Vegetarian dilemma

[BlueMoose]

I'm curious...I've noticed there are a lot of vegetarians (or almost) on the BB. What are your reasons for not eating meat? Health? Ethical? Other?

I was a vegetarian for about 7 years (I did eat dairy and eggs). Several years ago I started eating chicken and fish, but haven't eaten red meat or pork since I was 16 (I'm 32 now). I just can't eat meat "on the bone" and lately I've been having trouble eating any meat at all, even that which is far removed from its original form (like tuna or ground turkey). Anyway, I'm seriously considering quitting meat altogether again, but I feel guilty because of my husband. He likes to eat meat, so am I a hypocrite if I occasionally serve it to him and to my dog? My DD doesn't even really like meat.

I guess there is no reason that this needs to be a black & white issue, either. Anyway, I'm rambling now.....

Any input? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif

[SandyM]

Hi BlueMoose,

Here's a link on this subject:
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/005698.html

[LGBurns]

Here's another thread on this same topic:
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/003186.html

Later: I also wanted to add that I certainly don't think you're a hypocrite if you make meat for your husband, and I would recommend that you continue to feed meat to your dog. Dogs are carnivores not omnivores so they need meat.

[This message has been edited by LGBurns (edited 05-22-2001).]

[gertdog]

Blue Moose,

I grew up as a meat-lovin' kid whose favorite food was steak with butter sauce. And tri-tip cooked on the grill.

In my first year of graduate school I shared my apartment... and cooking responsibilities... with a vegetarian. I had never had beans before (except green). Never had tofu. Never had eggplant or mushrooms or sweet potatoes. I loved everything my roommate cooked, and I learned a lot about cooking myself. The less meat I ate, the less I wanted to eat meat, if that makes sense. I found myself grossed out by raw meat and bones, so I stopped cooking it altogether. When I went out I still ate meat, but I decided about 5 years ago to stop, as I found that consistency in my eating habits helped my friends and family to be less confused about what I would and would not eat.

In the 5 years since I stopped eating meat (I still eat eggs, milk and cheese), I've learned a lot about the food industry that has really helped to affirm my choices. So I guess you could say that I became a vegetarian due to circumstances (my veggie roommate) and my own squeamishness, but I continue to eat vegetarian because I feel good about my choice for many reasons.

On to your other question. I don't think you're a hypocrite at all if you choose not to eat meat but you occasionally serve it to your husband, who does enjoy it. My SO is not a vegetarian, although he happily eats meat-free at home most of the time. He eats meat when we go out, and I occasionally buy him sliced turkey or frozen meals with meat or other meat items at the store if he requests them. He's an adult and I respect the food choices he makes, just as he respects mine.

Of course this is not always an easy issue, and I'm not trying to make it sound simple or clear-cut! I wish you luck as you find the eating style that works best for you and your DH!

[kwormann]

Well, I suppose I fall into an "almost" vegetarian....the main reason is I dont care for meat a heck of a lot. I will cook seafood on occasion, and chicken once in awhile and once or twice a year I find myself "hankerin" for a good burger, but other than that, I only eat meat if someone else cooked it...and only the ones mentioned above. I just dont desire it....and it also makes me happy that my lack of meat helps keep more animals alive...but bottom line, just not a fan!

Kim

[hlao23]

I'm definately omni but only eat meat infrequently (sometimes once a week but maybe not that often). I also dabble in vegan products. I do think it's healthier to eat fewer animal products but I also know that animals raised for meat, eggs, etc. are frequently mistreated and that factory farming is a horrible source of pollution.

I don't think it's wrong to kill animals per se or use their milk or eggs so I don't feel a need to be veg*n. I do think the average American eats far too many animal products and that by just eating less we can have a huge impact on our health, the living conditions of these animals, and the environment. I also buy organic whenever I can.

[lorilei]

My husband and I are *almost* vegetarian. When we do eat meat, it's usually fish or chicken -- but we even eat an occasional steak or burger. Nothing is off-limits to us (and exploring foods is one of our favorite things to do), but we definitely eat more vegetarian meals than not.

It's not because we're ethically opposed to eating meat. Not even because we don't /like/ meat. But simply because we enjoy vegetables. And we enjoy how we feel when we eat less animal proteins.

