Should I Eat Meat?

[Muckraker]

I have been vegetarian for fifteen years. In that time I have not knowingly eaten any fish, beef, pork, fowl, or the products of any animal that required it to die. I do eat dairy and eggs.

I have come to realize, being middle-aged and married with kids, that there isn't a whole lot to do in life. The variety of sexual experience is limited to my wife. The variety of where I can go and what activities I can partake in are limited by a two year old, a two month old baby, and two dogs. The variety of entertainment is limited by what is "responsible" and fits in to my lower-middle class purchasing power. My environmental variety is limited to what is offered in the state I live in. And, my self-imposed diet restrictions have limited what new culinary experiences I can be exposed to.

So the question is simple. Since the only one of those things I can think of that I have "responsible" control over is my diet, should I start eating meat again?

Here are the pros and cons as I see them.

Pros

Pretty constant flow of new experiences offered by all sorts of things I never tried. Even when I had meat as a teenager I was pretty poor and limited to the "fast food" offerings. For instance, I have never had a "steak" in my entire life.

It will be easier to fit me in at family functions because of no diet restrictions.

People I eat with won't think I am "judging" them.

I won't have the complicated task of explaining to my kids why I don't eat meat and they do.


Cons

I will be ignoring the needle on my moral compass

I will definitely gain weight. The only reason I have been an ideal weight is because of my limited diet.

I will have to exercise to stave off my family history of heart disease.

Life will be more expensive, partly because of all the new things I will want to try and partly because a meat diet is more expensive than a vegetarian one.

I'm afraid it won't taste good to me, in which case I will have abandoned my morals for nothing.

----------------------


So that's it. What do you folks think? Also, if you vote for me to eat meat again do you think my first meal should be the most expensive Kobe steak in Chicago or should I start back in on the thing that made me vegetarian in the first place - the Arby's five roast beefs for five dollars (although I imagine this price has probably increased in the last fifteen years)?

If I end up eating meat again I will also smoke a joint for the first time in my life.

So vote away! In all seriousness, the votes and debate points that people bring up here will play a role in my decision. If I do eat meat again I will videotape it and post it on Youtube too (same with the joint smoking).

[ShadowFox]

Ok, well, i do eat meat. From what my sister has told me (she's also a vegetarian), is that when she eats meat, she get sick and feels like she's going to throw up. so, beware.

[lindsay7]

It sounds like you already have a very healthy diet. Personally I don't think meat is healthy, you're better off avoiding it. I like to follow an adaptation of the Japanese diet. They have some of the longest lifespans of any culture. I eat lots of fish, vegetables, fruit, sometimes eggs and some goat yogurt.

I'm a little confused why morally, you are against eating meat, but still eat dairy and eggs... you're still supporting an industry that doesn't treat cows and chickens very well, unless you get your dairy and eggs from a small family farm or something.

But hey, if you want to spice up your food without eating meat, I recommend a cooking class. There's all sorts out there, loads of fun in my opinion. Whenever I get bored with life.. I grab a friend and take an afternoon class. Learning something new never gets dull.

[Domino]

I have been vegetarian for fifteen years. In that time I have not knowingly eaten any fish, beef, pork, fowl, or the products of any animal that required it to die.

If we could remove tasty portions without killing the animal, would you still object?

I'm afraid it won't taste good to me, in which case I will have abandoned my morals for nothing.

Chewing need not lead to swallowing.

If I end up eating meat again I will also smoke a joint for the first time in my life.

It is decided: eat up!

[schandefreude]

Even though it is easier for people to deal with life in black and white, much more insight is gained from the shades of gray. Why does it have to be meat/no meat? Why the need to categorize yourself as such? As one person said, consuming eggs and dairy still supports the industry. If you're curious, you may as well "fall off the wagon". As a on-again-off-again vegetarian myself for well over 15 years, I know that once every couple years the urge just strikes. One beefy meal, three rounds of indigestion, one angry colon and a fat old guilty conscience later, I have no desire to do it again for another two years. It doesn't make me less of a person in the meantime.

Regarding health issues, I just stick with a mantra that is a mere variation on my above statement about life in shades of gray: everything in moderation. Your coronary arteries won't slam shut in righteous indignation after one meal, and a small piece of marbled steak is best balanced by a large salad, and, yes, exercise. (I know, it hurts.)

