Now back to vegetarianism.
Have you ever used soya substitutes, Gnome? How good are they?
by Suby the Coat on June 16th, 2009
Gnome will be back, I am sure, but I certainly have used soya products. Some of the products which are designed to look and taste like meat are not so good. Some are better than others. I have learned to like the egg whites with soya "yolks". And many brands of soy 'milk' are really very good. I have learned to add a drop of vanilla to it to enhance the taste.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 16th, 2009
What are you doing up so late at night, Tom? Its is 3.15pm here in India. Must be very late night in the US.
Here some brands of Soy products that are meat substitutes are available. We must soak them in water for sometime and then add them to any dish. They will absorb the gravy. I have tried them but as I have never tasted meat I would be no good judge as to how good they are as substitutes. But I find it nice chewing the chunks of the nuggets made of Soya.
I never tried Soy milk which too is available as I have all the wholesome cow's milk I want in my farm.
by Suby the Coat on June 16th, 2009
Ahh, so you are not a strict vegetarian! (smile) I do love real whole and fresh milk, but I have been advised to drink only non-fat milk by my friendly doc. I actually like soy milk better than real skim milk...(lol). And I am not up late, Suby. Only relative to others. I get off my job at midnight, so this is only evening for me..(wink)
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 16th, 2009
Somewhere along the line the first lines of my answer above got lost its significance. These are the opening lines.
"There are many who are born into families that have been vegetarian by tradition, like me. For us vegetarianism is a way of life since birth. But we tend to be somewhat more liberal in our attitude towards vegetarianism than those who chose to be vegetarians later in their lives. Some among whom become fanatics where this principle is concerned."
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I made it amply clear that I am no fanatic where vegetarianism is concerned. I can do with eggs (both fertile and farm eggs), whole milk and even a little lard added for flvor to chips. I like fresh cows milk as it is milked. Did you know that fresh milk from a healthy cow could be drunk without boiling? I like the foaming fresh milk better.
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My son too has this habit of working late. His office hours are 10 - 5. But he gets up at noon, goes to office by 4 and works late into the night. His bosses have no problems with that.
by Suby the Coat on June 16th, 2009
I have always been more of a night person. My brain just functions better then. I think it is an inherited adaptation. Somebody had to stay up and tend the fire and watch out for encroaching predators or enemies. (smile)
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 16th, 2009
That could well be the origin of the night prowlers among us, Tom. lol.
by Suby the Coat on June 17th, 2009
And those who stay on guard against them....
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 18th, 2009
Lolls. So the night prowlers are predators according to you. You could be right. Some hunt > earn their bread at night. Others during the day.
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Here we call the 'late night addicts' night prowlers.
by Suby the Coat on June 18th, 2009
OK,...so, I am probably one. Here, we are called "night owls". (lol)
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 18th, 2009
Pretty good description of your type. Lol.
by Suby the Coat on June 19th, 2009
Do I take that as complimentary?
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on June 19th, 2009
I was a night prowler once, Tom. I envy you. Its certainly complimentary.
by Suby the Coat on June 19th, 2009
Great view on being a veggie. I was not born into it, actually my countries national food is a meat. But I'm a veggie now. I am not a militant vegetarian. I married a veggie and both of my kids are veggies. We eat eggs, cheese, butter, etc. Just nothing that is flesh. Life is good.
by melencoly on September 24th, 2009
WOO HOO!
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What's for dinner, then?
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:):):)
by The Chief on September 24th, 2009
Boiled cabbage and bread! Care to join in, Chief?
by Suby the Coat on September 24th, 2009
I LOVE cabbage!
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Can we have some grilled asparagus, too? My wife got me to like asparagus, something I never thought I'd like after the way I was raised on it by Mom!
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:):):)
by The Chief on September 24th, 2009
You won't invite me to join you for dinner? Asparagus not available here. If cauliflower will do, I can arrange!
by Suby the Coat on September 24th, 2009
I had Pad Thia.
by melencoly on September 24th, 2009
You mean this, melencoly?
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'pad thai ( ) n. A Thai dish of stir-fried rice noodles, egg, bean sprouts,
shrimp, peanuts, and seasonings.'
http://www.answers.com/topic/pad-thai
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I assume you could cook it leaving out the shrimp! You said you were a veggie!
by Suby the Coat on September 24th, 2009
Of course I'd invite you for dinner!
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I'm not a vegetarian, but I can cook anything I set my mind to!
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And cauliflower will suit me just fine! If it's food, I'll eat it! And come back for seconds, too...
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Pad Thai sounds good, too, even without shrimp.
by The Chief on September 24th, 2009
I mean this definition of Pad Thia.
Pad Thai (or Phad Thai, Thai: àžàž±àžàčàžàžą, IPA: [pÊ°àt tÊ°Äj], "Thai style frying") is a dish of stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, fish sauce (Thai: àžàčàžłàžàž„àžČ), tamarind juice, red chilli pepper, plus any combination of bean sprouts, shrimp, chicken, or tofu, garnished with crushed peanuts and coriander. It is normally served with a piece of lime, the juice of which can be added along with Thai condiments. Pad Thai is one of Thailand's national dishes.
I used Tofu and bean sprouts.
by melencoly on September 24th, 2009
I am familiar with that dish, melencoly,...delicious!
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on September 25th, 2009
We have a few Thai food restaurants in Chennai, India. The nearest one to me. There may be others in other cities.
I must make it a point to try Pad Thai next time I go to Chennai! As this is India I am sure they will have a vegetarian version of Pad Thai!
by Suby the Coat on September 25th, 2009
I'm so jealous of the tasty foods the street vendors have there. I can't remember the last time I was in a dosa house. Yummy. Oh and the Indian pancakes I had in Singapore will be remembered fondly for life.
by melencoly on September 26th, 2009
Lucky you, melencoly! The Dosa we make at home are so different from what they serve in restaurants. And healthier!
by Suby the Coat on September 26th, 2009