If so, how hard was it for you to make the lifestyle change from being a meat-eater to being a vegetarian? What made you decide to become one? For those of you reading this thread and aren't vegetarians--have you ever considered it in your lifetime?

I used to be a vegetarian a LONG time ago, and for some reason, it was a lot easier back then. To tell you the truth, I've never really LIKED red meat or pork. I'll have a burger or hot dog occasionally, but if you asked me to give it up right now at this very second, I could just drop it entirely without any problems. I've always thought red meat was NASTY (steak and prime rib...ICK!) I sort of fell out of it because my life was just becoming so hectic and it was easier to grab a burger than make a huge salad at home.

I'm trying to go veggie again for health reasons, but am finding it a lot harder this time around. The thing is...I CAN'T give up chicken! :eek: It's one of my weaknesses--I just love it and can't see giving it up.

Ugh, how do I deal with this? :lol: It's probably ok to eat chicken every now and again, right?

i would say so, yes. because meat literally makes me gag, and the more i learn about it the more disgusted i am by it. eating cooked intestines, no thanks.

I have always been a vegetarian, I just can't deal with what meat is, lol, and can't bring myself to eat it. If you like chicken, you should eat it, as long as it's not fried, it is healthy. Fish is really good for you too, again, as long as it's not fried. It's easier to not eat meat now as more places, even fast food, are offering more veg choices. Almost every fast food place has salads now and many restaurants have veggie burgers, etc.

No, and I've never considered it. I like to eat a good hamburger every now and then.

Meat is just way too awesome to consider not eating.

I've thought about it, but I love steak and chicken too much. With my build I also need as much protein as I can get, and for me that's the best way to go.

Yes, but it's hard. Maybe if God didn't make little cows and piggies so damn tasty it'd be easier.

I was for 3 years, but now I eat chicken. Just chicken though, nothing else.

I was for 3 years, but now I eat chicken. Just chicken though, nothing else.
That is pollo-vegetarianism, right? :confused: I think there is a name for it because my friend Whitney is a vegetarian but can eat chicken. I could probably handle that type. I do have a hamburger occasionally, every month or so.

I'm hoping to do that myself...I really just can't give up chicken. It'll never happen :lol: I'm almost there right now--I just need to stop having that burger every so often and I'm fine. Shouldn't be too hard.

I was for 3 years, but now I eat chicken. Just chicken though, nothing else.

That is pollo-vegetarianism, right? :confused: I think there is a name for it because my friend Whitney is a vegetarian but can eat chicken. I could probably handle that type. I do have a hamburger occasionally, every month or so.

Yeah something like that I think... all I know is I refuse to eat anything derrived from a cow, pig or lamb.

I tried to become a vegetarian shortly after watching The Simpsons episode where Lisa decides she wants to be a vegetarian. It didn't work out.... I love meat too much......;)

:lol: I remember that Simpsons episode :D So, yeah, I've been a pollo-vegetarian for nearly a month now and it feels great :) I'm doing well with it.

Can vegitarians eat anything that isn't meat, or just veggies?

It's a stupid question, I know. :o

Not a stupid question at all :) There are actually various types of vegetarians. Basically, a true vegetarian doesn't eat ANY kind of meat (no red meat, no pork, no chicken, no fish--nothing). They'll eat meat substitutes (like burgers made out of anything but meat...like veggies burgers and such), but nothing that involved the killing of an animal. This is usually the most strict kind of vegetarian (unless you're vegan which means you won't have anything at all that killed an animal or was derived from an animal in any way--no milk, no cheese, not wearing leather, etc).

Then there are vegetarians who add chicken to their vegetarian diet. They're pollo-vegetarians (that would be what I am). Then there are those that make allowances for fish (pesca-vegetarian).

To answer your question, though--vegetarians just eat anything that isn't meat, usually (unless you're a vegan, then you have to cut out even more stuff) :)

Can vegitarians eat anything that isn't meat, or just veggies?

