What does it mean to become a vegetarian?

I am thinking about becoming a vegetarian but I want to know what it entails? I still have more research to do but I would like to know from people that are vegetarians or people that know about life as a vegetarian. Thank you.

There are many reasons why people become vegetarian. Some do it for religious reasons, others because they found out how animal agriculture contributes to global warming, others still because of health benefits, and finally there are those that just cannot justify paying for and eating sentient beings that are factory farmed in conditions that pervert everything that is humane, good or natural.

To me personally, vegetarianism means many things. It means that my heart is healthier, my blood pressure is lower, I maintain my healthy adult weight easier. It means that my diet has a much smaller negative impact on our planet. I find comfort in knowing that I can be certain that my meals contain as little suffering and pain as possible - something you just cannot guarantee if you buy and eat meat from stores.

Since I'm a human being, I attach emotional sentiment to things that non-human animals wouldn't. I do have emotional sentiments towards food, I have seen factory farms with my own two eyes and I have done massive amounts of research and I just felt sickened.

Every meal I get a choice - unlike other omnivorous animals, I'm intelligent enough to eat a balanced, delicious vegetarian diet, I can choose, so why should I choose to eat meat, which requires the death of a sentient being? Why choose death, why choose a corpse that's been dead for at least 2-3 weeks already by the time it gets into your refrigerator?

I think an essential part of being human, the spark that some call a soul, others call humanity, and yet others a conscience, is what attaches emotional sentiment to things that animals wouldn't. We do it to things other than our food, things like sex - animals have sex to procreate, humans for much more than that; in fact, we have intricate socially constructed meanings and rules towards sex. Animals have no real moral boundaries about age of consent, about eating their own children, about urinating and defecating right where they sleep. Human beings do.

So if we already accept that we have a conscience and that we view ourselves as intelligent enough to be morally responsible to govern the most animal-like, primitive behaviors we are capable of, why not call for an end of the needless dying of animals for our appetites as well? Once again, we as human beings are extremely intelligent, we can choose to eat a vegetarian diet. We read and understand the research behind the environmental and health benefits. It's no different than having a moral and conscientious stance about sex or hygiene.

It means that you don't eat meat or slaughter byproducts. Most aspects of life as a vegetarian are virtually indistinguishable from life as a meat eater. You will have to answer some questions for yourself about where you want to draw your line; for example, will you wear leather?

Here's some info on the definition of vegetarian and some common slaughter byproducts you'll want to avoid: http://www.vegsoc.org/info/definitions.h...

It still shocks me that people think you can be a vegetarian and eat chicken or fish. To the people that posted incorrectly here, there is NO such thing as a vegetarian that eats chicken or fish! A pescetarian is NOT a vegetarian. You people need to get your facts straight before posting your answers. It will never end I tell you :P

And to answer the actual question...

There's nothing to it (unless you have an addiction to meat like I did). Just stop eating meat and eat a regular and varied amount of fruit and vegetables a few times a day. Eat lots of nuts and dark green vegetables. Get a blood test after a few months to make sure you're getting enough iron but don't worry it's rarely a problem. The most important thing for long termers is to get an adequate amount of B12 which is really only obtainable by supplements or if you grow your vegetables in a nice soily garden.

Being a vegetarian generally means giving up all forms of meat, chicken, pork, and fish.

An ovo lacto vegetarian still gives up all of the above, but still eats dairy, cheese, eggs, milk.

An ovo vegetarian still eats eggs, and a lacto vegetarian still eats dairy products.

A vegan gives up all forms of animal products, including all dairy and egg products, gelatin, whey, and a list of other animal derived ingredients.

The best way to go veg is to do it in steps! I was a vegetarian for two years, then gave up eggs, then milk and cheese, and now I am a vegan. Good luck!

If you're going to be a strict vegetarian, it means you are going to have read the labels on EVERYTHING you eat. You will deal with a lot of conversations with omni's about it, who either want to convert you back or are just curious. You will have to make special arrangements when it comes to parties and family dinners, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It's really not that bad though, if you really believe it is the right thing to do.

i know friends that are vegetarians and they are all kind of different...

one won't eat meat/animal products, AT ALL...including milk because it's an animal product..anything from an animal she won't eat

another won't eat meat directly, like she'll drink soup that has a chicken broth or eat a meat pizza and just take the meat off (she also owns leather products -.-)

and my aunt will eat only chicken and nothing else

however, all 3 will eat seafood

i'm not sure if this is what you wanted to know >.<

If you're thinking about becoming a vegetarian, I'm sure you're aware that you'll need a lot of beans to keep your protein levels up, but much more worrisome for the vegetarian is fat intake. If your vegetarian diet allows for milk, that'll make things much easier on that front.

i have been a vegitarian for about a year now.

there are different kinds
some dont eat any meat, except chicken,
some only eat fish

it just depends on what you think is ok

i dont eat any meat.
but i do drink milk and eat eggs

it just depends on what you want.

Life as a vegetarian is great. I have more energy, and my body is stronger. It is different for everyone. I eat seafood, dairy, and eggs. goveg.com is great!

It means to become a non meat eater
Vegatarians don't eat meat
Only fruits, salads, and other healthy foods
But no meat
Glad I could help

When you become vegetarian, you can't eat meat or practially anything that has a face lol.

it means NO meat at ALL nothing that once lived.
and you are practically against killing animals and then they over populate and suffer... not cool

no more red meats all you can eat is fish, chicken and turkey