Thinking of becoming a vegetarian? It’s a personal choice, but in a nutshell, here’s why I did, with quotes from some famous historical vegos to back me up.
Save yourself, save the world
The largest epidemiological study ever conducted (the China-Oxford-Cornell study) found that vegetarians and vegans have superior immune function and are far less likely to get diabetes, weight problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, breast cancer or osteoporosis. They also have more stamina.
What’s more, eating local and vegetarian saves more land, energy and water than any other green choice you can make. Sustainable eating is what this is all about.
“Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” — Albert Einstein.
I love animals
Who doesn’t? In 2009 I started campaigning against animal cruelty. Eating meat made me a hypocrite. So, I stopped eating red meat and chicken as a month-long experiment. I didn’t think I’d last — omnivorous foodie that I was. But I got through a month and kept going.
“Now I can look at you in peace; I don’t eat you anymore.” — Franz Kafka
I don’t need meat
It’s a balancing act. I eventually got a blood test and some professional advice, and by taking iron with vitamin C (instead of iron alone), and upping the vitamin B, I got all my energy back. Now I know I can do it! I feel lighter and younger. My skin is clear. When I eat the right vegies, legumes and nuts I don’t even need supplements. I’m a pasta girl, maybe we can work on some new recipes together.
“To become vegetarian is to step into the stream which leads to nirvana.” — Buddha
What will people say?
Just tell them it’s a health choice. With all the fad diets around today, a vegetarian diet is pretty easy to adopt. There are fabulous vego restaurants, websites, cookbooks and great options in all conscious restaurants. If they want to make an issue out of it, you can ask, “Why do you still eat meat?”
“My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chided for my singularity, but with this lighter repast I made the greater progress, for greater clearness of head and quicker comprehension.” — Benjamin Franklin
Post Script: It’s now five years since I wrote this article and I haven’t eaten chicken or red meat again, but I do eat the occasional locally caught fish. I have a few vegan friends and some vegetarians and some meat eaters and some pescatarians and some raw foodies. To each his own, I say, but do what you can.
This article first appeared on aww.com.au.