One thing I will say though: eating meat to simply fit in at family functions or to help your kids understand is a poor excuse. And for others thinking I'm judging them? That's their problem, not mine.

P.S. "Middle-aged"? You're killing me.

[Technosoul]

It would be possible to try small samples from what the wife or kids are having for supper, that way you are eating only what would have been killed already, less guilt.

Perhaps start with fish, I hear they are good for people who want to have a healthy heart.

Your body has adjusted to your current diet, so continue with that diet (while experimenting with new foods ) because a radical change might toss things off balance, because you digestive system is now trained to make use of what you have been eating for years. I knew an exchange student who was feeling ill and the doctor noted he was eating fast food sold here in USA, where as back in his country he ate mostly pasta with tomato sauce and lots of salt. So he got back on his old diet and felt good again. (in spite of the fact it might not have been the most healthy way to eat).

Viggie eating animals play a role in the food chain, and getting ate by a preditor gives their life some purpose other then just dieing and rotting away, they get to have their body continued as life in some other animal. What purpose can a cow have just walking around eating grass? If a wolf eats it then the cow's life energy becomes the wolf, if the wolf dies then it's life energy is absorbed by the soil and then continues as food for plants, which the cow then eats. It is all circular, with the rare exception of humans (due to they way our body is disposed of by society). But otherwise, the cow would eat the grass and you would eat the cow and and when you die the grass would eat you (and a few bugs, that the birds would then eat, and so on and on and on in a endless cycle.

The momentum life life energy is not flat, it is circular like the earth is a globe. The only morality issue at stake is how we kill animals or treat them in the process of having a food supply.

Killing a plant is murder also, it is a living life form just like animals are.
Heck, some of my best friends are trees.

The choice is totally up to you and so I do not want to push you in any direction one way or the other. Meat is not addictive so you can always stop if you find it non-interesting.

But again, a little at first, ease into diets changes so your body has time to make adjustments. Do not do it just to "show off" at u-tube. On the other hand, why not have fun and get some "limelight" in your life? Nothing wrong with entertaining people as long as you do not feel you are giving up all your morals to be popular.

I mean life is short, and you might have only one chance to experience a passion for life and all it can offer.

And no one wants to look back at all they have missed out on.

I have done some pretty wild things, but when the party is over, it is over for good, and then no one wants to go back and do it again. That's life. (if you survive).

[Compugasm]

Quote by: Muckraker If I end up eating meat again I will also smoke a joint for the first time in my life.

What?... Since when is bacon a gateway drug? I think you're overreacting a bit. I'm a food nazi myself. It honestly isn't as big of a switch as you make it out to be. I will lay down the rules for you to follow:

Meats - defined as anything that had to "die" as you put it.

1. Only eat meat that you prepare *A. Cooking meat yourself is work, therefore you will eat less of it when you have to work for it. A thick surloin is $7-10. It will easily last you a month if you freeze individual portions. A baggie with a handfull of meat is an individual portion.

2. Do not eat ONLY meat at a meal *B. Since you can only eat meat you make, cut it into small bite-sized pieces and put it in chinese food. A chicken breast can be divided into 3 meals of chinese food quite easily. This will give you interesting savory flavors, and keep your grocery bill under control.

3. Don't buy the cheap/discounted stuff at a store. The cheap meat, like pork chops, are flavorless and tough. They also have a lot of waste fat and bones. Quality meats only. If it's expensive, you won't want to waste it. The savory and expensive meats are like a treat.

4. Frozen meats, like fish fillets or chicken, are great! But no breaded fish sticks or anything processed! That means NO fast food or Oscar Meyer cold cuts ever! Arbys, Burger King, are the worst places to eat meat. Frankly, I'm disgusted you would even consider those places a possibility. You must buy the raw meat, fresh, and vacuum packed preferred.

*A - When you go out to a good resturant, it's fine to eat meat. That will make it easier for you in social situations. I say, if your eating out at a nice place, get something that you don't eat at home. It's silly to "order a salad" because you can make that at home easily.

