Why are people so black and white about vegetarianism?

[GradeSeven]

I live with a vegetarian despite being an omnivore myself. I've got used to most of my meals not having any meat and have found it has virtually zero impact on my enjoyment of food - because generally great flavours are because of good seasoning, herbs & spices and deep rich sauces etc etc. You really don't "need" meat and I'd be happy enough if I never ate meat again.

I also increasingly think that eating less meat is better for my health and the planet - win win.

However it is very convenient if I go someplace where meat is one of the only decent options, or if vegetarian food is not done well. I can just pick a meat dish, no drama. And it's such a rare thing for me to eat meat, I know in the grand scheme of things it won't have a big impact.

Why can't vegetarians do the same as me and just accept that eating meat once in a blue moon for the sake of convenience and enjoyment will not "undo" all the good that many months of not eating any meat at all has done.

Instead they becoming obsessed with the label of "vegetarian' and having to live up to this ideal. And tying themselves up in knots in certain situations in order to avoid meat, especially if it is some tiny meat-derived ingredient that is causing the issue. It would just be easier all round to relent - just for one meal.

I understand if you are a hardcore ethical vegetarian who loves all animals you will never eat meat - but that isn't typical of most vegetarians these days is it?

I guess I'm just not such a black and white thinker about these things, and like to embrace the grey!

Why are people so black and white about eating dogs?

No. I think you’ll find that’s vegans standing by our vegan principles.

As a vegetarian I secretly agree with this. Dogs and horses. I mean what's the difference?

@CryOverSpilledIrnBru, it was an in-law. DH has very strong words with them and now reminds them if they ever invite us for food.
They didn't think it would matter if it was just stock apparently. Also thought I would eat potatoes roasted in goose fat...
To be fair, they have become super cautious and I get served separately now.

Isn’t what you’re describing called ‘flexitarian’ these days? That’s how I describe myself. I prefer to eat vegetables for health, planetary and welfare reasons. But I do eat chicken on the odd occasion having a nice meal out.

@forthispostonly Sounds like they have learnt their lesson. I can never understand how such an astonishingly simple, coherent way of eating is misunderstood by so many. And again, I'm not vegetarian or vegan, but I totally understand the concept and would never suggest meat stock/goose fat/wafer bloody thin ham was okay to serve.

I fear a lot of pescatarians call themselves vegetarian which doesn't help.

Because I think eating animals farmed for the purpose is environmentally indefensible, and I’m not a Hunter.

I'm not a vegetarian but I completely understand that they probably feel the same way about eating animal meat as I would about eating human meat. I don't resort to cannibalism if there's a shortage of chicken.

Surely if you eat meat, even a slice of wafer thin ham (Royle Family😂) you’re not a vegetarian. The end. It’s not about being inflexible, it’s about deciding not to eat animals.

I had a ridiculous conversation with my BIL a few years ago. He argued with me that vegetarians ate fish. I said no, the clue’s in the name, fish are not vegetables. Whereupon he informed me that I was wrong, that it’s vegans who don’t eat fish. I tried to explain. I really did. But no, his mate Seamus from work was a vegetarian and ate fish. THEN HE ISN’T A BLOODY VEGETARIAN! Yeah, I was a bit loud and exasperated and lost my shit and was predictably told to calm down. But I honestly find it hard when confronted with such stupidity. I wish I was as stupid as him because he genuinely thinks he knows everything and it seems to make him very happy indeed.

Honestly? Because I haven't eaten meat for the best part of four decades, and the idea of tucking into dead flesh now just grosses me out.

I don't stand on any ethical high ground in relation to being a vegetarian. Tbh, if I really cared about the ethics, I would have to go vegan, and I don't want to. So it is mostly just habit for me now, but the idea of eating meat is not appealing to me in any way. Plus I'm not sure if I could digest it properly now in any case.

I think being omniverous but eating less meat is a perfectly valid position, especially if you mainly eat high quality meat from farms with decent welfare standards. I certainly don't judge anyone who chooses to eat meat. I do judge people who feel like they have to eat meat at every meal, but equally, I judge vegetarians who are sanctimonious about not eating meat when they still consume eggs and dairy.

I have the greatest admiration for those who are vegan, but I'm afraid I like my cheese too much to follow suit.

Lentils are high in FODMAP which some people struggle to digest. I love lentils but they don’t love me. Meat is classed as low FODMAP and therefore fine.

You’re so right. I’ve been veggie for 20 years, my two children eat meat. There are so many occasions where they have finished their meal and there is meat left over and it would make far more sense morally for me to eat it than bin it, especially as my diet is very poor and I used to love meat. I just can’t bring myself to do it, but I wish I could!

Presumably you do realise that not all vegetarians eat fake meat? Those products are aimed at people who have given up meat for ethical/health reasons etc, or indeed at people who are choosing to eat less meat for similar reasons, but still want the sensation of eating something that resembles meat.

A lot of vegetarians and vegans avoid these products because we aren't interested in them. Personally, if I wanted to eat meat, I would just eat meat!

It's an ethical stance. Most people don't like betraying their own sense of ethics. It's sort of like saying 'well stealing once is fine because I've not stolen for 10 year's.

I'm vegan and wouldn't eat animal products 🤷 I don't judge other's choices, but I wouldn't betray my own ethics.

I do judge people who can't cope with a single meal without meat lol. There are so many amazing veggie/vegan dishes. You don't have to eat substitutes. I feel like people are missing out on a whole world of flavours, but tbf to be vegan you do have to get into cooking, unless you're a junk food vegan.

I don’t want to ingest animal products - it’s a simple as that. Even gelatine or animal fat. If it was for survival of course I would but otherwise I don’t want to eat parts of a dead animal.

Exactly this.

I know a lot about physiology, but have never heard of "gut floats".

Exactly!!!!!

I'm guessing it was a typo for flora.

I’ve been vegetarian since 12. It’s not classed as food anymore for me as it’s been so long. If I’ve ever eaten any by accident I’ve spat it out, it’s pretty unpalatable.

Its not for you as you’re keeping your hand in.

I guess I must be a hard-line ethical vegetarian then. OP, you aren't vegetarian so you won't really get it. I am and I don't eat animals not even a little bit or sometimes not since I was 7 and forced to eat stew by my mum for the last time. The thought of eating animal flesh is grim to me, I'd rather go hungry.

Someone else asked why vegetarians eat fake meat, I don't really like it but I know plenty of vegetarians who do actually like meat, even love it but they choose not to eat it for ethical reasons.

Most people who are vegetarian are not going to be ok with eating meat. They aren't choosing vegetarianism to be dramatic or special or to wind others up they do it because they find eating animal flesh abhorrent.

Because I don't want to eat dead birds, fish or animals. That's it, really. If I'm paying to eat in a restaurant, I want to enjoy it, not vomit all over the table because of squeamishness about food the majority of people see as normal. It's not my normal, and hasn't been for a very long time.

“Why can’t vegetarians do the same as me…”

Erm…because they’re vegetarian!?! And you’re not. Vegetarianism is a pretty straight forward concept. Do you really need it spelling out to you why vegetarians don’t want to eat meat even occasionally?

They're also very useful for people like my MiL who is an oldfashioned plain cook with no real experience of cooking meals without meat, but who is a kind and generous woman who likes to include me in meals when I visit. She can make her normal sausage casserole using veggie sausages, instead of having to look up and learn something new, and everyone's happy.

Who said we all think it’s different? the difference I care meat to meat for me is how the animal grows . As in I would never eat a steak from a cow that never saw daylight as a example or even eggs from caged hens