Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism questions and answers

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Q: What to do when starting a new-lifestyle of Vegetarianism?
I'm considering becoming a vegetarian. I've considered it many times in the past, practiced a few times but failed, essentially. My real main concern about Vegetarianism is what exactly I am allowed and not allowed to eat. I know about Gelatin and Meats, but are there other specific foods? I've researched quite a bit, but nothing has given me specifics. And Do's and Don't's would help me out a lot too. Thank you, if you leave me a comment.

A: Well I don't think there is that much more that you have to look for. When you're eating at a Mexican place, ask about whether the beans are cooked with bacon/meat stock and whether the tortillas and chips are made with lard. Same goes for many American-style restaurants - french fries and veggie burgers may be cooked in animal fat, and vegetable chilli and soup may be made with beef stock. Whenever you're at a restaurant and considering ordering soup, ask whether the stock used meat. It's always a good idea to ask "Is this vegetarian?" before you order a meal, because sometimes vegetables are cooked with some chicken broth or things like that. Most of the time there's no issue, but every once in a while you may be surprised. Read the labels of cheeses and avoid those that use rennet. Other than those types of things, there's not much you need to be aware of. Do: -Eat lots of fruits and vegetables -Snack on nuts and dried fruits -Incorporate soy products into your diet -Use soymilk in place of cow's milk -Eat unrefined grains as much as possible (brown rice, oats, etc) -Try to include protein at every meal -Limit your intake of dairy and eggs -Ask whether meals are vegetarian at restaurants and friends houses Don't: -Eat dishes made with chicken or beef stock -Eat dishes made with lards or animal fats -Eat cheese made with rennet -Eat foods made with gelatin -Eat meat dishes -Eat dishes with meat sauces -Rely on high-fat, high-cholesterol dairy products EDIT: To the man above me and all like him- Yes, we're mammals. I don't see how this is relevant. A cow is a mammal too, and they are vegetarians. Humans are designed to be vegetarians, not meat-eaters. We have relatively dull teeth (for an example of a carnivore's teeth, look at a dog, cat, or tiger), and we have very long intestines, characteristic of herbivores. This is meant for digesting plant matter. When we eat meat, it takes a very long time to digest (up to two weeks) because of our long intestine, and meat putrefies and releases carcinogens in this time. Other sources of protein are in no way insubstantial - plant proteins are much easier to digest and provide all the same nutrients of animal protein. Another thing to consider is that Americans eat between 2 and 4 times the amount of protein we need - and more is NOT better in this case. Large amounts of protein in our diet make it very difficult to absorb calcium, hence our very increased rates of osteoporosis. It is also extremely rare to see protein deficiency - it is usually only seen in times of famine. You can get all the protein you need from plant products. Even vegans eat much more protein than they actually need, on average. We need about 30 grams a day - the average American eats 100. Attached articles support my points. Furthermore, the farming of animals is extremely environmentally unsustainable. We cut down acres of trees in the Amazon - some of the most ecologically rich and vulnerable land in the world - so that cows have enough land to graze. The farming of meat is a huge problem and contributes to 18% of global warming, according to Wikipedia. It is also cruel. The fact that we bred these animals does not make it alright to slaughter them. Eating meat is also horrible for your health. Heart attack, stroke, heart disease, osteoperosis - these are all side effects of the American diet. Vegans average cholesterol (according to PETA) is 131 (while the average meat-eaters is 210. No known cases of heart attacks have been reported in individuals with cholesterol under 150.

Q: There are many websites promoting vegetarianism, but are there some that do not?
I'd like to know both sides of the story before I commit to something so drastic. I understand a great deal about vegetarianism, but would like to review a fair opposing arguement.

A: dont' listen to dhaarvi2002 what a load of c*** first all the research this dude pulled up is bs just radomly copying and paste bad stuff bad doctors wrote about vegetarianism. think about this fruit and veggs are healthy healthy is spelled with heal, so eat your fruit and veggs and, out of all the diets in the world which is the most nautral? atkins? jenny krig? poping diet pills, lipo? or vegetarian diet? that's right. if you beleive eating meat is good for you then eat it but don't tell me not to eat veggs

Q: Where can I find a short video clip about vegetarianism?
I'm presenting vegetarianism to my class and I want a short video clip to show them....maybe a minute That is not graphic with dead animals but a brief summary of the lifestyle. Thanks

A: youtube of course! gaygod (a user on youtube) aka matthew lush has some pretty rad stuff on the issue