*B - Frozen fish fillets come in sandwich sized portions. Obviously then, you don't have to eat half a fillet. It's better to flavor food with real meat, and use it sparingly than eat fake meat "stuff" simply because it has fewer calories. Immitation flavors, like bacon bits, are not satisfying and kinda gross. The exception is immitation crab, because that is actually real fish, and not proccessed chemicals that has no nutrional value.

Following these rules, you won't break your wallet or your waistline. If there is any mistake you're about to make, it's doing drugs. It seems silly that you're concerned about explaining to your children why you eat meat, but explaining why drugs are okay didn't come up in your post.

[Matt W]

Do it. If you want variety & spice in your life, then what better way to experience it than through your diet?

Also, given the sheer amount of culinary choices out there (not just meat-based, but vegetarian too) - you should be able to pick and choose and restrict yourself to dishes that aren't particularly fatty.

[gela]

Eating mean might entertain you for 4 months. But after that it will become the norm again.

It sounds like theres more benifits to staying vegetarian.

[Chaossaber314]

I think the best answer to your question is not what any of us have to say but fundamentally the question of "Do I want to?"

[The Bacon Guy]

Quote by: Muck I will be ignoring the needle on my moral compass

Meat eating needn't contradict your moral compass (assuming your objection to it is that animals suffer). Just be sure you know where your meat is coming from and choose to buy from a farm which treats its animals well and slaughters them humanely.

Quote by: Muck I will definitely gain weight. The only reason I have been an ideal weight is because of my limited diet.

That depends entirely on the meat you eat. Fish and poultry don't contain saturated fats to the same extent that red meats do.

Quote by: Muck I will have to exercise to stave off my family history of heart disease.

Exercise does a lot more for you than simply staving off heart disease, so if meat is an incentive for you to exercise more, I say you should go for it.

Quote by: Muck Life will be more expensive, partly because of all the new things I will want to try

What's money for, other than to let you experience life?

I'm afraid it won't taste good to me

Only one way to find out. It's always better to have as much information as possible on the issue before making a decision, and if that involves trying a small amount of meat then so be it. I don't think one small taste would constitute abandoning your moral compass.

So that's it. What do you folks think? Also, if you vote for me to eat meat again do you think my first meal should be the most expensive Kobe steak in Chicago or should I start back in on the thing that made me vegetarian in the first place - the Arby's five roast beefs for five dollars (although I imagine this price has probably increased in the last fifteen years)?

Depends if you like steak. Your first meat dish needn't necessarily be something super meaty like a steak; it could just be a meat-containing dish which you think you would enjoy.

Quote by: Muck If I end up eating meat again I will also smoke a joint for the first time in my life.

Another reason to eat meat then. No one should go through life without these experiences. In fact, even if you don't eat meat I think you should have some weed. I have a feeling your con list for it would be very short.

[Muckraker]

Some great advice in here folks. Thanks!

I have conveniently ignored my 15 years of hypocrisy from not eating meat yet still supporting the industry by eating eggs and dairy. That should help my "moral compass" issue since I'm sure that I would be appalled by the lives of dairy cows and hens but I haven't looked into it because I didn't want to know the answer.

I haven't ever really been concerned with my health but I have always been a somewhat moderate person so I will just carry that over and moderately eat meat and moderately exercise to cancel it out. As someone pointed out, there is a good chance that exercising a bit could provide some new experiences and outlooks on life as well.

I think that by opening up this new can of experiences via what I can responsibly ingest I will be able to make it through the next four or five years of my kids being young. As they get older, my past freedoms to go where I want and do what I want will open back up to me and maybe I won't be as interested in experiencing new foods since I will be experiencing new places and activities again. Or maybe I still will. And there is nothing wrong with that.

So I'm thinking it's going to be Kobe beef and a joint to start. Of all the meats, I hear Kobe beef is the best and I know that the Kobe cattle receive the best treatment in the world.

I'm still taking advice and will mull it over for a few days but, as of right now, it looks like I will be living life a beautiful shade of grey instead of pushed to the extremes of inflexibility and inexperience.

Thanks again! And I will be taking Bacon Guy's advice and smoking a joint regardless of the outcome of the meat decision.

