Vegetarianism - Good or bad

Basically lately I have been having alot of thought about this and its really starting to make me realize a few things which I already knew about really but like others never gave it too much thought. I guess you could say I just ignored it really.

Are there vegetarians here which im betting that there is a great amount of you on here.

So what are the pro's and con's of vegetarianism because I have heard alot and I’d actually like to hear alot from vegetarians themselves on this like was it a good decision you made turning to vegetarianism etc.

So Pro's and con's what are they

[edit on 2/3/2009 by Anti - Government]

reply to post by Anti - Government


This debate between Heike and Orange-Light (the veggie) laid out the pros and cons pretty well, imo.

Veggie Debate

I will only share my own experiences and not my opinions on the subject:

I gave up all meats,all dairy products, wheat, processed foods,and sugar in November 2007 after a life-threatening bout of severe asthma triggered by the chemicals they spray almost weekly during the season in my ranching community to kill boll wevils in cotton fields.

Don't get me started on that,it's another thread,LOL!

I have lost @ 40 lbs,my skin and hair have never been better,my vision and dental health have improved,and best of all I am no longer a slave to ANY ashma-control drugs that IMO,were rapidly breaking down my body and causing me to become more ill by their use! Mostly steroids.
I am "middle-aged" and am often mistaken for much younger these days.
I eat fresh fruit and veggies of all kinds,some steel-cut oats and corn, brown rice,fish here and there and honestly,can't rave enough about the overall changes in my life and health that converting to this type of "diet" has given me.
I cook often and enjoy the challenge of coming up with fascinating meals that allow me be creative with food...yes,it's more expensive,time-consuming,and takes planning and practice but I am no longer a slave to the medical system and am on a fast-track to being in the best shape of my life!
I don't smoke and am a light drinker at best.
Literally, becoming a vegetarian for non-political reasons has saved my life.
Is it easy? Nope...I make the choice as to how I will eat every day on my way to the gym but it works for me!

There's a good book titled "Eat to Live" about the role of food in the reversal of chronic disease and it does go into how our system of medical care would prefer that we stay on those meds rather than get healthy.

Do I get an incentive in my health insurance premium for being so "healthy" now as opposed to being a statistic? Nope...it just keeps going up so the Micky Dee folks can get their due.
This is one way I thumb my nose at them though.

Some (most?) people cheat by eating milk, eggs, or fish. This is not true vegetarianism.

My experience is that I felt like crap and I was always on the verge of starving to death. I am not a meat junky by any means, but I don't walk around acting all pretentious or hip because I like fruits and veggies. Besides, eating meat helps move my bowels.

Plus, vegetarians must use vitamin supplements, which is something I don't take well to, either.

While eating real fruit and veggies is certainly better than drinking the phoney baloney "juice beverages" that they sell, humans are naturally omnivorous.

I became a vegetarian about 2 1/2 years ago, also for mainly non-political/ethical reasons.
The thing that stopped me from doing it sooner was that I figured it would be too much trouble rearranging my eating habits, but for me it really was no trouble at all.
I actually found it quite easy & liberating to cook meals without meat, because when you cook with meat you tend to base everything around the meat. Plus if you ever get stuck or need new ideas, cooking recipes are ridiculously abundant online

I've never really had health problems but I certainly feel better now than I did before, though I suppose that can just as easily be attributed to the fact that I eat more fruits and vegetables, rather than the absence of meat.

I find it interesting that I started seriously researching alternative topics & spirituality a few months after i became a vegetarian.
Whether there's a connection is impossible to say, but I know that a lot of people talk about how a vegetarian diet raises your vibration.

My advice would be to give it a try for a week or two & see how you like it.

That's what I did & after two weeks I tried to eat some chicken & couldn't get it down - so I figured why bother

reply to post by vcwxvwligen


You're thinking of veganism, but there are many degrees, so it's easy to get confused.

Technically I am an ovo-lacto-pescetarian, meaning I eat fish, eggs & dairy.
But I refer to myself as a vegetarian because if I used the term above people would think I was a religious nut or something

We are all different physiologically, so a vegetarian diet may suit some better than others. I know it suits me & I don't need vitamin supplements to stay healthy.

