On Moving Toward Vegetarianism: Finding Some Support

Vegetarianism is a concept that fascinates me, despite the fact that I eat a lot of meat. as an aerospace engineer, it is obvious to me that the only way to survive beyond our earth will be through vegetarian diets, or at least, diets that do not involve genuine meat grown from an animal. the processes are simply too inefficient. that inefficiency also translates here on earth. we all know the numbers on a pound of beef.

However, if one thing seems clear in history it is that getting people to voluntarily conserve resources doesn't work, and imposing a tax or monetary penalty, it often increases the problem because people feel that their guilt can now simply be bought away.

This is why synthetic meats are such an interesting idea. so much of the meat we consume is ground and processed. if you just cut actual animal consmption down to what you need to pump out a few steaks for the wealthy, while the masses get their ground chuck from a sterile manufacturing center as opposed to living being (with a biomass comprised almost 30% of bacteria), and never know the difference, meanwhile, less land is consumed AND more people are fed.

Although I agree with the notion that vegetarianism is the best option for taking care of the environment it is also very important to be very conscious that making the switch to a veggetarian diet is a very delicate process that should not be taken lightly . Those who advocate in favor of vegetarianism should always encourage the "vegetarian to-be" to consult a nutritionist or physician first , as one`s organism may not adapt correctly to this kind of diet and serious health issues may arise .
Also making the switch should not be done abruptly and also for some people it is important to increase calorie intake (specially if u r slim) because otherwise extreme weight loss may occur.

I visit happycow.com for lists of vegetarian/vegan restaurants in my area and browse their reviews in other cities before traveling.

michael:
Veganism? Sure. That could need a dietician. Vegetarianism, though? As long as you don't just eat candy on the basis that it's not made of meat...you know, if you have some concept of "healthy," you should be fine. Eat grain, fruits, veggies, legumes, and fungi, and you'll cover just about everything. If you drink a little milk or eat an egg, you'll catch up on anything you may have missed. Milk is like liquid meat. I'm lactose-intolerant, so I go with fortified (that's important) soy milk and almond milk.

Take a hint, people won't give up meat unless they have to, hell they'll even eat it in such quantities that it can significantly reduce their lifespan.

You've basically got two realistic options to stop people from eating meat. Number one is to come up with a substitute that's just as tasty, either some kind of in vitro meat or some kind of imitation meat from fungus or whatever. Option number two is to fight a civil war and win it.

Well I've found my reason to go vegetarian:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1206/agriculture.html

All port products in Ireland sold since 1st September should be destroyed due to high levels of PCB in the pigs feed (up to 200 times the safe limit!)

People always try to tell me that veganism is hard, but i've been vegan for 6+ years. I switched from eating standard American 'food' to being vegan in one day, and haven't looked back. Did I consult any doctors/nutritionists/etc. directly? No. I have 2 things going for me: 1) I like food—always have—and trying new foods, learning to cook, and getting enough nutrition have never really been problems; 2) I know how to do research online and intelligently filter what I find.

I love learning and putting what I learn into a coherent, more complete concept of reality all the time.

I recommend vegweb.com for vegan recipes. Tons of recipes, user reviews and ratings, meal planner, shopping list generator, online recipe book for quick links to your faves, and all free. I have a free account there—because I use all these features—but my association ends there.

I also suggest veganhealth.org for sane, balanced health/nutrition info. They know their stuff, and when they don't they'll tell you who does.

Going vegetarian is easy - start by deciding to eat one less meat meal a day, and when you go to a restaurant decide to choose the vegetarian option. After a while, you will start feeling better - really - and will automatically start choosing more vegetarian options. One day you will wake up and realize that eating meat is truly disgusting, and voila! you're vegetarian. I remember that, once I started being vegetarian in earnest that my mind was much clearer. Oh, and your conscience will be clearer too.

Going vegetarian is easy - start by deciding to eat one less meat meal a day, and when you go to a restaurant decide to choose the vegetarian option. After a while, you will start feeling better - really - and will automatically start choosing more vegetarian options. One day you will wake up and realize that eating meat is truly disgusting, and voila! you're vegetarian. I remember that, once I started being vegetarian in earnest that my mind was much clearer. Oh, and your conscience will be clearer too.

It is an easier time to go vegetarian or vegan than it has ever been - you can even get incredible soy whipped cream, people! There are websites and cooking shows like the fantastic Post Punk Kitchen (ppk.com) the blog VeganYumyum that make your mouth water just reading the recipes... there are brilliant vegan supplements and nutritionists and doctors now that really understand this diet and can help you switch over if you want guidance... we are no longer some fringe, radical sect. It just makes sense! Sorry to sound like such a cheerleader but vegans are the biggest foodie-gourmands you could ever meet... I want to help change the perception that is is somehow about deprivation... you will discover spices, dishes, and foods you never did before and it is an exciting life-choice.

oh gosh, I went vegetarian at age 8 after meeting some chickens that were as friendly, charming, and funny as my cat, and my family who were really sort of cool, indulged it as they all loved vegetables and cooked them primarily anyway (and they all went vegetarian a year later, inspired by what we were learning.) I have now been vegan for several years, and have never felt better and never looked back. I hope people realize that you don't lose anything or "give up" anything by going vegan - - in fact, a massive whole world of food choices open up to you that you didn't even consider before, when a blob of salted flesh took up such a huge portion of your plate.

