Everyone understands how important it is to eat. Not only are there so many different types of foods out there, but food is also a great way to bring friends, family, and even strangers together to talk about a multitude of things. When everyone comes together there are usually never any questions pertaining to the food you decide to eat, unless you are a vegetarian. Being a vegetarian brings in a lot of questions; questions that really make you wonder, what the hell is this person thinking when they ask me this question.

1. Where do you get your protein?

There are actually a lot of places I can get my protein from like, grains, nuts, beans, tofu, etc. Just because I have decided to become a vegetarian, does not mean I am protein deficient. If anything, I probably consume more protein now then when I was not a vegetarian. Being a vegetarian causes you to find alternative ways of eating, getting protein, and being full for a lasting amount of time. I have discovered so many different foods and spices just by saying these 4 simple words, “I don’t eat meat.”

2. Why are you a vegetarian?

Why do you eat meat? There really is not an explicit answer to this question because; everyone does things for their own reasons. The reason I became a vegetarian could be different than someone else’s. I don’t have to give a reason to every little thing I do. Yes, it is understandable everyone wants to know why I am a vegetarian, but don’t ask me and then when I give you my answer respond with, “oh, well my friend Betty is a vegetarian too, but she is a vegetarian because of this.” Great for Betty! I am glad she is a vegetarian for the reasons she is one, but Betty and I are two different people. Spoiler alert, not everyone does things for the same reason.

3. So you must really love animals then

Yes, I do love animals, don’t you? Just because you are a vegetarian does not make you overtly obsessed with animals and their well-being. Of course, a reason I became a vegetarian is because I do not like the way animals are being treated, but that is not the only reason. You can become a vegetarian for religious reasons, health reasons, environmental reasons, and animal cruelty reasons, and sometimes even all of those reasons are part of it. I love animals; I love every living creature out there, and if being a vegetarian helps them out then yeah sign me up!

4. Is everyone in your family a vegetarian too?

Yes, being a vegetarian is a cult. If one person is a vegetarian, then everyone else in the family must be one too. Just writing that actually made me hysterically laugh. It is purely by choice to become a vegetarian. In my household, my sister and I are the only vegetarians. No one should force you to do anything, and I think I can speak for all my fellow vegetarians when I say; we really do not care if you love meat and want to eat it. I used to eat meat all the time; my family actually called me a carnivore because I loved meat that much. However, through a series of events I decided that I was not this “carnivore” girl anymore, and rather a vegetarian lifestyle was best for me.

5. You’re eating again?

I love food. I am sorry, but I love food more than I love boys. As a vegetarian, most of the food you eat is not highly packed in protein, iron, or calcium, so you tend to get hungry faster. That is not a bad thing. All it means is, in one sitting the meal I eat will not have as many nutrients as a person who is eating meat, so I have to eat more throughout the day to stay full. However, all the food I am placing into my body is vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains. So yes, if I want to eat a whole pineapple and then two hours later have some quinoa and tofu, I will!

6. If you had to eat meat would you?

I do not really think I will ever have to eat meat. I have never heard of a scenario where it was life or death situation to eat meat, but in the rare case that were ever to happen, yes I would. I am not allergic to meat, I don’t cringe at the sight of meat (at least not all the time), and I do not think anything bad would happen to me if I did eat meat; however, I do not want to eat meat that is why I chose to become a vegetarian.

7. Is it hard to be a vegetarian?

Being a vegetarian is probably one of the easiest things I have ever done. Since becoming a vegetarian is solely by choice, there is no way it can be internally hard. When I would go to restaurants, in the beginning, it was hard to determine what I could and could not eat. As a vegetarian, I try to stay away from eating food that is cooked in or with anything animal based. However, as I have progressed in my choice of becoming a vegetarian, knowing what the best foods are for me to eat has become very easy. I love being a vegetarian, and I would never say I regret my decision on becoming one!