10.8.16
Why I Stopped Eating Meat.
On one of my past TheVeganKind posts, '
I had tried a couple of times to give up meat, The Simpsons 'Lisa The Vegetarian' resonated with me but was unsure how to do it and the bacon just kept luring me back. Until late 2008, I was on Google searching Goats, as you do, and saw a skinned kid - for me that was it. My nan didn't believe me; certain I'd crumble for a bacon sandwich. Weeks later, I was still not eating meat, I would eat a fair bit of seafood and dairy within my diet but I was eating so much prawns until I was turned off. I started to cut out milk slowly and replace it with almond milk but now I don't drink it, more out of choice. I started to notice with my body that if I had too much dairy, my stomach didn't appreciate it, so limitations were being set upon me. For me it wasn't a challenge to give up meat as it wasn't too prominent in my life, the cheese - yes. Gradually it was, limiting cheese where I use to sprinkle it on most meals or have a melted cheese sandwich or pizza. My body could only take a certain amount otherwise my body would expel not long after if I had too much. I’ve looked for vegan cheese before, I certainly don’t get a huge amount of grams of it like you do in the diary alternative but I’m still on the hunt but I don’t eat much of it anymore, the exclusion is getting there so it’s not been without it’s challenges somewhere.
Many become vegetarians or vegans for a few reasons - inhumane treatment to animals, diet, environment. Mine was for the first reason, my love of animals overtook my love of food. Growing up I wasn't much of a meat eater but I did eat it, mostly chicken or bacon and if I ate out, chicken would be a choice, I knew no other way. One thing I've come across is a lot of ignorance, ignorance stems from not understanding and a lot of people along with ignorance. They pre-judge your choice, you're a PETA fanatic, tree hugger, strange because you've gone against the 'norm'. Also some have no respect or a judgment to say let's agree to disagree. I continuously come across those people, you'll mention the words vegetarian or vegan and they'll laugh and question why I've chosen to eat that way. No matter the answer, most will dismiss and disrespect.
So why do meat eaters take vitamins?
I don't understand why meat eaters are so offended by those who choose otherwise? Just with other things, preconceived judgement is at fault, people do it when others choose to believe or live differently to them, whether it's religion, sexuality or your personal views. I have had people who have respected my choice and have said while eating they won't eat meat in front of me -which is a nice gesture, I always tell them, I respect your dietary choice & it doesn't bother me. I made a conscious choice to try & live a different diet but it doesn’t make me a different person.
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Great to read a vegetarian's viewpoint. Although I'm not a vegetarian myself, I would never criticise a vegetarian's choice. Thanks for the great insight ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I just never understood why it bothers some.
DeleteMmmmh...me neither. I wouldn't worry - some people can't help but be ignorant sometimes...
DeleteThat's true, my nan says that too! Some people are so set in their ways that it's the only way they feel comfortable. It's what makes the world go round, I suppose x
DeleteA thought provoking read. It's not a lifestyle I particularly agree with (having to take a B12 supplement to be healthy tells me it's not what we, as humans, are collectively meant to do), but I totally agree with people expressing themselves as they see fit. Don't want to eat meat? Don't eat it then! Simples. :)
ReplyDeleteWell as I'm not vegan I still get B12 from fish & dairy but like I said those who eat meat still sometimes have vitamin deficiencies because of poor diet but it definitely is a choice either way.
DeleteA very interesting read, thank you. I've been vegetarian for years and years and eat mainly a vegan diet now. I hate it when people criticise my lifestyle since I don't criticise theirs. But this is happening less and less now since vegetarian isn't seen to be against the norm any longer. BTW we quite like Tyne Chease but it's quite expensive and we only buy it on special occasions. And BTW people used to get adequate supplies of B12 from the soil but with the farming methods these days and the desire to wash all veggies until they're squeaky clean has meant that this source of B12 is not really available anymore.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vicky and for more information. It's such a shame that unless we really grow our own we don't know how they're being grown but just trust the source. I do find it's happening less for vegetarianism but I still find those ignorant individuals who feel the need to criticise. I'm going to check out the Tyne Chease - Thank you!
DeleteAn interesting post. I think we are all entitled to make our own choices. Meat is a good source of protein but then you can get that from plenty of beans and other sources. It's your choice. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree it is a good source but it's also good to know it can be sourced elsewhere, thanks for the comment.
DeleteIt's really interesting to learn about the reasoning behind why you don't eat meat. THanks for sharing xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Samantha xo
DeleteWhat an interesting read, I think so long as you made the decision for you and not to please other people then all good. I think most people who can't understand other people's choices its all down to ignorance and lack of knowledge
ReplyDelete100% agree it is, I think if people want to know why, they need to have more of a grown up approach instead of being childish.
DeleteWell done for writing this and the good image of the simpson really bring it to a good point. Sadly for me I have to eat meat as I have iron problem and I can help it by eating a lot of red meat. xx
ReplyDeletewww.annanuttall.com
Thank you Anna! Yes I think even t.v. can help others look at other lifestyle choices. X
DeleteI am a meat eater but I completely respect vegetarians and vegans choices & hope it is s two way street xx
ReplyDeleteYes I think it should be, I don't think anyone should push their views on another unless they're asking to be educated. I myself don't like pushy vegetarians/vegans gives a bad rep all the time xo
DeleteA great and interesting read. I have never judged people who don't eat meat. x
ReplyDeleteThanks lovely. It's pointless especially if they're not hurting you x
DeleteI definitely understand your decision. I've considered switching before. I don't like meat too much and the way animals are treated in big corporate farms is terrible.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz, it is a horrible way how they're treated and kept. Even the dairy industry isn't good.