Try to go vegan. Our dependence on animal products is a well-known, dangerous drain on the planets resources. But hopefully the humane treatment of animals is a concern too and you can recognize that animals used for dairy and eggs actually suffer the most, as they are kept alive "longest" in order to be fulfilling demand. I did not know this, until I visited and later worked at a Farm animal Sanctuary where they try to take care of the animals abused horrifically by the factory farming system. Seeing the small battery cages and gestation crates and such, sealed the deal... I am eating better than ever before, as a vegan, and feel like I have cut thru a lot of brainwashing to do something that is empowering and healthy.

As a former vegetarian of 28 years (I am 34) who has been moving towards responsible "omnivory" for health reasons, I have to respectfully disagree with those who see vegetarianism/ veganism as a long-term solution for humankind. I suffered under this misconception for most of my life, and it wasn't until my own health issues lead me into the study of holistic nutrition that the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
The reality of life on this planet is that there is a cycle of life and a food chain that we cannot remove ourselves from. We are omnivores born, with the teeth, the fossil records, and the medical anthropological studies to prove it.
We do not occupy the vegetarian's place in this chain. We do not have multiple stomachs and the capability to transform massive amounts of complex carbohydrate-based foods into the high quality proteins that every system in our body depends on for optimal functioning.
The truth of the matter is that as omnivores, we need a certain amount of diverse, quality proteins for optimal functioning and development from preconception until death. There is no bodily system, from enzymes to hormones to digestion; there is no bodily structure from the brain to the organs to the teeth, that functions properly without these proteins.
For the vast majority of people, the consequences of long-term vegetarianism include but are not limited to multiple glandular hypofunction (leading to weight gain, mood disorders, etc); low stomach acid (predisposing one for vulnerability to food-borne infections such as h. pylori); dysbiosis and the consequent permeability of the intestines (aka "leaky gut", which has been shown to be linked to allergies, autoimmunity, and brain disorders such as autism); osteoporosis and dental decay; and the list goes on. I have personally experienced most of these issues. As I change my diet to responsible, balanced omnivory, the issues are slowly reversing themselves as the body (now well-supplied with the fundamental building blocks) strives to achieve a homeodynamic equilibrium. My story is not unique. For more (not corporate-manipulated) information on the subject of essential consumption of animal proteins, please visit the Weston A Price Foundation's website http://www.westonaprice.org/.
On the subject of responsible meat/egg/cheese consumption: Factory farms, whether "organic" or not, are still factory farms, where animals are raised in inhumane conditions. The sacred compact between humans and our domesticated animal companions is broken by this type of industrial agriculture. Most industrial "organics" are not deserving of the name. See the Cornucopia Institute's website for more information on the distinction between family farm, pastured animals, and industrial "organic" confined animal feeding operations. http://www.cornucopia.org/ These distinctions also apply to industrial vegetable farming. Family-scale farms are the only ethical, sustainable solutions to the problem of land and resource use, and feeding the population of this planet.
My husband and I have 9 free range chickens providing us with the best eggs that money can't buy-- there is very little similarity between the flavor and nutrient content of the eggs our chickens make for us, and the eggs called "organic" in the health food store. The same goes for wild game hunted ethically and harvested with love and respect; and pasture-fed meats and milks from animals raised with love by the people who care for them.
Yes, there is death at the end of the cycle, but this is Planet Earth. Death is what happens here to feed the living and continue the cycle of life. Will we not one day feed the plants that feed the ruminants who feed us? (That is, if we are not embalmed and placed in a cemetery where the grass only feeds the mower--another misguided attempt to remove ourselves from the cycle of life and death!)

vegetarian
I am a vegetarian for over 30 years now. its fun, nothing to do with going green for me, just commom sense. have been a commercial organic grower for many years in between, so producing my own fruit & vegetables is essential to me.
any question regards vegetarian & vegan are always very welcome - Henry

I have to agree with Rebecca. My fiance and I turned vegan about 8 months ago and we discovered a world of food that we have never experienced before. We started trying all kinds of wonderful grains and veggies that we have never heard of. We got 2 cookbooks: Veganomicon and Vegan with a Vengeance that started our journey into plethora of great dishes and baked goods. Their website and forum at www.ppk.com serves as a great support network with lots of like minded people. And it is a great bonus to the two cookbook too!

We never consulted any doctors, my fiance lost 20 pounds and became a lot slimmer, and we feel better than ever.

Respectfully an opinion that eating meat is disgusting, is only that a personal opinion. That's not to say most of those of us that still eat meat wouldn't be better off eating less of it. Reducing our combined impact on resources, and keeping us healthier. Even in rural area the lack of small processing facilities make it difficult for a group to contract with local beef or pork producers to raise several animals others than those destined to the commercial feed lots and processors.

This westonprice website makes a suspect impression on me. Smells like astroturf. Who or what is behind this?

I am vegetarian and know many vegetarians, but never heard any of the scare stories told in Rosa's comment and on that weird website.