Any Vegans or Vegetarians Out There
 

I pretty much wanna know if there are any other vegetarians or even vegans that are on here. I really guess I want to have a little comradery in that area. I am just curious.:bloogrin: And also if this is in the wrong area please tell me.

Yep, I'm a vegetarian (have been since I was 11, largely for ethical reasons but also because I'm not especially keen on meat-based foods). I'm often quite nervous to mention it in certain social situations, because it leaves me open to a lot of rather uncalled-for rebuking from meat-eaters, but I'm sure the people at NF are more mature than that. ;)

Being a vegetarian is, of course, an individual lifestyle choice, and I've always respected the decisions of those who choose to eat meat (my family, my friends, even my pets are all meat-eaters, so I'm quite comfortable with it being eaten around me). And it's always nice to get that kind of respect in return.

What's the difference between a vegetarian and a vegan? I could never understand the difference or mindsets of either. I know that most vegetarians chose that path out of a love of animals but its not the path for me.
I don't mind vegetarians as long as they're not the pushy ones that condemn you for eating meat. It's too bad that more people I meet can't just agree to disagree and respect each others eating habits like us, we have different views on it, but we're cool with each other and get along. :D

The fundamental difference is that while vegetarianism refers to an abstinence from all meat and meat by-products, veganism refers to an entire abstinence from animal-based food products altogether, which extends to dairy and eggs.

And I have no argument with your last point. I'm all for a perfect world in which nobody need face harrassment for their dietary choices, whether meat-eating or vegetarian. :D

I believe veganism is also supposed to preclude the use of animal products that are not food, such as leather and fur.

My diet is largely vegetarian for health reasons. My health is fine, but why wait for a heart attack to make changes? Most of the cheese products I eat are soy-based or otherwise free of saturated fat. Red meat is out, thought there are days when I'd happily kill for a 32-oz steak. I eat a lot more fish than I used to, usually orange roughy, with has no saturated fat and is low in calories, too.

This is cool to find another vegetarian on here. And 11 years, that is an inspiration to me. Thanks for posting, kind of made my day.

Okay that makes sense. I knew (or assumed) that vegetarians must fall back on eggs and other by-products to get the protein that they would otherwise miss out on from meat. Thanks for the info, jekyill.:D

Yeah, no kidding. :P It's fine, if one doesn't want to eat meat (I totally respect that), as long as they respect the fact that I LIKE meat.

Is there nobody on the forum who's vegetarian through culture rather than personal choice? There's a lot of them of them out there you know. I hope you're all taking your B12 supplements as that's the only thing humans need that mostly enters the diet through animal sources.

I've been vegetarian through choice but I've also been very poor and in those circumstances you tend eat whatever you get your hands on. One of the best arguments for vegetarianism is that meat production produces the lowest energy output for land used (except for in the forest enviroment) which becomes increasingly significant as the global population rockets toward 7 Billion. Better get used to liking Soya! And algae.

For me to be vegetarian now would be completely hypocritical as I regularly kill large numbers animals to keep them from eating the damn plants I depend on for my continued survival. Admittedly these are almost exclusively insects and molluscs but at what point would I draw the line between worthy or unworthy animals? Besides I love eating poor old Trout and in the end, something's going to eat me even if it's only worms, bacteria or fire. Not too late for the tigers though. Nice pussy.

If most efficient usage was a concern then humanity should turn to:
Spoiler Below

but would that defeat being a vegitarian?
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Spoilers were used to not offend anyone.

Monty :-/