NationStates Jolt Archive

So, which are you? Personally I'm vegetarian for health reasons.
(Wait for the poll...yes, I'm looking at you)

All meet :D

Braodly speaking what you have classed as 'Normal'. Eat most animals, prefer it if they had a decent life e.g. game, won't eat veal unless it is an actual suckling calf and not a crated beast.
Can't understand someone who is a vegi because it is cruel, but who is not a vegan. Have huge respect for vegans, known one or two and life in a modern country is not easy.

If God hadn't wanted us to eat meat, he wouldn't have invented the bacon sandwich.

I'm not sure what to click. I want to be a vegetarian, but my mom won't let me.

Lotsa meat, and tons of dairy... although I dunno if I could slaughter my milk goat myself.. City code says I can't slaughter anything larger than a chicken anyway, so I guess I won't worry about that. I love goat and lamb though, especially spring lamb. :)

I'm not sure what to click. I want to be a vegetarian, but my mom won't let me.
Claim you now want to go vegan, get into a massive argument and try getting her to let you be vegetarian as a compromise.

Claim you now want to go vegan, get into a massive argument and try getting her to let you be vegetarian as a compromise.

Exactly... use the caucasian dreadlocks and the hemp necklace as bargaining chips and you're halfway there already.

Vegan. Since 1989.

Vegan. Since 1989.

How? It wasn't trendy back then, like it is now. Either you were a trailblazer or you're pulling our legs.. :confused:

Since the dawn of man, we have prided ourselves on being higher on the food chain than everything that tastes nice in a lightly toasted sandwich with a little sauce..

How? It wasn't trendy back then, like it is now. Either you were a trailblazer or you're pulling our legs.. :confused:

No, I'm speaking the truth here. If anything with the then rise of the UK hardcore scene it was somewhat more trendy than it is now. Take a look at your Extreme Noise Terrors, your 'Scum' period Napalm Deaths, your Heresies, your Ripcords and thelike.

Carnivore all the way. :)

Carnivore all the way. :)

Omnivore, surely?

Omnivore, surely?

SHH! Not so loud! I have a reputation to keep.

I eat a vegetarian dish once every two or three days. Usually just because the food is tastier, but a bit less meat is also supposed to be healthy. I'm not an actual vegetarian though - on any given day it's very likely I eat meat at least once.

SHH! Not so loud! I have a reputation to keep.

Sorry. I forgot how sexy carnivores were, what with most of them living off a diet of insects, bugs, worms and carrion and all.

I love meat. The bloodier the better. :D

Sorry. I forgot how sexy carnivores were, what with most of them living off a diet of insects, bugs, worms and carrion and all.

Mmmm... carrion... *Homer Simpson-esque gurgle* :D

What's a vegan?

:confused:

My mum was vegetarian while I was in the womb and I was raised as one, so I've never not been vegetarian in any sense. Given that, there wasn't actually any personal reason why I became one, but I think the reasons for it are good now that I know.
Did you know that growing crops is about a 90% more efficient use of land than grazing cattle, ect? If you care about the enviroment at all, there really is no excuse.

What's a vegan?

:confused:

Non-fish, dairy, eggs, etc. Usually no leather or fur, too. Meh.

Non-fish, dairy, eggs, etc. Usually no leather or fur, too. Meh.

Wow...I don't know how someone could live like that. If I couldn't eat fish, I'd probably kill myself.

My mum was vegetarian while I was in the womb and I was raised as one, so I've never not been vegetarian in any sense. Given that, there wasn't actually any personal reason why I became one, but I think the reasons for it are good now that I know.
Did you know that growing crops is about a 90% more efficient use of land than grazing cattle, ect? If you care about the enviroment at all, there really is no excuse.

Yes, but unless you drank soy milk as a newborn, then you aren't a true vegan, which means you'll still be looked down on by the "true" purists. :) I'm just saying, 'cause I've seen vegans taunt the vegetarians before, and it's damn funny.

Wow...I don't know how someone could live like that.

Its easy enough in the western world: certainly the first couplke of months are the hardest - after that it just becomes normal.

If I couldn't eat fish, I'd probably kill myself.

What are you - a pelican or something?

Yes, but unless you drank soy milk as a newborn, then you aren't a true vegan...

Spurious. I have yet to meet a vegan that would claim that a mother's milk should be classified as an animal product and should be excluded from the diet of a newborn.

What are you - a pelican or something?

ROFLMAO!!!! :D

No, I'm actually more like a hyena (even though they probably don't eat fish). ;)

I eat meat, but not daily. Maybe twice a week (+fish once or twice a week). I prefer game to cattle and organic to "industrial". There are several reasons why I (and you!) shouldn't eat meat at all, but I've decided I can live with the guilt. :)

Spurious. I have yet to meet a vegan that would claim that a mother's milk should be classified as an animal product and should be excluded from the diet of a newborn.

Well, it would be kind of nonsensical, seeing as God DESIGNED breast milk for a women's children. Or nature, if you prefer.

Spurious. I have yet to meet a vegan that would claim that a mother's milk should be classified as an animal product and should be excluded from the diet of a newborn.

Why? No milk, no meat. I'm sure they'd say the same of cannibals.

Surely, reason would tell us that the antigens in mothers' milk are important to a baby's immune system development, but so is meat for certain things.. nutrition isn't the issue, and I've personally seen vegans take pride in their parents never feeding them/their family non-vegan foods, so the argument does exist, even if it's rare.

Surely, reason would tell us that the antigens in mothers' milk are important to a baby's immune system development, but so is meat for certain things..
For what? I don't know any.

I eat everything. I love veggies as much as meat.

Anybody watch Jamie Olivers "School lunch meals"? About children in UK eating unhealthy food 24/7. Man.. Kids in UK are going to die of a heart attack before they reach 25 by eating fried processed food everyday.

So much so it's funny that children don't know what chicken is.

Vagans are against dairy products because they view it as stealing from the animals because that milk was intended for the calf and not humans, so by taking milk it could argued you are depriving the offspring of the cow. Breast milk is made for humans by humans and would be going to waste if not used, so there is no dilema there.

For what? I don't know any.

You can find a mix of odd vegetables and pills to do the job of meat, but that doesn't mean meat isn't made for the job. As for the antigens in mothers' milk, that's a fact.

