There’s a joke about vegetarians that is actually fairly accurate: if a normal person gets stabbed they say “Call 911, I’ve been stabbed.” If a vegetarian gets stabbed, they say “Call 911, I’ve been stabbed, and I’m a vegetarian.” That is very true. Maybe it’s because everyday conversations often revolve around food, but when you meet a vegetarian, you’ll know it. They just can’t help but tell you. Vegetarianism is becoming more and more common as a diet choice, but many non-vegetarians still don’t seem to understand fully what it entails. Here are some truths:
1. Vegetarians survive on a diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains.
They do not eat any type of meat, fish included. They get their daily protein and iron from various vegetables, beans, spinach, and various kinds of nuts. Non-vegetarians don’t always understand that vegetarians can’t just pick the meat out of prepared meals. Many meals have to be prepared separately, substituting vegetable broth for chicken broth and eliminating any other ingredients that have even the smallest amounts of meat products. Tofu is a good meat substitute in a vegetarian diet, as is soy.
2. Being a vegetarian does not always mean eating healthy, vitamin-enriched meals.
Yes, people often think that vegetarians eat mainly vegetables. In most instances, this is true. But even some of the most satisfying and unhealthy junk food is vegetarian – ice cream, chips, pizza (cheese and vegetable only, though), chocolate bars, and french fries. Vegetarians love french fries!
3. Vegetarians eat anything that does not contain meat or meat products.
Pescatarians, on the other hand, choose to eat fish but no other kinds of meat. Pescatarians eat fish primarily for the health benefits. They technically are not considered vegetarians, but many times people use pescatarianism as a stepping stone into full-fledged vegetarianism. Veganism takes the vegetarian diet a step further – along with not eating any meat, vegans also do not eat any animal by-products. That means no eggs, cheese, milk, or dairy of any kind. Vegetarians happily eat eggs, cheese and milk in their daily meals.
No matter how many times non-vegetarians ask vegetarians if they eat meat, the answer will always be no. “Not at all?” non-vegetarians ask. “No, never,” vegetarians respond time after time. “Well, what about fish?” non-vegetarians ask. “No, no fish either,” vegetarians respond. “But why?” non-vegetarians wonder out of complete curiosity. That is the big question: why? Vegetarians are asked this question so many times that many have developed a pretty thorough elevator pitch for when a new person questions their life decisions.
Many non-vegetarians also think that vegetarians judge or look down upon people who still eat meat. Non-vegetarians always seem to ask if it’s okay if they eat meat in front of a vegetarian; they sometimes even apologize for eating meat. While the thought is actually pretty polite, it’s not necessary. In most cases, vegetarians do not judge and are not bothered by meat eaters. Just because they don’t eat meat, that doesn’t mean they expect the rest of the world not to eat meat too. Becoming a vegetarian is a highly personal choice; each person should decide on their own if it’s something that they want to actively pursue.