I'm not gonna go into any debate and I'm not gonna give you a list of pro arguments, you can easily find them with a google search. I'm just gonna answer you from my own point of view and my own experience as a vegetarian, just like you asked

Yes, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. If it wasn't, I would just go back to meat eating. It did not turn me into a superhuman, did not cure any disease, but also didn't make me sick, weak or stupid (-er than before )

It just makes me feel good. Not good about myself, like, you know, "I'm so much better a person than the meat eaters". No, it just makes me feel good in general. I don't like to kill things, I don't want anything to be killed by others for me, I discovered cooking can be fun (never liked cooking until i became a vegetarian. Eew, just the thought of touching uncooked meat...). Plus i simply never liked meat.

Oh and to the poster who said vegetarians who eat dairy "cheat", no, they don't cheat, they're just not vegans...

[edit on 2-3-2009 by Wallachian]

I'm 20 years old and have never once eaten meat of any kind since birth (parent's religion). That means no fish and no eggs as well. I should also note that I don't/haven't taken any supplements.

In all those years I have rarely (especially in recent years) come across someone who is faster than me. I'm not a huge guy (75 kg, 6ft tall), but stronger than most who are in my range. I'm fitter than most I know. My eyesight is well above average. I rarely ever get sick... in fact I can't even remember the last time I had cold.

But really it all depends on how smart you go about it as well and the type of person that you are. Growing up a vegetarian I've never even thought about eating meat as it just doesn't seem 'right' to me.

I've long moved passed my family's religious beliefs (Krishna) -- I remain someone who strives for spiritual progress/self realization. No religion. My reasons for staying vegetarian have now become more about ethics. Since I've long proven to myself I don't need to, why should I?

However note that if I was to 'go bush', as I plan on doing at some point, or if I'm ever in a survival situations -- I believe it's ethically/spiritually acceptable for me to eat meat. In short, I believe eating meat is fine as long as I make the kill and for a good reason. I'm also very knowledgeable however about the available bush tuckers (plants, yams, tubers etc) and would still keep any meat eating to an absolute necessary requirement.

[edit on 2/3/09 by Navieko]

Vegtables have feelings to. For the carrots.... this ... is... the holocaust!

Can you hear them my brothers? Let the rabbits wear glasses!

Vegetarians are healthier.
But not Vegans.
Dairy products and eggs provide essential things you cant get anywhere else.
They have done studies on this.
And found the most healthy is a Vegetarian who uses dairy and eggs.

Ever since i was very small i would suffer from alot of migrains basically everyday but since i stopped eating meat like about 8 months ago i dont even remember that last time i had one and dont get me wrong i ate fruits and vegetables back then so i really doubt lack of vitamins was the problem. I also stopped drinking soda all i drink now is water and natural juices(not the powdered ones )

I have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for twenty years. I made the decision for ethical reasons, and when I told my family they thought I was crazy. I hate vegetables! Actually, I would say my diet is primarily grain-based, but since becoming a vegetarian I have become a little more concerned with my health, and eat more fruits and vegetables, and less sugar, than when I was a meat eater. I have never had to worry about my cholesterol levels or blood pressure. I've no doubt that if I hadn't turned to vegetarianism two decades ago, I would be in pretty sorry shape today.

The downside of vegetarianism is mainly social. There have been times when I've gone to a party, wedding reception, or out to a restaurant, and found few--if any--vegetarian options. Then, I not only have to cope with my own disappointment (and hunger) but also have to try to keep others from feeling awkward. I always feel gratitude toward the host who remembers my vegetarianism and attempts to accomodate my diet by providing meat-free alternatives.

I do not feel morally superior to meat-eaters, but I do feel that many people who eat meat may not be aware of the inhumane conditions under which animals are raised and slaughtered, the antibiotics and hormones they have been exposed to, and the possiblity that the meat has been irraditated. On the other hand, how many vegetarians are aware that--unless certified organic--that soy they're eating is probably genetically modified? Whatever you eat, it's best to raise it/grow it yourself.

ps. Hey, Wertdagf--very funny! Perhaps it will make you feel better to know I give my carrots a very good quality of life before they are "slaughtered"!

