January 25, 2010

Why do people become vegetarians?


vegetables assortedI asked my readers whey they became vegetarians or almost vegetarians. they shared with me and now I’m sharing with you.

One thing about those vegetarians (at least the ones that read this blog), they are a generous and interesting bunch.

As you are about to find out!

Why we went vegetarian or almost vegetarian

  • Well, I was 12 or 13 at the time, and just had a problem with eating meat. It didn’t seem like food to me.
  • I was on weight watchers and noticed if I didn’t eat meat, I could save points!! Then I felt so great doing it, I continued! I eat meat and seafood occasionally now.
  • Opposition to factory farming and the general state of our “big ag” system in the U.S.
  • Health reasons.  It helps me maintain my low fat diet.  Plus, I love veggies.
  • Well, its been more than 20 years, but I think at the time I was influenced by a friend and just thought it was “cool.” I know I cite all three standard reasons, moral, environmental, and nutritional, but which reason dominates has shifted around over time. Right now I’d say I’m most influenced by issues of sustainability.
  • Health reasons
  • My boyfriend is a vegetarian, so I have been eating less meat and I needed some new recipes.
  • I was never a big fan of meat, but eventually the thought of what meat really is just started to gross me out. Now that I know more about factory farming and how meat consumption affects the environment, I am even more set in my decision.
  • Wasn’t really my choice, per se, but my body  became unable to process animal proteins, oils, wheat, alcohol, caffeine or anything high in fat (even avocado) when I fell ill in college so it was made for me!
  • My oldest daughter became a vegetarian 15 yrs ago (@ 11 yrs old) and while I wasn’t ready make the jump as there other kids in the home who were not so enthused with going vegan.  I had always cooked for them but had a lot to learn about vegetarian nutrition so that she’d still be getting what she needed as she was still growing.  at that point I was cooking 2 separate meals but found myself feeling better physically & mentally eating more of what I was cooking for her. Since my youngest has moved out, I’ve gone back to the recipes I used w/ my oldest.  while I’m not a complete vegetarian yet, the bulk of what I eat is fresh fruits & vegetables, beans, grains, rice, a little pasta, yogurt, cheese, eggs &  have either chicken or fish 1-2x a week and could live without chicken but don’t think I could live w/out dairy & I’d miss the seafood as well.
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{ 8 Comments }

Comments

8 Responses to “Why do people become vegetarians?”

  1. Nannette
    January 25th, 2010 @ 7:34 am

    That last comment sounds like our house. Our oldest went vegetarian 2 years ago and vegan this year. Middle daughter is barely able to choke down rice and bean combinations and don’t dare mention tofu in her presence. I hate cooking two meals, but respect everyone’s opinions. I need to find vegan recipes that everyone likes!

  2. Sallie Ann
    January 25th, 2010 @ 2:34 pm

    So great. There are as many reasons for a veg-centric diet as their are vegetables (or close). And I think I can relate to each one, on some level.

  3. Tweets that mention Why do people become vegetarians? | Almost Vegetarian -- Topsy.com
    January 26th, 2010 @ 12:10 am

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cooking Student, Cooking Student and Cooking Student, Samantha Liang. Samantha Liang said: New blog post: Why do people become vegetarians? (http://bit.ly/5DlW75) http://bit.ly/5DlW75 (via @cookingstudent)interesting [...]

  4. uberVU - social comments
    January 26th, 2010 @ 4:15 am

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

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  5. Vita-Mix Reviews
    January 26th, 2010 @ 8:03 pm

    As someone who is making the shift to a raw, vegetarian diet for 2010 — this was a very interesting read! Personally, I’m making changes for health reasons…

  6. Misty Faucheux
    January 27th, 2010 @ 12:56 pm

    WOW! I knew that there were many reasons that people go vegetarian, but there a are quite a few that I never thought of.

    I found this one to be the most interesting: Wasn’t really my choice, per se, but my body became unable to process animal proteins, oils, wheat, alcohol, caffeine or anything high in fat (even avocado) when I fell ill in college so it was made for me!

    Thanks for sharing these!

  7. yujinha
    February 3rd, 2010 @ 10:45 am

    i’m trying to be vegetarian, thanks for the share

  8. Cyndy LaFont
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 7:18 pm

    I was never much of a meat eater. As I got older and was around live stock etc. I couldn’t get the image of their faces out of my mind.

    Only back then I didn’t know that meant you were a vegetarian.

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