It's a stupid question, I know. :o

I hate vegetables and always will

I like them, but I probably couldn't eat just vegetables for the rest of my life (which is why I'm still eating chicken as of now). No damned way I'm getting rid of chicken :D

I hate vegetables and always will

In high school, I contemplated becoming a vegetarian when I found out that Paul and Linda McCartney were "veggie," and thought about it again after Linda died, but I just couldn't bring myself to give up delicious meat.

Not a stupid question at all :) There are actually various types of vegetarians. Basically, a true vegetarian doesn't eat ANY kind of meat (no red meat, no pork, no chicken, no fish--nothing). They'll eat meat substitutes (like burgers made out of anything but meat...like veggies burgers and such), but nothing that involved the killing of an animal. This is usually the most strict kind of vegetarian (unless you're vegan which means you won't have anything at all that killed an animal or was derived from an animal in any way--no milk, no cheese, not wearing leather, etc).

Then there are vegetarians who add chicken to their vegetarian diet. They're pollo-vegetarians (that would be what I am). Then there are those that make allowances for fish (pesca-vegetarian).

To answer your question, though--vegetarians just eat anything that isn't meat, usually (unless you're a vegan, then you have to cut out even more stuff) :)
thanks. :)

I might as well be a pollo-vegetarian. I really don't eat beef, pork, or fish at all.

I eat meat probably two or three times a month. I eat a lot of chicken and some shellfish. I am an obsessed animal lover, and I feel guilty for eating meat and chicken, but I just can't give it up. I will say that whenever I cut into a steak, I don't feel good about it. I'm not big on burgers, but I eat steak and steak tips. Maybe someday.

I work with a hardcore punk rock chick who turned me on to the possibilities of the vegetarian /vegan lifestyle. She gave me a DVD of what exactly went on in a slaughterhouse, the horrific ways they treat animals, as well as pamphlets and magazines about the benefits of veganism, and how animals are more intelligent and loving than we give them credit for. I was impressed and tried to go by the vegan lifestyle for a while, but after I got a bad cold and everything a few months ago, I lost my resolve. I love chicken, but feel guilty about an occasional bacon cheeseburger. But I've wanted to taper off on certain types of meat products more out of health reasons, such as lowering cholestorol and trans-fats, but it's hard to give it up entirely. I'm concerned about the meat industry and its treatment of animals, but it's hard to give it up completely. It's definitely worth thinking about.

Here's a song I wrote about it:

Into the Maw

Species requires gallons for its gluttony
Better to live rather veal-and-mutton-free
Carnotorium under the microscopic lens
Revealing clustering cultures of pathogens

chorus:

Into the maw, into the maw
Murder menagerie for society's jaws
Into the maw, into the maw
Be prepared to fight truth in claw

Salivate for that which you did not hunt
Find a cure for meat in your sodium-caked lunch
Dali of deli trays, art of arteriosclerosis
Mad man disease, the new psychosis

(chorus ^)

Tons of feelings, tons of pain
Tons of flesh for human gain
Killing floor caked with crimson stain
Slaughter's juicy tast fills our brains

Bovine population now pulp and paste
Death delicacies, season to taste
To the spoilage belongs the victor of violence
That sucking suffocation, the sound of silence

(chorus)

Those who are vegetarians have to make sure they get enough vitamin B-12. Also protein. The protein found in meat is of better quality than that found in vegetables and supplements.

The protein found in meat is of better quality than that found in vegetables and supplements.

What gave you that idea? If I need protein, Meat would be the last source I would turn to for it.

I rarely eat meat but when I do, It's usually limited to lean chicken or turkey with no red meat or pork at all. I also gave up dairy products several years ago. I'll admit that giving up ice cream was rough and it took awhile but I finally did. I never liked cow milk but soy is just as good and I can get an equal amount of calcium from that and other sources without having to worry about not drinking the cow variety.

No, I'm not.

What gave you that idea? If I need protein, Meat would be the last source I would turn to for it.
That is what kept the Andes survivors alive when they were stuck in the high Andes for 72 days.
A few of them were medical students and they knew that they needed protein to survive and that the only source of protein where they were (10,500 feet up on a mountain) was meat.

