One time my older brother asked me if I cared about plants feelings. Before I could mumble out "yo Jack WTF," he insisted that I care about animals and don't want to kill them, but it's still wrong that I'm killing a carrot. I understand this since vegetables are grown, but I feel as though killing a tomato is different than killing a pig. Is this just me?

I've also had strangers (not many, thankfully) tell me that my individual impact can't make an overall difference in the environment. I feel as though it is rude and discouraging when people try to tell me stuff like that, but then I think about the benefits to my health that this vegetarian lifestyle has brought. As I said, I'm not trying to convince you to become a vegetarian.

These are questions to avoid when talking to a plant-based person about their lifestyle and diet. Don't forget that vegetarians and vegans, and anyone else on any type of diet, are people too! I wanted to create this article to highlight the phrases to avoid when talking about a plant-based diet. I have been a vegetarian for over four years now, and I don't try to force my viewpoints on my friends or peers. I think that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and therefore my diet should influence anyone else's.