Vegetarianism

An interesting side effect of becoming vegetarian has been the questions people have asked. I am a rare breed: a southerner that doesn’t eat meat. I have unintentionally become the vegetarian ambassador for many of my friends and coworkers. By virtue of my uniqueness, I am their teacher. The misconceptions are many, and curiosity about this lifestyle choice is high. The number one question I have had seems simple: “Why?”

The answers are somewhat less simple. What is the real question here? Since I am reformed at the modest age of 37, I believe the real question is not really just “why,” but also: why now? What was the catalyst? This is what catches people’s interest. In an age of apathy and inaction, taking a step – any step – seems powerful. The “reasons” not to change are numerous. “The Reason” a change occurs must therefore be compelling.

For me, the catalyst came stealthily. I’ve always been interested in vegetarianism, and in fact had numerous vegetarian cookbooks and cooked many vegetarian meals before converting. So it should be no surprise that, while on a weekend trip to Asheville, NC, I picked up a vegetarian publication when I saw it in a free-newsletter format on a sidewalk. I did not suspect that the surprise centerfold was the agricultural horror story that is meat production in America. In a world as desensitized to gore and violence as ours, I guess I can’t blame PETA for relying on similarly extreme tactics to get our attention.*

When I tell this story, the universal reaction from omnivores is “Aah! No! Stop there! I don’t want to know.” But I needed to know. We should all need to know. Part of what is enabling our current lifestyle is our separation from the suffering that occurs. These animals have the same basic life systems that humans do. They have nerve endings. They can experience fear, and pain. And if you think differently, well, frankly, you’re a fool. And you are wrong. Maybe you are in denial about the horrifying state of production. Perhaps you buy "free range," "organic," or another variety of ambiguous labeling and numb any guilt or curiousity by convincing yourself (incorrectly) that this is a sufficient improvement. Worst yet, maybe you just don’t care.

I care. I needed to know. Once I knew, I changed.

Since adopting the change I have also adopted a true belief in the value of my change. Not only is it better for the animals, it is better for the environment in ways too numerous to detail here. And it is better for me.

If you want to learn more, there are a wide variety of resources available to you. Among them, I highly recommend the book The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter by Peter Singer.

And now, for my part, here goes:

1) I get plenty of protein. I don’t have to work any harder at it than I did before – in fact, it’s easier! Where I once used to have to be sure I cooked and ate meat with one of my meals, I now have to make sure eat one of the numerous other protein sources. As noted in one online article, “You can get all the protein you need from plants: soy products, nuts and seeds, sprouts, green vegetables, and even quinoa” (http://www.newstarget.com/001519.html).

2) I don’t have to worry about getting the right mix of vitamins. If I eat a variety of foods (variety is the spice of life), then I get all the vitamins that I need.

3) I don’t eat a lot of tofu. Or salads.

And finally

4) No. I really don’t miss it.

* I do not entirely agree or align myself with PETA’s missions or tactics.