JOURNAL ENTRY 2: VEGETARIAN DIET

I have been a vegetarian for almost six years. It was my choice to be a vegetarian. Many people around me keep asking the reason why I quitted eating meat. They may see this situation as a psychological problem. They think there must be a terrible experience under my decision. However, vegetarianism is actually a diet. Vegetarianism is a matter of choice. People should respect this kind of life style.  I feel healthier and happier when I do not eat meat. In addition, I love animals and I support animal rights. I am against the idea that animals are there for people to eat their meat, drink their milk or use their skin and feather for clothes, bags and shoes. Animals have feelings just like people do. We should not think that they are inferior. It is true that they are not the same as people, but this should not change our attitude towards them. They are worthy enough to be respected.

There are different types of vegetarianism. Some vegetarians do not consume any products of animals. They neither eat meat nor drink milk. Their diet does not include eggs and honey either. This type is the most extreme one because they ignore everything made by animal products. They are called “vegans”.

I am not a vegan because I still drink milk and I eat cheese. I really like yoghurt. Nevertheless, I rarely eat eggs and honey. This type of vegetarianism is called “ovo-lacto”. It means consuming milk and milk products but not meat. Ovo-lacto vegetarians eat eggs as well as dairy products.

Lacto vegetarians consume dairy products. Pesco vegetarians eat fish. Partial vegetarians eat all foods except red meat. Partial vegetarians are flexible in their diet.

Despite these types of vegetarianism, I believe that vegetarianism should mean a diet based only on plants. Hence, a true vegetarian is the one whose diet consists of vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, herbs, spices and grains. Animal-derived products should not be consumed.

There is something funny about being vegetarian. Some may think that you eat fish or chicken. However, when we say that we do not eat meat, it means we really do not eat any kinds of meat. Asking a vegetarian whether he or she wants to taste a little meat or chicken while eating together is not a good attitude. If he or she says that he or she is a vegetarian, you should not insist on judging his or her choice. On the other hand, I cannot judge you if you are one of these people thinking the same because of the fake vegetarians. These types of vegetarians say that they do not eat chicken but they eat fish. They do not like fish but they eat chicken or meat. I think this case confuses many people’s minds.

Some people become a vegetarian because of the health concerns. However, there are many reasons behind it such as concerns for animal rights, global warming and the environment. Moreover, some believe that they will gain a spiritual well being after becoming a vegetarian.

Many doctors and researchers have found that a plant-based diet is the best one of all because it prevents the risk of cancer and also it protects the human heart. Thus, vegetarians are healthier in many ways than the followers of other diets.

It’s a well-known fact that commercial fishing and fish farms are polluting and destroying the oceans. Some lands and forests are being turned to animal farms in order to supply people with more meat and other by-products. Environmentalists criticize these projects because of their damage to the environment.

Einstein says: “It is both auspicious and peaceful for people to choose vegetarianism.”.  Considering myself, I feel more peaceful and lighter after my choice. I feel happier because I know that I save at least a life of animal or fight cruelty against the animals whenever I say “no” to eating meat. I do not expect everybody to be vegetarian, but I feel I am doing something important thanks to my choice.

Unfortunately, some people think that vegetarians cannot eat much or they are always starving because their diet lacks variety of foods. These people always offer meals that we do not eat by claiming that they are delicious and we are unlucky as we miss all these meals. I do not agree this view because there are many different and tasty vegetarian recipes all around the world. One can easily find interesting and creative blogs of vegetarianism and vegetarian recipes on the Internet. I think these blogs are really successful and it is a great pleasure for me to look through them. I even send some of the recipes to my sister via e-mail and ask her to cook them when I go back home. She is really good at cooking and she loves trying new recipes. Hence, vegetarians are luckier because there are lots of different, original and tasty meals for us.

Briefly, I am contended with the way I choose to live because vegetarianism has many benefits in many areas.  I think vegetarians can make people aware of the real world. Both humans and animals share the same planet, so they are not superior or inferior to each other. Humans cannot treat animals cruelly. If you are going to carry on consuming animal products, it is okay unless you are sure that you do not hurt any of animals. However, I think I am never going to give up my diet because I enjoy it a lot.