Why and how to become a vegetarian

Interview with vegetarian.

My friend Mark is a vegetarian.  Every time when we sit at the table we are talking about health and diets. He is a pharmacist, 60 years old, looks healthier and younger than other people his age.

I interviewed him to find out what it is like to be a vegetarian, and how vegetarians stay healthy despite not eating meat.

For those of you curious to learn more about what its like to be a vegetarian tune in to the interview bellow:

1. What type of a vegetarian are you?

I’m an ovolactovegetarian.

2. Have you always been a vegetarian? Or was there a particular event that motivated you to want to change your lifestyle?

About 20 years ago, we decided since we love our dogs and wouldn’t eat them, that we should extrapolate that belief to all animals, so we stopped eating meat.

3. What are you reason(s) for becoming a vegetarian?

Ethical—we believe all animals we share our planet with have a value and they deserve to live no less than our lives have value.

4. What sort of animal products do you avoid to be considered a vegetarian?

“Anything with a face on it”!—poultry, beef, pork, fish, etc.

5. Do you eat eggs, milk, cheese or honey? Why or why not?

We eat eggs and cheese—we buy eggs from free ranging or organic hens and organic cheese—it’s something we would like to work on to swear off eating these products.

6. How do you gain all your necessary nutrients? Do you think this is sufficient?

People believe we need lots of protein and that one gets this from meat---that couldn’t be further from the truth. All foods, including vegetables have enough protein to satisfy our nutritional requirements.

7. Do you incorporate your vegetarian lifestyle into other aspects of your lifestyle?

We buy clothes made from cotton or synthetic fibers---DEFINITELY NO FUR!!

8. Do your family or friends eat meat? Does this affect how you relate to them?

My wife, along with my son do not eat meat.  My in-laws, cousins, aunts, etc do eat meat, but we have no problem with that---we were meat eaters once.

9. What was your family’s reaction to your lifestyle choice?

They accepted and respected our decision.

10. What type of meals do you most often cook/eat?

Pasta, vegetables, soups (beans in particular).

11. Have you inspired others to become a vegetarian? If so how?
• Yes/no

By simply explaining our beliefs when they asked why we are vegetarians.

12. Has your social life been affected with your friends?

Aside from them teasing us about it occasionally (which doesn’t bother us at all)----no.

13. How do you feel to be in social situations? (For example going to a restaurant or friends house)?

No problem—we just let them know and they’re happy to accommodate us.

14. If you have/will have children would you want them to follow your lifestyle too?

Our son’s a vegetarian also.

15. Do you find that the price of the food needed for a vegetarian lifestyle is different to a meat-eater?

I think it’s about the same---cheaper if one buys food in bulk.

16. Do you feel there is enough nutritional guidance to lead a healthy vegetarian diet?

I think there could be more information supplied to the public to help people realize this is a very healthy diet.

17. What is your diet mostly made up of?

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains (cereals and breads), nuts, seeds, non-dairy milks (almond in particular), fruit juices

18. What sort of meals would you have throughout the week?

Pasta, rice, vegetables, soups (beans in particular). There are also vegetarian versions of burgers, chicken, and hot dogs that are also available in mainstream supermarkets (Giant, Acme, etc).

19. Do you find it hard to gain all the necessary nutrients?

The only nutrient of concern is Vitamin B-12 which is found in organ meats. We get enough of this nutrient by supplementing with a one-a day vitamin and almond milks.

20. Do you use any supplements to ensure you gain enough vitamins and minerals? Why?

A one-a day vitamin. Studies have shown people have a longer and higher quality of life if they take a multiple vitamin supplement every day.

21. Have you had any health problems/ benefits from your lifestyle choice?

I feel great physically and mentally.

22. What have you found easiest and hardest about being a vegetarian?

 Easiest---knowing I’m not eating something that suffered before it landed on my plate. Hardest—limitations in the menus of some restaurants of what is offered (but that’s improved a lot!)

23. Do you think eating meat is a very brutal thing?

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has a video out which shows the horrors of the meat raising industry. Most people are not aware of the cruelty that goes behind the food that’s on their plates.

24. What do you think of your friends that like to eat meat a lot?

That’s their choice. I explain to them my beliefs (if they ask) and let them make their own decisions. A lot of them actually have cut back on their meat consumption considerably.

25.  Do you think you get enough nutrition?

Yes.

26.   Do you want your child to be vegetarian like you?

 He is ovolactovegetarian like us and enjoys foods that most kids would not even think of trying (he’s been raised a vegetarian since birth).

27. What were your favorite foods before you went vegetarian, and now that you are vegetarian?

Before—pasta and meatballs. After—soups and my wife’s homemade macaroni and cheese.

Dear reader!

Please respond with your opinion and comments to this interview?