Veg*n Vegetarian

[trump_cinnamon]

I've been a vegetarian since birth, and I was wondering when other people decided to become a vegetarian? I never really chose to, since both of my parents were vegetarians, so I'm wondering what made people decide to become one?

 

[hilary]

Well I'm a vegan and I first tried out vegetarianism when I saw a magazine put out by PETA showing the horrible process all the different types of animals go through at the slaughterhouse. That day I stopped eating meat and chose to be vegetarian. I went online and watched videos on peta which made me choose to take the "30 day veg pledge". I haven't looked back since. I didn't even miss what I had been eating, and believe me I was a huge meat eater. Not even a full month in and I was already exploring veganism. This June will be two years since I fully became vegan. For me it's about the animals, and knowing that I can't eat meat, eggs, cheese, etc., without feeling awful about what I'm doing after seeing what they go through. I don't feel right about eating a cow or pig, when I have dogs and other animals and they're all the same when you think about it. I've learned it's way better for my health also, and the environment. The images in those videos brought me to tears and that's why I became vegetarian then vegan.

 

[trump_cinnamon]

I think that if I wasn't already a vegetarian, I would become one after seeing all of those horrible photos. I just feel so bad for the poor animals! I always ask people who eat meat how they would feel if they were raised in this tiny little cage/room, and then killed. They just say that humans are supposed to eat meat, and if they didn't the cycles in nature would get messed up..... some people just don't get it!

 

[hilary]

I totally agree. And while I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I certainly do not look down upon those who choose a different diet and lifestyle than I, I still just can't understand. Once you become aware, or choose to be aware, it's really hard at least for me, to imagine how I used to eat and how oblivious I was.

 

[Smudgetoffee]

I've been vegetarian for about 6 years now, I've got used to it and never really think about it. One thing I hate... people taking the mick out of me about it.

 

[pigsmakemesmile]

I'm vegean / pescitarian meaning, that although I live on fruits, nuts and veg, I do eat fish but rarely. I just had surgery so I need to take in a little more protein which I plan to aqcuire from High protein drinks, nuts and a little fish.
I'm the only one at work that doesn't eat meat but they're good about it, They don't tease me or anything.
However, my husband's vegan also and in his line of work, is required to visit a pigfarm. He's observed Hatfield's here in PA. It was hard for him but was amazed at how the pigs are treated. He's says it's the luxury life, clean stalls, not overcrowded, 4 vets on hand, classical music. Don't matter to me though because they're still going to be slaughtered.
Human beings are meant to be plant eaters according to an article I read some time back. They determined by our teeth that we are designed to be plant eaters.

 

[iluvmypigclover]

I'm vegean / pescitarian meaning, that although I live on fruits, nuts and veg, I do eat fish but rarely. I just had surgery so I need to take in a little more protein which I plan to aqcuire from High protein drinks, nuts and a little fish.

Well, technically, you aren't a vegetarian. Fish are just as much an animal as any other, so by eating them, you are an omnivore. I'm not trying to burst your bubble, I'm just letting you know. There are other sources of protein that are not animal based that you could try instead of fish. It is entirely possible for you to get enough protein without any animal sources. Good job on your efforts, though!

Anyway, I became a vegetarian a little over two years ago from seeing a video called "Meet your meat". I barely got halfway through before turning it off, sobbing, and deciding to become a vegetarian. I haven't looked back since!

 

[guineapigluver1]

Actually, iluvmypigclover, she is a pescatarian. The definition of a pescatarian is someone who does not eat mammals but eats seafood.

 

[iluvmypigclover]

I've heard of pescatarianism before. I don't consider it a branch of vegetarianism simply because it DOES include eating animals, but I'm not against it, because it does help a lot just to cut out some meat. Anyway, call it what you wish!

 

[Paula]

I've heard of pescatarianism before. I don't consider it a branch of vegetarianism simply because it DOES include eating animals, but I'm not against it, because it does help a lot just to cut out some meat. Anyway, call it what you wish!

I don't think anyone's arguing whether or not it's a "branch" of vegetarianism. I read pigsmakemesmile's post to mean that she's a vegan/vegetarian but will have to start consuming fish sometimes because of a recommendation after a surgery she had. I think it's a great choice and don't understand why you would want to "burst her bubble" about it. There are a lot of definitions on what a "vegetarian" is and some even include those that eat poultry in that category. What the definition is depends on where you go or who you ask, so I don't think it's appropriate to belittle her choices based on what you personally consider to be a vegetarian.

