Birdman here. I thought I'd share with you a short essay on my experience going vegetarian which I wrote for a composition class recently ...
Going Vegetarian: Confessions of a Meat Eater turned Veggie
I decided to become a vegetarian about 10 months ago. Looking back on it, I think it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. But a year ago, I would have thought becoming a vegetarian was stupid. Back in those days, vegetarians seemed like strange, animal-loving rabbits that chose to munch on lettuce while everyone else had a good time eating mouth-watering steaks. What were vegetarians thinking? I mean tofu? What was that stuff even made of? It seemed like some mystery substance that came from a classified vegetarian research facility.
To say the least, I was skeptical about the whole vegetarian thing. I’d eaten meat almost my entire life. I’d hunted before. Everyone in my family hunts. My dad owns a pheasant farm. I grew up eating meat at just about every meal – burgers, chicken, bacon, pot roasts, ham, turkey, fish sticks, etc.
So what made a guy like me decide to go vegetarian? A girl of course.
She was a vegetarian and one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever known. Almost all the vegetarians I had met before her seemed like seriously grouchy people who had strong moral beliefs in protecting animals and scoffed at meat eaters. But not her. She was so happy! For whatever reason, to me it seemed strange that she could be so happy while not eating meat. She was giggly, bright-eyed, and healthy. She intrigued me. I wanted to have more in common with her, so I later told her that I would give vegetarianism a try.
Boy did my life change after that! And not just because her and I became closer after that. My entire outlook on food changed for the better. At first, I honestly didn’t think I could become a vegetarian. I mean, I hated vegetables! And I was a really picky eater. Almost every time I went out to eat, I’d either get burger and fries or chicken and fries. I had one sandwich I’d get at Subway – a Spicy Italian with American cheese and no veggies. There were hardly enough foods I liked to make it a whole week without repeating some meal. I lived on tacos, grilled cheese, mac n’ cheese, spaghetti, burgers, chicken, fish sticks … and that’s about it.
To my surprise, giving up meat did not lead to less eating options. It led to more! It led to the discovery of awesome foods I never knew existed. Without the option of meat, I became much more open-minded to trying other foods. I discovered all sorts of vegetable stir fries, salads, soups, breads, wraps, vegetarian pizzas, and a bunch of other foods.
Eating became a fun and exciting experience. I learned how to cook and I loved it. The kitchen became a place for creativity. I began seeking out new recipes that I could try each week. I even started a blog with that girl focused on our new food discoveries. Eating-out became much more fun too. It was an adventure. I may no longer eat meat, but now I’ll try just about anything else. Sure, most restaurants don’t have a lot of vegetarian dishes, but nowadays they almost always have some. And I often find each restaurant has unique vegetarian dishes, so I can usually find something new to try at each one.
Whenever people learn that I’m a vegetarian, they always want to know why. I tell people I do it for health reasons. This is an easy, safe answer that usually avoids arguments. And I am a vegetarian primarily for the health benefits. But I also enjoy many additional benefits. Like the possibilities for creativity and that new outlook on food. Plus it feels good knowing I’m saving animals’ lives. I like animals. I had gone hunting before, and shot some squirrels; but other than that, I’ve never had the willingness to kill animals when it wasn’t necessary. Killing animals isn’t just a moral issue either. It has economic and environmental impacts as well. By choosing not to eat meat, all the food that would have been used to feed the livestock, can go directly to other people.
I’m not going to explain the health benefits in great detail. One thing I know is it seems like a greater percentage of vegetarians are in good health compared to non-vegetarians. I mean, just look at the people who stock their shopping carts with hamburger patties, sausage, and fish sticks. Then look at the people who fill their carts with fresh produce, whole grain bread, and that mysterious tofu. Who looks healthier?
Since becoming a vegetarian, I feel healthier. Some people think that those who live an active lifestyle need meat in their diet for protein and energy. I don’t believe that. I’m a marathon runner, and I haven’t had any problems. I can get what my body needs through a good balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein packed foods like beans, nuts, tofu, and soymilk. Physically, I feel great. I feel light and efficient, and there’s certainly no shortage of energy. And I know I’m not the only one. I’ve met Iron Man participants and know of ultra marathon runners like Dean Karnazes who are vegetarians.
Yet vegetarians don’t become physically healthier simply by abstaining from meat. For me, it wasn’t about what I gave up in my diet; it was about what I added to it. My choice to go vegetarian made me more aware of how I was eating in a larger sense. I began to eat more healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. I also started reading books on nutrition and learned about proper food combining for efficient digestion.
But the learning didn’t stop there. Going vegetarian made me focus on my whole lifestyle, which led to discoveries beyond eating. I started practicing yoga, barefoot running, and meditation. Increasingly, I sought to improve the person I was on all levels of wellness. I developed a respect for myself that I had never had before.
Because I respect myself, I plan to remain a vegetarian. I enjoy my new way of life too much to turn back. That’s not to say I’m going to become a super strict vegetarian and never eat meat again. Meat can taste absolutely delicious! I don’t believe in denying the pleasures in life. That’s not what life’s about. It’s about learning to appreciate all the pleasures in life, and becoming a vegetarian helped me to do just that.
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