That is what kept the Andes survivors alive when they were stuck in the high Andes for 72 days.
A few of them were medical students and they knew that they needed protein to survive and that the only source of protein where they were (10,500 feet up on a mountain) was meat.

Ok, But that doesn't necessarily mean that meat protein is of a higher quality than the protein that comes from other sources.

I tried to be one.But, it barely lasted a few weeks.I have no will power.

Ok, But that doesn't necessarily mean that meat protein is of a higher quality than the protein that comes from other sources.
I have read that it is. One of my interests is health and medicine.

I have read that it is. One of my interests is health and medicine.

It happens to be one of my interests as well but obviously we don't get our information from the same sources. Unfortunately there are lots of myths and truths about health and nutrition, The problem is deciding what to believe and what not to believe. Unfortunately, Meat is one of the most dangerous things we can put into our bodies and yes I have cut back on it drastically but I still like it once in awhile. On the rare occasions I do eat meat, It's for taste and not what little protein it offers. If I wanted to get the full benefits of protein from meat then I would have to eat it raw because the cooking of meat greatly reduces any protein useable by the body.

It happens to be one of my interests as well but obviously we don't get our information from the same sources. Unfortunately there are lots of myths and truths about health and nutrition, The problem is deciding what to believe and what not to believe.

After 25 years of reading about it, you get a good idea of what are myths and truths. Much of my info is from Prevention magazine, of which I have issues dating back to the early '70s.



Meat, in moderation, is not dangerous. It's certainly a lot better than smoking or excessive drinking.

[QUOTE]On the rare occasions I do eat meat, It's for taste and not what little protein it offers.

What are you talking about? Meat (and fish) is an excellent source of protein!

If I wanted to get the full benefits of protein from meat then I would have to eat it raw because the cooking of meat greatly reduces any protein useable by the body

More protein when raw, but a much greater chance of getting food poisoning if you eat it raw. That's why those warning labels are on ground beef and other meats advising to cook it thoroughly.

After 25 years of reading about it, you get a good idea of what are myths and truths. Much of my info is from Prevention magazine, of which I have issues dating back to the early '70s.

I read prevention also but they're not the only source of information.



Meat, in moderation, is not dangerous. It's certainly a lot better than smoking or excessive drinking.

Meat is less dangerous if eaten in moderation but still dangerous nonetheless.



What are you talking about? Meat (and fish) is an excellent source of
protein!

Not if it's cooked, What we do get though is arthritis, body odor, gout, heart disease, clogged arteries, several forms of cancer...... Shall I continue? and dairy products are no better. Also, Meat and dairy have 0 fibre and meat takes anywhere from 48-72 hours to exit the body and what do you think it does in a 98.6 degree atmosphere? It putrifies. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of fibre and are usually eliminated within 24 hours or less after being consumed.



More protein when raw, but a much greater chance of getting food poisoning if you eat it raw. That's why those warning labels are on ground beef and other meats advising to cook it thoroughly.

You don't have to remind me about warning labels, I was only making a comment. I would never even consider eating raw meat. What I was trying to say was that I can get all the protein I need from plant life.

Look at like this: Our bodies are a living thing and living things require living food. If you take a raw carrot, Cut the top off and place it in a glass of water, It will grow. Now let's see you do that with a cooked carrot.

Once meat or vegetables are cooked they lose over 90% of their protein and other nutritional value. The leading cause of death in the united states is heart attacks and strokes and meat is a primary cause. Did you know that if you give up animal products, You eliminate almost chance of ever getting cancer.

If you're wondering exactly how I get my protein, I drink a lot of freshly extracted carrot juice (never store bought) and from raw vegetables such as broccoli. I will eat these cooked but as with the meat, only for taste.

I'm working on changing my diet to 85% raw and 15% cooked and I'm working hard to give up meat entirely. I did manage to give up red meat & pork and I hope to give up the rest soon.

