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What kind of vegetarian are you?
There are many different terms vegetarians and vegans use to define their diets. How do you define yourself and why?
Tags: definition, vegan, vegetarian
Views: 674
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Veronica Giggey on -
I have never liked meat so about 2 years ago I decided to make it official. As time went on, I found I had a harder time with milk and eggs. I'm not quite vegan, giving up cheese would actually feel like a chore, so for now, I'm just a vegetarian who doesn't drink milk or eats eggs.
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Permalink Reply by Betsy Bailey on -
I've been vegan for about 7 years, after being vegetarian for about 4 years, and have been leaning more and more towards a mostly raw diet. I never actually made a decision to go vegetarian, it just kind of happened naturally. I was always into health and after reading a lot about the hormones and chemicals used in producing meat, it gradually became unappealing to me. After that, I discovered all of the other reasons for being vegan (environmental, animal rights, etc.) and it all made so much sense! Now, I feel I'm transitioning again towards a raw diet, because it seems the most natural to me, though I'm struggling a bit with some cravings for vegan cooked foods. Eating raw also helps me control my weight and I find that my muscles recover better after a tough match (I play volleyball) if I'm eating raw.
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Permalink Reply by Crazy Vegan Mom on
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I am vegan. I became vegetarian 17 years ago because I could not justify harming or killing animals. I switched to vegan about 4 years later when I realized that the dairy industry and egg industry are even more cruel than the meat industry.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah Dzikowicz on -
I define myself as a Raw Foodist - I went straight from the Standard American Diet to a Raw Vegan Diet about 11 months ago. I lost 20 lbs ... my running has improved ... and, my cholesterol has dropped to 132! I made the switch for health reasons.
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Permalink Reply by Vega Loan on -
I guess I would call myself a lacto-ovo vegetarian for now. I became vegetarian February of last year after working for Sequel for about 6 months. I learned a lot about how the types of foods affects our health and I thought I'd give it a try. I didn't really eat a lot of meat to start with so I didn't think it would affect me all that much. I'd have to say that the transition was quite easy, however I love cheese. It's one of the hardest things to give up. I don't really eat eggs, unless it is already in something I eat such as cake, which is not often at all. Since my transition, I've lost a bit of weight and have a lot more energy than I did before. I never feel tired after a meal and I find that I actually eat less than I used to. For me, I believe it was a good choice and I don't think I'll ever turn back to eating meat again. I'm thinking I may start to slowly transition into eating more raw foods in the near future and of course, giving up the cheese all together. Still working on that!
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Permalink Reply by Sara Westbrook on -
I am Vegan and have been for about 8 years. I love it!
I like to combine a bit of the 'Macrobiotic' way of eating with the 'RAW food' way of eating. For me it is a great combination. Everyone is different- Every body is different, so I really feel that each person needs to find what works for them. It is a journey- your Body can teach you a lot!
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Permalink Reply by Frances Worster on -
I have a dilemma. I have been practicing a vegan diet for a year now and am VERY happy to have cut dairy, eggs, meat, processed foods etc. from my diet, and am interested in raw and macrobiotic nutrition. However, as a horseback rider, I use animal products for my sport (leather saddle, boots, bridle, etc.) and alternative materials are not an option in the show ring. However, I feel strongly about how industries that make animal products treat animals, damage the environment, etc. I classify myself as vegan (at least for simplicity's sake, though I'm sure stringent vegans may take an issue with this). I'm interested in people's thoughts on this.
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Permalink Reply by Lemon_Yellow on -
I'm an aspiring vegan, I usually just say I'm vegetarian to avoid having to explain what a vegan is. I hate milk, but sometimes I miss cheese and egg whites and Hellman's Mayonnaise (ick I know)
I stopped eating meat at 15, but when I moved in with my (now-ex) husband I went back to eating poultry and some fish to simplify things, as he was not vegetarian but would put up with having a red-meat free house. My children were brought up never eating red meat, and very little poultry/seafood. That's how things were for almost 7 years. But when I became separated it occured to me that I could be vegetarian again. After visiting vegan friends a few summer ago I decided to move us towards veganism, for many reasons. We aren't perfect vegans but we do our best living in a small town where even vegetarianism is considered 'weird'. I'd say we eat 1 serving of dairy/eggs 3-4 times a week. The kids can choose up to 1-non-vegan food/meal per day. It's been about 1 year since we made the switch, and they have slowly come on board, they are 5 & 8. It's hard for the kids at school, birthday parties, etc. because they get teased (especially if they eat something non-vegan like a Babybel!). Where we fall short in diet, I try to make up for by being vigilant in the other areas of our life. We don't wear leather/fur/down, or use products tested on animals, etc.
