Vegetarianiasm

Is anybody here a vegetarian?

If you are - is it for ethical, religious or health reasons.

I eat significantly less meat and do a lot of vegetarian cooking and yet crave meat every once in a while - so I do indulge, but truth be known I wish I didn't.

I have a dog that I love dearly and wouldn't ever eat him - so why do I think it's ok to eat other animals.

Just thoughts going around my head at the moment.

Re: Vegetarianiasm

I don't eat much meat at all but still couldn't be a vegetarian. My daughters in laws are though and it can cause problems when we all gather for a meal - Vegetarians on one table and meat eaters on another.
I know what you mean about not eating our pets

Re: Vegetarianiasm

No I`m an omnivore. But if I am cooking for veggies or yes vegans I will do that. We have to agree to disagree on some things

Re: Vegetarianiasm

Meant to say that if I cook for non meat eaters the whole meal is non meat. No big deal.

Re: Vegetarianiasm

I reckon nature designed us to be omnivores so why argue with that .

Re: Vegetarianiasm

I eat meat but I do feel a bit queasy cutting up chicken, probably because it resembles what it is, legs, wings etc. I wish I could wean myself off meat altogether but most vegetarian meals I've tried have lacked substance and just don't fill me up like meat does. Having said that, if I had to kill an animal myself then I certainly would never eat meat again. I know, hypocritical of me.

Re: Vegetarianiasm

I don't have a problem with preparing or eating meat. I wouldn't say that I was 'skilled', but I can gut and butcher game, fowl, fish etc.. I help to keep rare breed pigs which we have slaughtered and then butcher ourselves.

I'm an unashamed omnivore, though I don't feel like eating family pets. I'm rather fond of dogs, though I hate cats.

Re: Vegetarianiasm

I have been a vegetarian for 18 years now and I am fit and healthy . I became increasingly disillusioned with the way animals are reared and also slaughtered . A lot of people who eat meat don't really want to know the full facts . I did and I did not like what I discovered .Without really intending to I gradually gave up all types of meat . I never ate anything from a sheep anyway . I didn't particularly like pork and I stopped eating beef . I took a bit longer to stop chicken and fish but eventually took the decision to do so .
Getting used to the different texture of quorn took a bit of getting used to but I now really enjoy it . I eat a lot of vegetables and pulses .
I think if you are going to do it you have to look into it and make sure you are getting all the correct nutrients . There's no point in just cutting out meat . You need to see what you are going to substitute it with . There is lots of good information and recipes online so need to even buy books .
The way I see it is this , If I can be fit and healthy without eating meat why would I bother eating it .

Re: Vegetarianiasm

I love meat, but eat a lot less these days, ethical reasons no, its just so expensive when your on a tight budget. Mainly Chicken and fish for me,i have worked inside both an abattoir and a battery farm for poultry so i do understand about how meat appears on my table. Worked on plenty of farms over the course of my career, occasionally have the odd meat free meal but its rare.

Re: Vegetarianiasm

My opinion only follows!

I really really really struggle with the whole thing. I find eating meat, on a personal level, deeply offensive - the breeding, rearing and slaughter of animals for our satisfaction I find so appalling. And yet from time to time - only meat will do.

I am, even if I say so myself, quite an accomplished cook and the best dishes I've ever made have been vegetarian. I've studied alternatives to meat so know what I have to eat to replace meat etc... and yet still find myself from time to time torn with cravings.

I remember reading somewhere that your ability to process/ metabolise carbs (of which a vegetarian diet is heavy reliant upon).