Why did you stop eating meat?

Timkerbelle

I have always had a soft spot for animals and just couldn't turn my head anymore, I figured if i couldn't go out and hunt and kill it myself because I couldn't stomach the thought then I shouldn't be eating it. I think a lot more people would be veggies if they had to go out and kill there own food.

Couldn't agree more.

I'm not against meat eating per se, but the way meat is "produced" in today's society is nothing short of disgusting.
I don't eat meat or animal products because I can't excuse the impact on the environment or turn a blind eye to animals' suffering.

ilookthetype

I was a veg for most of high school and a lot of college, mostly I did it to be a brat and piss off the side of my family that is super hick. Then I dated a guy who became a veggie because I was and I stopped, to piss him off. I didn't like him all that much...

starracer23

I quit and became pescatrian because I watched Food Inc and then the thought of eating meat that was pumped so full of growth hormones that it couldn't move disgusted me. And the thought that the beef we consume has to be bathed in ammonia to kill off all the diseases, again that made me so nauseous that I quit eating and buying meat then and there. It's been 5 mths for me now. I'm a newb still but I do enjoy it.

What do you guys do for Thanksgiving? This will be my first year surrounded by a giant turkey and ham and I am a bit worried. I have always loved turkey and ham....I know that I will be able to eat the sides (as long as there is no meat in it) and I am also thinking about getting nice fish fillet or something....but I'm sure it will be tough on me.

Grimmerick

I quit and became pescatrian because I watched Food Inc and then the thought of eating meat that was pumped so full of growth hormones that it couldn't move disgusted me. And the thought that the beef we consume has to be bathed in ammonia to kill off all the diseases, again that made me so nauseous that I quit eating and buying meat then and there. It's been 5 mths for me now. I'm a newb still but I do enjoy it.

What do you guys do for Thanksgiving? This will be my first year surrounded by a giant turkey and ham and I am a bit worried. I have always loved turkey and ham....I know that I will be able to eat the sides (as long as there is no meat in it) and I am also thinking about getting nice fish fillet or something....but I'm sure it will be tough on me.

I made a tofurkey loaf last year.......OMG totally great! I seasoned it and roasted it in the oven, I didn't miss the d@mn turkey one bit.....and that saying something because thanksgiving dinner would be my last meal on this earth choice

rml_16

I quit and became pescatrian because I watched Food Inc and then the thought of eating meat that was pumped so full of growth hormones that it couldn't move disgusted me. And the thought that the beef we consume has to be bathed in ammonia to kill off all the diseases, again that made me so nauseous that I quit eating and buying meat then and there. It's been 5 mths for me now. I'm a newb still but I do enjoy it.

What do you guys do for Thanksgiving? This will be my first year surrounded by a giant turkey and ham and I am a bit worried. I have always loved turkey and ham....I know that I will be able to eat the sides (as long as there is no meat in it) and I am also thinking about getting nice fish fillet or something....but I'm sure it will be tough on me.

I made a tofurkey loaf last year.......OMG totally great! I seasoned it and roasted it in the oven, I didn't miss the d@mn turkey one bit.....and that saying something because thanksgiving dinner would be my last meal on this earth choice

I seriously just can't stomach the idea of eating meat anymore, so I eat sides and leave the rest. When I smell those things cooking, they still smell good to me, but then I visualize actually taking a bite and I feel sick.

Also, if there are candied yams, remember that most marshmallows are made with gelatin ...

Kalrez

I was a veg for most of high school and a lot of college, mostly I did it to be a brat and piss off the side of my family that is super hick. Then I dated a guy who became a veggie because I was and I stopped, to piss him off. I didn't like him all that much...

+1

lol Huge jerk move. I love it!

Kikilicious84

I was a veg for most of high school and a lot of college, mostly I did it to be a brat and piss off the side of my family that is super hick. Then I dated a guy who became a veggie because I was and I stopped, to piss him off. I didn't like him all that much...

LOL! Nice!

I'm a veg because I guess I just want to be. I was in high school and started eating meat so that I could survive basic training. I started back over a year ago because I wanted to focus more on getting veggies and more nutirents into my meals. I'm not going back. Lately I've noticed that I've started to *think* about what's happening to the animals.... :-/ and the quality of meat in the grocers.

My husband is omni and I still cook meat for him.

BodyRockerVT

It was a texture thing for me! For some reason the texture of meat grosses me out. I honestly don't have any other reasons! It started about 8 years ago and I still can't get myself to like it. I don't think I could ever become vegan though.. I love eggs & cheese wayyy too much!!