It's the dbl standard that I can't stand. If you are a vegetarian who is allergic to milk/eggs...that's ok, people feel sorry for you. If you are a vegetarian who chooses not to eat milk/eggs (vegan)..then people thinks you're a freak who has gone too far! My ex-husband told the kids that veganism is "going too far" and he would sabotage me at the beginning taking the kids out for ice cream etc. I used to send things with the kids, but it was pointless, foods would come back spoiled or unopened. I'm hoping he'll come around eventually and at least start stocking some vegan options at his house. At least he doesn't force them to eat meat, they'd kick up a major fuss.
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Permalink Reply by Lemon_Yellow on
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Maybe you can design your own line of animal-friendly horseback riding products! It is impossible to be 100% vegan, everything around us has touched animals in some way, or destroyed their habitat, etc. You've made a positive impact by changing the way you eat.
(confessions: my car has leather interior....I hate it! but I made the decision before I was vegan, and upholstery does not stand up to children! My daughter also dances, and canvas ballet shoes still have suede bottoms. Even if I could afford them and the expensive shipping costs vegan ballet shoes don't come in her size. I do the best I can, and if militant vegans want to criticize me for eating honey or for my kids' dance shoes, then they are not seeing the positive impact i have made by changing our life-style in other ways. They can lick me today =)
Frances Worster said:I have a dilemma. I have been practicing a vegan diet for a year now and am VERY happy to have cut dairy, eggs, meat, processed foods etc. from my diet, and am interested in raw and macrobiotic nutrition. However, as a horseback rider, I use animal products for my sport (leather saddle, boots, bridle, etc.) and alternative materials are not an option in the show ring. However, I feel strongly about how industries that make animal products treat animals, damage the environment, etc. I classify myself as vegan (at least for simplicity's sake, though I'm sure stringent vegans may take an issue with this). I'm interested in people's thoughts on this.
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Permalink Reply by Rick Hughes on
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I understand where you are coming from. I need a new belt, don't want leather. Choices for shoes are tough. I use as little animal product as possible and that is worth the effort.
Frances Worster said:I have a dilemma. I have been practicing a vegan diet for a year now and am VERY happy to have cut dairy, eggs, meat, processed foods etc. from my diet, and am interested in raw and macrobiotic nutrition. However, as a horseback rider, I use animal products for my sport (leather saddle, boots, bridle, etc.) and alternative materials are not an option in the show ring. However, I feel strongly about how industries that make animal products treat animals, damage the environment, etc. I classify myself as vegan (at least for simplicity's sake, though I'm sure stringent vegans may take an issue with this). I'm interested in people's thoughts on this.
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I guess I call my self, mostly vegan. Unless some milk or egg is an ingredient in something I can't control (bought out on the fly). I just found a lady locally that has a few chickens (layers) and she feeds them only organically. I am considering an egg or two under those conditions. The mostly comes in to play also with the fact that some things I owned prior to my awakening are leather, but I try nbot to buy animal products anymore.
I made the switch two years ago without forethought. I wathed the movie "Earthlings" and by the time the credits rolled... I was done with animal products.
I find it very strange that some vegetarians eat all kinds of dairy and fish!! VEGetarian?
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Permalink Reply by Vega Kelly on -
Rick,
I just watched Earthlings. I totally agree - don't think I can eat meat again. Now that I don't eat it, I don't miss it. Sometimes get a little flack from friends but that's not so bad. :)
Rick Hughes said:I guess I call my self, mostly vegan. Unless some milk or egg is an ingredient in something I can't control (bought out on the fly). I just found a lady locally that has a few chickens (layers) and she feeds them only organically. I am considering an egg or two under those conditions. The mostly comes in to play also with the fact that some things I owned prior to my awakening are leather, but I try nbot to buy animal products anymore.
I made the switch two years ago without forethought. I wathed the movie "Earthlings" and by the time the credits rolled... I was done with animal products.
I find it very strange that some vegetarians eat all kinds of dairy and fish!! VEGetarian?
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