Q: If vegetarianism is so unhealthy, why does the ADA say otherwise?
The American Dietetic Association and the Dietetic Association of Canada state that vegetarians can get adequate nutrition with a balanced diet. They are recognized as the foremost authority on nutrition by the health care profession. So why are some people on YA still spreading misinformation about vegetarianism being unhealthy? If you want to eat meat that's your choice. I don't really want to debate the philosophical arguments--what motivates someone to make a certain choice is up to the individual. But I must admit it irritates me when people talk as if they are authorities on nutrition and they don't have their facts straight. I am a 50 year old male, lacto vegetarian for 23 years. I go to my doctor regularly. Why is my blood work within normal limits? Why isn't my doctor telling me I'd better start eating meat? If your answer is "he doesn't know anything"; are you a doctor or licensed dietitian? If you aren't, then you aren't qualified. Plain and simple. To foodtvfan: Thank you for the article, but being a vegetarian doesn't automatically mean one follows every ridiculous form of quackery that comes by. I feel the man who wrote it is biased. I work in mental health and I know of people who ate weird things like egg shells, shoes, and batteries. I could come out and say "look how these meat eaters are hurting themselves" but I don't do that. My wife is a Licensed Dietitian and she has patients who claim they are vegetarians and they have serious eating disorders but that doesn't prove all vegetarians have eating disorders. I could also come up with some phony statistics about how meat eaters are more likely to sexually abuse their children. If vegetaranism is just "trendy" how come Hindus, Jains and Buddhist have adopted it for thousands of years? That's a heck of a long trend. That's like calling Christianity a "passing fad." I didn't say anything about Animal Rights. Nor did I say anything about a diet without meat always being more heathly. Somebody could eat nothing but potato chips and Cool Whip and be a vegetarian. That wouldn't be a healthy diet, though. To: "The one with a tail." Yes, I do take nutrition seriously, but I'm married to a Licensed Dietitian and that kind of goes with the territory. I am not a dietitian but my wife and I are a team. I like humor a lot, but I know that sometimes people can't tell the difference between jokes and seriousness. I don't make fun of people on Y/A because of their religion, race, disability, sexual preference, etc. But did I make fun of the person who said "I think I might be a werewolf?" You bet I did. I saw comedian Ron White on TV once. He said "if you're a vegetarian, shut up." Then he told a story about a vegetarian who said "I feel sick, that soup must have had beef broth in it." Mr. White said "Well, you're a real manly man aren't you?" It might upset a few of my fellow vegetarians, but I laughed. But Mr. White's purpose was just to make people laugh; he wasn't trying to pretend he's an expert in nutrition or something. I'm okay with that. If somebody butts into a serious conversation just to make silly comments, that would be disruptive; regardless of how funny the person might perceive himself to be. Thanks Mountaingirl: I'm not that upset about it, I haven't heard anybody in real life make stupid comments about it for years. I just go to my job, etc., and hardly ever mention my vegetarianism to anybody unless I have to. Nobody makes a big deal out of it in real life. My wife's family are mostly vegetarians. I was just commenting about the negative comments and misinformation here on YA. One more comment to foodtvfan: Yes, opinions are fine, but some things aren't a matter of opinion when scientific evidence backs it up. You can have an opinion that "the earth is flat", but most people in this day in age aren't going to take you seriously.

A: plain and simply... misinformation and ignorance. It's obious that anyone making such claims is doing so because they have no real idea what they are talking about. I would almost think that there are some who say things like that because we, as vegetarians, are different. Some who make comments that are snide because they haven't the will power to try it for themselves, and those who don't know what they are talking about because their information comes from other uninformed sources or just because their parents told them so. It's basicly the old "If you masterbate too much you'll go blind" theory. comical really. The other category are those we all know well. Those who just want to bash those different from themselves... you can look through history and see that there are a lot of those who we care not to think of... I hope that answers what you are asking.

Q: What are the effects of Vegan/Vegetarianism on our environment and agriculture?
I read a lot of comments posted as to how vegan/vegetarianism helps the environment and agriculture. I want to know the cons of a widely spread adopted lifestyle of vegan/vegetarianism. I do remember seeing a news cast with Pamela Anderson where the reporter ( can't remember his name ) gave great points on this subject. Gene L : Haha ! Thank You for the answer. snowboard817: Great link !

A: If every one became a vegan. that would put tons of people out of work. most of the people that know only farming and farming only! There would be an overstock of livestock. And I'd be very hungry!

