And how was the journey and how long it took?
Ask HN: What prompted you to convert from non-vegetarian to vegetarian?
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Re: Ask HN: What prompted you to convert from non-vegetarian to vegetarian?
#2At first ecological, environmental issues. And then I started looking into animal treatment and felt really guilty about it.
It took me maybe 6 months to 1 year telling myself I was now eating vegetarian, while still eating meat more or less regularly. And eventually it became a habit. From a logistic point of view the switch is really simple if you live in a place where you can find alternatives, just stop buying meat and instead compensate with lot of vegetables, tofu, beans, mushrooms, soy-based meat-like alternatives, etc. And you save a good amount of money doing so (at least in Europe, I believe in the US meat is way cheaper because of government subsidies).
Though to be honest it's a bit frustrating if you like to cook because you won't find something that behaves/reacts like meat.
In practice I still eat meat <10 days a year, for example on vacation to a place where vegetarian food is difficult to find or when I join a family dinner and don't want to be annoying.
Re: Ask HN: What prompted you to convert from non-vegetarian to vegetarian?
#3Not a vegetarian, but recently (a couple of months) I had to eat much more vegetables and fruits than I usually do, due to digestion and other related issues. No more pure meat/steak for me, only a little of bird, for at least half a year, and then the prospect is still unclear. The journey included sleeping with an open window for a week or so, then I had to adjust my gut biome using antibiotics (non-systemic). Now I feel much better than right after the switch, but sometimes I just want to eat meat. One time that brought me to a clinic, but nothing serious as it turned out. From that experience, I’d suggest to not do it abruptly if you’re ~aged, as it shocks the system.
As for animals themselves, I feel sad for them when I think about it, but my escape valve is the fact that nature doesn’t feel for them either. Free animals are rarely happy things. They are infected with all sorts of parasites, live in constant fear of being eaten alive by predators or beaten/injured by competition, are always hungry because x’=rx(1-x), have no way to clean themselves up or access the medicine. Being a herbivore animal just sucks by design by human standards.
Re: Ask HN: What prompted you to convert from non-vegetarian to vegetarian?
#4Not a vegetarian but eating less meat. For me it started with a change in lifestyle when I decided I should be healthy so less fast food but it also kind of naturally meant eating less meat too.
I started replacing the junk meals with meat-free/vegetarian options and then reduced the overall meat intake. Now instead of eating meat in some form at pretty much every meal, I probably do 3-5 meat meals a week. Which out of 14 isn't bad at all.
I won't fully convert because I just love meat way too much, but I do have to say that eating it less made it even better. It's like when you're on a harsh diet and then get to your cheat meal.
Re: Ask HN: What prompted you to convert from non-vegetarian to vegetarian?
#5[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: What prompted you to convert from non-vegetarian to vegetarian?
#6It was a gradual thing. I never liked the taste of red meat, but enjoyed fish and chicken. So I cut red meat out pretty early (as soon as my parents stopped making me sit at the table to finish the meal).
Later, as I learned more about factory farming and the treatment of chickens in factory farms, I stopped eating chicken and was just left with fish. And finally I learned more about fish farming and overfishing and decided to just remove fish as well. That full vegetarian switch happened over ten years ago now.
I'm currently finding myself in the midst of minimizing egg and dairy consumption as well. I don't buy normal milk anymore, having found a great alternative that I enjoy. I rarely eat real cheese, opting for vegan alternatives since there's quite a few great tasting options now. But I'm not super strict about it, especially when eating out.
Re: Ask HN: What prompted you to convert from non-vegetarian to vegetarian?
#7I have been uncomfortable with eating animal products, for both ethical and environmental reasons, for years now.
There wasn't one event that prompted the change, it was a very gradual process.
I'm not 100% vegan or vegetarian because I sometimes eat canned sardines and eggs but I'd say 95% of my meals are vegan. IMO it's not so helpful to think in terms of strict categories when discussing diet.
Re: Ask HN: What prompted you to convert from non-vegetarian to vegetarian?
#8Hard to remember exactly. I was a vegetarian for around 10 years and vegan for 5 now. I think initially on environmental grounds and later as I learned more about factory farming ethical grounds as well. The omni to vegetarian transition was gradual as I was living with a vegetarian ex-girlfriend at the time, and the vegetarian to vegan was an overnight change.
If you're at all into cooking, even if you eat meat, it's quite a good exercise to learn to cook a few vegan dishes and perfect them to work on the basics.
Re: Ask HN: What prompted you to convert from non-vegetarian to vegetarian?
#9It was a gradual thing. I never liked the taste of red meat, but enjoyed fish and chicken. So I cut red meat out pretty early (as soon as my parents stopped making me sit at the table to finish the meal). Later, as I learned more about factory farming and the treatment of chickens in factory farms, I stopped eating chicken and was just left with fish. And finally I learned more about fish farming and overfishing and…
Are you a man or a woman? I ask because I notice, women tend to often not like red meat as much, and often also like fish more than men.
Observation seems to be supported by some evidence: https://faunalytics.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/GenderAtt...
Re: Ask HN: What prompted you to convert from non-vegetarian to vegetarian?
#10On the transition - It’s much easier than you might think. Especially if the focus is vegetarian not vegan.
There are so many cheaper protein alternatives: beans, dairy, nuts, eggs, etc. And good subs like veggie burgers, non dairy milks, etc.
Instead of a meal with a meat protein and veg, you can easily sub beans or something with eggs. You also tend to load up more on veggies (like on pizza)
In fact I find it’s kind of easier to NOT eat meat. Less worry about foodborne illness or parasites. Lower cost.