Vegetarians

[Thedelldays]

Any on here?

Why?

Why would anyone choose not to eat meat?

[benjii]

Just a guess but maybe they disapprove of killing animals.

[mack rill]

Just a guess but maybe they disapprove of killing animals.

 

They do taste nice

[buctootim]

Why would anyone choose to spend their life cooped up in close confine with 100 sweaty men for weeks on end? Far odder.

[Turkish]

Why would anyone choose to spend their life cooped up in close confine with 100 sweaty men for weeks on end? Far odder.

 

What's for tea tonight Timothy, Tofu?

[buctootim]

No Im going out to dinner with my kids. Hows your failing childless marriage, dead end job and too much time on your hands?

[Glasgow_Saint]

At 21 i opened a vegetarian restaraunt in Bournemouth - made me a small fortune!

 

Vegans and celiacs are hard to please

[Thedelldays]

Why would anyone choose to spend their life cooped up in close confine with 100 sweaty men for weeks on end? Far odder.

 

That is really odd too

[Thedelldays]

Tim has a forked tongue today

[Sheaf Saint]

It's called freedom of choice delldays.

 

My girlfriend is vegetarian, for the simple reason that she just doesn't like the taste of meat, but there are so many different reasons why people make that choice.

 

A friend of mine recently decided to become pescatarian. He said he felt uncomfortable eating animals that he wouldn't be prepared to kill for himself, but has no qualms about eating fish.

 

There is also a huge environmental argument against eating meat. The worldwide demand for cheap beef products is the principal cause of deforestation in Amazonia; whereas if humans were to eat the soya that is grown to feed the cattle directly, we would only need a tenth of the amount of agricultural land to provide the same amount of food energy. With the global population expected to reach 9 billion at some point this century, this is going to become a very important concern.

[do i not like fizzy pop]

I love animals - They're delicious

[Seaford Saint]

Freedom of choice is what it is.....I was veggie for 10years could easily do it again....I guess it is par for the course for a lefty like me;)

 

Thinking for yourself....It might catch on

[Dig Dig]

Animal felfare concerns, health, cost, personal taste. Just a few reasons to throw out there.

[Thedelldays]

Noting I like more is chomping on a bit of chicken

[dingbattigger]

Mrs D doesn't like the taste of meat, cooks it for me and the girls happily enough.

[dune]

Mrs D doesn't like the taste of meat

 

Far too much information.

[The Kraken]

It's called freedom of choice delldays.

 

My girlfriend is vegetarian, for the simple reason that she just doesn't like the taste of meat, but there are so many different reasons why people make that choice.

 

A friend of mine recently decided to become pescatarian. He said he felt uncomfortable eating animals that he wouldn't be prepared to kill for himself, but has no qualms about eating fish.

 

My ex was a veggie and used to use that as an argument against my meat eating; that if I wasn't prepared to kill the meat I was eating then maybe I shouldn't be eating it in the first place. I thought it was an entirely redundant argument; should I have to be able to build a car in order to drive one? Should I be able to brew beer in order to be able to enjoy a pint?

 

In any case, bacon sandwiches are awesome and one of the primary reasons I could never go veggie.

[Turkish]

No Im going out to dinner with my kids. Hows your failing childless marriage, dead end job and too much time on your hands?

 

bitterness will get you nowhere Timothy. Got the kids today then?

[dune]

I used to be a bit against veal, but the fact is that calves are a by product when it comes to dairy farms so we should eat veal rather than waste good meat.

[Minty]

There is also a huge environmental argument against eating meat. The worldwide demand for cheap beef products is the principal cause of deforestation in Amazonia; whereas if humans were to eat the soya that is grown to feed the cattle directly, we would only need a tenth of the amount of agricultural land to provide the same amount of food energy. With the global population expected to reach 9 billion at some point this century, this is going to become a very important concern.

 

This is the main reason I eat very little meat. I do eat meat, but tend to only that which is locally or sustainably sourced, which usually means Organic, but sometimes local farm shop produce. So I'm not a vegetarian, but I do sometimes refer to myself as one because it is easier to do so than having to explain the above. But the same also goes for some other products... milk production is also massively unsustainable in its current guise and as a result I usually only drink organic milk and also use rice milk for certain things.

 

I see health and cost mentioned above also, and these are also concerns. My diet nowadays is mostly vegetarian and this is far, far cheaper than eating meat as much as I used to, there is no doubt about that. The health issues are debatable and there is lots of ongoing research, but nothing conclusive. I personally prefer to eat as naturally as possible and minimise exposure to chemicals and other man-made influences (antibiotic use is huge in meat production for example).

 

Few people actually question what is in their food, and what is good for them or not. Each to their own, it's not my place to tell anyone else what they should or shouldn't do, but it does interest me just how much people are willing to take for granted or accept from manufacturers, without doing any research themselves. There are some who take it to extremes and who are a bit fanatical about it... but then some people probably think I take it too far and am a bit of a nutter... it's all relative.

 

As long as you're happy with what you're putting in your body, that's all that matters.

