Any other Vegetarians out there?

[Beatriz]

I'm not a vegetarian but eat little meat and fish. I fully agree with bertowud, we should treat animals better. I've watched Home (the movie) and it's really disgusting what they do with cows, and pigs...
The problem is that people tend to eat too much meat and the planet can't cope with that, it's a waste of resources...

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(22-12-2009 01:44 PM)Moonlight Wrote:  

(22-12-2009 01:22 PM)JHyde Wrote:  I would have to eat mushrooms every day for the iron though, but that's OK, because I love them.

Best thing for the iron is green veg; specially spinich, kale, broccoli, but need lemon squeezed on them to digest properly.

Just to help (I'm a nutritionist), you can get plenty iron by eating chickpeas or lentils, they have a lot of iron and if you eat them with citrus fruit or peper (food with vitamin C), you increase the absorption of iron.

[lwhite53]

I'm with almh -- I don't really like meat much so I tend to eat veggie-ish. But like bertowud, my downfall is hamburgers. I never cook meat at home but when I go out, I'll usually order a hamburger and fries (chips). In terms of being invited to other's homes, most of my friends know I have strange eating habits (had a bag of chips/crisps for dinner last night) so they aren't bothered when I graze.

[JHyde]

I love broccoli and spinach, and yes, I read about the lemon trick a few months back.

I'm phasing it out in stages, really. I do honestly enjoy meat so cutting it out completely is a work in progress.

[Nitrus]

Surely it is better to use more of the animal, for food, clothing etc rather than wasting some of what it offers?

I could never give up meat, I depend on it too much, I love red meat too much to give it up.

Personally I feel that many vegetarians are hypocrites, they'll be all high and mighty about how they don't eat meat or fish, because it's cruel to the animals, but won't think twice about munching on some Haribo or having some gravy. It's that mentality that I hate, if you're going to be a vegatarian/vegan and preach to others, don't be a hypocrite.

That's why I can't stand most ethical activists, trying to fight the "system", when in reality they all have bank accounts and claim benefits.

/rant

[JHyde]

There are degrees though, and I think it's better to make some differences as a consumer than to simply say it's too hard.

If I can draw a comparison, I try very hard not to buy clothes or other products (like coffee) that are made in countries notorious for sweatshops or poor labour laws. I know I can't strike it all out, nor can I prevent other people from buying them in mass supermarkets or chains, but my purchasing power is the most powerful statement I can make, apart from my ability to vote. So as far as possible, I try and buy ethically made products, and the same goes for how I buy food.

It's very hard to cut out all hypocrisy, but it's better to be a little hypocritical and take positive steps in trying to make the world a better place (as altruistic as that sounds) than to simply say you can't or won't do anything about it. It's intelligent consumerism, and that can't be a bad thing.

[Nitrus]

(22-12-2009 03:46 PM)JHyde Wrote:  There are degrees though, and I think it's better to make some differences as a consumer than to simply say it's too hard.

If I can draw a comparison, I try very hard not to buy clothes or other products (like coffee) that are made in countries notorious for sweatshops or poor labour laws. I know I can't strike it all out, nor can I prevent other people from buying them in mass supermarkets or chains, but my purchasing power is the most powerful statement I can make, apart from my ability to vote. So as far as possible, I try and buy ethically made products, and the same goes for how I buy food.

It's very hard to cut out all hypocrisy, but it's better to be a little hypocritical and take positive steps in trying to make the world a better place (as altruistic as that sounds) than to simply say you can't or won't do anything about it. It's intelligent consumerism, and that can't be a bad thing.

Yeh I get that, and I understand that hypocrisy is unavoidable.. it's the people who preach to me about it AND are hypocrites, in my eyes, those people are worse than me.

I used to try and buy ethically, especially with fruit & veg, but then I became a student and it all went downhill.

[Beatriz]

But you are conscious, when you can earn your own money you can buy ethically... One thing is not being aware of the problem and other is to be but don't be able to do anything... (I don't know if I explained myself)

I think there's nothing wrong about eating meat sensibly, and treating the animals the way they deserve; the human being was always omnivorous.
Being a vegetarian is an option and I respect that, it's a good thing to do (you have to be careful to be well nourished). I will be, but I think it's good to have some fish or meat, it's healthy food, but as said sensibly.

If you want something to change the world, you must start doing it yourself, and don't wait for the rest of the people, because if everybody do the same... Little by little we can achieve things.

[JHyde]

It is hard when you're on a strict family or student budget. It depends where you live. It is easier in a good climate here to get good cheap fruits and vegies and that helps a lot. But you do need to be organised.

I've managed OK.

[bertowud]

(22-12-2009 03:34 PM)Nitrus Wrote:  Surely it is better to use more of the animal, for food, clothing etc rather than wasting some of what it offers?

I would agree with that theory. However, when I'm talking about the energy consumed growing beef specifically, you still can't make it up by using every inch of the animal.

(22-12-2009 03:34 PM)Nitrus Wrote:  Personally I feel that many vegetarians are hypocrites, they'll be all high and mighty about how they don't eat meat or fish, because it's cruel to the animals, but won't think twice about munching on some Haribo or having some gravy. It's that mentality that I hate, if you're going to be a vegatarian/vegan and preach to others, don't be a hypocrite.

Yeah, I probably wouldn't even think of gummy bears or Jello having pectin in them. Or most yogurts either.

(22-12-2009 03:34 PM)Nitrus Wrote:  That's why I can't stand most ethical activists, trying to fight the "system", when in reality they all have bank accounts and claim benefits.

That's a whole other topic that we could go on for hours about. Like my brother in law who is constantly telling me how evil corporate America is while working for a major airline as a marketing consultant. Also, it would be very difficult to live these days without a bank account in some parts of the world. It's doable, but very, very difficult.

(22-12-2009 03:46 PM)JHyde Wrote:  If I can draw a comparison, I try very hard not to buy clothes or other products (like coffee) that are made in countries notorious for sweatshops or poor labour laws. I know I can't strike it all out, nor can I prevent other people from buying them in mass supermarkets or chains, but my purchasing power is the most powerful statement I can make, apart from my ability to vote. So as far as possible, I try and buy ethically made products, and the same goes for how I buy food.

It's very hard to cut out all hypocrisy, but it's better to be a little hypocritical and take positive steps in trying to make the world a better place (as altruistic as that sounds) than to simply say you can't or won't do anything about it. It's intelligent consumerism, and that can't be a bad thing.

There is a difference between hypocrisy and not realizing that what you're doing violates your beliefs. There's also trying to do your best and failing.

[Beatriz]

(22-12-2009 04:06 PM)bertowud Wrote:  

(22-12-2009 03:34 PM)Nitrus Wrote:  Surely it is better to use more of the animal, for food, clothing etc rather than wasting some of what it offers?

I would agree with that theory. However, when I'm talking about the energy consumed growing beef specifically, you still can't make it up by using every inch of the animal.

That's why I've said eat meat and fish sensibly , the energy consumed growing beaf is amazing, and we can our fish reserve can be exhaust... I truly recomend this documentary HOME, it's in youtube