Here are the 5 basic foods that are destroying our bodies, The 5 foods that are causing almost every disease known to man and the 5 foods that probably make up the basic diet of most everyone on this board.

#1 Meat
#2 Dairy products
#3 Sugar
#4 White flour and white flour products
#5 Salt

I'm certainly not trying to argue with you and if you'd like to discuss this further, I'd be more than glad to do so and I'm willing to listen to your point of view. I can't expect you to see everything from my perspective but if you allow yourself to hear what I'm saying and think about it then that's all I ask. If we can agree to disagree then that's fine with me.

Here's are links to a couple of my primary sources of information.:

http://www.hacres.com
http://www.milksucks.com


One more thing, I mentioned earlier that meat is a cause of body odor. Let me ask you this: You've probably had Dial soap and Armour hot dogs or other Armour meat products in your home at one time or another and if not, You're no doubt familiar with them.

Do you know what they have in common? They are made by the same company. That's right, They create our stink with their meat products and then get rid of it with their soap. :lol:

I know that Prevention magazine is not the only source, but it is an excellent one.

Quote: "What we do get is arthritis, body odor, heart disease, clogged arteries, several forms of cancer..."
Of those listed above, arthritis, heart disease, clogged arteries and several forms of cancer are much more likely caused by a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and excessive drinking than by eating meat.
And, even when cooked, meat is still an excellent source of protein.

I know that Prevention magazine is not the only source, but it is an excellent one.

Quote: "What we do get is arthritis, body odor, heart disease, clogged arteries, several forms of cancer..."
Of those listed above, arthritis, heart disease, clogged arteries and several forms of cancer are much more likely caused by a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and excessive drinking than by eating meat.
And, even when cooked, meat is still an excellent source of protein.

I didn't say meat was the only cause but a primary cause and to put it simply, All cooked food is dead food and you cannot sustain life with death. Cooked meat is dead meat but if you want to get your protein from a dead cooked animal, Be my guest. I'll take the protein of fresh juices and raw vegetables over that any day.

I know that Prevention magazine is not the only source, but it is an excellent one.

No argument there. :)

I didn't say meat was the only cause but a primary cause and to put it simply, All cooked food is dead food and you cannot sustain life with death. Cooked meat is dead meat but if you want to get your protein from a dead cooked animal, Be my guest. I'll take the protein of fresh juices and raw vegetables over that any day.
Strange, seems to me a lot of people who eat meat but no vegetables are still walking around! Somehow, they have been able to substain life! You did say that you consume meat, so I guess you want to get your protein from dead cooked animals, too. (Even if it's only rarely, as you say.)
And I wouldn't list meat as a primary cause... smoking is probably the #1 way to contribute to heart disease and cancer.

I take my protein with a combination of raw vegetables and meat.

No argument there. :)
Yes, they have had articles with conclusions long before it was accepted by the mainstream press. For instance, as far back as the late '50s, there were articles in Prevention showing that vitamin C shortened the duration of the common cold. It took about 30 or 40 years for the same information to finally be in newspapers. (Although some still doubt vitamin C's effectiveness; I don't... I take as much as 3,000 or more milligrams per day when I feel a cold coming on and mine last a very short time- 1 to 3 days.)

Strange, seems to me a lot of people who eat meat but no vegetables are still walking around!

You're right alot of them are still walking around but we don't know what's going on inside of them unless it's a close relative or maybe a friend.



You did say that you consume meat, so I guess you want to get your protein from dead cooked animals, too. (Even if it's only rarely, as you say.)

Sorry, I get no useable protein from eating meat. You might but I don't and as mentioned earlier, What little meat I do eat is for taste only not for protein.

Yes, they have had articles with conclusions long before it was accepted by the mainstream press. For instance, as far back as the late '50s, there were articles in Prevention showing that vitamin C shortened the duration of the common cold. It took about 30 or 40 years for the same information to finally be in newspapers. (Although some still doubt vitamin C's effectiveness; I don't... I take as much as 3,000 or more milligrams per day when I feel a cold coming on and mine last a very short time- 1 to 3 days.)