Vagans are against dairy products because they view it as stealing from the animals because that milk was intended for the calf and not humans, so by taking milk it could argued you are depriving the offspring of the cow. Breast milk is made for humans by humans and would be going to waste if not used, so there is no dilema there.

Yes, which is exactly why we have an ethical responsibility to eat veal. No calf means we aren't stealing. And you don't get beef much tastier than veal. :) Anyhow, I was joking around about how vegans tease vegetarians sometimes, not proposing that milk is bad. I love it, personally.

I'm a vegetarian for all the reasons given on the poll. Meat doesn't have anything vegetables don't have (except coming from an animal of coarse); Meat just has proteins (hence essential amino acids) in a far greater amount. Because meat is so complex in this fasion, meat eaters usually have a sluggish digestive system, and if you imagine meat sitting in a warm environment for more than thirteen hours, you may come to understand one reason why I don't eat meat. :p

EDIT: I'm not criticizing meat eaters, I used to eat meat. :)

Omnivore most definately. Have a cousin who's vegitarian for health purposes, which I can respect.
As for going vegi or vegan for "ethical" reasons, I find it rather silly, but people can do what they want I suppose.
Personally I find that vegitables and meat go quite well together. Like grilled chicken breast on lettuce with mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts and fried rice noodles, all topped in a nice Oriental Seaseme dressing. Mmmm, that's good.

As for having a "sluggish" digestive system...I think that's a load.

I eat meat. Lean red-meat A flank steak at room temperature is my favorite. I dont eat much cheese and dont like cows milk-I prefer soy milk. I also like chicken and lamb. I probably eat an equal amount of fruits and vegetables. I substitute beans for meat in a meal if we arent making meat.
I wont eat veal-I used to love it, but I feel its wrong how the animal is prepared to become veal.

Omnivore most definately. Have a cousin who's vegitarian for health purposes, which I can respect.
As for going vegi or vegan for "ethical" reasons, I find it rather silly, but people can do what they want I suppose.
Personally I find that vegitables and meat go quite well together. Like grilled chicken breast on lettuce with mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts and fried rice noodles, all topped in a nice Oriental Seaseme dressing. Mmmm, that's good.

As for having a "sluggish" digestive system...I think that's a load.

You just made me hungry.

You can find a mix of odd vegetables and pills to do the job of meat, but that doesn't mean meat isn't made for the job. As for the antigens in mothers' milk, that's a fact.
The only pill a vegan needs is vitamine B12

Anyway, does any of us get all the vitamines etc we need? I know I don't get enough Calcium and vitamine D. Vegans in general have much healthier diet than "normal" burgerbiter.

I'm a vegetarian for all the reasons given on the poll. Meat doesn't have anything vegetables don't have (except coming from an animal of coarse); Meat just has proteins (hence essential amino acids) in a far greater amount. Because meat is so complex in this fasion, meat eaters usually have a sluggish digestive system, and if you imagine meat sitting in a warm environment for more than thirteen hours, you may come to understand one reason why I don't eat meat. :p

EDIT: I'm not criticizing meat eaters, I used to eat meat. :)

I dunno, man.

Compare: Meat-free Chili w/ beans vs. Bean-Free Chili w/meat

I think I'd rather be stuck in an elevator with the meat-eater. :)

You just made me hungry.
Well then, the solution is clear, go buy me the ingredients.

Well then, the solution is clear, go buy me the ingredients.


The chicken should have a light teryaki marinate before grilling.

The only pill a vegan needs is vitamine B12

Anyway, does any of us get all the vitamines etc we need? I know I don't get enough Calcium and vitamine D. Vegans in general have much healthier diet than "normal" burgerbiter.


There is a good amount of calcium in both broccoli and spinach, but a lot of people dont know that. I am not sure where to get vitamin D, aside from cow's milk.
And as far as "burgerbiters"- I agree. While I do like hamburgers, I dont eat that many. I try to avoid chopped meat. Fat and water are added and I think people get sick more often from this. I would never eat rare burger again. I will eat raw steak though.

There is a good amount of calcium in both broccoli and spinach, but a lot of people dont know that. I am not sure where to get vitamin D, aside from cow's milk.

Your body can synthesize vitamin D, all you got to do is sit in the sun for 15 mins. and you've got your recommended daily value. (If you've got darker skin, you need to be in the sun longer to synthesize as much vitamin D.)

I must say I'm quite surprised at the poll results so far...I thought there would be more people who are vegetarian or vegan...

Your body can synthesize vitamin D, all you got to do is sit in the sun for 15 mins. and you've got your recommended daily value. (If you've got darker skin, you need to be in the sun longer to synthesize as much vitamin D.)
That's the problem. There's no sun around here :(

I must say I'm quite surprised at the poll results so far...I thought there would be more people who are vegetarian or vegan...
Me too. I used to be vegetarian but I've become lazy.

Your body can synthesize vitamin D, all you got to do is sit in the sun for 15 mins. and you've got your recommended daily value. (If you've got darker skin, you need to be in the sun longer to synthesize as much vitamin D.)


Thanks- I knew sunlight helped, but AP biology was so long ago, I couldnt recall.

If we don't balance our meat-eating, veggie-eating, and other, we're all going to be weak losers :p

BTW - I'm a normal omnivorous human being.

well Cows are vegans...and look where it got them...once the cows are gone...hmmm...vegans are next!!

I must say I'm quite surprised at the poll results so far...I thought there would be more people who are vegetarian or vegan...


I'm betting there are many people "on the fence" on this one. We are trying to eat more fish and vegetables in my family. And when we have meat, we are dividing it up before cooking to make extra,smaller portions. I can easily eat a 20 oz steak, but whats the purpose beside gluttony? I am trying to get my children used to more vegetables than meat and an assortment of fish too.

That's the problem. There's no sun around here :(
If you eat fish, halibut and cod-liver oils have some vitamin D, so do eggs and some margarins in small amounts. I say your best bet is to take a calcium supplement (vitamin), many of which also have vitamin D.

i was a vegetarian for about 6 years for no particular reason, but then i went somewhere where it was a hassle, so i started eating meat again

If you eat fish, halibut and cod-liver oils have some vitamin D, so do eggs and some margarins in small amounts. I say your best bet is to take a calcium supplement (vitamin), many of which also have vitamin D.
Yeah, I know where to get it during winter. I have Calcium+D supplements but I never remember to take those pills.