[Saint-scooby]

I have not eaten meat since 1978, blimey 34 years ago.

[Joensuu]

Meat free for 6 years now. Environmental reasons, followed by health and cost.

 

Don't miss it at all.

[trousers]

I eat meat to prevent certain species of animals from becoming extinct.

[Sheaf Saint]

This is the main reason I eat very little meat. I do eat meat, but tend to only that which is locally or sustainably sourced, which usually means Organic, but sometimes local farm shop produce.

 

Well, organic farming actually requires even more agricultural land than non-organic owing to the non-use of artificial fertilisers and animal feeds. But it's great that you obviously take a big interest in exactly where and how your food is produced. It really is amazing how little people understand about the origins of most of the stuff they eat. Ask any kid these days where bananas come from and they will invariably answer with the supermarket.

 

If anybody wants to seriously reduce the environmental impact of their diet then the way to do it is to cut out meat altogether, and only eat seasonal fruits and vegetables that do not need to be shipped half way across the world.

[doddisalegend]

I'm an omnivore...If I like the taste I'll eat it...if I don't I won't this the general rule I use on deciding whether something is on the lunch menu or not......

[Minty]

Well, organic farming actually requires even more agricultural land than non-organic owing to the non-use of artificial fertilisers and animal feeds.

Indeed it does, but that doesn't mean it has a greater environmental impact. It might require more land (that's a bit of a no brainer when you consider some of the places intensively farmed meat is produced at), but the combination of eating less meat (no more than twice a month for us, often less) means the Organic meat is entirely sustainable for my eating habits. The other good thing about organic production is that it produces what it produces, and is not under any pressure to produce more to meet demand. Just like seasonal fruit and veg, you eat what is available, in season, and no more. That's how I view it anyway...

 

If anybody wants to seriously reduce the environmental impact of their diet then the way to do it is to cut out meat altogether, and only eat seasonal fruits and vegetables that do not need to be shipped half way across the world.

Agreed, although for the unaware it is still not quite that straightforward... British tomatoes for example, often require far more energy to produce in artificial environments, than those grown and shipped in from Spain. Personally, I buy organic Isle of Wight tomatoes which taste amazing and are probably the best combination of being produced locally and naturally.

 

It's not an easy subject to unpick. If someone asks me I tend to say that loacl AND organic is first choice, local is second best, IF it is seasonal and native to this country, and organic for everything else. There is no clear cut answer though.

[trousers]

I buy my meat & veg from the local farm shop. Better quality, better taste and cheaper than a takeaway. Win, win, win

[dronskisaint]

I eat meat because I like to, I don't tell people they shouldn't eat vegetables so I don't expect that I should be lectured by veggies. Not all do, in fairness, they recognise the same choices as I do.

 

So - if eating animals is bad, why did they make them out of meat?

[Minty]

I eat meat because I like to, I don't tell people they shouldn't eat vegetables so I don't expect that I should be lectured by veggies. Not all do, in fairness, they recognise the same choices as I do.

 

So - if eating animals is bad, why did they make them out of meat?

 

Ba dum tish!

 

I completely agree about being lectured however... whatever the subject, it only serves to turn people away quicker, or make them more defensive, in my experience.

[Minty]

Interesting that this should appear in the Daily Mail of all places:

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2161992/We-need-slash-meat-consumption-expect-feed-population-9-3bn-2050.html#ixzz1yL2V6uio

 

I don't actually agree with all of it, it is a bit too general and vague IMO, and avoids the question of population growth, which is a whole different and arguably equally/more important subject, but that's what happens when you try to condense a comprehensive report down into one media article.

 

The comments underneath it are quite funny IMO, and bit more typical of the Mail!

[CB Saint]

It's called freedom of choice delldays.

 

My girlfriend is vegetarian, for the simple reason that she just doesn't like the taste of meat, but there are so many different reasons why people make that choice.

 

A friend of mine recently decided to become pescatarian. He said he felt uncomfortable eating animals that he wouldn't be prepared to kill for himself, but has no qualms about eating fish.

 

There is also a huge environmental argument against eating meat. The worldwide demand for cheap beef products is the principal cause of deforestation in Amazonia; whereas if humans were to eat the soya that is grown to feed the cattle directly, we would only need a tenth of the amount of agricultural land to provide the same amount of food energy. With the global population expected to reach 9 billion at some point this century, this is going to become a very important concern.

 

The biggest environmental issue from beef comes from global warming due to their incessant f4rting. Methane is murder.

[Jillyanne]

Guy I was at school with died age 26 from CJD, didn't put me off though.

[Jack]

I'd really struggle for ideas to do a weekly shop without meat. Went yesterday, bought chicken, mince, beef steaks, and some fish. Just about every meal we have contains meat of some sort. My girlfriend recently said about buying quorn, safe to say that was ignored.

