Top 5 Questions A Vegetarian/Vegan Is Asked

1.   Q: "How do you get enough protein?"
      A: So you think that steak on your plate has more protein than my no-meat salad buddy? Really? Broccoli and romaine lettuce have more nutrients, including PROTEIN  than beef. Not to mention they are loaded with other essential nutrients including Vitamin A, potassium, calcium, iron, etc. I should be asking you where you're getting your fiber from... I'll have a salad, hold the saturated fat please.

2.  Q: "How do you get calcium without dairy?"
     A: The whole "milk does the body good" slogan is a genius marketing scam the dairy industry has come up with to make Americans believe putting another animals baby food in our body is actually good for us. In reality, milk, even low-fat milk contains fats and acids that are not good for us. There are numerous studies that prove (non-human-mommy) milk is actually harmful, but not surprisingly, the very wealthy dairy industry doesn't want the American people to know about these studies.
 In other words, just like with protein, I get my daily calcium intake from vegetables. In particular, dark leafy greens, which contain the most calcium (almonds, broccoli, and tofu are also high in calcium).

3.  Q: "What do you eat?"
     A: Everything you do! There is literally a recipe/alternative to EVERYTHING. My boyfriend is a meat-eater and I made him tacos with vegetarian crumbles and he thought it was better than beef. If I didn't tell him, he wouldn't have known the difference.
Find a good good grocery store (I personally love Wegmans and Giant) and I guarantee you can find a meat alternative to everything, even bacon!

I also have a great recipe for non-dairy mac and cheese that is to die for, just ask and you shall receive.

4.  Q:  "What made you want to stop eating meat and dairy?" 

     A:  Two things, I wanted to live a healthier lifestyle and I love animals, so why not stop eating them? And live a healthier lifestyle I did! I wont lie, I've fallen off the wagon a few times, but I have noticed, I am happier with myself and have had a lot more energy since becoming a plant-eater.:

5.  Q:  "What do you eat when you go to restaurants?"

     A:   Unfortunately, I don't live in plant-eater friendly area. I come from a small town where a diet of hot-wings and pizza is completely acceptable and normal. There are some bars/restaurants where even if I wanted to, I couldn't find an item on the menu to eat. What I have learned is that most food establishments are more than happy to assist and accommodate. I also cook and prepare meals a lot more now, which saves money since I don't go out to eat as much. (This proves the argument that it's too expensive to be a plant-eater null and void in my book.

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The Stigma That Comes With Eating Plants

First of all, I HATE the words, "vegan" and "vegetarian" because in my experience, these words bring animosity when you tell someone you are one of the above. The first question I always get is; "why?" which usually comes before "I could never survive with out meat". Well I am here to tell you, YOU CAN SURVIVE WITHOUT MEAT, AS A MATTER OF FACT, YOU WILL THRIVE WITHOUT MEAT!!!

I absolutely HATE the conversations like I just mentioned. When I first became a vegetarian, then a vegan, and now a vegetarian again, I was so proud of my healthy lifestyle change that I wanted to shout it from the top of the highest mountain. Now, years later, I try to avoid the topic being brought up so I don't get into these discussions. (Because I loathe these words so dearly, from now on I am going to use plant-eater to describe myself). It's like the minute a person finds out that I am a plant-eater, they automatically assume I hug trees, don't shave my armpits and have self-esteem issues. Then, they precede to tell me that I'm wrong and why I NEED meat and dairy in my life. I used to argue my case, but now it is just easier to smile and nod. Even though I've spent years studying my plant-eating lifestyle and what nutrients you get from what foods, you meat-eaters are absolutely right since of course you received all your information from commercials and elementary school food pyramids.

Which brings me to my next point...

Here's the deal, from early childhood, we are taught that meat = protein and milk = calcium. I'm sure we all remember the famous food pyramid...

I know this may come as a shock to some, BUT this food pyramid, which was instilled in our little, eager-to-learn brains, is complete BOGUS! We don't need dairy and meat in our daily lives. Milk is loaded with FAT and you can easily obtain protein from beans and vegetables. I ask all you dairy lovers out there, don't you think it's a bit strange that we are the ONLY mammals that consume another animals baby food? Eww...

Please eave your comments about bad experiences you've had after telling someone you were a plant-eater and check out my next blog where I answer questions meat-eaters always ask me.

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