I seem to have become a de facto vegetarian. I haven't consiously stopped eating meat, I've just stopped buying it.

So, which are you? Personally I'm vegetarian for health reasons.
(Wait for the poll...yes, I'm looking at you)
I'm sure someone has already said it but...NORMAL for those who eat meat? That's biased, and inaccurate. There are millions of people out there who have been vegetarian for centuries for religious reason, or for scarcity reasons, and they certainly aren't abnormal. Just because it is seen as strange in our society where we have an abundance of animal protein doesn't make it normal. Normal HERE, perhaps. Not elsewhere.

By the way, I'd be a vegetarian if it weren't for barbeques..... :(

well Cows are vegans...and look where it got them...once the cows are gone...hmmm...vegans are next!!
Cows are supposed to be vegans, unless you consider mad cow disease (meat being ground up into the animal's food to increase protein content)
http://science.howstuffworks.com/mad-cow-disease1.htm

I'm sure someone has already said it but...NORMAL for those who eat meat? That's biased, and inaccurate. There are millions of people out there who have been vegetarian for centuries for religious reason, or for scarcity reasons, and they certainly aren't abnormal. Just because it is seen as strange in our society where we have an abundance of animal protein doesn't make it normal. Normal HERE, perhaps. Not elsewhere.
Which is probably why he put normal in inverted commas ;)

'normal' not normal

:)

I'm omnivorous, I love my meat, a meal is incomplete without it.

However I have a serious opinion on vegetarianism and veganism that I'd like to share and hear opinions on.

Basically, although I can appreciate why vegans don't eat meat because of cruelty to animals etc. I think this is a misguided idea.

Veganism (vegetarianism to a lesser degree) isn't doing any good, it's depriving the animal industry of money but there's plenty of money that supports it.

I think a better idea is to go organic and free-range. This fuels competition between meat producers and supports improving methods of animal husbandry. Basically, buy organic and free range and you are helping to change and improve the industry.

Secondly, by buying meat and animal products you are supporting the lives of animals. It's a form of adopt an animal if you like, but then you eat it. All vegans are supporting are vegetables.
My argument is this, humans are a very selfish race. If it's of no use to us it's either vermin or irrelevant.

Most prolific plants wheat and other crops etc. - because it's useful.
Cows and sheep are prolific because they are useful, horses are popular because they are entertaining and useful - they are by no means as prevalent as they were a couple of hundred years ago.

The main large mamalian wildlife in Britain - foxes (vermin and moderately rare), otters (rare), badgers (rare). Wolves and bears are extinct.

Basically, people will always own land. If you want to see animals on that land that costs money, so you need to buy woollen goods, dairy, meat, leather. Otherwise it'll all be wheat crops etc.

If everyone in the world went vegan, there would be no place for the cow, sheep etc. they would be as rare as the badger.

So go organic and free range and change the industry.

If God hadn't wanted us to eat meat, he wouldn't have invented the bacon sandwich.
damn straight

I'm sure someone has already said it but...NORMAL for those who eat meat? That's biased, and inaccurate. There are millions of people out there who have been vegetarian for centuries for religious reason, or for scarcity reasons, and they certainly aren't abnormal. Just because it is seen as strange in our society where we have an abundance of animal protein doesn't make it normal. Normal HERE, perhaps. Not elsewhere.
Which is probably why he put normal in inverted commas ;)

'normal' not normal

:)
Exactly right AC. I couldn't be bothered to think of a different way of expressing a meat-based diet. Though there's one now. Meat-based diet. Though I think there's a difference between 'meat-based diet' and what I have called a 'normal' diet. I realise that there are many reasons people don't eat meat.
If you're vegetarian for religious reasons, that comes under ethical. If it's because you don't have access to meat...I'm surprised you have access to a computer.

I'm sure someone has already said it but...NORMAL for those who eat meat? That's biased, and inaccurate. There are millions of people out there who have been vegetarian for centuries for religious reason, or for scarcity reasons, and they certainly aren't abnormal. Just because it is seen as strange in our society where we have an abundance of animal protein doesn't make it normal. Normal HERE, perhaps. Not elsewhere.


Yeah- I assuming that a great deal of Asia, India, Africa there isnt much meat eaten per capita. I think the main staples of diet leans more toward grains, vegetables and fish.
There is a tribe in Africa that have cattle, but they dont eat them-they just drink the cow's blood and milk. And if I'm not mistaken, thats all this tribe consumes. No ruffage in that diet.

Yeah- I assuming that a great deal of Asia, India, Africa there isnt much meat eaten per capita. I think the main staples of diet leans more toward grains, vegetables and fish.
There is a tribe in Africa that have cattle, but they dont eat them-they just drink the cow's blood and milk. And if I'm not mistaken, thats all this tribe consumes. No ruffage in that diet.
That's not all they eat they eat fat and cattle tails too. They're suprisingly healthy for that kind of diet.

Basically, people will always own land. If you want to see animals on that land that costs money, so you need to buy woollen goods, dairy, meat, leather. Otherwise it'll all be wheat crops etc.


So we should eat cows to keep cows happy and alive. I don't see any problems with disappearing cows (hehe that just sounded funny). Vegetarians still need cows and of course when the animal dies, we should eat it (if the meat is still eatable). I rather see wild animals anyway.

Also less cows, more land to produce food for people (instead of cattle)

That's not all they eat they eat fat and cattle tails too. They're suprisingly healthy for that kind of diet.


Another thing to consider is that they likely, on average, have a more active lifestyle too.

I eat lots of meat, lamb mostly but beef and chicken I eat pretty commonly. When I go to Italian restauraunts I get veal. Really, I could care less about animals, they aren't even self aware but I don't want to see them tortured for no purpose.

So we should eat cows to keep cows happy and alive. I don't see any problems with disappearing cows (hehe that just sounded funny). Vegetarians still need cows and of course when the animal dies, we should eat it (if the meat is still eatable). I rather see wild animals anyway.