Same reason here! I have serious texture issues with meat. I *can* eat bacon only because it isn't the same texture as say a chicken breast or a steak...

emma1488

For anyone who is interested, this is another good documentary: 'Meat the Truth' (http://www.unleashed.org.au/features/meat-the-truth/)

And also a little animated series which is a bit of spoof of the Matrix movies: 'The Meatrix' (http://www.themeatrix.com/)

I stopped eating meat for many of the same reasons as what other people have mentioned. Though it was first sparked by me getting involved in trying to help put a stop to the Taiji Cove dolphin and whale slaughters in Japan (which is happening again right now for anyone who is interested in becoming involved). Opposing arguments would be like, 'The japanese are just eating what they like to eat, just the same as you would eat cow, pig or sheep'...I felt like a massive hypocrite and decided to give up. Once I discovered how much cruelty is involved in the dairy industry, I also gave up dairy. I also stopped eating anything with egg products in it. The way I figured it, you could be trying to do the right thing with buying free range eggs (which aren't very well cared for anyway) but any products like cakes, biscuits, sauces etc would just have caged eggs in them as well. I own my own chickens who I've had since they were babies and I would hate to think of them having to go through the kind of life other chickens have to endure.

shankleefranklee

I've been vegan and vegetarian, even raw vegan. It was just something I wanted to do. Now I eat chicken, occasionally turkey and fish. I don't really have any other reason then it's something I wanted to do. I didn't feel right eating red meat, or pork. It didn't make me feel good, and I didn't particularly enjoy it. I just like being more aware of what I put into my body.

lanie25

Can anyone tell me the titles of a few vegan cookbooks? I'd love to be able to prepare meals for my family. Thanks!

maidentl

I'm not against meat eating per se, but the way meat is "produced" in today's society is nothing short of disgusting.
I don't eat meat or animal products because I can't excuse the impact on the environment or turn a blind eye to animals' suffering.

This is how I feel as well. I have tried off and on to eliminate meat over the years but I have been at it for a while now due to a book called "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer. It had a powerful impact on me and when I find my resolve wavering, something he wrote will pop into my head and I can't do it. I tried adding fish back to my diet recently, but I am thinking I don't need it, still on the fence...

RuthAne

I experimented with vegetarianism on and off in highschool because it seemed like the fashionable thing to do. Then about 10 years ago I read Fast Food Nation and stopped eating meat after reading how meat...particularly how beef is manufactured.

Now I eat meat once in a great while while if i'm out at a restaurant or a guest in someones home, but I don't buy it or cook it at home. Still beef is one thing I will never ever touch again. It just grosses me out.

NeverTry

I don't know why i made the decision really.
I moved to north america for a while, and basically just felt weighed down by my diet.
So i stopped eating meat.
It just seemed like what i needed to do.. And I was a huge red meat fan!!
But its about 12 years without it, and my reasons are more ethical now.
(If people got to hang with a cow or farm animals like i have, they would know how epic they are)
Now, I don't need them inside me to have a happy healthy life...

catwrangler

I am not a vegetarian, but I don't eat any red meat... I eat chicken, turkey, fish and shrimp. I stopped eating red meat about two years ago and honestly I don't miss it!

same here but gave up red meat and pork about 10 years ago. I did it initially because I was scared of mad cow disease. Then I realized how much better I felt and kept going. Now I only want it if I smell it being cooked. I will have some but very rarely.

I wish I could give up chicken and fish, too. I need to aquire a taste for beans and other high protein non-meat foods.

Now that I've seen Forks Over Knives I would like to be a vegetarian proper. I don't think I could ever give up eggs, though. Grocery store eggs yes, but fresh from the chicken eggs, I love them so!

I don't drink cow's milk too often but I do love yogurt and cheese and ice cream. I like meat analogs but dairy analogs just don't do it for me. :frown:

veganbaum

Vegan here. Reasons: ethics, environment, health. Simple, really.

JamesonsMommy

I became a pescetarian because i'm more of a seafood girl Up until about a day ago i was doing just fine... Now all i can seem to think about is chicken soup.. No chicken.. just the broth..lol Really thinking of turning back over to the dark side..lol Just scared because i heard if you don't do it right you get sick.. that may all be a bunch of bull though... I could still care less about anything except seafood... just really want that darn soup

unsuspectingfish

I became a pescetarian because, for me, it's a cheaper and easier way to maintain a healthy diet.

alexandradeyl

i went vegan a few months ago for ethical and health reasons...but i still have sushi sporadically

andersonm3

I was vegetarian all through high school and now am vegan.