I, personally, am a vegetarian because for years I haven't eaten meat, although I did stil occassionally eat fish. I've given that up, too, within the last year, because I do consider them animals and don't feel the need to eat them anymore. I still eat cheese, milk, other animal products, but do my best to buy items that are "cruelty free" as much as possible. At some point I'd like to become 100% vegan but at present I can't get over my all-consuming love of cheese and cheesy things.

 

[trump_cinnamon]

I still eat cheese, milk, other animal products, but do my best to buy items that are "cruelty free" as much as possible. At some point I'd like to become 100% vegan but at present I can't get over my all-consuming love of cheese and cheesy things.

:cheerful: I love cheese too! I'm not a vegan because dairy products don't hurt the animal, unless they are mistreated. This is why I try to buy products from farms that treat their animals well. I'm not sure why people who eat meat like meat that is from animals that are treated well, they get killed anyways!:yuck:

 

[blackarrow]

I'm not sure why people who eat meat like meat that is from animals that are treated well, they get killed anyways!:yuck:

Would you like an honest answer? I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with killing per se. Everything and everyone dies at some point - it's necessary, even. Cruelty isn't.

 

[trump_cinnamon]

Would you like an honest answer? I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with killing per se. Everything and everyone dies at some point - it's necessary, even. Cruelty isn't.

But the animals that are killed young? What about them? They didn't get to die of natural causes. They got killed. No animals that are made for meat die of natural causes, and they are all killed.:guilty:

 

[ferndalezoo]

I'm not sure why people who eat meat like meat that is from animals that are treated well, they get killed anyways!

I'll preface this by saying that I am not vegan, or even vegetarian. I am an unapologetic ominivore, and a I believe that humans evolved to be omnivores. I don't usually post in this forum, though I do read it. I support other people's decisions to be vegan/vegetarian, though, if that decision is a healthy one for you. I was, for years, and it was NOT healthy for me, so I started eating meat again. It turned out to be the right, healthy, decision for me.

That said, it is important for me that what I eat was treated humanely while alive, and was killed in a humane fashion as well. There is a HUGE difference between living a quality life, with humane treatment, and being killed quickly and with minimal pain; and from living the way most meat-farmed animals do, and then being killed in a way that often involves unnecessary pain and suffering. The horrors of the meat industry are very real, and I try to not contribute to that.

 

[ferndalezoo]

But the animals that are killed young? What about them? They didn't get to die of natural causes. They got killed. No animals that are made for meat die of natural causes, and they are all killed.:guilty:

If you had your choice of dying a long death from, say cancer or even just old age, or dying suddenly, say in a freak accident where an anvil falls on your head, wouldn't you choose the latter?

When done right, the killing of animals for food (either for human food or for pet food) doesn't have to be the cruel, painful thing that it is in much of the meat industry.


The meat industry REALLY needs to really make some changes with regard to how animals are treated, both during life, and at the end. It's inexcusable.

 

[iluvmypigclover]

I don't think anyone's arguing whether or not it's a "branch" of vegetarianism. I read pigsmakemesmile's post to mean that she's a vegan/vegetarian but will have to start consuming fish sometimes because of a recommendation after a surgery she had. I think it's a great choice and don't understand why you would want to "burst her bubble" about it. There are a lot of definitions on what a "vegetarian" is and some even include those that eat poultry in that category. What the definition is depends on where you go or who you ask, so I don't think it's appropriate to belittle her choices based on what you personally consider to be a vegetarian.

I never intended to be rude. Infact, I said that I did NOT want to burst her bubble, if you go back to check. I am not belittling her at all. I ALSO said that I commended her for her efforts! I'm simply stating that to me, vegetarianism is the ommision of all meat from the diet, including fish. That being said, if a doctor reccomends something after surgery, then I agree that she should follow his advice. Hopefully, someday she can ommit fish if she chooses. I was not at all trying to be rude. I appologize for coming off that way.

 

[iluvmypigclover]

And, the poster pigsmakemesmile changed her post to include that she was a pescitarian, not a strict vegetarian. I appreciate the correction.

 

[blackarrow]

But the animals that are killed young? What about them? They didn't get to die of natural causes. They got killed. No animals that are made for meat die of natural causes, and they are all killed.:guilty:

I know. Thing is, I'm another unapologetic omnivore. Waste bothers me, and cruelty bothers me. Killing an animal per se simply doesn't bother me, whether the creature is young or old.

 

[sophistacavy]

I know. Thing is, I'm another unapologetic omnivore. Waste bothers me, and cruelty bothers me. Killing an animal per se simply doesn't bother me, whether the creature is young or old.

Thats a little scary.......

 

[blackarrow]

Thats a little scary.......

Oh well. What to you is "scary" is simply "not hypocritical" to me. It wouldn't make a lot of sense for me to be troubled by the death of an animal I was planning on eating.