Also less cows, more land to produce food for people (instead of cattle)

I'd rather see more wild animals too, but that isn't going to happen. Humans are selfish and want land for themselves.

I would rather see fields full of sheep and cows than fields full of carrots.

If you just released animals into the wild because they were no longer of use to us they would become vermin.

I am using the extreme Veganism argument (if everyone were vegan) to show that I don't think it would work. Not because it would ever happen. Better to eat orgainic meat.

I could care less about animals, they aren't even self aware

define "self-aware" in this case

I eat lots of meat, lamb mostly but beef and chicken I eat pretty commonly. When I go to Italian restauraunts I get veal. Really, I could care less about animals, they aren't even self aware but I don't want to see them tortured for no purpose.

Oh, I'm with you, Parthians - I love veal and that's all I ever get when I go to an Italian restaurant.

I voted 'normal' but, I don't eat seafood - I don't like any of it.

I eat lots of meat, lamb mostly but beef and chicken I eat pretty commonly. When I go to Italian restauraunts I get veal. Really, I could care less about animals, they aren't even self aware but I don't want to see them tortured for no purpose.
Animals aren't self aware?
Have you ever had a pet dog?
Animals are just like us only dumber. They have personalities, they know what they like and what they don't like. They are perfectly self aware, just may not understand that a mirror image isn't another animal and don't know their own mortality.
My own dog was not disturbed by looking in the mirror, showing she realised it wasn't another dog but probably not comprehending that it was her.

I'd rather see more wild animals too, but that isn't going to happen. Humans are selfish and want land for themselves.

I would rather see fields full of sheep and cows than fields full of carrots.

If you just released animals into the wild because they were no longer of use to us they would become vermin.

I am using the extreme Veganism argument (if everyone were vegan) to show that I don't think it would work. Not because it would ever happen. Better to eat orgainic meat.
I guess I can only say that I don't think your taking into account the amount of land used to grow food for these animals. For example, the amount of grain fed to cattle in the US, is enough to feed the world's hungry. I too, would like to see more wild animals. I don't think we can say that supporting the meat industry is better for the animals.

Animals aren't self aware?
Have you ever had a pet dog?
Animals are just like us only dumber. They have personalities, they know what they like and what they don't like. They are perfectly self aware, just may not understand that a mirror image isn't another animal and don't know their own mortality.
My own dog was not disturbed by looking in the mirror, showing she realised it wasn't another dog but probably not comprehending that it was her.
Apparently birds don't understand about mirror images - not just wild birds either, but pets, for example parrots. They will repeatedly try to attack or mate with the mirror (try getting that image out of your head - a parrot trying to screw a mirror :p ), no matter how many times they see their own reflection.

define "self-aware" in this case

They are self aware to the extent that animalswouldn't voluntarily kill and cook themselves.

However, they do not have a "soul." Which is a whole other thread.

I've given thought to becoming vegetarian, but I decided against it.

Carnivore!!!!!!!! :D

If you just released animals into the wild because they were no longer of use to us they would become vermin.
Well that would be insane.

I am using the extreme Veganism argument (if everyone were vegan) to show that I don't think it would work. Not because it would ever happen. Better to eat orgainic meat.
I admit I answered from vegetarian view, not vegan. Mainly because I believe that we all should be almost vegetarians. Eat meat (and fish, soon there are no fish left :( ) only rarely. Still I don't think that even veganism would cause any lasting damage. But it would be waste of resources (if all were vegans)

However, they do not have a "soul." Which is a whole other thread.
Does any living creature?
I've given thought to becoming vegetarian, but I decided against it.
Out of curiosity, why?

Out of curiosity, why?
Mainly because I don't want to be careful of what I eat. And a couple of months ago I moved into a studenthouse where we all eat together and I didn't want to be a pain in the ass for the others (who eat and cook with meat).

Well that would be insane.

I admit I answered from vegetarian view, not vegan. Mainly because I believe that we all should be almost vegetarians. Eat meat (and fish, soon there are no fish left :( ) only rarely. Still I don't think that even veganism would cause any lasting damage. But it would be waste of resources (if all were vegans)

Well, I'm not vegetarian or vegan... but one could argue that the ecosystem would handle any 'waste' that was generated if the human population became suddenly vegetarian.

The only real problem I see there is an increase in age-related wildlife mortality... for example, if we ate no fish, the fish carcasses floating on the bottom of the ocean could pollute many waters.

It would definitely lead to an increase in the predator population as well as the scavenger (i.e. buzzing flies) population, which might not be too nice.

Orginally posted by the Winter Alliance "They are self aware to the extent that animalswouldn't voluntarily kill and cook themselves."

I think there is a flaw in that argument somewhere.

There has been alot of new research into whether animals have "cognitive abilities", and it points to "yes".

Tuesday was "Eat an Aminal for PETA Day" and boy was that steak good, mmmm.

Mainly because I don't want to be careful of what I eat. And a couple of months ago I moved into a studenthouse where we all eat together and I didn't want to be a pain in the ass for the others (who eat and cook with meat).
Second point fair enough, but, as a vegetarian I don't really have to be too careful about what I eat. I mean, I really have only cut meat out of my diet, and, sadly, jelly. But I know where to get vegetarian jelly. Anyway - it's easier than you might think to avoid animal products.

Well, I'm not vegetarian or vegan... but one could argue that the ecosystem would handle any 'waste' that was generated if the human population became suddenly vegetarian.

The only real problem I see there is an increase in age-related wildlife mortality... for example, if we ate no fish, the fish carcasses floating on the bottom of the ocean could pollute many waters.

It would definitely lead to an increase in the predator population as well as the scavenger (i.e. buzzing flies) population, which might not be too nice.
Really? So nature won't balance things out then?

I think there is a flaw in that argument somewhere.

There has been alot of new research into whether animals have "cognitive abilities", and it points to "yes".

Well, cats can have an IQ of 40 and the average dog has an IQ of 25. But they are not self aware in the sense that they can define their existence. Animals just know that getting killed and/or cooked is bad.

P.S. As to whether nature would balance itself out or not, I really can't know until it is studied somewhere...

The only real problem I see there is an increase in age-related wildlife mortality... for example, if we ate no fish, the fish carcasses floating on the bottom of the ocean could pollute many waters.


