Why are people vegetarians/vegans if it is so hard for them to not eat meat?

I have been reading some questions and answers in this section, and see that many have to force themselves to not eat meat. Why is it so hard? If you have to force yourself, and have fallen off the bandwagon time and time again, why not just eat meat? I only eat some mean. I HATE pork. I like chicken, I will NOT eat eggs. Why would you put yourself through that? If meat sounds good, then eat it! Please no nasty answers. I am asking a serious question! Thanks!

I totally agree with you,if it was hard for me to give up meat and dairy then i wouldn't be vegan,i have never been tempted to eat those things since being vegan.you shouldn't live your life depriving yourself of something you like.

I TOTALY AGREE i only eat chicken i also hate pork i dont understand this much either ok i use to be a vegetarian but well i never had to force myself not eat chicken i thought it was wrong and in one way still do so i dont understand if there vegeterians they really should not have this problem should they. the only reason im not a vegeterian for know is because i was told as i was not eating any meat i was becoming seriously ill so i had to literaly force my self but well know ive sort of got use to it a bit

With that attitude then an obese person should just continue eating what they want and how much they want, an alcoholic should just keep drinking and smokers shouldn't bother to try to quit. As with most vegetarians, not eating meat is a matter of eating a healthy diet that does not include the eating of fat, steriods and the other growth hormones that are fed to the livestock people eat.

Actually being vegetarian is not that hard at all. What is hard is if you are raised to eat meat and then make the switch. Old habits die hard. But eventually you get into the swing of things.

As to why people would bother to put themselves through a certain amount of difficulty concerning this issue. I would have to say because it is the right thing to do ethically, environmentally, as well as health wise.

It's easy to do the wrong thing. It's easier to let yourself free fall than it is to struggle your way up a ladder. Why bother climbing at all? I'll let you figure that last question out.

Meat is an addiction. It releases the same hormones that make you feel "good' that chocolate does.

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We are technological displaced meat eaters due to inventions. Also are we any wiser for it?

I didn't find it hard to give up meat and I've never in 20 years found it hard to stay vegetarian. But even if it was a little hard sometimes, it would be worth it to stick to my principles and keep doing something that's good for my health.

By your logic, why would anyone put themselves through anything difficult in order to benefit their health? So what if you're a recovered alcoholic, if that beer sounds good, then drink it! So what if you're a diabetic, if that Twinkie sounds good, then eat it! So what if you're overweight, if laying on the couch chowing on potato chips sounds better than going to the gym, then do it!

I'm not trying to be nasty, by the way. Just logical.

The percentage of those who find it hard not to eat it is VERY small. It's not hard at all for most of us.

It all depends why a person who is used to eating meat made the conscious choice to become a vegetarian.
My choice was easy as I never liked meat anyway and my choice to not eat meat is religious.
Now it is the last thing on my mind.
People who give up meat for other reasons may find the going tough because they don't have the conviction to stop thinking about meat.
However, at the end of the day, just the fact that they are not supporting the meat industry is all that matters.

I dont' find it hard not to eat meat or dairy products at all. Being a vegan is about having a healthier body and a clear conscience. Even if I did enjoy eating animal products I wouldn't as I feel that it is cruel to value my life above that of an animal. I would never kill a person so I could eat and I feel the same about animals.

I've been a vegetarian for 11 years, and i don't miss meat one bit! It wasn't hard for me to give up in the first place....now it's just second nature to me....but that's me. I've had friends that have tried, but couldn't live without thier dead animal carcass sandwiches, fajitas, or tacos.....maybe they weren't meant for it. I don't think a true vegan/vegetarian needs "willpower," I think it should feel natural to them, like myself! Granted, eating meat grosses me out, but it's your choice. I try not to preach at anyone.....(although it seems like i am). It's just not for me!

In my experience food is just habit. The old habit is hard to break. But once the new habit is established it is not difficult to maintain.

I stopped eating meat at home over 25 years ago, without any real difficulty. I continued to eat meat whenever I went out but it became increasingly disappointing. I cut it out altogether about 10 years ago. Now it's about as appealing to me as a can of dogfood.

People become vegetarians for many different reasons, health, spirituality, the environment, compassion for animals, taste, fashion. They try and change their habits because they believe it will be better for them.

From your question it appears it never occured to you that not eating meat might actually have some benefits. Are you saying people should give up their principles and simply do whatever is convenient. It's like asking why do fat people go on diets, if it is hard for them not to eat excess calories and junk food? Do you simply follow the path of least resistance in your life?

Believe me, in the last 25 years I have researched the subject extensively and tried all sorts of variations myself. The scientific evidence in favor of a vegerarian diet is overwhelming, both from a health and environmental point of view. Meat eating does more damage to the environment than all the other causes put together, including industrial pollution. Calorie for calorie, it takes four times the area of land to feed a meat eater.