[AussieDog]

Was veggie from 1990 to 2002 but was lazy and ended up lacking in certain vitamins. Then started eating fish. Then moved to Australia where all the veggie restaurants were sh1te and the supermarkets had very little choice (told you I was lazy) of beggie ready made meals so just gave up and went back to eating meat. In my opinion, the meat over here is generally disgusting as they pump it full of preservatives, additives and water. Food quality control is very poor and years behind the UK. I would happily go 90% meat free again, but do like the occasionally bacon & egg sarnie, and a decent BBQ!

[Sheaf Saint]

My girlfriend recently said about buying quorn, safe to say that was ignored.

 

I've had to get accustomed to the stuff as my GF is veggie, but I actually prefer using quorn mince now when making chilli cos it soaks up the flavours better IMO.

[Golden Balls]

My girlfriend would quite happily be a veggie as she isn't really keen on the taste.

 

However, I can't remember the last meal I had that didn't include meat. I love the stuff and would seriously struggle without it. I salivate when I walk down the meat aisle of a supermarket or into a butchers.

[jjsaint]

My wife's a veggie, which means I go a bit mad when I'm out on the town sometimes... but all in all I'm eating less meat too & am a healthier for it.

[Essruu]

Vegetarians generally look ill, pale and, quite often, almost translucent. It's enough to put you off your food.

[Jonnyboy]

Vegetarians generally look ill, pale and, quite often, almost translucent. It's enough to put you off your food.

 

Have you seen the people coming out of McDonalds?

[Minty]

Vegetarians generally look ill, pale and, quite often, almost translucent. It's enough to put you off your food.

 

Only the ones with no idea about making sure they get the right nutritional balance in their food... there are some who look like that and I agree, they do put me off my food sometimes!

 

But (generalisation ahoy) I tend to find that more people who are vegetarian/vegan are aware of their nutritional needs, and make sure they get what they need.

 

I'd really struggle for ideas to do a weekly shop without meat. Went yesterday, bought chicken, mince, beef steaks, and some fish. Just about every meal we have contains meat of some sort. My girlfriend recently said about buying quorn, safe to say that was ignored.

It is hard at first, because you're so used to the meat being the main part of the meal, but there are plenty of good books out there. My wife reduced the amount of meat she eats long before me and I was pleasantly surprised by the breadth of options out there once you learn about them. I have also found I've tried a lot more foods, things I might never have tried, since reducing the meat, and I appreciate more flavours now.

[buctootim]

Women seem to do well on a veggie diet - generally slimmer and healthier looking. Men not so much though - unless they really know how to cook. It seems to be something to do with the need for protein.

Edited 25 June, 2012 by buctootim

[hamster]

Don't quite get why someone would deny the natural urge to eat meat. Like people who only drink bottled water, it is carazy.

 

Food is food is food at the end of the day.

 

I do not eat bananas though. Guess I'm doing my bit to save banana land but I feel a tad guilty that I may inadvertently be making a banana man unemployed.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

The only meat I won't eat is sea food because to put it plainly, humans are rapeing the sea clean. The ocean must be the only eco-system where man hunts the 'top predator'. The Japanese and the Faroese still eat whale, the Chinese et al love a little bit of shark-fin soup whereas the entire world just loves the taste of one of the most highly evolved and perfect creatures on the planet: the blue-fin tuna. It's the equivalent of hunting cheetahs for food. Furthermore we over-fish leading to a situation where it is quite possible the yellow and blue-fin tunas and cod will be extinct by 2020.

 

As Paul Watson states, "If the oceans die we die, we cannot survive on this planet with a sterile ocean."

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

The only meat I won't eat is sea food because to put it plainly, humans are rapeing the sea clean. The ocean must be the only eco-system where man hunts the 'top predator'. The Japanese and the Faroese still eat whale, the Chinese et al love a little bit of shark-fin soup whereas the entire world just loves the taste of one of the most highly evolved and perfect creatures on the planet: the blue-fin tuna. It's the equivalent of hunting cheetahs for food. Furthermore we over-fish leading to a situation where it is quite possible the yellow and blue-fin tunas and cod will be extinct by 2020.

 

As Paul Watson states, "If the oceans die we die, we cannot survive on this planet with a sterile ocean."

 

Surely you eat salmon, mussels and oysters.

[buctootim]

Surely you eat salmon, mussels and oysters.

 

What do they feed salmon on?

[stu0x]

the entire world just loves the taste of one of the most highly evolved and perfect creatures on the planet: the blue-fin tuna.

Surely if it was perfect it wouldn't be so easy for us to catch?

[buctootim]

Surely if it was perfect it wouldn't be so easy for us to catch?

 

Tell you what. We'll surround you with fine mesh net and then send 30 men into the water with hammers and machetes and see if you can last longer, given the bigger brain an all.

 

Edited 25 June, 2012 by buctootim

[hamster]

Come on people, vegetarians have little, if any, effect on meat consumption. Seems pretty futile in that respect to me.

 

Why bang on about it too? I like the odd veggie option on occasion but it's a MEAL choice not a 'lifestyle' choice.

[Thedelldays]

Is it wrong to think veggies also wear sandals with socks?

[Minty]

Is it wrong to think veggies also wear sandals with socks?

 

Which week at the 'Turkish winding up school' are you on? Not his best student are you?