Q: What do I say to people that say vegetarianism is stupid?
I recently became a vegetarian about two months ago. I read an article about meat production and it completely changed my view about eating meat. Honestly the change wasn’t difficult for me anyway I hardly ever eat meat, maybe twice a week. Also I buy organic and free trade products, I recycle and so forth so it seemed to me that vegetarianism was the next logical step. I had dinner with my family recently (I’m in college so I don’t see them much) and they told me that it was stupid to be vegetarian and that I never was before. What do I say to them? People do change and also I think they still see me as a silly child not capable of making decisions like this or sticking to them. Thanks for your imput. I was'nt criticizing them for not being vegetarian I was just saying that they didn't respect my decision. They have their opinions I have mine.

A: And killing animals isn't stupid or cruel?

Q: Which is better Vegetarianism or Non Vegetarianism.Is it good to eat something which has an established excret
Is it good to eat something which has a fully formed excretory system like chicken or beef.Foot mouth disease to Avian Flu, are these the result of non vegetarianism.

A: Mankind has been eating meat since the dawn of its existence. Since we evolved so nicely, and we are the most intelligent and advanced animals on the planet, I don't think eating meat had any terrible effects. You don't have to eat a bird to catch bird flu. You can catch it by coming in contact with an infected bird's droppings. This can happen by sitting on a park bench with bird droppings on it, touching the bench, and then touching your lunch. Vegetarians often try to blame the ills of the world on meat. God said we can eat meat, and evolution indicates that meat has been beneficial (or at least non-damaging), so I'm all for it!!! That said, if you feed the animals tons of hormones and other chemicals before slaughtering them, the meat will quite obviously have some remnants of those chemicals, and that is something to take into consideration next time you chomp a burger.

Q: What are the benefits of vegetarianism, aside from more 'humane'?
I would like to know the health benefits of vegetarianism, aside from the obvious 'more humane' reasons.

A: You get an ultra cool title.

Q: Is this why people hate vegetarianism?
Most people who criticize vegetarianism do so because they've been brought up on a steady diet of burgers fries mashed potatoes turkey gravy steak fried chicken since childhood. American (European) culinary customs are the same as they were 500 years ago. The media encourages this as well. You never see ads for tofu or curry on Thanksgiving. In the cold dark European winters, meat, cabbage and potatoes were the only foods available. But old habits die hard. People visualize vegetarianism from their own narrow view of what vegetarian foods THEY ate - potatoes and salad, and therefore conclude it is unhealthy and tasteless. Am I right? How do we educate them that there is a world outside these food items?

A: make them a vegie burger, or a vegetarian lasagna. just don't tell them what it is, until after they have devoured it!! that really opened my eyes to vegetarian foods. (though I am still a die hard carnivore!!)

Q: Why do people find it so complicated to understand vegetarianism and veganism? Does it bother you too?
I appreciate the broad range of ideas and opinions on YA, but I am still amazed that so many people still don’t understand vegetarianism and veganism. There are all these categories floating around which only serve to confuse everyone. And many people continue to insist that eating chicken or fish occasionally is still vegetarian or vegan. Why do people find vegetarianism and veganism so confusing??? I find myself getting frustrated and annoyed with these people. Does it also bother other vegans and vegetarians ???

A: It bothers me because it means that no matter what I (accurately) call myself, people will offer me fish or shrimp or chicken thinking it's OK. Yeah, it's super simple. If it comes from a dead animal, vegetarians don't eat it. If it comes from an animal, period, vegans don't eat it. Vegetarians can make their own call on dairy and eggs. End of story, people.

Q: Is there such a thing as natural vegetarianism is children at the age of 2 years.?
My cousin's son is not naturally keen on eating meat and i am concerned that the poscute of trying to feed him meat could have some psychological effect on him. Is a natural feeling of vegetarianism in childhood possible and what sort of help is there about the subject matter.

A: If you show a really young child a piece of fruit/veg or a chunk of meat they will almost definitely go for the fruit/veg. Children are actually taught to eat meat so I think it's a good thing he wants/is naturally leaning towards a vegetarian diet. I think it would be cruel to force him to eat meat so stick to a veg one... provided you do it right, he will grow up into a much healthier person. http://www.vegansociety.com/html/people/lifestyle/families/parenting/vegan_children/ http://www.vegsoc.org/info/childre1.html

Q: How do you feel about vegetarianism and the treatment of animals?
I'm vegetarian and have a strong feeling that we should all be treated equally as far as humans and animals go, I also want to help out in any way I can to stop animal cruelty in factory farms etc. I love animals so much, I think people may think I'm crazy? Does anyone feel the same, or am i the only one? Thanks so much for all your answers, its great to hear other peoples opinions!