I've found that cooking more vegetarian dishes has expanded my way of seeing food. My husband has learned to appreciate a wider range of vegetables, and I've learned that veggies can be just as fulfilling as meats when combined in creative ways.

[SusieO]

I quit eating meat a couple of months ago, but I seriously could not tell you why. A combination of factors, I guess -- environmental issues, big brown eyes on cows, etc -- but mostly it just seemed like the right thing to do. I still eat seafood, eggs and dairy products.

I buy sandwich meat for my husband, and he always has a steak in the freezer that he can throw on the grill when he gets the urge. I don't have a problem with this. I choose not to eat meat, but I would never impose my choices on anyone else. Of course any meal I plan for and prepare (and that would be all of them) will be meatless.

[Maggie]

Hi BlueMoose

I'm a vegetarian and my DH eats meat. At first it was difficult to deal with dinner for the two of us because I didn’t want to deprive DH of meat just because I wasn’t having any, after all the decision to stop eating meat was mine--not his. But he’s been very supportive of my choice and I think he’s getting used to eating less meat. He’s also participating in the dinner preparation more these days. Usually we make a vegetarian meal and just add meat to his plate. Since the weather is good now, DH will often grill a piece of meat for himself while I make the vegetables--that works out really well. I try to have a main dish that I’m sure he likes (including meat) in the fridge or freezer at all times—-usually a casserole of some sort. That way, I can be more adventurous when preparing vegetarian meals--I know I have a back-up if he hates it.

I decided to stop eating meat when it finally became impossible for me NOT to think about the fact that I was eating an animal. In the past I could usually eat meat if it didn’t look like an animal—like a burger or a boneless, skinless chicken breast, but I’ve always found it a little gross and unsettling. One day I just couldn’t do it any more. It just seemed like a natural progression for me to become a vegetarian, I think I was always going that direction. I do eat eggs and dairy products, so I guess that makes me a lacto-ovo vegetarian. In addition to being an ethical choice I think it’s also a healthy choice for me. My diet is now much more centered on vegetables and grains, my cholesterol is lower and I seem to be losing weight (very slowly) without really trying.

Maggie

[olive101]

I am fairly new to this board and I went back and read all of the old posts that were linked in this post. I just wanted to give my story.

I was raised a "vegetarian". I have never in my life eaten beef or pork (I am 29). My parents were hippies and went vege before I was born. When I was small they were very strict; no refined sugar, or starch, and very little dairy. As I got older, teeneager, we ate seafood on rare occasions when we went out. Now I eat seafood about 4-5 times a month and chicken (boneless, skinless, breasts only) about once a month. I eat these meats now because I really like the taste and I feel better when I eat lean protein. But I truely do not think people should eat dairy or any meat. We don't need meat to live and I am very scared about all the hormones etc. in meat. As for dairy, humans are the only species that consume lactic products beyond child hood. I didn't read any comments from anyone about the antibiotics etc. that dairy cows get. I was under the impression that these cows received chemicals too. Is that right?

Don't get me wrong. I am a big dairy eater and I don't think I could ever give it up, but the thoughts bug me.

Another comment is that I have always, until very recently, called myself a vegetarian. I think it is because when I was small, it was the only word to describe my eating habits, which at that time were lacto-ovo vege. I was considered such a freak as a small child because I did not eat any meat. I can tell you some funny stories about how I was treated by my friends' parents. They would make a meat meal and then I would tell them I was a vegetarian and they would stare in disbelief. I didn't like peanut butter, so I was often asked about a cheese sandwich, which I said I would eat. Then I would be served a sandwich on wonder bread with those pre-wrapped cheese slices. Needless to say, I wouldn't eat eat. I was used to "brown" bread with high quality cheese!

I am glad more people eat less meat now, so I am not an out-cast.

Since I was raised vege, I can't say I am one because of my concern for the treatment of animals, eventhough I do care about them. I have been talking to some friends at work that have marginal dealings with the leather trade, and leather is not a by-product of beef. Leather cows are grown specifically for leather and then their bodies are tossed. It is no better then the fur industry. I have always tried to avoid leather. For example I never have a leather purse or coat, but I do own leather shoes, just because it is hard to find good quality ones that are not made of leather. With my new knowledge of the leather industry, I am going to be even more careful.

Sorry this is so long!