I choose not to eat meat and other animal bi products because, animal cruelty aside, the food industry is doing some pretty disturbing things to foods we consume every day. I prefer not to put hormones and other harmful things into my body. Why do you think 9 year old girls are getting their periods? It's what's in our food.

If this interests you, books to get an idea of what is going on in the food/meat industry:

Skinny *****
Eating Animals

If reading isn't your thing:

Earthlings
Food Inc
Super Size Me


I also love animals and cannot even consider eating them now.

Going back to eating animals isn't an option for me.

krystico

Currently - I AM a meateater. BUT, I could go veggie one day - because of how the animals are treated. Anyone ever read 'Skinny *****'? The book is definitely pro-veggie. One specific chapter tells all about what happens in the slaughterhouse. I was in tears; the animal treatment is awful.

andersonm3

One year in high school I hosted a separate meal for my vegan and vegetarian friends. It was potluck style with everything from tofurkey to peanut butter and jellies. It was a great way to feel more comfortable.

My family gave me a hard time but honestly, I'd rather do what's socially responsible than socially acceptable. I don't feel that eating meat and dairy in today's food industry is the right thing to do. That gets me through it.

Also, prepare some vegan/vegetarian dishes for your family to try.

andersonm3

oppps. this was in reply to the woman who asked what vegetarians/vegans do for thanksgiving.

lovetowrite73

I only gave up beef and pork and it was purely a financial decision. Seemed that they're more expensive than chicken. But now I eat mostly fish and, well, that's the most expensive. :laugh: I don't go back though because I'm afraid of how my stomach would react.

macpatti

I would love to learn more about this. I've been contemplating this for several months now. I recently had my gall bladder removed and have only been able to eat chicken. I am allergic to seafood and fish, so i can't go that route. Any advice for me on becoming a vegan or vegetarian would be welcome!

unsuspectingfish

I became a pescetarian because i'm more of a seafood girl Up until about a day ago i was doing just fine... Now all i can seem to think about is chicken soup.. No chicken.. just the broth..lol Really thinking of turning back over to the dark side..lol Just scared because i heard if you don't do it right you get sick.. that may all be a bunch of bull though... I could still care less about anything except seafood... just really want that darn soup

As long as you're willing to put in the work, it's pretty easy to do it right. I've ended up eating some stuff I probably wouldn't have, before, but I feel better for it and I have yet to get sick.

autumn20111

Seems the more veges I eat, the less meat I want. Now to the point of only wanting fish, I can't imagine knawing on a piece of beef. When my children were small and I was married, I tried it for 6 wks, but it was very difficult as my husband wanted beef. Now, I am finally able to eat what I want, which doesn't include beef. Have been doing this for a month, and I noticed my face is developing a nice shine. I also read type A + blood prefers more veges in the book, Eat for your blood type.

jenocelot

Back in the 80s John Robbins (of the baskin-robbins ice cream family who all were dying of heart disease) wrote a book, Diet for a New America. As I read of the horrors of what goes on in factory 'farms' I knew I would never eat dead creatures again. 25 years later I am a healthy, fit vegetarian, near-vegan. And so is my daughter, yay! Glad to see there are many of us here who care about the plight of animals. I am not a fanatic, I accept others as they are but I am not afraid to answer questions honestly when approached. : )

UrbanRunner81

I stopped for my health, for animals and for the environment. There is less saturated fat in my diet and I honestly never really cared for it. My grocery bill is cheaper since I stick to buying beans and veggies. I usually make everything fresh and soak and cook my own beans.
Another concern was I didn't know where meat was coming from when I ate out. I could control this at home, but it is expensive to buy and meat is expensive to raise and uses a lot of resources.

silvergurl518

god, i love meat. burgers, ribs, korean bbq! and poultry. chicken, turkey on thanksgiving. and fish. yum! HOWEVER, i have been able to cut back on meat in the past and stick to poultry and fish...and then recently i started dating a vegetarian and i really thought about what my reasons were for eating poor little animals who've been treated inhumanely. there are so many things to eat that don't involve killing animals--so for the past 2 months i've been on a pescatarian diet. i still can't seem to give up fish. not sure if i'll get that far either....one day at a time!!!