Life As An Herbivore: Reasons Why I Turned Vegetarian

Main Reasons Why I Am a Vegetarian and Addressing Frequently Asked Questions:

It is hard being an herbivore in a county where the main food staples are the four “B’s”: beans, beer, beef jerky, and bacon.  However, I have successfully been meat-free for a whole year now!  In celebration, I thought it appropriate to write a blog about why I chose to become a vegetarian 12 months ago and also address some frequently asked questions and misconceptions about being a veggie lover.

1. I don’t believe it is right to kill animals:

This is usually the typical reason why people freely choose to become veggie-lovers (or for health reasons).  Call me “fluffy”, “a tree hugger”, or just plain “crazy”, but I do not think it is morally acceptable to take the life of an animal (although I know there are grey areas…which I will discuss later). 

2.  Today’s meat industry sucks:

Have you actually seen where most of your meat comes from?  If you haven’t, you probably don’t want to…not a pretty sight. 

With that being said, you definitely need to do a little research into factory farms and slaughterhouses and the disgusting, unsanitary, and inhumane methods they use in preparation of the hamburger and chicken nuggets that are sitting in your freezer right now.

Prepare to vomit.

3.My reasons for eating meat were insubstantial compared to my reasons for not eating meat:

My main reason for eating meat was because I grew up eating it and, to be completely honest, meat tastes really dang good!  Who doesn’t like a pulled pork sandwich oozing with BBQ sauce or chicken nuggets dripping with honey mustard?  I can guarantee you that I DID NOT become a vegetarian because I abnormally despised chicken tenderloin, roast beef, or General Tso’s chicken. 

However, this rationalization for eating animal flesh is perhaps the scumbagiest justification one could give.  The whole “I couldn’t ever give meat up; I like it too much!” argument is not a good one.  You’re just being a selfish, lazy scumbag (I gave this same excuse before, so I also fall under the category of “selfish, lazy scumbag”.). 

Using this same logic, one can make the argument that they could not give up gambling, smoking, cheating, stealing, murder, cannibalism, *insert any other activity that society deems morally unacceptable here* because they like it too much. 

Scum-to-the-bag!

4. I would rather not have a dead animal corpse in my body:

Human corpses I’m completely okay with…but animals?  Eww.  Gross.  

***Side Note: before I get reported for being a cannibal, I would like to just say that there is this little bitty thing called sarcasm…and that there are not multiple human body parts wrapped up in tinfoil in my freezer…that would just be plain sick.***

5. I’m not a vegan (although I do support them!):

I personally have not found anything morally wrong with eating animal products like dairy, eggs, and honey if an animal is not killed or hurt in the process.  However, I do not want to support farms (especially factory farms) who participate in animal cruelty.

Personally, I would like to buy all the animal products I consume from farms I know are local and cruelty-free (this is significantly easier to do when I’m at college for I can control what I buy), and I really want to be more proactive in this area.

I give vegans a big thumbs up for living the completely animal-free life.  You go Glen Coco!

***Side note: eggs are not considered animals (unless they are fertilized).  The majority of eggs you buy are not fertilized (which means a rooster has not been around) and are in the vegetarian-safe zone.  As gross as it sounds, eating eggs is basically like eating chicken period.  Just think about that one for a little while….***

6. Where do you get your protein and other nutrients from? 

Milk, yogurt, cheese, any other form of dairy, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, soy, black beans, and other numerous vegetables are some of the places I get my protein from on a daily basis.  One cup of Greek yogurt is 25% of my daily protein, and I eat that stuff like it is nobody’s business!  The whole misconception that vegetarians do not get enough protein/nutrients is just that, a misconception.  However, I should also note that there are people who try to go vegetarian that do not get the protein or the nutrients they need.  The thing with being a vegetarian is that you have to eat a variety of things (not just carbs and starches!).  If you are not willing to try a variety of different foods on a daily basis and be smart with what you eat, then being a vegetarian is going to kind of suck for you.

7. If I become a vegetarian, then I am going to starve!

This is a bit dramatic. 

I can guarantee you that you will not starve.  In fact, there is a butt load of scrumptious foods that you can eat and that also taste really good!  Again, you just have to be smart and willing to scout out meat-free recipes (Pinterest.com is great for this!).

8. Being a vegetarian is too expensive!

Oh contraire Mon frère!

Granted, if you buy expensive vegetarian “meat” products like veggie burgers, fake chicken, and the likes, then your grocery bill will probably rack up.  However, if you just buy your own products to make veggie burgers and all that jazz, then it is actually quite affordable. 

For example, a can of black beans (which has a lot of protein in it) costs a few cents.  Tofu (for those of you who like it) is only $1.99 a pound at my local grocery store. 

It is just a matter of shopping smart.

***Side note: vegetarians don’t just eat tofu all the time.  I rarely buy it.***

9. I could not bring myself to actually kill an animal (although there are certain times I could…grey areas), so why should I eat it?

