Vegetarian identity?!
Answers: i feel like it's too hard for me to give up being a vegetarian because it's become part of my "identity".. i've been one for 4 1/2 years. but i feel like i don't really get adequate alternative protein sources so im thinking about giving it up. any suggestions, maybe from ex-veggies?
Of course vegetarianism becomes a part of your identity just like being an avid tennis player or a singer would. Those who think it's just about the food you eat wouldn't get it. To them it would be like pizza being a part of their identity because it's their favorite food.
I don't know how to become an ex-veggie- I've tried. I would happily give up the identity aspect, and replace it with something else if only meat didn't disgust me so. If you're able to eat meat, go for it.
vegetarianism isn't about feeding ones ego.
Its about reducing suffering faced by innocent creatures.
Its about compassion for others than just yourself.
Its about selflessness.
Its about putting others needs in front of your own.
my husband was a vegan for quite a while, but was forced to give it up as he was also leading a very active lifestyle and was not getting enough protein.
he still talks about it fondly, but says he would not go back to it.
I am a commited vegan. I know lots of people who give up on vegatarianism because it is easier. They make up reasons to make themselve feel better, etc....They say that they are sick , or anemic, or they don't get enough protein....etc...Usually it goes back to willpower and earnst. You probably were not sick from a vegetarian diet you were probably sick of reading food labels and sick of being concious of your food choices. Once you know all of the information about how these animals were raised......how can you ever go back to eating them........
Well if nutrition is your main concern, you could try to incorporate more vegetarian sources of protein and iron into your diet.
Good vegetarian sources of protein are almonds, black beans, brown rice, cashews, faux meats, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), kidney beans, lentils, peanut butter, pinto beans, seitan, soybeans, soymilk, sunflower seeds, textured vegetable protein (TVP), and tofu.
Good vegetarian sources of iron are black beans, bran flakes, cashews, Cream of Wheat, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), GrapeNuts, kidney beans, lentils, navy beans, oatmeal, pumpkin seeds, raisins, soybeans, soymilk, spinach, sunflower seeds, tofu, tomato juice, and whole wheat bread.
Hope that helps!
It sounds like you are not passionate anymore.
Every vegetarian knows that you can get the same amount of protein that an omnivorous person can receive, we just have to work harder.
If you have "such a problem" then fine give it up, but you're throwing away anything you stood up for, for more than 4 years.
I don't understand how one can go from not eating meat to eating it, because what was the point in the first place?
Yes, I sound like a b!tch, but you KNOW this is not the reason you are truly wanting to give it up as vegetarians and vegans know its a load of bull.
Sorry, but yeah. x
Why are you using being a vegetarian as an "identity"? Find another hobby, you make real vegetarians and vegans look bad.
Why are you concerned about protein? Remember that most people get more protein than they need. If you are unsure, go get a blood test and find out. If the results (which the doctor will explain) show a protein deficiency, then go from there.
OK. first of all, does 4 1/2 years count to you as a vegetarian?
It doesn't matter how long as a vegetarian you were, it only counts if you are still vegetarian.
In a case, if people challenge u to take a BIG HAMburger, and that time u really want to take it, but u feel guilty about it because u have been a vegetarian for 4 1/2 years.
Don't worry, just take it, (people may scold me here, i assume! hahaha..) why? what's the different if u don't take it, but the problem struggle u all way long?
Simple, just take it, and ask your self really really carefully, do u still want to become a vegetarian, or u want to take meat again.
If your answer is to become a vegetarian, simple, take vegetarian meal again. and people ask u.. how long u have been a vegetarian, answer them... just few minutes / days ago.
What's wrong with the time frame? nothing! as long as u are a vegetarian.
What's wrong with the burger? nothing! BUT! But it makes u feel stronger to become a vegetarian, which u decide after taking it!
The condition is don't take this as an excuse for you to take meat and declare yourself a vegetarian, by doing it over an over again! In this case, just make your self a normal non-vegetarian, than struggle with the title "vegetarian", which is meaningless to you.
we don't need as much protein as we all seem to think we do, and many fruits/vegies contain more than you'd think. i would encourage you NOT to give it up, identity or not, just as a matter of your health. do some research into the amounts of protein in fruits/vegies and how much you really need.
You should do more research into nutrition.. One thing you need to keep in mind is that, yes, protien is important, but most westerners eat WAY too much.. having meat at each meal is NOT required.. so, in other words, you may not be as protien deficient as you think, if you are comparing your protien intake with meat..
Maybe you should re-evaluate your diet, to make sure it's balanced and healthy, but there are plenty of good protien sources besides meat, or even fake meat... There's no reason you NEED to start eating meat again..
I became a vegetarian for health and financial reasons. I was a vegetarian for 3 years, and I started to develop an iron deficiency. I started taking supplements. I also was weary of being the picky one, the lack of decent vegetarian food in restaurants (keep in mind this was a decade ago, before people realized they could make a ton of money off of a cheap product, like vegetables, by making entrees and charging a ton for them through restaurants and specialty shops).
Most of my protein came from peanut butter, nuts, cheese, milk, tofu, beans, and soy protein (which has a gross texture in certain recipes).
I started eating meats again, because I was not a starving student anymore, and I also realized that meats were not affecting me, corn syrup was.
I did not have a moral issue with meats, there are many foods out there I like, and I do tend to eat more fruits and veggies than meats, but I do eat meat and I find that i enjoy sushi with fish in it, I really like chicken enchiladas, and gyros are the bomb.
I was just really tired of the mass extravaganza to enjoy something simple and different - instead of bean burritos, PBJ, tofu stir-fry, vegetable soup, etc..
I am also a foodie, and I kind of think it is silly to make vegetable products that look and taste similar to meat. Eat meat, if you're going to eat meat, don't try to pacify yourself with Fakon, ChiKin, etc.. :)
The key is balance. You're not going to go crazy and start hoarding meats and you're not going to eat meat 24/7. It's just nice to have a change.
Don't worry about your identity. If this is your only "claim to fame" you need to find other hobbies. You might want to check out a flexitarian diet if you require a title.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4541605/
You have invested a lot of yourself into being a vegetarian, and, its kinda fun at first, knowing that you are doing less harm with your eating habits than other people are. But then, one day, I passed after I stopped seeing my vegan fiance, I walked past a guy in an office and he was talking about how the human mouth has different kinds of teeth for different jobs and I suddenly perceived that by being a vegetarian, I was the one in denial of my true nature, and my true identity as a human being. Like you, I'm built with two eyes with binocular vision- the mark of a predator or omnivore in nature. My front teeth are designed to cut...and slice away meet from bone and my molars are for grinding away. Its time to revel in your true status and identity as an omnivore, feel free to eat...everything! If its smart enough to run away from you...catch it and eat it later. Otherwise, its probably good to eat!!! The internet is filled with great recipies....
Now...that doesn't mean throw away your eating habits entirely! You've been making smart choices about your food, but its not enough for your nutrition. If, like most people, you can't bring yourself to hunt or fish for your food, confine your "hunting" to the organically raised section of the supermarket. Like before, you will do the environment a favor and it usually tastes much better than the commericially raised stuff.
Healthy Bon Appetite to you!!!!