Nathan Exposed » vegetarian?

vegetarian?

After I wrote the post about the veggie bacon from Morningstar Farms, I became more curious about vegetarian foods. I only tried the bacon because it was healthier. It had nothing to do with animal rights.

But when I read about the ways animals are mistreated, I really felt the need to take responsibility. I think most people know that animals are being mistreated, but they turn a blind eye because meat is so readily available and often inexpensive. Plus, it just tastes good. I won’t lie!

All that being said, I do think I should take responsibility. I don’t necessarily think that killing animals for food is “wrong”. But you have to realize that animals used to be raised on farms, where they could live freely, eat, play, and have a good life.

Things are different now. It’s all about mass-marketing. Animals are confined to very tight spaces. They are dirty and neglected, sometimes abused. When it comes to chickens, they often don’t even have enough room to move. They starve to death and then other chickens are forced to walk over the bodies.

It’s because of these reasons that I’ve started changing my diet. Most of the Morningstar Farms products are very tasty indeed. I eat their grilled burgers, chicken patties, bacon, and sausage patties. They are 100% meat free. The only thing I’ve hated were the sausage links. Yuck!

Keep in mind, some people HATE Morningstar Farms because they use egg products. But hey, it’s still a step in the right direction. I’m not quite ready to give up egg and milk products too.

If you’re thinking of being a vegetarian, but aren’t quite ready to give up meat, I’d suggest just buying a few items at a time. Try it out, see if you like it. For example, I just started with bacon. It was one small change and it didn’t even bother me. In fact, I do still eat meat from time to time. But the little changes have helped me be primarily vegetarian.

Wed, Mar 28, 2007 @ 12:52 pm | Filed in Life | Permalink

8 Comments

I think being a meat cutter’s son did it for me…a long time ago. I can’t stand the “mental” part of the whole gig. Because I know how they are killed and raised and all of that. It just grosses my mind out! So, over time I’ve eaten less and less meat….and go without whenever possible. They are mistreated, that’s a fact. Check out Fast Food Nation (book or movie). You’ll think twice before your next McDonald’s or Taco Bell run. I’m not really into the morality of the whole thing….even though it is barbaric. It’s a taste and mental game with me.

Posted by Lewis on Wed, Mar 28, 2007 @ 2:02 pm

I agree with a lot of what you said. I know if I had to go to an animal farm or meat processing plant I would be grossed out and not eat meat for a while. However, by design humans are omnivores. So meat, veggies, fruit, grain, etc. are all naturally part of our diet and we get something out of all of them. If I really wanted to I could give up meat but I could never give up milk, eggs, and leather shoes.

Posted by martini-dan on Wed, Mar 28, 2007 @ 8:05 pm

I’m a vegetarian for most week nights but have some chicken or fish on weekends. I very seldom eat red meat. After not having for a few years now, the smell of raw red meat makes me feel sick when I walk past delis.

Posted by enihsnus on Wed, Mar 28, 2007 @ 10:11 pm

I suggest reading John Robbins’ DIET FOR A NEW AMERICA if you want a deeper look into meat production. It converts many to vegetarianism.

I was an Ovo-lacto vegetarian for 5 years. My thoughts have grown and changed about vegetarianism over the years and I’ve never been an activist of any sort on the subject. I believe man was designed to eat meat (or we wouldn’t have the teeth we do), but I feel it’s a personal choice for everyone.

I agree that Morningstar Farms is one of the better (tasting) vegetarian packaged foods on the market, but like others…it’s packaged food. Just be aware of the trade-off when you’re trading natural items for high-processed “heathly” frozen foods

Good food is good food and can be prepared and enjoyed if you learn how—meat or not. Most people are amazed at the flavor of good vegetarian cooking if done right. I suggest looking for a vegetarian cooking class

Posted by purpletwinkie on Wed, Mar 28, 2007 @ 10:23 pm

Just to clarify… I don’t think eating meat is wrong, but I do think that the living conditions for animals and ways they are treated is wrong.

Whether or not man was physically made to eat meat is a whole different topic. Sure, we have teeth, and sure our bodies can digest meat as Dan mentioned. But some meat, especially red meat, can have really negative effects on the body. It can clog arteries, make you gain weight, among other things.

In fact, I forget the exact percentage, but a vast majority of vegetarians have a better than average cholesterol level and are at much lower risk of cancer and heart disease.

So it’s really multiple issues. My primary reason for making the switch is actually health. My father had open heart surgery when he was 54 and the majority of his problems were due to poor diet. I don’t want to be in his shoes when I’m 54. The thought of being cut open really scares me! Granted, he’s healthier now, but still, it’s no walk in the park. So if I can substitute my bacon or hamburgers with something vegetarian, I think it’s a small step that adds up.

And the second part is related to how the animals are treated. I just don’t like supporting it and I know it’s a big issue to be addressed.

I have no desire to become an activist or extremist at this time, and I probably will eat some meat here and there. But all in all, I have made a shift in my diet and it’s pretty good.

Posted by Nathan on Wed, Mar 28, 2007 @ 11:08 pm

At least an unfertilized egg can’t feel like it was cheated out of it’s chance to have a life and fulfill it’s dreams.

Posted by DEL on Thu, Mar 29, 2007 @ 5:31 pm

im a bad vegetarian. i usually only eat meat when i go upstate. usually. sometimes i just crave. bacon. sausage. steak. but it gets more and more rare.

shifts are good.

Posted by aboutaboy on Fri, Mar 30, 2007 @ 10:20 am

Nathan, I recommend you get “Passionate Vegetarian” by Crescent Dragonwagon (yes, that is a crazy name). Wonderful veg cookbook and loaded with very helpful information. I would just let you borrow mine but I can’t bear to part with it =)

While I do agree with the Morningstar Farms thing, purpletwinkie makes an excellent point about processed and frozen foods.

Posted by beth_ on Thu, Apr 5, 2007 @ 10:08 am