[BillyBeaneBall]

Well the weed issue is totally seperate in my opinion. You want to try it? Go right ahead. And yes guys, I work in a pharmacy, I won't ever do it because it could affect my employment status, but if someone else wants to do it (in moderation and responsably) I say go right ahead. Just do yourself, your family, and your life in general a favor. Make that the ONLY illegal drug you ever try. Though it does cause memory loss over time so you need to ask yourself if you want that risk. ANd NO MATTER WHAT stay away from Heroin and Meth.. they are the embodiment of evil. But one more arguement for you... why try weed or any other drug? My understanding is that it's not cheap and that will fly in the face of your comment about personal economics when eating meat. Though after re-reading your post... it sounds like you only want to "try" it and not do it habitually.

The issue on eating meat.

OK, well, I've known you for roughly 22 years and I have never taken exception to your dietary constraints since you started them. I even tried it myself once. I just don't have the discipline to keep with it.

Should you start small or large?

SMALL. Beef made you sick the last time you ate it and you've openly wondered if it would if you ate it again. It'd be a shame (and economic waste) if you bought an expensive piece of meat only to throw it right back up. Someone here suggest frozen chicken or fish filets. Good idea. And the suggestion of mixing it in with other veggies and stuff like noodles and rice and stuff... a la Oriental cooking... is a fantastic idea.

Family history of heart disease.

Not eating meat may not even help this. It's been shown that people that don't eat meat with a history of heart disease still can have heart disease. Though it may be less likely, IT'S HEREDITARY, meaning your body may be predisposed to it because it cannot process the other fats you eat properly... you still eat eggs and milk products. And although you may drink fat free milk, cheese is very fatty by it's nature. Exercise is a much bigger deterrant to heart disease. So regardless, you need to do that more than not eating meat (says the obese guy on the end of this keyboard...sigh)

Not worried about your "moral compass" issue either, you (and me) can justify anything if we think through it enough. I'm not sure how sad that is...

So I guess my opinion is that I have no opinion. It's your life and if you're wondering what it would be like again, simply TRYING it once wouldn't hurt. But at the same time I've never disagreed with you (though I never should have written a research paper on the benefits of being vegetarian as a freshman in college because I had no motivation in writing that paper and that was an absolute chore) it is a healthier lifestyle...but for you to maximize the potential of that you should exercise at least a little.

[Kuldeep]

Please go to my thread "Non-vegetarianism...why of it ???

Most of the things are discussed in detail.

[Anmon]

Yes you should start again, but don't go crazy, start by introducing lean meats like venison, non fatty ones, if you just go all out at a BBQ you may damage your stomach, as red meat takes about three weeks to properly fully digest.
And its wise to keep meat down to one portion a day, everything in moderation but especially with red meat, although good for you, too much of it will be worse for your health, make you feel tired, heavy, bad for your heart, blood pressure, bad digestion, bad odours, etc
If you decide not to go back to meat, and your kids ask you why you don't eat meat, just tell them that your a vegetarian and what that is, and that its good for kids to eat meat to make them grow up strong, but once their adults they can be vegetarian too if they want, because now they have grown up.
Simple stuff like that always works.

[Darebirth]

Well, I think that if you are currently satisfied with a vegetarian lifestyle, than you need to think about what is best financially. You say a vegetarian diet is cheaper, so if you simply don't have the money, then you should continue with your vegetarian diet.

Aside from that, if you haven't eaten meat for fifteen years and then you suddenly begin to eat it in abundance, your body will react badly to this sudden change in diet.

[Gods_Mercenary]

Eat whatever the hell you want, provided it's not illegal or doesn't involve human being parts, is my advice. As to excersising to avoid heart disease, ou should be doing that anyway, and with the extra protein you'll be jacked in no time :)

[BillyBeaneBall]

Note: You can get more than an adaquate intake of daily required protein without ever eating meat. It doesn't take much as the human body doesn't require much...

[Poledancer]

I'm not a vegatarian, but having made the moral decision all those years ago, why take it out on the poor animals just because you want a bit of variety in your life?


What about trying something else like a bungee jump?

[Gods_Mercenary]

Quote by: BillyBeaneBall Note: You can get more than an adaquate intake of daily required protein without ever eating meat. It doesn't take much as the human body doesn't require much...

If your particularly active, or in a serious weightlifting regimine, it requires a good deal that isn't met in most diets. Red Meat isn't the best source, but it does help and whey and fish and eggs are some of the best sources.