Should I become a vegetarian?

Question

I've recently found out about all these food scams that generally involve meat... I'm completely grossed out and want to become a vegetarian but don't know if it's worth it/ nutritious enough for a dancer. I'm also grossed out by gelatin and castoreum and the fact that the FDA allows a test number of rodent hairs in food... But I guess that's partly unavoidable. The pink slime, bacteria, ammonia ordeal is what's really grossing me out about meat. I'm scared in super processed foods there's like rat meat or monkey meat so now I'm afraid to eat anything processed. Please help me I'm totally freaking out!

immaterial · Accepted Answer

I personally also became a vegetarian due to being grossed out by how meat was produced, before I eventually went on to become vegan, so I hope I can offer some degree of feedback on the issue.

First I wouldn't suggest taking any nutritional or science advice from a forum which is not populated by experts on the issue. Most normal doctors are not seemingly particularly qualified to give advice regarding nutrition, much less members of the general public. Moreover vegetarianism is something of a contentious issue, and there are many arguments that people use to justify their positions against (or for) vegetarianism, arguments which quite often do not appear to be supported by the facts.

On the subject of whether or not it's nutritious enough for a dancer, I would offer a quote:

"It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes."

(eatright.org/About/Content.aspx?id=8357) (It didn't want to let me add links, so I had to remove the triple w's for each link)

Additionally the nutritional adequacy of vegetarian diets, as well as their link to lower rates of chronic diseases have also seemingly been supported by organizations such as the United states department of agriculture

(cnpp.usda.gov/publications/dietaryguidelines/2010/policydoc/policydoc.pdf)

as well as The American Heart Association.

( heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/Vegetarian-Diets_UCM_306032_Article.jsp)

Furthermore if one needed more motivation, and one has the stomach to face the reality of what takes place in the production of meat, a relevant video can be found here:

meat.org/

For my part, I have never regretted it, and although I know you didn't mention the ethical implications, if I might offer a quote from Charles Darwin: "The love for all living creatures, is the most noble attribute of man." I can't think of anything at the moment that's seems more worthwhile.

cheeky_starfish · Accepted Answer

I understand how these food scams can be quite scary and make you wonder exactly what you are eating, but in truth these cases are rare and can often be exaggerated to make a good news story.

I always remember the time that I either read or watched a news story saying that apples can be unhealthy for you! That was the moment I decided to stop listening to these food related health stories and just eat whatever I wanted to eat. It seems like everything is bad for you these days, so I'd rather just eat what I consider to be reasonably healthy and enjoy a varied diet. That which I consider to be unhealthy I will eat in moderation.

I don't think you should stop eating meat because it is natural to do so and you will gain a lot of health benefits from eating meat, especially as you are a dancer and into health and fitness. Of course it is your choice, but I think becoming a vegetarian will have a number of detrimental effects on the nutrients you get from your new diet, so I would suggest trying to find that balance where you are careful with what you eat, but find a good healthy balanced diet.

I hope that helps you and try not to worry too much about all that goes into making food... Much of what you hear is very rare and overly exaggerated! lol

Izzy2102 · Accepted Answer

Eating meat is healthier than vegetarian diet but I do understaand you not want to eat it anymore because of the way it is produced. Organic meat is a bit better if it helps. I don't et processed food either, because they re bd in general. but yes you can get everything you need on a vegetrian or even vegan diet. You'd have to et substitutes like tofu, other soy products or spirulina though.

I think being vegetarian is a very good idea, considering how meat produced today, even though meat is healthy they put tons of chemicals and medicine in it. The way the animals live is disgusting really, there are tons of videos if you want to be put off met forever I can link some. America went totally wrong there, it's a bit better in the EU tho. But as Paul Mcartney said

“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.”

springocelot · Accepted Answer

The best way to avoid all the nasty food additives is to make your meals from organic unprocessed foods. That can get costly. But I think making your own meals is worth it. If it's primarily meat your grossed-out about, then I would look into buying grass-finished beef - they are a lot less likely to have additives injected into them.

I knew a dancer back in college who was vegetarian and the diet obviously worked out well for her. If you want to go that route, then try it for a couple of weeks and see how you feel.

noumenon · Answer

Re: nutrition, vegetarians I have known in my life include a marathon runner and a taekwondo instructor, both of whom were (and I imagine still are) incredibly lean, fit and strong. So I'm sure you could devise a vegetarian diet that would provide suitable nutrition for your dancing should you decide to do so.

Ever since the horse meat scandal (where loads of beef products in UK turned out to be made of low grade horse meat, some of which might not even have been safe for human consumption but even if it was it was I was more upset about having eaten beautiful intelligent horses when I thought I was eating stupid ugly cows) I have been avoiding cheap processed meat. I will never eat any processed meat again or trust labelling on stuff.

