Why do people go vegetarian?

Question

Recently I read a book that said there are so much MORE synthetic chemicals in meat products and I am thinking about going vegetarian for that reason. However, I don't think people go vegetarian for that reason but I still hear that it is much healthier. If you are a vegetarian, what are your reasons?

ALSO, I heard that you need to take protein shakes to make up for the lost protein in your diet....Can I just eat peanut butter and eggs to fill the gap? And is there anything else I need to worry about if I start sticking to the vegetarian diet?

Answer 1

People have many reasons for going vegetarian or vegan... There are the "health" reasons of course, but for me it was the fact that I don't find it settling eating another living thing.

About the protein, Americans are actually eating too much of it. Even the USDA revised the food pyramid, making "meats and beans" (proteins) the smallest section. But as for replacing your proteins, eggs are fine if you are ok with the high level of cholesterol that they contain. Peanut butter is great if you are buying a good brand, Jif and Peter Pan are practically cake icing with all the sugar they add. Soy is a perfect protein. One pound of soy and one pound of beef contain the same amount of protein, except soy has no cholesterol and no saturated fats.

The thing is that tecnically you can live on soda and potato chip and call yourself a vegitarian, but you want to be healthy and do it right. A great book for you to read is Vegan with a Vengence, even if you aren't planning to go vegan this book lays out a lot of very important and very helpful info. Good Luck!  

Answer 2

To irritate others.

Just kidding.  Look, I know someone (an omnivore) who eats two turkey and swiss croissants for breakfast every day, gets something at Taco Bell for lunch, then eats something like pasta with meat sauce or pizza for dinner. No one ever worries about HIS diet or if he's getting enough nutrients.  No one lectures him that his diet isn't balanced (or that the excess protein he consumes every day will damage his kidneys over time and the excess animal fat will clog his arteries).

But tell someone you're a vegetarian and suddenly it's "Oh my GOD you are going to be SO unhealthy!!!!"

Eat a variety of plant based foods.  Don't eat too much soy.  You will be fine.

Answer 3

good question also i need to hear more about that

but i don't know the reasons exactly

cuz i am not vegetarian

sometimes i think they are just heat meat loooooooooooooool  

Answer 4

People choose vegetarian diets for all kinds of reasons from religious, to ethical, to health, or just plain personal taste.  I know some in every category and they are all equal in terms of health and happiness in their decision.  Your reason doesn't matter, but it will help define what kind of veg you are and what kind of restrictions you want to set for yourself.

As with any diet you want to eat balanced and complete meals.  Nuts, soy, beans, and many veggies have high concentrations of proteins and combined with carbs form complete nutrients (like rice and beans).  Reading some veg cookbooks and exploring a few websites will help you plan meals to ensure you get the right nutrients.

Protein shakes shouldn't be necessary but you may want to explore a more varied source of protein than just eggs and peanut butter. This will get very boring very quick, not to mention you may lack other essential nutrients.  If you start to feel like you're not getting something you need by all means a supplement or shake is a great idea.

Other things to consider are iron (supplements or foods) and items that are made of animal products that you don't know about like rennet and gelatin. You will need to read labels.

Answer 5

i ate meat for years and finally went vegetarian a few months ago. it is great, the food is cheaper and is healthier. i have become more lean and feel much better without always haveing that meat churning in my stomach. i just take a dietary supplement from GNC to get all of the vitamins (b12, protien...).

its not really that bad either. you can still eat good stuff like speghetti and fried rice. i have actually gone vegan recently and feel even better without cheese and butter in my diet. go for it and dont look back!

Answer 6

You do not need to take protein supplements.  Whoever told you that is sorely mistaken.  Americans are obsessed with protein and with the groundless idea that it only comes in animal form.

Vegetarians who are eating a balanced diet that includes soy foods, beans and other legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables (and dairy products and eggs, to boot) easily get plenty of protein without even trying.  Just google the vegetarian food pyramid and follow it.

