I am constantly getting questioned about my decision to be vegetarian. I have never felt more hatred towards me than since I stopped eating meat. I literally do not understand how my dietary restrictions affect other people, but it comes up in almost every conversation and everyone has something to say about it.
“I could never give up meat.”
Cool. I do not care. Eat meat all you want. It’s a personal decision and you eating meat has no effect on me. I don’t care how much you love bacon or steak or hamburgers or any other type of greasy artery clogging cut of meat. People who only eat lean meats never give me trouble over not eating meat. It’s always people who eat unhealthy amounts of red meats. Please do not ask me to visit you in hospital after you have a heart attack.
“People are still going to kill animals.”
So? Me not eating meat actually does have an effect on how much meat is produced and how many animals are killed during a year. While it is hard to determine the exact number of animals, being a vegetarian saves about 25 animals in a year. 7.3 million people in the U.S. are vegetarians. That means 182,500,000 animals are spared their lives each year. Of course that just means less animals are bred in a year, but actually does a lot more help globally, which I already touched on in this article. I also have influenced some people to stop eating meat, or at least stop eating as much. I do have an impact so shut up.
“You’re eating a salad? Are you on a diet or something?”
No, I am not on diet. This salad is the only thing on the entire menu of this dirty restaurant you dragged me to that doesn’t have meat on it. Seriously, restaurants need to realize some of us do not eat meat. Even a plain pasta dish or frozen veggie burger will suffice. I go to this week long camp every summer, and every year they continue to not have food for me and, on top of that, I’m never the only vegetarian. It makes no sense to me.
“It’s not healthy.”
OK, I will admit that, at first, I was getting sick all the time. I wasn’t getting enough vitamins, but I do eat correctly now. Most starter vegetarians eat a lot of carbs and cheese, which isn’t healthy, but you learn what you need. Kale, spinach, and avocados are my best friends now. I also take B12 and iron supplements, although my iron would be low anyway. But you know what kills me about this comment? When I did eat meat, I ate a ton of fast food. Tell me what’s healthy about that. Now I weigh 30 pounds less and feel better than ever.
So thank you for criticizing my life choices that don’t affect you all. Please have a great time eating your murder burgers, and remember it’s not just the animals who suffer. I’m sorry my personal decision offends you, but I will continue to live my life as I please.
