Thinking of going vegan

I can't speak for that poster, but when most vegans bring up the idea of eating cats or dogs, it's more to question why it's so different. America went crazy when they sold horse meat, but don't balk at ground beef because that's been "normalized". The question is more "why love one and eat the other?" What really makes my dog, whom I love dearly, so much different from a goat or cow or pig?

Cattle do not show near as much affection as a dog and make for lousy house pets. lol. In the smart *kitten* remark.

But in seriousness, they're just things that have been eaten for years. Same as buffalo, fish, etc. Some where in time, some human took a bite, said it was good, found some kind of benefit and it was just accepted. The human didn't die from it, but back in time... your serving of meat wasn't the size of your head.

I see. So because it's tradition makes it okay?

Don't get me wrong here, I ate meat for the first fifteen years of my life and even went so far as to make fun of "those vegans". But just because something is "the way things have always been" is not enough to justify them.

if you weren't supposed to eat animals they wouldn't be made out of meat

I have been vegan for over 10 years now. I have had 3 children since then (who are also vegan), nursed etc. through it all..

This makes me so angry. Why should you force a lifestyle on a child just because it's your personal choice. Gah.

I have been vegan for over 10 years now. I have had 3 children since then (who are also vegan), nursed etc. through it all..

This makes me so angry. Why should you force a lifestyle on a child just because it's your personal choice. Gah.

People do this all the time with beliefs, religion, morals, expectations, etc. - it's called parenting.

I have been vegan for over 10 years now. I have had 3 children since then (who are also vegan), nursed etc. through it all..

This makes me so angry. Why should you force a lifestyle on a child just because it's your personal choice. Gah.

People do this all the time with beliefs, religion, morals, expectations, etc. - it's called parenting.

True.

I can't speak for that poster, but when most vegans bring up the idea of eating cats or dogs, it's more to question why it's so different. America went crazy when they sold horse meat, but don't balk at ground beef because that's been "normalized". The question is more "why love one and eat the other?" What really makes my dog, whom I love dearly, so much different from a goat or cow or pig?

Cattle do not show near as much affection as a dog and make for lousy house pets. lol. In the smart *kitten* remark.

But in seriousness, they're just things that have been eaten for years. Same as buffalo, fish, etc. Some where in time, some human took a bite, said it was good, found some kind of benefit and it was just accepted. The human didn't die from it, but back in time... your serving of meat wasn't the size of your head.

I see. So because it's tradition makes it okay?

Don't get me wrong here, I ate meat for the first fifteen years of my life and even went so far as to make fun of "those vegans". But just because something is "the way things have always been" is not enough to justify them.

Basically. And like someone posted. It's not my pet. It's an animal raised specifically for consuming. Just like veggies that people grow just for eating. I never make fun of vegans, it's their life choice. It's not bad, but again, it's not for everyone. Someone who "loves meat too much" should just stick with what they love and modify their diet and make sure they're not eating more than they should. That's all there is to it. If she went vegan, she might miss meat, she might not.

No matter how you look at it, you will always need meat eaters in the world or you're going to have an over population problem. Deer are a great example. Very over populated. Some of them get very sick in the winter because of the fierce competition for food. Then they die a miserable, slow, painful death. Hunters help thin that number out. If I had a freezer I would hunt, deer meat is lean, delicious, and good for you. You're helping them, they're helping you. It's a circle. Humans are predators. Check the teeth. I could argue all day on why it's ok to eat meat. But all I'm saying is it's personal choice, and I'm not criticizing anyones decision for what's on their plate at the end of the day. I eat meat, I like meat, I'm going to probably always eat meat except for days I want some tempeh or something. You will always eat veggies etc. Either way, what you eat isn't causing a problem for me, and what I eat isn't causing a problem for you. No problems there.

Either way, what you eat isn't causing a problem for me, and what I eat isn't causing a problem for you. No problems there.

Wrong. What you eat is causing a problem for them. They are vegans because they believe that it is cruel to kill or otherwise exploit other animals. Them not eating meat doesn't affect us at all. You eating animals bothers them because there is an unnecessary loss of life being purposefully imposed on an unwilling subject. Just like people get in an uproar when a child is raped and murdered even though they didn't know that child.

I have been vegan for over 10 years now. I have had 3 children since then (who are also vegan), nursed etc. through it all..

This makes me so angry. Why should you force a lifestyle on a child just because it's your personal choice. Gah.

People do this all the time with beliefs, religion, morals, expectations, etc. - it's called parenting.

Yep. Meat eaters feed their children meat. Invalid argument

and meat eating children get to eat a whole range of food and decide what they like, if a child is raised on a restrictive diet from birth they are missing out on so much. But then I also think it's unfair to raise a child in a certain religion just because it's what you believe. They should make their own choices when they are old enough!! But yeah, this isn't the point of the thread.

Do you know how you can tell if someone is vegan? Don't worry. They'll f***in' tell you!

^ This... made my day. xD

I was a vegan from 12 to 25, and I got pretty ill from it. I was sick all the time! Make sure you supplement your b vitamins and iron from the start because it's not a question of will you get a deficiency... it's a question of when. Tell your dr. about your diet and insist on getting blood work once a year. Also, be careful to get enough protein and fat or you will probably get low blood sugar problems. That being said, my Dr. loves my lipid panel, and my optometrist loves my blood vessles... and it's got to be from all those meat free years.

b12 is literally the only nutrient that cannot be obtained from a vegan diet. Other than that, there is no need to supplement a well balanced vegan diet. That said, not everyone eats a well balanced vegan diet, and some people choose supplements as an alternative. If you are interested in becoming vegan, I'd recommend the book "Vegan for Life" as it discusses vegan nutrition in detail.

I wear leather and wool, but it is all recycled or repurposed

Yes, an animal was using it and now you are.

I think you should make a list of the reasons you're considering becoming a vegan. Being a vegan is more than not eating meat. It's about not consuming anything from an animal or using any animal products or products that may be tested on animals.

As for myself, I've been transitioning into eating more of a vegetarian diet. Vegetarians do not eat meat but they do consume dairy. Your friend is a pescetarian (person who eats seafood but no other meat).

My reasoning came about because I ate pescetarian for a mouth and noticed a lot of things were different about my body without meat. I felt lighter (not bloated even after a large meal). My skin was clear. I was able to eat dairy without bloating.

However, you do have to plan your meals better if you're vegetarian. The first few months, I had a hard time with getting enough protein which led to me being sluggish. Now I get almost the same amount as I did when I was eating meat! Also, vegetarian/vegan diets can lead to overconsumption of processed foods. If you go that route, you're not helping your body at all because you're just replacing it with nonmeat versions of the same processed foods.

Like I said, I suggest making a list of the reasons why you think you want to make the switch. Also read books, blogs, and as much info as you can so you're well informed. Hope this helps.

You like meat? Then eat meat. Only reason some folks go vegan is because of silly "ethical" reasons or some such.

But of course don't eat too much of it and make sure everything's all balanced out and you won't gain weight.

Silly "ethical" reasons are the reason people don't slit your throat and take all your *kitten* just because they want it.

I wear leather and wool, but it is all recycled or repurposed

Yes, an animal was using it and now you are.

Yes, and your point is??? :huh: (I think you are secretly calling me a hypocrite :sad: )

LOL...So OP has started a war between the meaters and vegans and hasn't chimed back in yet. Well played.