Just like anyone else, you need to see to it that you're getting enough of all your essential nutrients.  The only difference is as a meat eater no one will ever quiz you to make sure you're doing it, but as a vegetarian people will assume that you aren't doing it and will take it upon themselves to give you unnecessary advice.  A great resource for deflecting other people's unfounded concerns is "The New Becoming Vegetarian" by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina, both registered dietitians.

Answer 7

1. Don't wish to fund animal torture.

2. It's natural

3. It's healthier.

4. Don't like eating blood/pus/sh*t/steroids.

Answer 8

You definitely don't need protein shakes or supplements. There are plenty of vegetarian foods that contain the same amount of protein as meat- eggs and nuts included. Soy products are another biggie.

I went vegan for animals, and I guess the environment as well.

Answer 9

Well i am a vegetarian because of animal cruelty and what they do to animals in slaughter houses is just cruel and discusting

Answer 10

I reviewed my eating/living habits a couple years ago and I did research on animal agriculture.  What I found was disgusting, disturbing, unnecessary, inhumane.  After I found out what I now know, there was no turning back.  I couldn't just pretend I didn't read what I did.  So I became vegan straight away because I do not want to give away my money to farms that cramp animals in sheds and cages, feed them pesticide laden foods, inject them with hormones or antibiotics.  

Why would I pay someone to torture an animal?

There are many reasons that people become vegetarian/vegan though. Religion, Health, Animals, Environment, etc.  

Answer 11

Hey!! well I'm a vegetarian, and i have been for about 6-7 months.  I became vegetarian because I eventually started to feelVERY guilty every time I'd eat meat.  I would try to push the thought away, but it woudln't go.  So I came to the personal conclusion that an animal shouldnt' have to die for my enjoyment.  Grab "Vegetarian for dummies" that is the BEST book I've found. It provides you on EVERYTHING you need to know on vegetarianism, what you need to fill for the protein part etc. Congrat's!!!!

Answer 12

no dairy.

no reason to try and worry about proteins and vitamins.. why?

this list on this site has the common fruits and veggies and all the information you need as a reference.

http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/mi...

i'm not sure what the rest of the site is about and it's unessesary in my opinion..  just the list is a good list and it's got much information on the fly, simple, to the point and easy.

and you'll find there's no issues with a vegetarian diet.

long as it's fresh and not processed junk.

uh,   why is this protein myth still going on?    there's no protein issue in a vegetarian diet.

Answer 13

I became a vegan strictly for health reasons. I need to avoid fat and cholesterol; those things are commonly found in meat and dairy. I'm sure the meat industry is harsh, but that isn't my motivation for avoiding meat. In fact, I wear leather shoes and have no problem doing so.

Answer 14

Egg is the perfect protein. It is the food item that is used for comparison in all other foods. Protein shakes are a good alternative. Protein found in greens, nut legumes are more potent than the protein found in meat. Animals get their protein from plants. Why can't you?

Not only are there more synthetic chemicals in meat, but also pesticides from the corn they eat. (By the way, cows were meant to eat grass, not chemically laced corn). The animals are also injected with anti-biotics.

I became veg for two reasons. Animal cruelty, and for obvious health reasons.

As for things to worry about, I suggest getting two or three books on the matter from your library. Read them. It is not hard to go veg I found. In fact I eat much more variety, feel more energetic etc. But you must eat a balanced diet.

Cheers

Answer 15

That is a very good reason to become a Veggie when I started many years ago the beef , pig, chicken industry was not like to day with all the injections they put in these poor animal and how they are confined to small areas so to fatten them up fast.  My reason years ago was for the sake of the animal, now it is for both reasons its healthyer, you will get plenty of protein from Tofu , soy (milk)  veggies, just start reading  labels  that's the only thing that should concern you is protein  get a vegetarian cook book and you are on your way to a healthy life style