Ahh, But What Do You Eat?!

You may hear this question from a perplexed individual upon telling them that you do not eat meat. I attempt to not be a preaching, holier than thou vegetarian and keep my reasons and beliefs to myself. But eventually someone catches you eating a grilled tempeh, apple, and cheddar sandwich for lunch and the questions begin. The two most common are:

(imagine a look of shock and horror)
1. “But WHERE do you get protein?”

And the less intense but more personal:
2. “Why do you not eat meat?”

To answer the first question: how many Americans do you know with a protein deficiency? Or if I’m feeling less animated about the subject, I might respond “beans and tofu.” (This seems like what they want to hear.)

Question two is much more difficult to answer. If asked in passing, it is a complex and personal topic to explain in a brief sentence. Typically, I make a sarcastic comment such as, "I love all of God's creatures" and keep walking. But being a vegetarian is a conscious lifestyle choice and for most, cannot be pinned down to any one reason. There are a combination of factors that for some of us include the following:

1. Factory farming. You can’t be sure exactly what’s in a chicken breast these days! I don’t have time to investigate every piece of meat that goes through my digestive tract (and I sure don’t trust the government to do it for me). Is everything else I put in my body 100% natural or organic? No, but not eating meat is a good first step for me.
2. Global warming. These crazy weather fluctuations are real, and the meat industry is the number one contributor to the Earth’s overall increasing temperature. Fact.
3. Health. Diets low in fat and cholesterol reduce your risks for cancer and heart disease, while improving body composition. Surprise, surprise.

Other interesting vegetarian factoids:

1. Did you know that humans haven’t always been omnivores? True story: at the beginning of our existence we were merely plant killing herbivores. Clearly, we don’t need meat to survive and can obtain protein, vitamins, iron, and other minerals from alternative sources.
2. Cutting back on meat consumption awakens your taste buds to a multitude of alternative food choices. Seitan cheesesteaks, kale chips, black bean burgers, tempeh sausage, roasted fennel, miso soup, and on and on! These were all delightful culinary discoveries I probably never would have tried as a steak eater.
3. It’s cheaper. Truth. You’re looking at a thirty cent discount for bean tacos at Taco Bell. (And if that doesn’t convince you of the benefits of vegetarianism, then nothing will.)

In conclusion, I guess we can still be friends if you enjoy a filet mignon or fresh Maine lobster (but probably not if you eat veal). But think about other options out there! And no need to worry about the protein intake of us vegetarians...we've got it covered :-)

A closing quote:
“Bethany, would you like a goldfish?”
“No thanks, I’m a vegetarian.”