What benefits do you get from being Vegetarian?

[Appleshampoo]

Just to make it clear I'm not interested in a meat vs no meat forum war, I just want to know what you feel are the benefits of not eating meat, or even being a Vegan.

Personally I'm one of those horrible horrible people that have trouble understanding something I don't believe in, and thus in an attempt to expand my mind I'm looking for a learning experience here!

I know most science people will tell you to eat meat because it's good for the body, so what can vegetarians do to also get this same health benefit that meat apparently gives?

Expand my mind people, expand away!

 

[Uzbekistan]

Well, I am not a vegetarian/vegan but if you don't eat meat you have to eat more fruits/veggies, so yay?

Proven by science: People who mostly eat meat have lots of stamina in short bursts while those who have a more balanced diet will have stamina all day ((Or at least for a few hours))

 

[lRookiel]

Hey there, I'm the guy you want to talk to then, I'm 18 years old and have been vegetarian ALL MY LIFE, and I've never tried any form of meat yet I'm perfectly healthy.

If your wanting to know what I eat instead to get my protein, look no further!

http://www.quorn.co.uk/Home/

Oh and also some nuts (Pistachio's.. nom nom nom)

If your wanting to know why I'm a veggie, the reason is because I'm massively against animal slaughter, It's cruel and unjust (Especially Halal and Kosher D:< )

And if you want to know the benefits, well, I get to live knowing I've chosen against horrible slaughter because there is no longer need for it, and also I'm still a healthy human being.

Plus Quorn tastes great!

 

[Ickorus]

Disclaimer: Please don't take the following sentence seriously, it's meant to be a joke, I know most vegetarians are perfectly awesome individuals and any group of people have their fair share of asshats.

The feeeling of superiority and being able to talk down to people and have them think it's perfectly normal behaviour?

Note: Feel free to take the following sentence as seriously as you like.

Honestly I don't know, I figure they feel better about themselves since most vegetarians I know are only such because they don't like the idea of animals dying for their dinner.

 

[Phishfood]

Well, theres plenty of meat substitutes out there that are passable.

There is an environmental benefit to eating more veg too - it takes less land to grow your dietry requirements in vegetables than it does in meat.

In terms of health benefits its harder to eat too many saturated fats and such when you don't eat meat.

Plus Quorn tastes great!

Disagree! Quorn goujons seem pretty good, but quorn sausages are ... well, I don't have a word for it. They just suck.

Of course, given the way most people cover their meat in a gallon of ketchup or tika sauce most people probably wouldn't notice.

I've thought about going veggie a few times to be honest, I can never quite make it.

 

[Aethren]

People who eat meat don't have to validate themselves by uselessly advertising for stupid "alternatives to meat" products, while vegans get to defy evolution and, thanks to the gluttonous nature of modern society, be choosy about what they eat.

 

[lRookiel]

Disclaimer: Please don't take the following sentence seriously, it's meant to be a joke, I know most vegetarians are perfectly awesome individuals and any group of people have their fair share of asshats.

The feeeling of superiority and being able to talk down to people and have them think it's perfectly normal behaviour?

Note: Feel free to take the following sentence as seriously as you like.

Honestly I don't know, I figure they feel better about themselves since most vegetarians I know are only such because they don't like the idea of animals dying for their dinner.

I love your avatar, its positively annoying and funny at the same time!

 

[Saulkar]

I tried being a vegetarian for one month as part of a bet and it was easily one of the worst time of my life. I did notice some improvements but the problem was... I COULD NOT FUCKING WORK OUT! I cannot take protein powder in any form so I had to make due with lots of alternatives that simply were not cutting it. I have a very small stomach 40-55% the size of a normal humans and thus I eat lots of small meals over the day and replacing the meat in my diet left me unable to properly power lift. The one who I made the bet with was the one controlling my diet and he works out as well but is more cardio than anything else. I normally squat 300-400 pounds but I could barely do 200 after 2 weeks of nothing but a vegetarian diet. I simply could not eat enough food to sustain me and my workout due to how little I could eat at a time. It might work for other people but not for me.

 

[similar.squirrel]

Meat is really f-cking expensive. And it makes you feel greasy after eating it.

 

[lRookiel]

Plus Quorn tastes great!