At least you and I can agree on something else, I'm a supporter of vitamin c as well although I haven't had a cold in over 5 years. If you get time, Check out that first site I linked to. Quite an amazing man that runs Hallelujah Acres and read a few testimonies also.

You're right alot of them are still walking around but we don't know what's going on inside of them unless it's a close relative or maybe a friend.

I know what's going on inside of them... their body is absorbing the nutrients from the meat!

Sorry, I get no useable protein from eating meat. You might but I don't and as mentioned earlier, What little meat I do eat is for taste only not for protein.

So your body does not get any protein from eating meat? None at all? Zero? How do you know this? In what way is your body different from mine or other people's? Come on... if we're going to discuss this, at least be rational about it. Meat products do contain protein, as well as some vitamins and minerals. Even when cooked. Accept it.

At least you and I can agree on something else, I'm a supporter of vitamin c as well although I haven't had a cold in over 5 years. If you get time, Check out that first site I linked to. Quite an amazing man that runs Hallelujah Acres and read a few testimonies also.
Yes, I did look through that site... interesting.

I know what's going on inside of them... their body is absorbing the nutrients from the meat!

The only thing their bodies are absorbing is the fat from the meat which is going straight into their arteries and clogging them up. I worked in the restaurant business for years and I got all the free food I wanted including meat and like you, I believed that I was getting useable protein but watching and listening to a health seminar has totally changed my mind completely.

It didn't sink in the first time and as a matter of fact it took several viewings. It was titled How to Eliminate Sickness and I can assure that the speaker (George Malkmus) knows more about health and nutrition than you and I combined. If you like, I'll be glad to send you a free copy of it, No charge at all including shipping. If you decide you want to see it, Send me your address by PM.



So your body does not get any protein from eating meat? None at all? Zero? How do you know this? In what way is your body different from mine or other people's? Come on... if we're going to discuss this, at least be rational about it. Meat products do contain protein, as well as some vitamins and minerals. Even when cooked. Accept it.

Oops excuse me, I meant no useable protein, Cooked meat contains no useable protein and you'll never convince me that it does and I don't expect to convince you that it doesn't. Like I said earlier, Let's just agree to disagree. Each of us have to live as we see fit and what might be good for one might not be for the other. All this discussion has made me decide to try even harder to eliminate meat from my diet entirely and once that's accomplished, Sugar is next on the list.

To get more technical:
In general, proteins of high quality (containing all amino acids) are found in lean meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, milk, and cheese. The next best group of foods for protein includes dry beans, peas and nuts. Cereals, bread, vegetables, and fruits also provide some protein, but of incomplete quality.

A vegetarian must eat a carefully selected mixture of vegetables in order to obtain all eight essential amino acids, and all eight must be received in the stomach within approximately four hours of one another. If one or two essential amino acids are not present, the other six or seven will not be utilized efficiently.

Another problem with vegetarian diets is that they are high in cellulose, a carbohydrate that is not digested by humans. The cellulose is intricately bound with protein, and therefore the digestibility of the protein decreases at times to about 70 or 80%.

There is nothing to "agree to disagree" about. Meat, even cooked, contains useful protein.

Food------------------ Grams of protein

6 oz. canned tuna----- 40 grams
4 oz. chicken breast--- 35
3 oz beef------------- 26
3 oz turkey----------- 25
3 oz salmon---------- 23
8 oz garbanzo beans-- 15
8 oz milk-------------- 8
8 oz yogurt----------- 10
4 oz tofu------------- 10
4 oz cottage cheese-- 14
1 egg---------------- 6
1 oz chedder cheese-- 87
8 oz pasta------------ 5

Like I said, We can agree to disagree. You can all the meat you want but as of last night, I have decided to stop entirely and hopefully I can stick with it.

Give me a medium rare burger or steak anyday. If it takes a few years off my life so be it. I want to enjoy life's pleasures.