How many of you are vegetarian

I am also interested if you were from a very young age or if you made this decision as an adult.

Was it hard to transition?


What about holidays or when you are at someone's home?


What about if you are pregnant?


My Dh and I were discussing this.

Message edited 12/27/2007 3:05:31 PM.

Re: How many of you are vegetarian

I became vegetarian when I was 18 - I wanted to do it earlier but my mom wouldnt let me - I ate dairy products and eggs still...


at 23 I became vegan (no dairy, eggs, animal products) - that was 11 years ago so it was harder then, but I managed. Now its easier because there are so many great tasting alternatives and veganism has been put on the map thanks to celebrities...

I always tell people I have yet to starve to death. People know we are vegan, so they always have something we can eat - eggplant with no cheese, vegetables, salad, pasta, whatever - I'm fine with it... the holidays are not hard at all... really.


I was vegan through my entire pregnancy and was fine. My baby was healthy and perfect. I plan on raising him vegetarian, not vegan, unless he wants to be...

Re: How many of you are vegetarian

I am... have been for almost 2 yrs.

For me it wasn't a hard transition because I have a good friend who has been a veggie for 6 yrs and she armed me with all kinds of books so I could learn about vegetarianism. Once I learned what impact I had by not eating meat, the decision was really easy. DH decided to do it as well, and sometimes, yes it is hard. Certain restaurants (like seafood) are usually always out for us because there is such limited option for us. We don't eat any meat or fish. It's also a learning process because I don't eat things like jello or marshmallows because they are made with meat by-products.

What makes it easy, is knowing why you are doing it. My reason is for the animals and the fight against the cruelty of factory farming. Some people are dedicated to it for health reasons. Whatever the reason, if it gets tough, remember why you chose to cut out meat.

DH and I only drink milk when we're out, otherwise we only have soy in the house and most products we buy are organic and vegan. We cut where we can but being vegan and eating out is very difficult and we haven't reached that point yet.
ETA: difficult for us because I haven't read up or studied info about veganism, so I wouldn't really know what I could/couldn't eat if I went out.

Also, there are supplements you should take like b12 which is only found in meat products and as a veggie you will be missing out on. OTherwise, protein, iron and everything else.. you can totally get sufficiently thru veggie diet. You just have to plan ahead a lot and know what foods to eat.

If you have any q's - FM me!

Message edited 12/27/2007 3:25:53 PM.

Re: How many of you are vegetarian

I'm 34 and have been a vegetarian since I was 16. I am not vegan because I love cheese way too much to give it up!!! The transition was really easy for me. I just did it.

The holidays aren't a problem at all. There is so much food to choose from. So, I can't have the turkey. Who cares!!! I can have almost everything else. We always make a stuffing that is made with vegetable broth and cooked outside the turkey for vegetarians.

I've discovered that most people have a few things to choose from. If i'm going to a friend's house they know that I am vegetarian so no worries there.

Eating out and traveling can be tricky at times. I don't always want a salad or pasta and at some places that is all they offer for vegetarians.

You don't need meat or dairy to have a healthy baby!!! I have a 7 month old son. Stayed vegetarian throughout my pregnancy. I have known some veggies that have turned to meat because their cravings were so strong. I was lucky. I didn't have any issues. My son was and is extremely healthy.

Message edited 12/27/2007 5:04:31 PM.

Re: How many of you are vegetarian

I have been since I was 12. It wasn't a hard transition and since it's been almost 20 years, holidays aren't hard. Everyone knows and on my mom's side, there are several vegetarians. There are just lots of options and we don't use chicken broth for soup and things like that. When I'm pregnant, I'm sure I'll incorporate chicken (DH assures me I will!!!) b;ut I also will supplement with vitamins.

Re: How many of you are vegetarian

Re: How many of you are vegetarian

I have been a vegetarian for approximately 20 years. #1 reason, the blantant abuse and pain inflicted on animals.

Holidays for animals are the worst..the number of animals slaughtered so the world can eat a turkey is shameful.

Re: How many of you are vegetarian

I just started not eating meat this past Oct. I still eat some shrimp and fish occasionally. I did it for diet purposes - not for any beliefs or protest.
It has also helped my digestive system but I do worry about when I want to become pregnant- My ob/gyn already made some disparaging comments about how I should eat meat for my "health"....I think its BS. If anything- I feel healthier NOT eating it

Re: How many of you are vegetarian

I became a vegetarian first at 13,I gradually eliminated things. First were whole animals. I couldn't stand the sight of a chicken, or anything on the bone, then no pork, then no beef,m finally no meat, but at that point I would still eat somethings that had meat in them (like tomato sauce if my had cooked meatballs in it, or like rice a roni with chix stock),then I went to camp that summer and there were just no choices, so I fell off the wagon and went veg again later, cold turkey. I had McDonald's breakfast at my friend's house and at some point decided "Ok, I'm never eating meat again" and I haven't.

It's hard to articulate my reasons for going veg. I've been a vegetarian for my entire teenage and adult life, so it's just a part of my life. I love animals and I don't want to eat them. I do eat fish in limited quantities because it makes my life so much easier. I don't necessarily like doing it, but I do.


ETA: Holidays are fine. I have some amazing recipes. Also, all of my friends and relatives know I'm veg, so they either automatically make me something or I volunteer to bring a veg dish. Restaraunts are hard sometimes, but nowadays there's usually something veg (restaraunts are where eating fish makes life SOOO much easier). I plan to keep on eating veg when pregnant. it's completely healthy. I'm not a junk food vegetarian.

Message edited 12/27/2007 8:00:07 PM.