When I was a little girl, my older brother used to go outside and shoot birds, squirrels, little chipmunks, and basically anything that moved with his gun.  I used to ball my eyes out as I saw the poor little creatures twitching like crazy until their limbs eventually became still. 

I hate to see animals suffer. 

I hate to see their limbs twitching as their bodies try to cling on to life.

I hate to see their once glistening eyes fade black as the life drains out of them.

I couldn’t physically bring myself to kill an animal, so why should I have the pleasure of eating it?  Call me a pansy or a wimp, but I’m just being honest.  I’m pretty sure everyone (even people who have grown up slaughtering/hunting animals) has gotten a gut-wrenching feeling when they first saw the life drain out of an animal.  It’s the natural human reaction to seeing things die.  Although many people push past this emotion and are able to kill animals more easily, I personally cannot (although I could if I had to).

10. I don’t think it is wrong to kill for certain reasons:

I’m not a total loon who thinks that life is completely black and white.  There are shades of gray (and no, I’m not referencing that Twilight-wannabe, mommy-porn, sadomasochistic novel). 

For example, if an animal is attacking you or will potentially cause you harm (like a spider on your leg), I don’t think you should just stand there and let nature run its course.  Obviously this is a situation where it would be morally acceptable to kill that animal.

Same goes if an animal is in excruciating pain or suffering.       

What if eating meat is the only means for survival?  This is definitely one of those grey areas.  I am not going to tell a person who needs meat to live that they have to die in order for an animal to remain alive.  In this particular scenario, I believe it is the lesser-of-two-evils for the human to eat the animal.

With this being said, I also know that this scenario is very unlikely (although not entirely) for nearly every American citizen in the United States.  Eating meat is rarely a necessity for the majority of privileged first worlders. 

What about the farmers and slaughterhouses who make their living off of meat?  Again, this is another grey area.  I know people in my area who raise beef cattle and pigs and other various animals to eat.  I’m not going to tell these people that they have to just up and stop what they are doing and face the high probability of going into debt or poverty.  I value their lives, and do not want to see these people go through financial hardships and suffer because of my beliefs.

11. What about animal testing, pets, squishing insects, population control, animal attacks, if you were starving, etc.?

Animal Testing: I mainly disagree with the use of animal testing.  First off, it is kind of an archaic method.  There are numerous new technologies out there that can successfully test new products without the use of animals.  Many times, animals do not even have the same reaction a human would to a certain product. 

One form of animal testing I am SUPER against is cosmetic animal testing.  Although I have bought make-up products in the past that were tested on animals, I have begun to be more cautious of what I buy and purchase only cruelty-free products (these have special labels on them). 

I will not let animals suffer because of my vanity.

***Side note: The top name-brands like Maybelline and Cover Girl test on animals!  Three make-up brands that are really good and that do not test on animals are Physician’s Formula, Almay, and E.L.F. (this brand is also super cheap!).***

Pets: Some people make the argument that having and keeping pets is a form of animal cruelty.  Although I do not think people should randomly take animals from their natural habitat (unless they are injured, there is a baby animal that was deserted, etc.) and keep them in cages (like taking a wild raccoon or something), I don’t think it is wrong to have pets.  Honestly, domesticated animals could not really survive very well in the wild (although I am sure when they were not domesticated they could).  Taking domesticated cats and dogs and throwing them out into the wilderness is probably not the greatest idea.  As long as the pet owner is taking care of their pets, I’m perfectly okay with it.

Squishing insects: I kill insects.  Am I a hypocrite?  Perhaps.  I would like to note, however, that I do not go out of my way to kill insects.  If I see a spider web outside, I leave it be.  If I see a spider dangling from my ceiling, however, I kill that sucker.

Population Control by Hunting: I don’t really feel super educated on this issue, but I thought I would bring it up anyway.  Some people argue that we need to hunt to control the population of animals such as deer.  However, (before I make this point, I’m just going to admit that I really don’t have any actual evidence/didn’t do any research to support this assumption) I feel like nature could probably do a pretty good job at balancing itself out without the interference of humans.  I mean, a population can only get so big before it has to level out (I know at least that much from college Biology).

***Side note: I do plan to do some more research into this in the near future!***

Animal attacks: I’m pretty sure I said this somewhere else in this post…but if an animal is going to cause you harm, then I think it is the right thing to do to defend yourself and hurt/kill that animal.

If you were starving: If, for some reason, you find yourself trapped on a deserted island with animals as your main food source, what should you do?  Personally, I don’t know what I would do because I have yet to experience that situation.  Like I mentioned above, I believe that if someone needs to eat meat in order to survive, it is the lesser-of-two-evils to eat the meat. 

12. Circle of life: animals eat other animals…why can’t we?

Since animals run around naked all day, have incestual sex, lick their pee-pees, and do a bunch of other gross things…we should do all these things too!

