Vegetarianism and veganism are both becoming more popular as time goes on, but people are still curious about the diets and still ask tons of questions. Here are just some of the questions I'm asked most commonly and how I personally answer them.

1. Do you eat fish?

No. Fish were living at one point. Pescetarians will not eat meat, but will eat fish. Vegetarians don't eat anything that had once been living.

2. But, aren't plants living?

Yes, fish are living. BUT they do not feel pain like animals do. Plants are not in pain when they are plucked from the ground in the way animals are in pain when they are slaughtered.

3. Why did you go vegetarian?

People have different reasons for going vegetarian, but personally, I did it for the animals. I think of pigs and cows and chickens the same way I think of dogs: family, friends, companions. Would you kill a dog or cat for food? Probably not. Additionally, being vegetarian helps the planet.

4. Aren't you hurting the planet by killing the plants?

Actually, as I said before, being vegetarian helps the planet. Allow me to explain. Producing this meat produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all cars, planes, trains, and boats combined. It also takes up more water and land. It takes much less water and land to produce plants or grains than it does to produce meat.

Additionally, the gasses made by producing animal products are more harmful to the planet than carbon dioxide. So, eating plants and grains saves water, land, and produces less greenhouse gas emissions than eating animals.

5. Don't you believe in the circle of life?

When I was younger, that's why I thought we ate meat, just because we were supposed to. Later, I learned what happens to animals when they're killed for food. I learned of the insanely inhumane way they live and die. Yes, people have always killed animals for meat. Yes, it is the circle of life. BUT things have changed. Our ancestors most likely killed the animals in a faster and more humane way than we are in our current society. Plus, we have found other sources of protein other than meat.

6. How do you get protein?

Nuts, beans, legumes, peanut butter, avocado, tofu...

7. What's the difference between vegetarians and vegans?

Vegans eat no animals or animal products at all whereas vegetarians eat animal products, but not animals. For example, vegetarians won't eat cows, but they'll drink their milk. Vegetarians won't eat chicken, but they'll eat eggs. Vegans won't eat the cow or the drink milk. Vegans won't eat the chicken or the eggs. Vegans are meat and dairy free. They can also be honey free depending on their views.

8. What do you eat?!

People think it's really hard to be vegetarian, but it's really not that difficult. Many restaurants have a meatless protein like tofu or veggie burgers. And if they don't, restaurants always have salads or sides without meat. Many restaurants have pasta, fries, potatoes, veggies, or sandwiches you can order without meat.

9. Does this bother you?

It doesn't bother me when I'm with someone who's eating meat. I don't care if you eat meat, I understand it's a hard thing for some people to go a single day without meat. I respect your decision if you still want to eat meat, just respect my decision not to eat meat. It doesn't matter if you eat meat in front of me, just don't purposefully flaunt it or make fun of my eating habits.