Seven years ago, in December, as part of a more general drive for personal and spiritual growth, I became a vegetarian, and decided that I’d stick with it for seven years, then review the situation. So, what have I learnt?
Well, I do, indeed feel fitter and healthier, though whether this is down to the vegetarianism alone is debatable, since I’ve also been exercising. I should add that I do eat fish, though I’m not sure if this counts as cheating or not, and of course dairy products and eggs are fine. I’m definitely not a vegan, in other words, and I think such a diet is unnatural, anyway.
I think one of the most interesting things I’ve learnt is being creative when making meals, especially when cooking for others. When it’s just me a quick sandwich is often all I need, but that won’t do for guests.
So, will I continue with it, when the seven years are up? I think so, yes, but I won’t beat myself up if a fancy a bacon butty once in a while.
Way to go! Seven years of anything that goes against our primal predatory instincts is an achievement alright.
As far as I’m concerned it’s time you graduated to the next class: Veganism, complete removal of all meat from your diet. Before you embark on what I consider a magnificent ethical voyage, please consult your doctor if such is possible without damaging your own health. As I said our body has been adapted to omnivory over millions of years of evolution and switching to herbivory may lead to nutritional deficiencies (our digestive systems may not be able to extract all the necessary nutrients in their right amounts from a plant diet).
The best way of doing exercise, I think, is to pick a time each morning, and stick to it. Eventually it’ll become such a normal part of the day that you’ll feel really odd if you don’t do it, or can’t for any reason.
Thank you. I have no plans to switch to veganism, though, as I don’t think it’s a natural diet for humans. Vegetarianism, however, is fine, as most of the time, that’s what people in the past had to be, through necessity, unless they were rich, of course. Most people would only eat meat if it was available, especially lower status meat, such as fish they had caught themselves, but other than that, they had to make do with what they could.
You are not a vegetarian if you eat fish. I find it hilarious when people call themselves ‘vegetarian, except for fish and chicken, oh, and the occasional bacon’ Ridiculous.
You got that right, veganism is unnatural, given our digestive system is dual purpose. Good that we aren’t wholly carnivorous, like big cats and sharks or is that bad?
The fact that humans are not carnivores has certainly been an advantage in terms of our adaptability and ability to live in all sorts of different environments.
Ridiculous.