When this happens, we could again eat more fish. But at the moment overfishing is a severe problem in almost every sea. Tonfishes (tuna) certainly don't look like TONfishes anymore. They are fished before they have grown to their usual size. Even the most common fishes have almost disappeared in certain areas.

Apparently birds don't understand about mirror images - not just wild birds either, but pets, for example parrots. They will repeatedly try to attack or mate with the mirror (try getting that image out of your head - a parrot trying to screw a mirror :p ), no matter how many times they see their own reflection.
I have pet birds and they don't do that with the mirror. My aunt has an African grey who tries to feed his reflection. :)

Second point fair enough, but, as a vegetarian I don't really have to be too careful about what I eat. I mean, I really have only cut meat out of my diet, and, sadly, jelly. But I know where to get vegetarian jelly. Anyway - it's easier than you might think to avoid meat products.
That's what I thought too. But then you hear about certain cheeses you can't eat. Sweets. Soup....

Guinness you can't drink ;)

I know it can be done easily IF others think about you eating habits. Both my kid brothers are vegetarian

When this happens, we could again eat more fish. But at the moment overfishing is a severe problem in almost every sea. Tonfishes (tuna) certainly don't look like TONfishes anymore. They are fished before they have grown to their usual size. Even the most common fishes have almost disappeared in certain areas.

Well, we really shouldn't be eating as many fish anyway seeing as we put MERCURY in all of their FLESH by burning COAL.

Don't get me wrong, coal is a resource that should be used (properly), but the loss of edible fish is devastating to the fishing industry.

Guinness you can't drink ;)
Stop reminding me!!!! :( :mad: :headbang:

i chose normal but i am truly an omnivorus black hole.
veggies
meat
fish
seafood
as long as it's not brussel sprouts or spinach i'll eat it.
just hold the mayo, please.
food good.(now were did i put that grilled chicken salad)

Well, we really shouldn't be eating as many fish anyway seeing as we put MERCURY in all of their FLESH by burning COAL.

Don't get me wrong, coal is a resource that should be used (properly), but the loss of edible fish is devastating to the fishing industry.
We have similar problems with oily fishes like salmon but not because of burning oil.

But it would be waste of resources (if all were vegans)
Hmmm, I don't know. there were fish and other animals in the ocean (and on land) long before humans came along, I don't think there would be a problem if everyone were to become vegan.

dont tell me that the fishing industry is going down. i love fish fish is good. meat is good but then when you have to have it to live i guess that makes it a good thing for you.

but the loss of edible fish is devastating to the fishing industry.
It's devastating to the ocean ecosystem too.

I started being a vegetarian for ethnical reasons, (I was far from extreme however, I basically didn't want to eat meat myself but I didn't give a damn about what other people ate, being of the opinion that it's their choice) but have gradually switched over to being a vegetarian because I simply don't like meat anymore. Nowdays it's completely the latter.

That's what I thought too. But then you hear about certain cheeses you can't eat. Sweets. Soup....

Guinness you can't drink ;)

I know it can be done easily IF others think about you eating habits. Both my kid brothers are vegetarian

Most cheese has animal renet in it, you have to look specifically for vegetarian cheese.

Why can't vegetarians drink Guinness? I'll be having a pint or two tonight!

Most cheese has animal renet in it, you have to look specifically for vegetarian cheese.

Why can't vegetarians drink Guinness? I'll be having a pint or two tonight!
Ask IV Stalin.

Most cheese has animal renet in it, you have to look specifically for vegetarian cheese.

Why can't vegetarians drink Guinness? I'll be having a pint or two tonight!
Isinglas - otherwise known as dried sturgeon swim bladders. It's used in the filtering process.

Hmmm, I don't know. there were fish and other animals in the ocean (and on land) long before humans came along, I don't think there would be a problem if everyone were to become vegan.
True. But that means no leather eventhough the leather could be taken from a dead animal. I don't think it's wise to let perfectly good materials rotten just because of veganism. That's why I said it would be waste of resources. I already said it wouldn't cause any damages.

dont tell me that the fishing industry is going down. i love fish fish is good. meat is good but then when you have to have it to live i guess that makes it a good thing for you.It's not going down. There will still be lots of edible fish left, altought the currently soon-to-be-extinct fish will be gone.

Sorry I accidentally clicked on lifestyle vegan... Tried it for two weeks in 1997 though...

True. But that means no leather eventhough the leather could be taken from a dead animal. I don't think it's wise to let perfectly good materials rotten just because of veganism. That's why I said it would be waste of resources. I already said it wouldn't cause any damages.
Good point, I see what you're saying now. I'm not vegan, but if I were I might argue that leather isn't a resource since there are (man-made) alternatives.

I was raised a vegetarian, but now I'm happily omnivorous. I have no reason to be vegetarian myself, but I'm more than happy for other people to be. However, people who talk about how much tastier vegetarian food is do annoy me, because I've had both kinds and it's all good, there's no one better than the other.

Isinglas - otherwise known as dried sturgeon swim bladders. It's used in the filtering process.

Ah, is that the same as 'finings'?
So you're a strict vegetarian then, most veggies I know will eat some fish.

but still no meat i'd croak just from lack of stuff

Personally, I'm an omnivore. We're eating less red meat and more fish (but my kids don't like it and one son seems to be allergic to shellfish). A coworker of mine was a vegetarian, but found he couldn't lose the wieght he wanted to. He went back to being an omnivore and lost 20 pounds.

BTW, if I'm and omnivore, should vegiterians/vegans be called herbivores? :D

Later,
Don

Personally, I'm an omnivore. We're eating less red meat and more fish (but my kids don't like it and one son seems to be allergic to shellfish). I coworker of mine was a vegiterian, but found he couldn't lose the wieght he wanted to. He went back to being an omnivore and lost 20 pounds.

BTW, if I'm and omnivore, should vegiterians/vegans be called herbivores? :D

Later,
Don
No, herbivores only eat plant material. Most vegetarians don't.

Ah, is that the same as 'finings'?
So you're a strict vegetarian then, most veggies I know will eat some fish.
They're not vegetarians. Seriously, you cannot call yourself a vegetarian if you eat fish. They're animals - vegetarians do not eat animals.
And isinglas is one particular type of finings, there are alternatives that are suitable for vegetarians.