DeleteI try where possible to not eat meat and maintain a vegan lifestyle i.e. i don't drink milk at home and always have vegan cheese/ butter but I find it harder when I go out x
ReplyDeleteThat's so good Rhian, that's like me. I'm struggling to find vegan cheese I like unfortunately x
DeleteI was a vegetarian for 12 years and I started eating meat again for health reasons. I then stopped again, as I really don't love it, but when I got pregnant I craved it, so I gave baby what she wanted. We are 95% vegetarian though.
ReplyDeleteI think that it's good, you've got to listen to your body especially while pregnant. It's good you still keep some elements within your diet.
DeleteI used to be vegetarian a while back, but had to give it up as i was having trouble eating out. Restaurants may offer a veggie option but most of the time it is just one item and they are usually the same as they have in another restaurant. The only restaurants that seem to do a good veggie option are veggie and vegan restaurants x
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on this, unfortunately it's similar dishes all the time, mostly pasta or a soup. There isn't much out there to cater for V's which is unfortunate, I often have trouble eating out too xo
DeleteI've been vegetarian for nearly 20 years and luckily all my friends and family are really supportive, but I do wonder why there are people who get annoyed about it. It doesn't even affect anyone else!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a long time - I applaud. It's nice to have supportive people around in regards to your choices. It really doesn't and it's very confusing. You'd think we was stopping them eating meat!
DeleteThis was a fascinating read! I am a meat eater but completely respect vegetarians and vegans decision, plenty of my friends are vegetarians x
ReplyDeleteThanks my love. Aw awesome, it's all about respect at the end of the day xo
DeleteAs a meat eater I am not offended by anyones choices, I am usually interested in why and it is amazing what you can learn x
ReplyDeleteThis is true, you're blessed to be open minded and that is what it is all about, you learn something new and sometimes you might be more cautious with what you buy etc x
DeleteThis is a great post. I've been vegetarian for 12 years now and I love it. I do get fed up of people asking me 'what do you eat?' though.
ReplyDeleteAmazing :) Oh yes I hear that one repeatedly, they assume I live on pasta or beans & rice.
DeleteI have never been much of a meat eater to be honest!
ReplyDeleteI hear that, I was like that growing up!
DeleteI went vege as I worked for animal welfare and couldn't stand the thought of eating it. My son's Father was vege because of the antibiotics pumped into the meat. So when we had our son he was brought up vege; now his parents eat meat and he is 14 and very much a vegetarian!
ReplyDeleteI've read quite a few people don't bother with meat due to what they pump into the meat, think it's good your son has stuck to his dietary choice at such a young age too!
DeleteI am a vegetarian too and many people don't understand how I can survive. Quite easily although I could never be vegan I love dairy way too much .
ReplyDeleteHaha, it's funny when people think you can't survive by not eating meat. It's better to educate those people.
DeleteThis was a very interesting post and I love how honest you are! Meat is so hard for me to give up but I have been leaning towards fish and fruits
ReplyDeletexoxo, Candice
http://www.candicenikeia.com
Thank you, Candice. It's good you're making slow changes to your diet either way.
DeleteI could never be a vegetarian or vegan so I admire anyone that can do it - especially if they are anything like me! But I love reading vegan recipes, I'm yet to try them out but I really want to!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's definitely nice to add variety if you do eat meat, alternate different diets.
DeleteThis is a tough conversation and a brave post. I'm a meat eater and I don't feel the inner need to stop being for now. I have done it before, but I came back to eating meat. I did suffer from malnutrition, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteIn the UK there are many options to be a healthy vegan/vegetarian, but in my country of origin is a mission impossible to find substitutions.
In my opinion - keep up the lifestyle that makes you happy and healthy. Everyone has their own way. I would never try to convert anyone to my lifestyle, whatever the case is.
Thank you Lubka, Ah that's so unfortunate that you suffered. Yes I could understand some countries when it comes to different food lifestyle choices. Might not have the education, restaurant choices, substitutes which is unfortunate. I totally agree it's better to just do what makes you happy, nobody should force you to eat or do whatever you don't want!
DeleteYou are the first vegan I have read about and understood. I totally get it but it isnt for me, but I respect those who are.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm glad you've been able to understand, it's certainly isn't for everyone but I'm pleased you read and understood.
DeleteI do eat meat but not daily, it is ignorance that make people think that you can't get all the nutrients you need with a meat free diet x
ReplyDeleteIt's ignorance because you can if you research, thankfully now you can get more information than years before x
DeleteA fantastic and informative post. My daughter became vegetarian 3 months ago and I confess to worrying that she is getting the nutrients needed. However she does love chickpeas, lentils, quinoa and green vegetables, so I will worry less! Thank you x
ReplyDeleteOh that's good, she's getting good nutrients. It's natural for a parent to worry with a change of diet, I'm glad this post has helped you x
DeleteInteresting read! I try and eat as many vegetarian dishes as possible as I feel sluggish when I eat too much meat.
ReplyDeleteI've read some people get like that, it's good that you listen to your body!
DeleteAwwhh baeeeee!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting read! I don't think i could do it personally, I don't know how to cook anything ha! but i think once i get my own place i would be more conscience on eating less meat and more alternatives!
'Don't know how to cook anything' lmao, well yes change of diet has made me need to learn to cook a variety, I'm not a lover of cooking but it's necessary. That's good, I will be round.
DeleteThis is fabulous and I completely agree. The amount of rudeness and ignorance I get because of my dietary choices is mind boggling.
ReplyDeleteI hear people say "I hate vegans. They always force their views" but if you are ever foolish enough to read the comments on veggie facebook posts, its always the omnivorous folk spreading the hate. Does my nut in!
Helen
I noticed this too. I don't know why it offends them at all but it seems to just be ignorance to pick on what's different and what they do not understand. Thanks for your feedback Helen.
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