A: I can respect other people's choice to go vegetarian, but, I never will. My dogs and cats eat meat, so do I. We also aren't the only creature to farm other animals for animal products. Ants for instance, farm and milk aphids. It comes down to respect for other people's beliefs. Peta subtly is trying to make it impossible for those of us that still want to eat meat to do so. They pass legislation that looks like it's good for the animals, but, it has no leeway to make it possible for farmers to still grow animals without most of them dying. For instance, the complete gestation/farrowing crate ban in Florida. I understand limiting the amount of time a sow can be in one, that makes sense. But, banning them entirely means the sow crushes her litter to death making pig raising impossible. There are few pork farms left in Florida.. The way I see it, I'm not trying to pass legislation to make it illegal to be vegetarian. I'm not banning soy. Animals don't treat other species equally. Wolves that in general won't kill their own kind, will kill a deer or rabbit with relish. Certain animals reproduce at alarming rates to make up for the number of them that will be eaten. I agree with treating them as humanely as possible while still making raising meat a viable option for those of us that want to live more naturally. An omnivore diet is the natural diet for human beings. No other animal will sacrifice their well being to avoid eating another animal. I prefer to follow their code of ethics rather then one dreamed up by other human beings.

Q: How do I get started with vegetarianism?
I've been interested in it but I have no idea how to get the ball rolling.

A: How about eating more and more of the meatless foods that you already eat, and cutting back on the meat/animal products little by little? Try some new foods. Make your new diet an adventure. Also, vegetarian is different than vegan. That can follow or not. Meat substitutes by Boca are available at good grocery stores and make it very easy to transition. Read and learn about good veg. nutrition-it really is interesting. Mainly, keep it simple. Internet and cookbooks are great resources. As you get into it be sure to take sublingual (under the tongue) vitamin B-12. I don't, but it's recommended. Good luck.

Q: Please can anyone send me some links to any great persuasive speech examples on Vegetarianism?
I need exmaples of speeches on vegetarianism! please send them in comments, or as a link!

A: These links may be of some help, even though they are not all essays. Best of luck with it.

Q: assess good and bad points of vegetarianism?
talk about the good things about vegetarianism and the bad things. they arelike advantages and disadvantages.

A: There are so many advantages and disadvantages that I don't think I have enough space here to answer. First you have to realize that it's a personal choice and needs to be driven by more motivation than just thinking that it is a superior way of life. Speaking from experience, it's a decision that will effect you in more ways than you can understand, so it shouldn't be taken lightly. Advantages: - Increase in social awareness - You have to become aware of the way that animals are treated to fully appreciate the effects of your decision. - Decrease in chances of many serious health problems - Heart disease, cholesterol, and blood pressure are just a few of the health problems that can be reduced by not eating meat. - Weight Loss - Many people find that if they eliminate meat and increase intake of other forms of protein and vegetables, they will lose weight almost immediately. - Contaminated Meat - This is one of the less significant advantages, but if you're not eating meat, you don't have to worry about the way it is handled or cooked and can avoid the worry of disease. - Lack of Participation in Bad Business - Many of the corporations that produce meat have horrible business practices, and by not eating meat you're doing your part to not contribute. - Saving Animals! - I've heard that by not eating meat, you save 98 animals from being killed each year. Knowing this is definitely enough for me, but for some people it's not enough. Disadvantages: - Inconvenience - It is also very hard to find good vegetarian or vegan food when eating out unless you're in a relatively large city. You have to make sure that there isn't beef or chicken stock in soup, and there are tons of other hidden meat products in seemingly harmless products. - Supplements - Even the healthiest veg knows that it's sometimes important to take a vitamin. My problem is Iron, which I get easily from a daily vitamin. - Acceptance - Many people don't understand vegetarianism, and therefor are hesitant to accept it. I know that in the five years I've been veg, I've gotten a question about once a week about how I get through it. Despite being able to support my argument, many people are still resistant because meat is such a large part of our culture. - Will Power - Some people find it difficult to avoid meat if they really love the taste of it. It was never a problem for me, and if your motivation is strong enough, it's not hard at all. I understand that this may be a slightly biased opinion, but what can I say? I've been a veg for 5 years and have loved every minute of it. I don't have any health problems (my doctor agrees) and I feel great doing what I do. It's a personal choice that must be considered seriously. Every person has different pros and cons, but there are a lot of great books that can give you an unbiased opinion.