To clarify there are different types of veggietarians. The main difference between veggietarians and vegans is that veggietarians do not eat poultry and pork but still consume dairy products. Vegans do not eat ANYTHING that comes from animals, including dairy products. Many vegans will also not buy leather or other materials derived from animals.
I am NOT trying to preach this form of diet but my reasons for becoming vegetarian are for ecological reasons and for the welfare of animals. Saying that
ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF VEGGITARIANISM (from Wikipedia)
-Vegetarian diet uses considerably less water than a meat based diet. This is because to produce meat, water must be used in the production of feed for animals, which must be fed to the animals during their entire life
-animal protein demands far greater expenditures of fossil fuel energy — eight times as much for a comparable amount of plant protein.
-Mass free-range animal production requires land for grazing, which has prompted encroachment on undeveloped lands and clear cutting
The transition has been easier than I thought. It has been a year since I have been veg and I used to LOVE my hamburgers, pork and chicken like any other meat lover. But I feel cleaner and forget what meat tastes like anyway haha.
Anyone have veggie/vegan stories or are considering these diets?
I really enjoy your posts. On the subject of veggianism. I'm an omnivore and weigh heavy on the value of veggies to which I recommend to people that as theyy get older their demand for high concentrations of protein diminish which may explain why many older people become veggie obsessed. I am not heavy unless I need to be. I have vegan friends and went to visit them in the states. I just missed an opportunity to visit the alternative community in Alabama where TVP was developed in the 60's I'm told. I like TVP but I couldn't wait to get a hold of some of those memphis barbecue ribs to culminate my week of vegetarian initiation and southern exploration. Can't taste the traditional south without meat, in my view and ever humble opinion.
In one of my online groups we recently discussed the tradeoffs between meat farming and soy. A discussion that raised some ire in the vegan and carnivore circles alike, over the ethical treatment of animals but nonetheless and irrespective of that endless debate it seems that the soy still comes out on top when it comes to eco friendliness as well as in social evolution but when you factor in that soy is usually replacing a forest, using heavy pesticides in largely unregulated countries and it is shipped a long way and uses nonrenewable resources in the processing which is reported to bring the two values closer.
I read a report that also discussed heavy metal and pesticide contamination of soy fields and so accumulated in the crops. So much for no additives in health food. Also I learned from a study and not a difinitive one, that soy is not every body's friend. Some evidence suggests that we are not all common when it comes to food tolerances. Like lactose. Some can't eat soy. In terms of oriental medical philosophy, no surprise we all can have the same need but our bodies may naturally require we fulfill it in different ways. There are some suggestions out there that persons with a long family history in a region should seek regional sources for their nutrition as opposed to foreign. I don't know if this is just an extention of the buy local for sustainability diatribe but...there it is.
Sim
Just a few observations.
as a note; I am for the ethical treatment of animals. I make buying choices on the basis of it such as only range veal and chicken fed chicken food not other chickens. I grew up on farm fresh everything, unpasteurized milk and home slaughtered critters so that's where I run when I'm hungry. Not Burger King. Tragically there is no food without asocial, moral or ethical consequence of producing it.
I tried going vegetarian for a little bit but had a very difficult time. Unlike you coco, I really missed certain foods. And I don't think I was doing it "correctly." i.e. I wasn't getting enough protein and not getting enough variety.
Perhaps the two of you have some websites you could share/titles of books that you thought were good in teaching vegetarianism? How to do it properly? What to do with cravings? I'm not sure I could go full vegetarianism, but I'd definitely like to eat less meat.
RESPONSE TO SIMON47 You are right to bring up that soy is not always the best solution as there is GMO soy, and many people are aware of the negative impacts GMO's can have on the environment. I like in Vancouver, BC there are many restaurants with good veggietarian options and it's not that weird. But sometimes it is harder if you come from a family that is not very meat oriented. I was talking to my Italian friend it was so funny they had a family member who was veggietarian and her grandma said "oh then do you want chicken? veal? how about lamb? pork?" haha. Different people, different perceptions.
TO PEACHY It is very hard to give up meat if you grew up on it. For me I went from part-time veg (only eating meat when people made it for me) to full time over the course of....4-5 months. I was 20 years old when I started. Do what you can't there is no need to feel guilty. I've heard of some vegans/veggietarians who act very judgemental to carnivores but that is not the right attitude and is not going to educate people. They just come off as being righteous and preachy, which does not help anyone or the environment.
These are really great easy to read web sites about becoming vegetarian and more importantly what you need to have in your meals to make sure you have all the proteins:
REALLY GREAT BOOK to read on the different types of vegetarianism, myths and recipes. Again very easy to read and informative. It's called:
Becoming vegetarian. Here is a link to the book:
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/item/books-978157067144/1570671443/The+New+Becoming+Vegetarian+The+Essential+Guide+To +A+Healthy?ref=Search+Books%3a+'becoming+vegetaria n'
Good luck!
Coco...rock on. Just took a quick look at the info and it's great!! I don't feel guilty, but I would like to just help out where I could. Even if our family ate 1-2 meals a week, that would make a small difference over time. As we all have been saying, every bit counts.
And YES, those that are being righteous and preachy are not helping others!! In fact, turn people away from the whole idea which is terrible.
And what are your favourite restaurants in Vancouver? I like Bo Kong. The Naam is too far for me and I broke out in hives one time. Have you tried Foundation? I heard it's awesome!!
Fellow Vancouverite, awesome. Well I'm actually in PoCo in the suburbs look how green that is eh?! No one knows what PoCo is haha.
I have always wanted to go veggietarian restaurant hopping on Commercial Drive and Main Street. I think I have tried Bo Kong once. There was an Indian Place on Commercial that was great. I still have to try the Naam actually and never heard of Foundation. They're great places for carnivores! There are so many nice tasting veggie meals that everyone can enjoy.
At Simon Fraser University in BC (for those who aren't in this province) there's a guy that runs a veggie lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays weekly. It's awesome you donate $4-5+ and you can pretty much get all you can eat veggie meal. It's awesome.
I could always use new company if you ever want to go veggie-hopping.
How veggietarians and vegans conserve energy
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