I eat only fish and eggs, cheese. No red meat, pork, chicken. I am the only one in my family that does not have high blood pressure or heart disease. I also used to work for the USDA and after that I really stopped eating all meat. Enough said.

Originally posted by MrVertigo
reply to post by vcwxvwligen

 

You're thinking of veganism, but there are many degrees, so it's easy to get confused.

Technically I am an ovo-lacto-pescetarian, meaning I eat fish, eggs & dairy.
But I refer to myself as a vegetarian because if I used the term above people would think I was a religious nut or something

We are all different physiologically, so a vegetarian diet may suit some better than others. I know it suits me & I don't need vitamin supplements to stay healthy.

AFAIK "vegans" have a philosophical objection to the slaughter of animals in order to exploit their carcasses, whereas "vegetarians" do it for pragmatic reasons like health or finances

Originally posted by vcwxvwligen
AFAIK "vegans" have a philosophical objection to the slaughter of animals in order to exploit their carcasses, whereas "vegetarians" do it for pragmatic reasons like health or finances

That is certainly not the case with me, or anyone for that matter who is vegetarian strictly because of their religious beliefs (specifically Krishna consciousness).

But I see your point, so long as your referring to the average/majority -- in which case I don't know the numbers.


[edit on 2/3/09 by Navieko]

I am a Vegan..and have been living this way for six years. I would consider myself "hard core" because my choices also include clothing (no leather or wool) and personal care products (no animal testing or animal by-products). I do not take vitamin supplments and am I very healthy and never get ill.

B12 is your problem I believe. Since large amounts can be stored in your body, when an adult changes to Vegan they may be fine for a few years. There is no vegetable source for B12. Animals get what they need from the insects in there diets. To do the same means eating your vegetables straight out of the ground with the insects still on them. Animals also eat their stool to get B12. Yum, yum. Of course many cultures eat insects and grubs which explains their survival without the meat. Of course those groups who still live more or less wild have very short life expectancy and lousy teeth and bones.

The danger as i read it is to children. Putting a young child on a pure Vegan Diet without supplements would be abuse. While an adult liver has stored the B12, a child's liver has not.

I also read recently that it is a lie that Vegans are healthier. Made up of course by Vegans. Yes they benefit from the lack of body fat to a point, but there is a limit. Some fats are necessary.

Being a Vegetarian seems like no problem at all. With a little fish and dairy it seems as good a choice as any.

Where the nonsense comes in is in claiming, as some do, that we are not Omnivores evolved to eat a mixed diet, because we are. Even Apes eat meat as a regular part of their diet.

Originally posted by fishneedh2o
I am a Vegan..and have been living this way for six years. I would consider myself "hard core" because my choices also include clothing (no leather or wool) and personal care products (no animal testing or animal by-products). I do not take vitamin supplments and am I very healthy and never get ill.

How do you get your B12? 6 years on B12 stored in your liver already is possible but eventually it will be a problem. B12 Deficiency can cause Anemia, Mania and Psychosis. It causes degeneration of nerve cells and the spinal cord eventually.

Do you eat insects? I won't mention the other source. After 6 years you could be approaching a problem.

Originally posted by Navieko

Originally posted by vcwxvwligen
AFAIK "vegans" have a philosophical objection to the slaughter of animals in order to exploit their carcasses, whereas "vegetarians" do it for pragmatic reasons like health or finances

That is certainly not the case with me, or anyone for that matter who is vegetarian strictly because of their religious beliefs (specifically Krishna consciousness).

But I see your point, so long as your referring to the average/majority -- in which case I don't know the numbers.


[edit on 2/3/09 by Navieko]

Most religious food law have to do with maintaining good health.

I'm not Jewish but I still think it's important not to mix meat with milk. The milk dilutes your hydrochloric acid, making it difficult to digest the meat.

reply to post by vcwxvwligen


Veggis do not have to take vitmin suplements. I dont, I get all mine from the veg and food i eat. I do not eat meat and I am very healthy.