[CFrance]

Recently a post was closed which had spawned a debate about the disadvantages of being a vegetarian or vegan. It began with an interesting article.

Here is another article about the possible dangers of such a diet. Why You Should Think Twice About Vegetarian and Vegan Diets It may be the same article as previously linked; I'm not sure.

I am interested in hearing from people who have chosen to follow a diet that includes a bit of everything--why you like it, how it makes you feel, how your health is. I was a vegetarian for over ten years and only recently began adding meat and fish to my diet once or twice per week. I found that the vegetarian diet was either extremely boring or very labor-intensive if one wanted more creative dishes. Although I still don't eat things that walk around on four legs, I am finding my diet to be much more interesting and frankly, I feel better. (My general health is excellent in terms of bp and cholesterol, etc.)

I am NOT trying to stir any pot. I am truly interested in people's reasons for eating a meat-inclusive diet. I am NOT interested in hearing why we should not. We have had an abundance of reporting from that faction. Now I would like to hear from the other side.

If anyone has any more links to articles about the subject, I would appreciate having them linked on this thread.

[John_W]

I would love to be a vegetarian. In fact we just got back from eating at Sweet Tomatoes. I do eat a lot of vegetables and fruit but what's holding me back is I hate fish. Literally I can't stand the taste of fish ever since I was a kid. I tried it again in the 80's and still hated it. I like shrimp and crab but honestly there isn't enough food for me to exist on besides vegetables alone. I don't have a weight problem, if anything, I try to put on weight and can't. I'm 5'9" and 155 pounds, it's pretty much the perfect BMI and weight for my height and especially my age.

[gomoho]

Pure and simple CFrance. I like to eat meat, but I also love, love, love vegetables. So I'm happy with what I'm doing. FYI - my daughter has been Vegan forever and it is a pain in the arse when we get together and want to go to dinner. If we can find an Indian restaurant everyone is usually happy, but it can be quite the challenge at times.

[OBXNana]

This is an easy question for me. I don't care for meat. I do like things that swim in the sea and chicken. Not eating beef is no sacrifice for me. We eat a lot of vegetables and it does take time cutting them up. It's also difficult to find fresh vegetables in the winter in PA. I use a lot of spices and herbs, finding we don't miss salt and keeps meals interesting. I made cheese "steak" sandwiches tonight and used mushrooms instead of beef. My husband has no idea and simply thought I cooked the meat too long and was a different consistency. Amazing what a few spices will do. He is a meat eater.

The down side to my preference for not being a carnivore is my iron and Vitamin D are low. I have to take supplements and have blood work done every 6 months. I've never been a big meat eater and have always had issues with iron.

Now I just wish I didn't care for Snicker Bars and wine. (Not together!)

Good topic. Thanks for beginning a thread that is simply opinion and nobody is right or wrong.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by OBXNana

This is an easy question for me. I don't care for meat. I do like things that swim in the sea and chicken. Not eating beef is no sacrifice for me. We eat a lot of vegetables and it does take time cutting them up. It's also difficult to find fresh vegetables in the winter in PA. I use a lot of spices and herbs, finding we don't miss salt and keeps meals interesting. I made cheese "steak" sandwiches tonight and used mushrooms instead of beef. My husband has no idea and simply thought I cooked the meat too long and was a different consistency. Amazing what a few spices will do. He is a meat eater.

The down side to my preference for not being a carnivore is my iron and Vitamin D are low. I have to take supplements and have blood work done every 6 months. I've never been a big meat eater and have always had issues with iron.

Now I just wish I didn't care for Snicker Bars and wine. (Not together!)

Good topic. Thanks for beginning a thread that is simply opinion and nobody is right or wrong.

You're welcome, and thank you for your thoughts, OBXNana. And I think I will not try the Snickers and wine together either!

[hulahips]

As a health enthusiast I do believe in moderation. Chicken and fish I eat the majority of the time with occasionally beef for the iron. Yes I feel much better and have more energy when I get my protein in. Carbs make me sluggish. My opinion is vegetarians can eat too much cheese which can be fattening. beans and tofu are good sources of protein as well as eggs. Eat everything in moderation and do the best you can

[DougB]

9 out of 10 cannibals agree--vegetarians taste better!

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by CFrance

You're welcome, and thank you for your thoughts, OBXNana. And I think I will not try the Snickers and wine together either!

CF - if it's a nice red (maybe a cab or Zin) it might go nicely with a snickers.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by hulahips

As a health enthusiast I do believe in moderation. Chicken and fish I eat the majority of the time with occasionally beef for the iron. Yes I feel much better and have more energy when I get my protein in. Carbs make me sluggish. My opinion is vegetarians can eat too much cheese which can be fattening. beans and tofu are good sources of protein as well as eggs. Eat everything in moderation and do the best you can

You have a wonderful method. I firmly believe in moderation.

[graciegirl]

I eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, low in fat and with small portions of meat or fish or poultry because I believe that is the healthiest diet for me and my husband and daughter. When I eat something really not particularly good for me, it is generally a salty snack. I like salty snacks better than sweets. (But not always)

One of the reasons that I am not a vegan is that most vegans are annoying. They bring up their diet, always ready to take the world on, believing that people are interested in what they eat.. I consider talking about likes and dislikes in food a LOT as just plain poor manners. A lot would be when it is brought up and it wasn't even remotely the subject of that evenings or mornings or golf's conversation.

Here is something kinda fun to read on the subject;

http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/...gan#.fpoO590qO

[Barefoot]

Oh what fun. A thread where we can talk about what we eat and not get bombed.
I gave up eating red meat ten years ago, only because I like cows.
I don't take daily Meds.
My blood pressure is low, but that's genetics, no thanks to me!!
I feel that I eat too much chicken, although I try for free-range chicken that hasn't been injected with a lot of junk.
Same for eggs.
I eat a lot of dairy -- I believe women need lots of calcium.

I grew up on the Atlantic Ocean and I really enjoy shellfish.
However, like John W, I dislike fish. If I eat fishy fish, the taste has to be disguised.
Salmon on a cedar plank, sole with a sauce, etc.
I try hard to limit carbs in my daily diet, they make me sluggish.
I drink a lot of smoothies, almond/coconut milk with vegan protein powder and ground flaxseed.
We go out to eat a lot, and I usually order a salad with shrimp or chicken.
Oh, and I like wine!

I think we all need to find what works for us and makes us healthy and go with it.
There is no one right answer!

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

…...One of the reasons that I am not a vegan is that most vegans are annoying. They bring up their diet, always ready to take the world on, believing that people are interested in what they eat.. I consider talking about likes and dislikes in food a LOT as just plain poor manners. A lot would be when it is brought up and it wasn't even remotely the subject of that evenings or mornings or golf's conversation……..

I agree, and here is the perfect comedy about the competition for piety in eating:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lraD...8&spfreload=10

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, low in fat and with small portions of meat or fish or poultry because I believe that is the healthiest diet for me and my husband and daughter. When I eat something really not particularly good for me, it is generally a salty snack. I like salty snacks better than sweets. (But not always)

One of the reasons that I am not a vegan is that most vegans are annoying. They bring up their diet, always ready to take the world on, believing that people are interested in what they eat.. I consider talking about likes and dislikes in food a LOT as just plain poor manners. A lot would be when it is brought up and it wasn't even remotely the subject of that evenings or mornings or golf's conversation.

Here is something kinda fun to read on the subject;

http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/...gan#.fpoO590qO

Thank you Gracie! You have said exactly what I have thought for years.

Most vegans are annoying, boring, self centered, etc. Shall I go on? They all seem to have an agenda and are like the very religious fanactics who think their way is the only way. The same holds true for gluten-minded people who medically, don't need to eat a gluten-free diet but do so because it's currently in style.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Oh what fun. A thread where we can talk about what we eat and not get bombed.
I gave up eating red meat ten years ago, only because I like cows.
I don't take daily Meds.
My blood pressure is low, but that's genetics, no thanks to me!!
I feel that I eat too much chicken, although I try for free-range chicken that hasn't been injected with a lot of junk.
Same for eggs.
I eat a lot of dairy -- I believe women need lots of calcium.

I grew up on the Atlantic Ocean and I really enjoy shellfish.
However, like John W, I dislike fish. If I eat fishy fish, the taste has to be disguised.
Salmon on a cedar plank, sole with a sauce, etc.
I try hard to limit carbs in my daily diet, they make me sluggish.
I drink a lot of smoothies, almond/coconut milk with vegan protein powder and ground flaxseed.
We go out to eat a lot, and I usually order a salad with shrimp or chicken.
Oh, and I like wine!

I think we all need to find what works for us and makes us healthy and go with it.
There is no one right answer!

Bare - I'm a little surprised you don't like fish since you grew up near the Atlantic. I like most fish: tuna, haddock, salmon, cod, swordfish, etc. I'm guessing you had a bad experience with fish at some point. Fresh fish will never smell fishy - that's a sign that you should not eat it. Interestingly, I only eat fish from the ocean - no fresh water varieties, except for aqua farmed catfish (must be the 8 years I spent in Mississippi). Wine goes so well with fish.

[dbussone]

Gracie - I followed the link you posted. I'm guilty of #1. I have always pronounce the word as vaygun. Must be my Yankee upbringing. And veeegan just strikes me as strange sounding. Why isn't the "e" in vegan pronounced like the first "e" in vegetables. That would make more sense.