I stopped eating meat almost ten years ago. I made this lifestyle change after reading a book called Skinny Bitch and learning about what goes on in slaughterhouses and what goes into our food. The facts really turned me off. I also deal with chronic stomach pain, and since eating meat can be hard to digest, it was a health choice as well.
I’ve never regretted my decision to stop eating meat. Sure, I sometimes smell bacon and miss it. When my mom makes meatballs, I’m reminded of being a little kid and eating them before she put them in sauce (the BEST).
Going out to eat with my girlfriend would probably be a lot less complicated if there weren’t so many things I couldn’t eat. But I love my lifestyle choice and I don’t see myself going back anytime soon.
The worst thing about not eating meat is other people’s reactions (like so much else in life). I don’t know why meat-eaters are obsessed with people who don’t eat meat, but honestly, you all need to chill. I literally do not care what you eat.
Why do you care what I eat?
1. “Ah so, you don’t eat meat (wink, wink, nudge) of any kind.” – it’s a constant killer
2. When everyone with you at a restaurant is trying to help you figure out what to order.
3. When your friends want to share small plates at restaurants with the meat-covered hands.
4. People who crack jokes about vegetarians because they think it makes them edgy and hilarious.
5. Family members who don’t get it – “No I don’t eat fish, and yes I’m still a lesbian!”
6. “So, what DO you eat? Salad?”
7. Eating in France – “Je suis vegetarian” is hugely useless phrases.
Using this word can result in someone only feeding you lettuce, or someone packing thin slices of meat into your food and actually thinking that they are helping. It’s not their fault; the word itself simply does not translate well.