How to Treat Vegetarians
Writer shares view on the plight of the veggie eater
Sam Smith
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: ViewPoint
I have soybeans! See www.happycow.net for more information.
"But you have to eat meat to survive."
I have not had meat for nearly two years, and I have never felt healthier.
See www.glutenfreevegan.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/chart.jpg for a chart comparing our teeth to carnivorous, omnivorous, and herbivorous teeth in other animals.
There is an undeniable similarity between human teeth and herbivorous teeth, so the argument that meat is needed for survival is highly disputable.
"I just love meat," some people say, "it tastes so good. I admire you, but I just couldn't do it."
I understand that meat-eaters love the taste of meat, but this is one of the most offensive things one can say to a vegetarian. Talking to a vegetarian about meat tasting great is no different than talking to someone who is a minority about racism being fun.
"I'm glad I don't see the animal getting killed, because I wouldn't be able to eat it."
This assertion is perhaps the most unnerving, especially in regards to how casually the speaker says it.
To admit knowing of the pain animals suffer before they are used as food and to speak of eating it shows a paradox of character.
I advise anyone who cares about animals to research the methods taken by slaughterhouses and food chains. This is not to "scare" people into vegetarianism, but to inform them of what exactly they are eating.
My favorite reaction from people when they hear I'm a vegetarian is, "Wasn't Hitler a vegetarian?"
Hitler actually had "a special fondness for Bavarian sausages" according to biographer Robert Payne. Besides, wasn't Jeffrey Dahmer a meat-eater? There is no real case for or against an issue based on one person, especially if the person concerned suffered mental illness.
So to those who eat meat, please be a little more sensitive about the subject around vegetarians.
"When did you decide to stop eating meat?" is much better than, "But it tastes so good!"
Eating less meat never hurt anyone either. It is much healthier to halve your meat portion and double your vegetable and fruit intake, especially if you frequently eat red meat (which is linked to colon cancer).
Just saying.
"But you have to eat meat to survive."
I have not had meat for nearly two years, and I have never felt healthier.
See www.glutenfreevegan.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/chart.jpg for a chart comparing our teeth to carnivorous, omnivorous, and herbivorous teeth in other animals.
There is an undeniable similarity between human teeth and herbivorous teeth, so the argument that meat is needed for survival is highly disputable.
"I just love meat," some people say, "it tastes so good. I admire you, but I just couldn't do it."
I understand that meat-eaters love the taste of meat, but this is one of the most offensive things one can say to a vegetarian. Talking to a vegetarian about meat tasting great is no different than talking to someone who is a minority about racism being fun.
"I'm glad I don't see the animal getting killed, because I wouldn't be able to eat it."
This assertion is perhaps the most unnerving, especially in regards to how casually the speaker says it.
To admit knowing of the pain animals suffer before they are used as food and to speak of eating it shows a paradox of character.
I advise anyone who cares about animals to research the methods taken by slaughterhouses and food chains. This is not to "scare" people into vegetarianism, but to inform them of what exactly they are eating.
My favorite reaction from people when they hear I'm a vegetarian is, "Wasn't Hitler a vegetarian?"
Hitler actually had "a special fondness for Bavarian sausages" according to biographer Robert Payne. Besides, wasn't Jeffrey Dahmer a meat-eater? There is no real case for or against an issue based on one person, especially if the person concerned suffered mental illness.
So to those who eat meat, please be a little more sensitive about the subject around vegetarians.
"When did you decide to stop eating meat?" is much better than, "But it tastes so good!"
Eating less meat never hurt anyone either. It is much healthier to halve your meat portion and double your vegetable and fruit intake, especially if you frequently eat red meat (which is linked to colon cancer).
Just saying.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Arno from Holland
posted 10/10/08 @ 12:54 PM CST
I have never eaten fear in my life. I'm 53 years now. My parents started to be a vegetarian in 1930.
Claire
posted 10/26/08 @ 7:35 AM CST
I am a teenager and I recently became vegetarian about a year ago. Sometimes it is difficult, but I never give in, and I am sick of how everyone questions why, and waving their ham sandwiches beneath my nose in what they think is an "enticing" or insulting way, or poking fun at me just because I don't eat corpse :)
It is a bit annoying to have to take iron pills to stop myself from falling asleep at school but I put up with it knowing that no animals are dying on my behalf. (Continued…)
Jason Murray
posted 10/28/08 @ 10:12 AM CST
If you supplement your diet with spinach, kale, broccoli and other "green leafies", you will find your need for iron tablets to be greatly diminished, if not removed completely. (Continued…)
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