…

I feel there is no point adding to this argument.

I mean, there are those select few who also participate in some of the animalistic activities like those listed above (nudists, people of Oramel, etc.); however, these activities are generally frowned upon by society.

13. I’m not saying animals have more value than humans: 

I’m not putting animals on an equal playing field as humans.  However, I still believe that animals have value (not just on a dinner plate) and should likewise be respected.

***Side note: kind of an interesting thing to think about…but how do we actually measure value?  By intelligence?  By physical capabilities?  Just by species?  Personally, I find it extremely hard to measure value…especially in a non-biased, objective manner.***

14. But, what about the plants you are eating?  Aren’t they alive too???

Really?

It’s a bit ludicrous, but I have actually been asked this question quite frequently.  Usually, this question is asked kind of snidely by people who just want to mock vegetarians/vegans.

Yes, some plants have certain sensory mechanisms that can make them feel certain sensations.  Scientists today are discovering new things about plants and how complex they really are.  Who knows, perhaps plants really do feel pleasure and pain just like humans and animals do.  The thing is, we do not actually know that.  However, we do know for certain that animals most definitely feel pain and suffering.

Also, we can live without eating animals; we cannot live without eating plants (unless by some strange phenomenon you can create your own food by photosynthesis).

***Side note: look up “breatharians”***

15. Why are you so worried about animal rights when there are far greater issues with human rights such as abortion, world hunger, poverty, etc.?

It is hard for me to understand this question.  Just because I am passionate about animal rights and vegetarianism, it seems that I also cannot be equally or more passionate about human right issues or that I should not worry about animal rights because human rights are far more important.

This logic just falls flat on its face. 

Yes, I believe all these other issues are of critical importance, but I also believe that animal rights are of critical importance (perhaps to a different degree) as well.

 Why can’t I advocate for both?

Or, as the little girl says off the Old El Paso taco commercial:

¿Por qué no los dos?

16. The “all or nothing” approach, and why I believe this is idiocy:

I’ve heard people argue that, if I’m a vegetarian and advocating for animal rights, then I have to become super extreme and protest against all forms of cruelty (including human and the environment).  I also essentially cannot buy anything for that matter, because generally every item we buy can usually be linked to some form of environmental harm, animal cruelty, or slave labor. 

If I don’t do all these things, then, the argument goes, I am a complete hypocrite and should not even bother being a vegetarian.

This “all or nothing” approach is a bit stupid to me.  This will come as a shock to everyone, but I am not perfect.  I, along with the rest of mankind, am not some angelic super-being who always does the right thing every single moment.  Half of the time it is a struggle to discern what the “right” thing even is!  Because I am not a supernatural saint sent from Heaven, I make mistakes, am ignorant to certain issues, don’t know what the “right” action is to take, and sometimes I’m just a plain ol’ scumbag.  Does that mean because I advocate for a few good causes and not for others that I am a hypocrite?  Perhaps, but then, the logic follows, so is everyone.

I think the most important thing is that, when you become aware of an issue or problem, don’t just ignore it and push it off to the side.  Become more mindful and knowledgeable about the issue and try to pursue ways you can make it better (I especially need to be more proactive in this area). 

The “all or nothing” approach just does not work.  People are not perfect; they make countless mistakes.  The real error, however, is when one is aware of an injustice or wrongdoing and has the power to take corrective action, but does not or refuses to.

17. I have no idea if I am “right”:

I don’t 100% know if being a vegetarian is the “right” thing to do.  I don’t know if humans are morally supposed to eat meat or not.  This blog post is not meant to be about me shoving my beliefs in other people’s faces and doing the whole “I’m right; you’re wrong.  I’m big; you’re small.  I’m smart; you’re dumb.” extravaganza.  What I really want people to get out of this post is to better understand why I chose to become a vegetarian, to gain a new perspective, and (hopefully) to become more conscious of their eating habits.

I can’t make anyone give up their omnivorous life and become an herbivore.  Like I stated above, I’m not even certain if being a vegetarian is the “right” kind of lifestyle.  One thing that I am certain of is that my choice of not eating meat is a personal conviction that I feel pretty passionate and firmly about. 

I love animals, and it is one of my life’s aspirations to decrease the amount of suffering and suckage (yes, I realize this is not a real word) there is in this wonderful, yet often messed up world.  

This is why I am a proud veg head.

***Note: I realize that there are probably questions and misconceptions that I have accidently forgot/left out, and that I did not give a ton of details for some of my answers.  I didn’t want to turn this blog post into a novel, so I figured I should probably stop typing soon.  If you have any questions, comments, concerns, rants, raves, etc. that you would like to share, feel free to message me or leave a comment.***

***One More Note I Swear: If you are wondering why I decorated this blog post with a zillion vegetarian pictures, I found a ton of funny/true pins on Pinterest.com and had to share!***