Disagree! Quorn goujons seem pretty good, but quorn sausages are ... well, I don't have a word for it. They just suck.

Of course, given the way most people cover their meat in a gallon of ketchup or tika sauce most people probably wouldn't notice.

I've thought about going veggie a few times to be honest, I can never quite make it.

Try the peppered steaks, SO GOOD!

OT:

The only downside I can think of being vegetarian is the constant debate, I'm the only veggie in my class so someone has to ask me at least once a week "Why are you a veggie?" It does get annoying sometimes and for the umpteenth time I have to explain it! >.<

 

[piratejames]

Different diets have different effects on everyone. Some of the top mixed martial artists are vegetarian or vegan and it works for them, for some others the diet just doesn't. If you are thinking of becoming vegetarian consult your doctor first.

I've been eating a mostly pescatarian (no meat except fish, I think) diet for a while because I just dislike the taste of most meats.

Like I said, best bet is to talk to your doctor, maybe see about trying the diet for a month or so.

 

[ACman]

Food's cheap and you consume less saturated fat.

I'm not vegetarian but those are the obvious pros that I can appreciate.

 

[steeple]

If your wanting to know why I'm a veggie, the reason is because I'm massively against animal slaughter, It's cruel and unjust (Especially Halal and Kosher D:< )

now, I'm not going to say anything against your choice (hey, if you think meat is wrong, then who am I to argue about your beliefs), but what I am going to ask is why kosher is even worse then regular slaughter? as far as I've been told the whole point of it is to be as humane as possible with the animals with a precise blow to make sure no unnecessary pain will happen, and if the first blow doesnt kill the animal at the exact moment then it's not kosher anymore...

 

[Phoenixlight]

Moral superiority knowing that you're doing the right thing.

 

[Wintermoot]

the idea that you think you are better then anyone other then that cheaper food?
also you can,t replace everything with veggies some nutrients can only come from meat the reason Indian Guru,s don,t die is because vegetables in India sometimes contain bugs giving them the nutrients they need vegetables in the west tend to be bug free.
PS
also you can,t live from meat alone either humans are omnivores meaning that we NEED to eat both meat and fruits/vegetables.

 

[lRookiel]

If your wanting to know why I'm a veggie, the reason is because I'm massively against animal slaughter, It's cruel and unjust (Especially Halal and Kosher D:< )

now, I'm not going to say anything against your choice (hey, if you think meat is wrong, then who am I to argue about your beliefs), but what I am going to ask is why kosher is even worse then regular slaughter? as far as I've been told the whole point of it is to be as humane as possible with the animals with a precise blow to make sure no unnecessary pain will happen, and if the first blow doesnt kill the animal at the exact moment then it's not kosher anymore...

dude its awful they don't use sedatives on any of the animals so they are always aware of what's happening.

 

[Elsarild]

Well, I am not a vegetarian/vegan but if you don't eat meat you have to eat more fruits/veggies, so yay?

Proven by science: People who mostly eat meat have lots of stamina in short bursts while those who have a more balanced diet will have stamina all day ((Or at least for a few hours))

Not that cool when it has been proven that most vegan diets lead to osteoporosis in middle aged people.

I'll take my energy in short bursts.

OT: I believe the only "good" thing about is that you get less fat and sugar, so I guess that can be considered healthy.

But overall, I believe the best about it, is the feeling most people get when they can say they don't eat meat.

 

[Wintermoot]

If your wanting to know why I'm a veggie, the reason is because I'm massively against animal slaughter, It's cruel and unjust (Especially Halal and Kosher D:< )

now, I'm not going to say anything against your choice (hey, if you think meat is wrong, then who am I to argue about your beliefs), but what I am going to ask is why kosher is even worse then regular slaughter? as far as I've been told the whole point of it is to be as humane as possible with the animals with a precise blow to make sure no unnecessary pain will happen, and if the first blow doesnt kill the animal at the exact moment then it's not kosher anymore...

dude its awful they don't use sedatives on any of the animals so they are always aware of what's happening.

you don,t have to eat kosher/halal regular meat comes from animals that die immediately (IE cows get a pin through their head killing them instantly)
besides not eating meat isn,t going to save animals.