[hlao23]

But I truely do not think people should eat dairy or any meat. We don't need meat to live and I am very scared about all the hormones etc. in meat. As for dairy, humans are the only species that consume lactic products beyond child hood. I didn't read any comments from anyone about the antibiotics etc. that dairy cows get. I was under the impression that these cows received chemicals too. Is that right?

I think organic milk would cover the concerns about antibiotics, hormones, etc. The milk we get even says that they don't use feed that has been treated with pesticides. I have read someone that the cows do get antibiotics if they are sick but that they are not used for the commercial milking during the regimine of drugs or for a certain time after.

I do wonder about the consumption of dairy products. I go through phases with soy/rice milk but have yet to find one that I can stomach on my cereal for more than a month.

Thanks for the info on the leather. I never felt bad about buying it because I eat meat and thought it was just a part of not being wasteful. There is no good answer for things like footwear is there? I can't think of any option that is environmentally friendly.

[BlueMoose]

One thing that is nice now compared to 10-15 years ago is that there are so many more options for people who don't eat meat. Especially where I live, it used to be the only thing you could get in a restaurant was a grilled cheese sandwich or an iceberg lettuce salad http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif . Pretty exciting. Now most restaurants have at least a couple of options if you don't want meat. There are also a lot more products around like Gardenburgers, Boca burgers, etc, if you want something quick and easy. My DH actually likes the Boca burgers, and he was raised on meat and potatoes.

Another question... Why are there so many more women than men who don't like to eat meat?

[This message has been edited by BlueMoose (edited 05-23-2001).]

[emilycat]

Another question... Why are there so many more women than men who don't like to eat meat?

I think that this is partly a societal issue, in that it's generally thought of as less manly to eliminate meat from the diet. Then there's the squeamish factor. I, for one, don't eat most meat (except seafood) because it's so "animal." It disgusts me to eat something that's so akin to myself. (Although I am by no means equating myself with a cow, as much as I adore the dear things http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif .)
Why I can stomach a little baby octopus but not an unrecognizable hamburger patty is beyond me, but I do think that more women are prone to the "ewww, it's flesh" mentality than are men.

[kima]

I agree that more women are vegetarian than men. In our case, it was my husband who first became a vegetarian. In 1986 he read Diet For a New America and that book changed his and then our life. The book is written by John Robbins of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream legacy. John was being groomed to take over the family business (they even had an ice cream shaped pool) when he became interested in the environment and animal welfare. His views led to his being disowned by his family and he left a very affluent lifestyle to learn more about what our huge appetie for meat does to the planet, animals and poor people. My husband closed the book and said that's it- no more meat! I agreed with him and we have never looked back. Robbins urges people to be vegans and I just can't go that far. We also love seafood and I will hwave turkey now and then. I am loosening up about the no meat stance but not my DH. One of our daughters is also a vegetarian and the other loves meat!
Anyway I think everyone should read Diet For.. You may not become a vegetarian but even less meat consumption would be a good thing. I am not in the least bit "evangelical" about the whole thing. The only thing I will speak out about is veal- the cruelty in producing it breaks my heart.

[laughsandlaughs]

My husband is a vegetarian and has been since before we began dating, seven years ago. He became a vegetarian for ethical reasons, and for those same reasons, he has attempted to give up dairy whenever possible (meaning he buys soy milk, limits cheese, etc.) for the same reasons, but is beginning to believe vegetarian diet is best for health reasons. That said....

I'm not a vegetarian, but I do keep a vegetarian kitchen and honestly I don't think it's a problem. I'm coming from the other standpoint, the spouse who still does eat meat, but as some other writer said, I eat meat at lunch and when we go out to eat and honestly, that's enough!! I think limiting the amount of meat in my diet is healthy, and, let's face it, we Americans eat way too much meat-based protein. So it works just fine for us to have one meat-eater in the family and one vegetarian, and perhaps you really won't have to prepare too much meat if your husband gets used to it.

good luck!

[kwormann]

I dod forget to mention DH, who grew up in a midwestern meat'n'taters household but who could care if I ever cook meat....he will have it when we go out, but could care less if its ever cooked here.....Ive always felt pretty lucky to have a man with that way of thinking, I sure didnt have a father that way! I guess I agree with others posts.....sometimes I want meat...turkey at Thanksgiving, etc., butI feel we are also doing our part to help the environment and our diets by being very occasional meat eaters http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif