Turning Vegetarian

[All Seeing Eye]

Shoot em, shock' em, slit their throats...none of it matters to me except when I am frying that steak or chicken or roasting some pork that the end results is a juicy piece of meat then I am happy. I love vegetables, but I aint giving up meat because of some animal suffering. Tough luck they werent born human.

and when you get reincarnated as a pig for the next 60 rebirths you'll wish you was more enlightened.

 

[Captain Intrepid]

In recent months I've been kind of trying to change my diet, too. I'm not completely cutting out meats, but I have cut back big time on beef and pork. Now I mostly try to eat chicken (which isn't hard for me, since chicken has always been my favorite meat) and fish, and I've been adding a larger amount and a more varied selection of fruits and vegetables than the old mainstays.

That's more of the ticket than cutting meat out completely. Unless you're real active, you only need a little meat in your diet to stay healthy, and chicken tends to be less fatty than beef or pork depending on how it's prepared (obviously deep fat frying it wouldn't be a good).

Just wanted to chime in as a certified omnivore bordering on carnivore, it's perfectly possible to be a vegetarian and be fully healthy. You just have to make sure you're getting a complete protein, and enough of all the nutrients you require.

 

[Captain X]

It's possible to be vegetarian and fully healthy if you can afford a nutritionist who can make sure you get the things your body needs artificially since you've decided nature got it all wrong and refuse to get those things naturally. That and a personal fitness instructor to make sure you're keeping active so your body doesn't go for its own muscles.

and when you get reincarnated as a pig for the next 60 rebirths you'll wish you was more enlightened.

Good thing there's no such thing.

 

[All Seeing Eye]

Good thing there's no such thing.

I don't believe it neither but i'm open to the fact it may be possible and it's times like these I hope it is true.

 

[Captain Intrepid]

It's possible to be vegetarian and fully healthy if you can afford a nutritionist who can make sure you get the things your body needs artificially since you've decided nature got it all wrong and refuse to get those things naturally. That and a personal fitness instructor to make sure you're keeping active so your body doesn't go for its own muscles.

The kind of person who need a nutritionist to tell them what to eat as a vegetarian to be healthy, would need a nutritionist as a meat eater to tell them that three servings of lard a day doesn't constitute a balanced diet.

And as for the fitness instructor? That's also bull feces. So long as you get enough protein in your diet you'll be fine.

 

[Captain X]

The kind of person who need a nutritionist to tell them what to eat as a vegetarian to be healthy, would need a nutritionist as a meat eater to tell them that three servings of lard a day doesn't constitute a balanced diet.

Hmmm... Meat =/ lard. So why would anyone getting nutrients their body needs from a natural source who doesn't take their meat swimming in fat need someone to tell them how much of an artificial supplement they need to take from an alternative source because they think they know more than nature and evolution? Not that having one to give you a better idea about portions wouldn't be cool, but need? Not really.

And as for the fitness instructor? That's also bull feces. So long as you get enough protein in your diet you'll be fine.

You body goes after whatever is easiest, that's why when you're starving it goes after muscle before it goes after fat. Not to mention that muscles are a dandy source of protein, so exercise to make it a bit harder for your body to go after your muscles in lieu of those pills you took would be a good thing, and is probably why a lot of vegetarians tend to be on the scrawny side.

 

[Captain Intrepid]

The kind of person who need a nutritionist to tell them what to eat as a vegetarian to be healthy, would need a nutritionist as a meat eater to tell them that three servings of lard a day doesn't constitute a balanced diet.

Hmmm... Meat =/ lard. So why would anyone getting nutrients their body needs from a natural source who doesn't take their meat swimming in fat need someone to tell them how much of an artificial supplement they need to take from an alternative source because they think they know more than nature and evolution? Not that having one to give you a better idea about portions wouldn't be cool, but need? Not really.

And as for the fitness instructor? That's also bull feces. So long as you get enough protein in your diet you'll be fine.

You body goes after whatever is easiest, that's why when you're starving it goes after muscle before it goes after fat. Not to mention that muscles are a dandy source of protein, so exercise to make it a bit harder for your body to go after your muscles in lieu of those pills you took would be a good thing, and is probably why a lot of vegetarians tend to be on the scrawny side.

Ok, let me phrase the first one in a different way. If you find it too difficult to figure out a balanced vegetarian diet, you're not going to be able to figure out a balanced omnivorous diet either. Basically the only requirement with either is the ability to read and comprehend words.

And it doesn't matter where you get your protein from, legumes, grains or meat, as long as you get enough your body won't go after your muscles. And pills? You don't need to take pills for a balanced diet. Period.

 

[Captain X]

Ok, let me phrase the first one in a different way. If you find it too difficult to figure out a balanced vegetarian diet, you're not going to be able to figure out a balanced omnivorous diet either. Basically the only requirement with either is the ability to read and comprehend words.

I comprehend fine, but a vegetarian diet is by definition not balanced, as it is missing, you know, meat.

And it doesn't matter where you get your protein from, legumes, grains or meat, as long as you get enough your body won't go after your muscles. And pills? You don't need to take pills for a balanced diet. Period.

All different types of protein.

 

[Captain Intrepid]

Ok, let me phrase the first one in a different way. If you find it too difficult to figure out a balanced vegetarian diet, you're not going to be able to figure out a balanced omnivorous diet either. Basically the only requirement with either is the ability to read and comprehend words.

I comprehend fine, but a vegetarian diet is by definition not balanced, as it is missing, you know, meat.

You may want to double check that definition. A balanced diet contained an adequate and not excessive supply of all the nutrients a human needs to survive and be healthy. It doesn't matter where these nutrients come from. They could be all mixed together in an artificial tasteless brick for all it matters.

And it doesn't matter where you get your protein from, legumes, grains or meat, as long as you get enough your body won't go after your muscles. And pills? You don't need to take pills for a balanced diet. Period.

All different types of protein.

Do you know what the different types of protein are, and sources for all of them? If you did you'd know that there's vegetable sources for all of them. Please, read a book on nutrition, even an introductory one. You'll learn so much.

 

[ria 75]

In recent months I've been kind of trying to change my diet, too.

This is where I'm at: Trying, but just can't make that final leap. I know I'd lose a lot of weight and clear up a lot of health problems, but it just isn't easy. And, frankly, it's cheaper (a big issue right now) and easier to eat meat and junk that it is to eat fresh produce and scratch cook everything.

You don't have to make a leap. All you have to do is baby steps. I gradually cut down my red meat eating both for my figure and because it is expensive. But I always have a steak in my freezer for when I feel I need the energy. I eat a lot of fish, some poultry, ham because it's practical, a few eggs, and tofu (protein in every meal), and I'm in shape (without much exercise). And plenty of dairy products.

i weep for all the faceless plants

Though on the plus side our clocks are safe.

//starts working on breeding a faceless cow//

Hee hee, they did that to chicken in 'Eureka'. Of course, it ended in a disaster...

 

[indranee]

Experiment with other ethnic cuisines as well. I know I get bored with vegetarian food here but I rarely eat any meat when I'm in India because everything is quite delicious without it.

Also be aware that you may need to broaden your tastes a bit, and don't be afraid to try new things. Do some research and get a good vegetarian cookbook. Vegetarian food absolutely does not consist of broccoli and melted cheese! Try all sorts of fresh fruits and vegetables and don't fall into the pasta and cheese routine that many do.

I'm not vegetarian and I don't think I ever could be, but I've been trying to cut down on meat and I find that preparing my own meals helps, because I can adjust recipes to suit my own tastes.

I agree with Kestra. IMO, Indian/South Asian food is the way to go if you want to become vegetarian. there's just so many more recipes to choose from. I've become a sort of veggie lately. partly because I don't like the texture of meat anymore, partly because I think a vegetarian diet is better for me. and I don't miss meat at all.

 

[Amaris]

This:

Is not a corn dog. At least, not in the traditional sense. It is a veggie corn dog. It's all veggie. It looks like a corn dog, smells like a corn dog, and I swear it tastes like a corn dog, but it has no saturated fat, no cholesterol, is made from all veggie, and tastes very good. It's a MorningStar Farms Corn Dog.

I paid $4 for four corn dogs. Not too bad, but it's about double the price of real meat corn dogs, which is a shame. Then again, I think the meat industry is subsidized, which is why you don't pay $5 a lb for ground beef.

J.

 

[indranee]

It's possible to be vegetarian and fully healthy if you can afford a nutritionist who can make sure you get the things your body needs artificially since you've decided nature got it all wrong and refuse to get those things naturally. That and a personal fitness instructor to make sure you're keeping active so your body doesn't go for its own muscles.

and when you get reincarnated as a pig for the next 60 rebirths you'll wish you was more enlightened.

Good thing there's no such thing.

and how do you know?

 

[Captain X]

You may want to double check that definition. A balanced diet contained an adequate and not excessive supply of all the nutrients a human needs to survive and be healthy. It doesn't matter where these nutrients come from. They could be all mixed together in an artificial tasteless brick for all it matters.

Your digestive system probably wouldn't like you very much if you did that though.

Do you know what the different types of protein are, and sources for all of them? If you did you'd know that there's vegetable sources for all of them. Please, read a book on nutrition, even an introductory one. You'll learn so much.

I'm an engineer, not a doctor, but I still know the shortcomings of a vegetarian diet. I also realize how stupid and hypocritical it is to adopt such a diet for "moral" reasons.

and how do you know?

Because I'd remember my previous lives.

On a more serious note, I simply don't put a whole bunch of stock into something that can't be proven and that I don't find very compelling. In other words, I put more stock in UFOs and aliens than reincarnation, but that's mainly because UFOs and aliens actually have more evidence supporting them, and frankly they're more interesting than religion of any kind.

 

[Captain Intrepid]

You may want to double check that definition. A balanced diet contained an adequate and not excessive supply of all the nutrients a human needs to survive and be healthy. It doesn't matter where these nutrients come from. They could be all mixed together in an artificial tasteless brick for all it matters.

Your digestive system probably wouldn't like you very much if you did that though.

It'd actually probably love it. All those nutrients without a lot of energy consuming digestion first?

Do you know what the different types of protein are, and sources for all of them? If you did you'd know that there's vegetable sources for all of them. Please, read a book on nutrition, even an introductory one. You'll learn so much.

I'm an engineer, not a doctor, but I still know the shortcomings of a vegetarian diet. I also realize how stupid and hypocritical it is to adopt such a diet for "moral" reasons.[/QUOTE]

If you're an engineer the requisite research should be nothing to you. Do it, and stop relying on your own conjecture. It shows.

 

[Captain X]

It'd actually probably love it. All those nutrients without a lot of energy consuming digestion first?

You don't think your guts would have trouble digesting a big brick of vitamins and other supplements as opposed to a steak or a cheeseburger? Your colon would be the strongest part of your body...

If you're an engineer the requisite research should be nothing to you. Do it, and stop relying on your own conjecture. It shows.

Whatever... I've only already discussed the subject I don't know how many times, including pros and cons of a vegetarian diet. The few positives, like having fewer fats in your diet, are easily outweighed by the negatives of denying something your body needs because you think the balance nature has achieved all on its own and the evolution of the human body to depend on an omnivorous diet are wrong because you say it is.

 

[indranee]

You may want to double check that definition. A balanced diet contained an adequate and not excessive supply of all the nutrients a human needs to survive and be healthy. It doesn't matter where these nutrients come from. They could be all mixed together in an artificial tasteless brick for all it matters.

Your digestive system probably wouldn't like you very much if you did that though.

Do you know what the different types of protein are, and sources for all of them? If you did you'd know that there's vegetable sources for all of them. Please, read a book on nutrition, even an introductory one. You'll learn so much.

I'm an engineer, not a doctor, but I still know the shortcomings of a vegetarian diet. I also realize how stupid and hypocritical it is to adopt such a diet for "moral" reasons.

and how do you know?

Because I'd remember my previous lives.

On a more serious note, I simply don't put a whole bunch of stock into something that can't be proven and that I don't find very compelling. In other words, I put more stock in UFOs and aliens than reincarnation, but that's mainly because UFOs and aliens actually have more evidence supporting them, and frankly they're more interesting than religion of any kind.

actually, there's a name in India for people who remember their past lives

basically, it's all based in BS. just as your/our belief in "god".

 

[Captain X]

Which is why I tend to roll my eyes whenever religion is brought up like it actually matters. "God exists!" "No he doesn't!" Who cares?

 

[Mr. B]

This:

I find this trend in 'veggie' products very perplexing. There are veggie burgers, tofu turkeys and apparently look-alike corn dogs. To people supposedly averse to eating meat... one wonders.

 

[Captain X]

They just don't want to taste the fear.