They're not vegetarians. Seriously, you cannot call yourself a vegetarian if you eat fish. They're animals - vegetarians do not eat animals.

True, but maybe there's a term for people who eat fish, but not meat. There are awful lot of terms for different vegetarian diets, like ovo-lacto-vegetarian etc.

True, but maybe there's a term for people who eat fish, but not meat. There are awful lot of terms for different vegetarian diets, like ovo-lacto-vegetarian etc.
There probably is, but my point was that you can't call yourself a vegetarian if you eat fish. The main point of vegetarianism is to eat no animals. Fish are animals.

If we're not supposed to eat animals, then why are they made out of meat?!

Life long member of PETA: People for the Eating of Tasty Animals

Hmmm, I don't know. there were fish and other animals in the ocean (and on land) long before humans came along, I don't think there would be a problem if everyone were to become vegan.

Unfortunately, not true. The entire ecosystem has shifted to one where man eats meat. Also man has killed off a large percentage of the predatorpopulation of the earth. Stopping meat eating would be devistating to the planet. Man is a predator that has removed most of its competition.

Man make fire. Man hunt beast. Man eat well.

There probably is, but my point was that you can't call yourself a vegetarian if you eat fish. The main point of vegetarianism is to eat no animals. Fish are animals.
I quite agree, I constantly berate my vegetarian friend for eating fish and calling himself a vegetarian. He's mostly vegetarian though, only usually eats fish when there's no alternative (on holiday in Europe for instance).
But I can appreciate the how dumber the animal the easier it is to reconcile eating it. For instance shellfish, insects etc.
If you can't call these people vegetarian, what can you call them?

If we're not supposed to eat animals, then why are they made out of meat?!

Life long member of PETA: People for the Eating of Tasty Animals

http://mtd.com/tasty/

God bless that site.

I have no qualms with people not eating meat for religious or health purposes, but ethical reasons, well, I can't totally take that. I mean, after all, we got to the top of the evolutionary ladder by kicking ass and taking names on a massive scale. Not by pussy-footing around and being nice to the other species. And look at human anatomy. If we were designed for eating only plants and the like, we'd resemble the robust Australopithecines far more than the gracile ones.

We have smaller teeth, a characteristic that when expressed in hominids leads us to believe that a far more omnivorous diet is the choice. We also have four canines, and eight multi-purpose incisors. Our eyes are placed on the fronts of our faces, not on the sides.

Homo sapiens is a species designed to eat whatever it can. We should balance our diets so as to achieve a proper and healthy balance of foods. This proper and healthy balance inevitably includes meats as well as plants.

Our closest relatives, the chimpanzee, eat meat, insects, and eggs whenever the opportunity arises. Humans are smart enough to create their own opportunities. It's also been theorized that the human brain, which uses alot of calories, could only be evolved when our ancestors got good at finding meat to eat. Meat has more calories than plants.

Humans are omnivorous by nature, I'm not going to stop doing something that comes natural to me.

Yeah, vegetarianism for moral reasons is silly. What, it's bad to eat meat and raise cattle, but it's OK to enslave and mutilate swathes of oats and soybean plants? Oh wait, those are 'lower life forms' that don't 'feel' so they don't need to be treated OK? Heh. ;)

Ethical vegetarianism: All life is sacred.. except plants, our enslaved bitches.

Yeah, vegetarianism for moral reasons is silly. What, it's bad to eat meat and raise cattle, but it's OK to enslave and mutilate swathes of oats and soybean plants? Oh wait, those are 'lower life forms' that don't 'feel' so they don't need to be treated OK? Heh. ;)

Ethical vegetarianism: All life is sacred.. except plants, our enslaved bitches.
They also tend to ignore the massive amounts of small animals that tend to die during the harvesting of said grains.

I don't eat meat or use any animal products where the animal dies. For ethical reasons

I have been a vegetarian for several years and for ethical reasons.

I'm vegetarian, but I also will not wear leather/dead animals (is this what you mean by Lifestyle vegan?).

what are these veggies you be talking about....I only eath things that bleed
Vegies :mp5:

True, but maybe there's a term for people who eat fish, but not meat. There are awful lot of terms for different vegetarian diets, like ovo-lacto-vegetarian etc.

People who eat no meat other than fish are called pescatarians.

I eat everything. The way I see it is the point to life is to get as high on the food chain as you can, and stay there as long as you can. Therefore I try to only eat carnivores.

I clicked vegetarian for ethical reasons because I believe that in our industrial western society we are given alternative choices for protein. Since this is so, it isn't necessary for us to get our protein from animals. Therefore, in Western countries right now, we do not kill for survival, but for convenience.

If we were to need to get protein from animals I would totally eat meat for the sole reason that I'd need it for surivival. I don't now in our industrial society so why should I?

I am against so-called liberal or so-called anarchist nations/communities making everyone vegetarian. I think it's an individual's choice. It cannot be propagated or forced on anyone.

I'm not sure if I'm acctually vegetarian, I do eat meat on occasion if it would be rude or a hassle not to. It's just I don't really like the taste of it.
No one should be mad at vegetarians. There isn't enough meat for everyone in the world to eat so the less people that choose to eat meat the more people who want to can.
If someone doesn't eat meat you get more.

I recently went vegetarian, for ethical reasons. I'm intending to go vegan, and I don't eat eggs or dairy, but I haven't got around to eliminating animal products from the ingredients of all the stuff I buy.

I put down Vegetarian- health reasons

to be honest, I am not a true vegetarian. My deal is that I only eat a tiny amount of meat maybe once or twice a week. Compared to the diet of my peers (Who practially eat ONLY meat...) I am nearly vegetarian, and people often ask me if I am.

The way I see it is that for one: Humans are omnivores, but lean towards vegetarian. Like a vegetarian that is able to eat meat occasionally. Just like the opposite of dogs. Dogs are omnivores, but lean towards more carnivore. They eat meat but can eat some plants.