Still, my faith in high quality free range/organic meats has not been dented. I'm sure you'll be fine if you stay away from the processed stuff.

lericah · Answer

You don't need to freak out about it as gross as some of it seems in America these standards are strict enough that what ever you eat won't hurt you when done in moderation. My cousins boyfriend is a vegetarian and I want to be a partial one. Mostly I think the only reason to become one is to lose weight. Abstaining doesn't do nearly as much damage to the industry in terms of bad practicces as buying from companies that do things right. I myself want to do it so I can lose weight and feel better, ride my bike further and reduce my Alcahol budget.

xzinax2 · Answer

i'm vegan,and it's worth it,just don't quit after a month-the biggest mistake people make is-not enough calories-so eat a lot of calorie dense foods like dates and peanut butter. don't let anyone tell you anything against veganism-i've been having those arguments for years and there is no argument that can't be refuted,just ask me-for example-B12-comes from bacteria,plants used to have it but we wash them too well now,supplements are recommended for ANY diet,and a lot of vegans never take a supplement and don't have any problems.

TheGodEmperorLeto · Answer

No. Eating meat is actually healthier because a lot of nutrients can be BEST acquired through meat. Some nutrients (like B12) you can't get at all from ANYTHING vegetarian. A lot of the problems with meat isn't actually meat, but other sh*t with it. And you can find plenty of meat at supermarkets without all the bad additives.

And, as most said, the scams are exaggerated bullsh*t. Often by PETA or Vegans/Vegetarians trying to trick and force others to change.

Only be a vegetarian if YOU prefer the diet personally, nothing else.

Anonymous · Answer

Seems like you're finding every horror story about meat production and letting it take you over. Not much I can say over the internet so that you don't focus unrealistically on these things other than to calm the f*** down lol.

If you want to become a vegetarian because of this, then just realize that to get the same amount of daily nutrition that you normally do, it'll take a bit more effort to supplement it somehow in your diet. There are plenty of resources online to educate yourself on the vegetarian diet if you choose to become one yourself. Just don't make the same mistake that a lot of people inevitably do and lose nutrients you should be taking in.

KodaJosh098 · Answer

It's up really up to you. Personally, I wouldn't go there. I need some meat in my food.

Go organic but hey "organic" isn't even that organic. I read some where that food only needs 40% organic material to be called "organic."

I just don't like that vegetarian shaming and that vegan shaming I saw on the news recently. All that phony outrage about people going back to meat. Jeez.

Stacyzee · Answer

Yes, but its a commitment you have to stick to.

Keep in mind you have to eat twice has much because vegetables only full you so much and for so long.

Also, know what type of vegetarian you want to become because there are many different types.

If you are able to keep your commitment,

Your body will feel better and

You will have more energy.

Anonymous · Answer

Unless you are going to prepare every single thing you eat from scratch you need to get use to the idea of eating stuff with the kinds of standards you mentioned. It will take a long time to learn to cook everything from scratch, and it is a lot more work. It does taste a lot better when it is made from scratch instead of strange chemicals that we were never meant to eat. I don't know anyone that has kind of time.

Anonymous · Answer

WOW!

dont buy all the media sensationalism

buy whole cuts of meat and not nuggets.

the things you are worried about in meat are just as bad in vegetables if not more so. how many of the food poisoning outbreaks you have heard about are from meat vs plants?

unless you want to grow/raise all of your own food you will just have to deal with it.

best advice is to wash produce & avoid nuggets, premade burgers, canned meats, etc.

abundantlyrich · Answer

Not necessarily, you can still eat fresh organic meat and start cooking it yourself no more take out, processed and frozen food for you

HughR · Answer

Find a reputable, organic farmer in your area and use their products. A dancer needs the protein densities you find in meats.

Modernhippy · Answer

I so wish I could pull it off. Every time I eat any meat I feel terrible but then again my body feels terrible if I don't eat meat.

jmaster · Answer

you should try being one  and if you can't  do it just don't be one cause your never going to know if you don't try at least once

Janson · Answer

Sure why not. There are some health risks to eating meat often. I could never do it though. You only live once, and I love me some prime ribs

WoIIie · Answer

No, because these scams are for the most part, grossly exaggerated.

foxsquirrel · Answer

Do what you want as long as you don't annoy or harm people.

nicenthic · Answer

Vegetarianism is a great idea. Although you could become pesco-vegetarian and get that good HDL fat.

myspacemybroke · Answer

give no f***s. Apathy is the most useful skill you will possibley learn.

haduj · Answer

vegetarians are very healthy but don't become on because of some over exaggerated myths about processed food.

Anonymous · Answer

you can become vegetarian and  be fine as a dancer. you wouldn't be the first vegetarian dancer.

Should I become a vegetarian?

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