This is a question to vegetarians. Would you consider someone who only eats meat to maintain optimal health a vegetarian. Like someone who only eats meat once every couple of weeks. I'm asking this because I was a full on vegetarian. I didn't eat any meat, however I did eat dairy products. I wasn't eating healthy though and my mom had noticed it (it doesn't help having a grandmother who is a dietitian). She helped me start eating better, but to make her happier (because she doesn't really like my beliefs) I decide to eat meat occasionally to maintain good health. I would still like to be a vegetarian because I have the same beliefs (pertaining to meat and that subject) as a vegetarian. However my beliefs have also changed over time. The reason I stippoed eating meat was actually due to multiple reasons, but one reason was because so many animals are killed because of it. It's not nessessarily bad to eat meat but because so many animals have to die to satisfy our selfish stomachs it becomes a problem. However, I see no harm in occasionally eating meat (mainly chicken but sometime beef) to make sure that I am not malnurished. Thanks in advance for your replies (if you do reply). Peace (the symbol to the left is a symbol representing peace. Even though it represents the peace that is not a pronoun, I am using it to represent the pronoun Peace or in otherwords me )
I'm glad i'm getting in early here.... it's gonna be fun to read the debates that follow this post That's great that you're concerned about animals dying to satisfy human ego... however understand this: If you eat ANY meat then YOU ARE NOT A VEGETARIAN. You are an OMNIVORE. I've heard of "flexitarians" which are supposed "vegetarians" who occasionally eat meat, but imo that is just another word for an omnivore who is ashamed to be an omnivore but lacks the will-power to be a vegetarian. Also, as you do further research into the topic, you'll realise that there is absolutely no need for anybody in western society to consume animal products to maintain optimal health. In fact, it has been proven several times over that meat is mostly detrimental to human health (i'm sure someone wiser than myself will back me up with statistics soon enough). So if you are truly ethically concerned about the issue, then just stop eating meat and make a little more effort to take care of yourself on a vegetarian diet! Don't worry about being malnourished, most vegetarians tend to be a lot healthier than omnivores for the simple reason that they do their research and tend to have much healthier lifestyles. But my point is, so long as you are eating meat - no matter how occassionally it may be - you are still an omnivore. Good luck anyways!!
Have to agree with you there Peach I've done a lot of reaseach over the last year or so and see absolutly no reason why it would necessary for an otherwise healthy person to need meat. What usually happens when people give up meat is their body does a detox of sorts, all the crappy residue from meat comes out of the woodwork and makes them feel crappy. And/or They haven't done their homework and are eating a load of [vegetarian] crap. Just subsituting meat for dairy products and over processed meat subsitutes is not the road to good health. Random deficencies may also crop up. These can usually be sorted by establishing what the problem is (migjht need a nutitionist's help) then eating plenty of food rich in whatever you're lacking. Learn some more, then try again.
They're right, man. If you eat a well balenced vegetarian diet, you shouldn't need meat. I suggest you and your mom talk to a nutritionist or go to a health website (the latter is cheaper) and look for information on how to keep a healthy vegetarian diet, if that's what you really want. If you want to keep eating chicken ever so often, go ahead. But it still doesn't really make you a vegetarian.
http://www.eatright.org/Public/GovernmentAffairs/92_17084.cfm This might help. Appearently, Peta has some information on how to eat a healthy vegetarian diet on their webpage as well, but I'm not really into Peta, so I don't know. Worth a try though.
Most people can have a healthy vegetarian diet so long as they eat sensibly, but for some, medical conditions can make it more difficult. At least you think about what you put into your mouth, it is a good thing that you are conciencious about what you eat. In my opinion, the most humane way to eat meat once a month or so would be to actually hunt your own meat, at least that way you know that no animals were subjected to torturous captive lives for your meal, and the animals will live a natural life and die a natural death at the hands of a predator. If you do decide to do this please be considerate and use as much of the animal as you can.
Take a look at your diet and what was causing you to feel run down. Were you replacing the meat in your diet with french fries, snack chips, etc.? Or, were you skipping meals altogether? This is a common trap new vegetarians fall into. It's a good idea to do some more reading (there are lots of veggie guides and cookbooks geared to teens) and try again. You may also want to talk to a nutritionist if the transition seems tough. Also worth considering: taking a multivitamin, if you feel you don't eat a diverse enough diet.
Hell yeah. That's what happened to me when I was 13-15. I didn't really know a lot about eating well as a vegetarian, plus the fact that I was immature and didn't want to eat well, so I ate way too much unhealthy food.
I also ate veggie burgers almost every night for lunch and dinner. Let's just say that that's not good.
there are various types of vegetarians some that dont eat any meat or fish products but eat dairy products, some that dont eat meat or fish products but eat dairy except for eggs, some that dont eat any meat, fish or dairy products at all & some eat everything but limit the amount of meat they eat! Ok, please don’t you lot shout at me & tell me I’m not veggie! I’ve only just become vegetarian & I’ve done allot of research on this subject (& I still am). So I made an appointment to see me doctor this weekend (I have to consult with my doc when ever diet changes come up, I’m naturally anaemic & have to take iron supplements twice a day + other supplements, & my body doesn’t produce certain enzymes). So I went to see him at the weekend & told him that I’m now vegetarian, I was expecting this long lecture on how it’s bad for you & all that bollox. But no, he was very understanding (I think that’s cus he said his wife is veggie) but has told me I’m not allowed to stop eating fish & I’m not to make that jump from meat to vegetarian in one step. I have to gradually cut out meat & replace it with nuts, seeds & pulses (beans). Yeah so I have to take extra vitamins a day (even though most peeps can get all vitamins & minerals from food), extra iron a day & not allowed to stop eating fish. I think I said this on another thread, yeah, your body needs omega 3 essential fatty acids, which you can only get from fish. Vegetarians who don’t eat fish eat foods like flaxseed, Soya been walnut which contain alpha-linolenic acid (LNA or ALA) which become omega 3 in the body. But my body doesn’t produce the enzyme to change ALA in to omega 3 (and 6). If I don’t eat fish & get that omega 3 in my body I will die. So for some people eating certain meat is a must if they wana live!
i'm healthier as a vegetarian than i ever was when i was not. it sounds more like you like the idea of vegetarian, but aren't ready to practise it full on. it isn't always easy. i would consider you a semi vegetarian. there is tons of research out there about eating a healthy, well-balanced diet as a vegetarian or vegan.