Also, living in America, the meat here, to me, is disgusting. The animals are treated horribly for one. That is my belief of the animals sake. But the bad way we treat our livestock actually effect our own health. The meat produced from an animal that hasn't seen the daylight and lays in it's crap all day and is fed it's own species (they grind up the left over animal parts and feed them back to the animals) instead of grazing out in a pasture just REEKS of bacteria. It's why our meat has to be cooked so thoroughly. Also, because of these conditions plus the demand of the people for more meat, they are shot up with growth hormones and antibiotics that also make the meat quality poorer and that also gets into our system and is starting to show some effects in the people, I believe most obviously in young girls.

I eat everything. The way I see it is the point to life is to get as high on the food chain as you can, and stay there as long as you can. Therefore I try to only eat carnivores.


Scientifically, wouldn't that mean you are wasting your stomach space because you ar enot absorbing much energy? The energy source is from the sun, the highest energy source is where it starts first- the plants. Then the animals that eat the plants are second highest. The third would be the animal that eats the herbivore (or omnivore). Then the carnivores eat that one, and another carnivore eats that, until here is not very much energy left in the meat that it is eating.

Good job

Im a little closer to carnavore... Veggies are bad for you.

All meet :D

Same here, brother!

If you want to live on nothing but meat

you must take some vitamin supplements

and if you are a vegitarian you need some calcium tablets

just a little advise :D

If you want to live on nothing but meat

you must take some vitamin supplements

and if you are a vegitarian you need some calcium tablets

just a little advise :D


Actually there are plant sources that have even more calcium than milk, ect.

I have also heard that if you were breast fed, you don't need milk. You can do very well with just the calcium you get from plants.

Also, isn't osteoporous actually linked to drinking milk?


The more you know....

i don't quite understand vegans at all to be honest, we except for the vegans who hate animals and wished they all died, but they number very few. if noone drunk milk and ate meat, most of the animals around today would be extinct.

From the song: I Love You, Just The Way You Aren't

'Im a Ziggen - we only eat shampoo!!!'

there was no option on the poll for my preference... so... yeah. :p

There is a good amount of calcium in both broccoli and spinach, but a lot of people dont know that. I am not sure where to get vitamin D, aside from cow's milk.

Yes, and most people also aren't aware that spinach also contains an inhibitor that keeps the human body from absorbing most of the calcium contained in spinach...unless it's cooked before eating. Raw spinach is not a good source of calcium; cooked spinach is.

Me, I'm happily omnivorus, and have no moral qualms about eating other animals.

i don't quite understand vegans at all to be honest, we except for the vegans who hate animals and wished they all died, but they number very few. if noone drunk milk and ate meat, most of the animals around today would be extinct.
:confused:

i don't quite understand vegans at all to be honest, we except for the vegans who hate animals and wished they all died, but they number very few. if noone drunk milk and ate meat, most of the animals around today would be extinct.


If you mean that if every creature didn't eat meat, then I see how the carnivores could be extinct... But wtf are you talking about? Maybe you mean that-knowing humanity's greed- if we had no use for the animals we would just wipe them out so that they wouldn't eat the plants we grow to eat?

Man, I think the native americans were so right =/

Call me "Uncle Meat", 'cause that's what I eat!

...Hmm...

thats exactly what i mean, made a few errors their lol. what i had meant to say is the only type of vegan i understand is a vegan who hates animals. because if everyone was a vegan just about every animal would be extinct. or their population would number about 500 and they would live in zoo's.

I’ve heard the screams of the vegetables, watching their skins being peeled
Grated and steamed with no mercy.. how do you think that feels?
Carrot juice constitutes murder.. greenhouses prisons for slaves
It’s time to stop all this gardening.. let’s call a spade a spade.

lyrics (http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/arrogant-worms,-the/9361.html)

Disgustipated, TOOL

And the angel of the Lord came unto me,
snatching me up from my
place of slumber,
and took me on high,
and higher still until we
moved in the spaces betwixt the air itself.
and he bore me unto a
vast farmland of our own midwest,
and as we descended cries of
impending doom rose from the soil.
one thousand, nay, a million
voices full of fear.
and terror possessed me then.
and I begged,

"Angel of the Lord, what are these tortured screams?"
And the angel said unto me,
"These are the cries of the carrots,
the cries of the carrots.
You see, reverend Maynard, tomorrow is harvest day
and to them it is the holocaust."
And I sprang from my slumber drenched in sweat
like the tears of one millions terrified brothers
and roared,
"Hear me now,
I have seen the light,
they have a consciousness,
they have a life,
they have a soul.
damn you!
let the rabbits wear glasses,
save our brothers...can I get an amen?
can I get a hallelujah? thank you, Jesus.

I'm a vegetarian. I've recently reduced my dair consumption as well by switching to soy milk. I'm not sure if I'm going to stick with it, I will for the next couple months so I don't have to share milk with my roommates though. I still eat ice cream and cream cheese and the like... but I never eat those very often anyways.

thats exactly what i mean, made a few errors their lol. what i had meant to say is the only type of vegan i understand is a vegan who hates animals. because if everyone was a vegan just about every animal would be extinct. or their population would number about 500 and they would live in zoo's.
Uh. do you eat squirrels? I see about 20 of them a day... Animals aren't just hunted for people food, some of them *gasp* live in the wild and live long, healthy lives or get killed by natural predators rather than living out their lives in pens waiting to die.

Also, for whoever was wondering about where we get vitamin D from.

If it's still day outside, look out your window and assuming there are no clouds, look in the direction of that big yellow circle... yes, see that? That's where we get vitamin D from naturally. Pasturization kills natural vitamin D in milk so they even add it in there. Half an hour in the sun a day will do you.

I'm not sure what to click. I want to be a vegetarian, but my mom won't let me.
what the hell?!! your mom wont let you its not someone elses decision.

Meats meat and peoples gotta eat.

All things in moderation.

Uh. do you eat squirrels? I see about 20 of them a day... Animals aren't just hunted for people food, some of them *gasp* live in the wild and live long, healthy lives or get killed by natural predators rather than living out their lives in pens waiting to die.

If they're going to get eaten by other predators anyway, what's wrong with me eating them?

CONFLICT

"Meat Means Murder"

The factory's still churning out, all processed, packed and neat
An obscure butchered substance and the label reads "meat"
Hidden behind false names such as pork, ham, veal and beef
An eye's an eye, a life's a life, the now forgotten belief
Yet, everyday production lines are feeding out this farce
To end up on your table, then shat out of your arse

Yet, still you're queuing, and still you're viewing
Sawing out limbs just right for stewing
Carcasses piled up in a heap
Sort, soft, juicy chunks from freezers deep
Well, can't you see that that juice is blood?
From newborn throats, red rivers flood
Blood from young hearts blood from the vein
Your blood, their blood, serves the same

Now you're at the table, sitting, grinning
Sitting there eating, you never realise the filling
It's served upon a sterile plate, you don't think of the killing
The furthest your brain takes you, "is it for frying or grilling?"
You moan about the seal cull, about the whale slaughter
But does it really matter whether it lives on land or water?
You've never had a fur coat, you think its cruel to the mink
Well, how about the cow, pig or sheep. Don't they make you think
Since the day that you were you born, you've never been told the missing link?

Hears my offiicial stance on eating meat, things have been consuming meat since things existed, and our world is all right. Humans would be effectively going against history and the food chain by consuming no meat. Not to mention many animal populations would skyrocket because the loss of a steady predator.

What, no mention of fruitarians?

Animals aren't self aware?
Have you ever had a pet dog?
Animals are just like us only dumber. They have personalities, they know what they like and what they don't like. They are perfectly self aware, just may not understand that a mirror image isn't another animal and don't know their own mortality.
My own dog was not disturbed by looking in the mirror, showing she realised it wasn't another dog but probably not comprehending that it was her.

I do not have a dog, but I do have bearded dragons. SOME animals (mostly domestic ones) have personalities wants and things they dislike. However, cows, lambs, and waterfowl really don't.

If they're going to get eaten by other predators anyway, what's wrong with me eating them?
Well, in the case of say, cows, they don't really have the greatest life or death in captivity.
Not to mention that the more you learn about the crap they inject the cattle with the less you want eat them anyways.

I would suggest organic meat if you're going to eat it. They tend to treat the animals better and don't say, feed them animal parts when they're not supposed to eat animal parts or inject them with hormones.

Well, in the case of say, cows, they don't really have the greatest life or death in captivity.
Not to mention that the more you learn about the crap they inject the cattle with the less you want eat them anyways.

I would suggest organic meat if you're going to eat it. They tend to treat the animals better and don't say, feed them animal parts when they're not supposed to eat animal parts.

True. I prefer game when I can get it (plus the red salmon that I have in my freezer, hmm...), but I'll take what I can get.

Defenitly a lifestyle vegan, to me killing and eating animals is barbaric and truthfully very very sad.

Defenitly a lifestyle vegan, to me killing and eating animals is barbaric and truthfully very very sad.
their life style as well.

I went on an all-vegan diet once. I lost a lot of weight because they're really hard to catch.

All the V words just mean your a bad hunter.. hahahaha

*Maddox Warning*
I'm just being silly, and if you want to avoid anger and sarcasm and crude humor do not click.

http://www.maddox.xmission.com/c.cgi?u=sponsor
http://www.maddox.xmission.com/c.cgi?u=grill

meat is murder.
don't believe me, well then think about it.

What, no mention of fruitarians?
Comes under veganism.
Yeah, vegetarianism for moral reasons is silly. What, it's bad to eat meat and raise cattle, but it's OK to enslave and mutilate swathes of oats and soybean plants? Oh wait, those are 'lower life forms' that don't 'feel' so they don't need to be treated OK? Heh. ;)

Ethical vegetarianism: All life is sacred.. except plants, our enslaved bitches.
I disagree with ethical vegetarianism as well - if you're doing it for moral reasons, except religion, you might as well be vegan. I realise this post is laden with sarcasm, but I thought I'd address it anyway. Plants don't feel. They have no central nervous system (except for broccoli - seriously). Animals, on the other hand, do have a central nervous system, and do feel.
And let's be honest - those swathes of oats and soybean plants are treated much better than animals that are heading for human consumption. Out in the sun all day, plenty of water and nutrients, and are then killed at the end. Animals - the majority are kept indoors, away from the sun, frequently don't get enough water, sometimes not enough food. Then they're transported from their farm in a truck with hundreds of other animals, sometimes on the move for as much as 72 hours with no food or water, in suffocating heat. Then they're slaughtered. Bled to death, sometimes without being effectively stunned first. Personally, I'd rather be the soybean plant.

As I heard on a television show once:

"You know, at least when I eat meat, what I'm eating is dead. That apple you're eating there, yeah, that apple you're eating, well, you're eating it alive!"

"Omnivore" is such a stupid word. It literally means "everything-eater". Surely it should be "multivore"?

Anyway, that's what I am - although I am against cruelty, and so only eat free range stuff, and no veal. I can understand vegetarianism - ethical, that is - but I do not really buy veganism. I don't believe it could be wrong to take excess milk from an animal.

Hang on… what was that about broccoli? I used to like broccoli! :eek:

How many people have posted Meat is Murder by the Smiths:

Heifer whines could be human cries
Closer comes the screaming knife
This beautiful creature must die
This beautiful creature must die
A death for no reason
And death for no reason is murder

And the flesh you so fancifully fry
Is not succulent, tasty or kind
It’s death for no reason
And death for no reason is murder

And the calf that you carve with a smile
Is murder
And the turkey you festively slice
Is murder
Do you know how animals die ?

Kitchen aromas aren’t very homely
It’s not comforting, cheery or kind
It’s sizzling blood and the unholy stench
Of murder

It’s not natural, normal or kind
The flesh you so fancifully fry
The meat in your mouth
As you savour the flavour
Of murder

No, no, no, it’s murder
No, no, no, it’s murder
Oh ... and who hears when animals cry ?

---------------
I disagree of course, meat is, imho, tasty

"Omnivore" is such a stupid word. It literally means "everything-eater". Surely it should be "multivore"?

Anyway, that's what I am - although I am against cruelty, and so only eat free range stuff, and no veal. I can understand vegetarianism - ethical, that is - but I do not really buy veganism. I don't believe it could be wrong to take excess milk from an animal.

Hang on… what was that about broccoli? I used to like broccoli! :eek:
Broccoli apparently has a central nervous system, so it experiences a sensation that an animal would feel as pain. But I can't find any evidence of this online, so if anyone can help...
You say you can understand vegetarianism for ethical reasons, but what about the other vegetarian options on the poll?