How hard do you find it, being a vegetarian?

moneyistooshorttomention

NewShadow wrote: »

You might be surprised...



It's actually very similar from a sociological perspective.

Vegetarianism is (almost always) a moral or preferential doctrine, as opposed to a medical one. Therefore the degree to which is it adhered too depend on the beliefs of the individual. A christian that doesn't regualy go to church is considered by some to be a 'bad' christian, a vegetarian that eats food containing animal products is considered by some to be a 'bad' vegetarian. Both still have the right to self define as their chosen doctrine.




By your definition, which may or may not include some things other vegetarians would consider to be not vegetarian.


Given the range of preferences exhibited along the spectrum known as vegetarianism, it would seem the only safe meal to serve a vegetarian would be one suitable for a vegan!

I'm fairly sure a number of vegetarians would them be unimpressed by the limited ingredients and lack of options...


That's possibly not surprising - i'm an agnostic, which may also not be surprising.

That sounded like a rather roundabout way of saying "People can say they are vegetarians - even when they aren't".

Sorry - but there IS no arguing with objective facts. The objective fact is that only people who don't eat meat (of any description) or fish/shellfish are vegetarian (or, if they've gone further down the line on that, then vegan). The facts are what they are and cant be amended to suit what the person concerned wants them to be.

Justamum

NewShadow wrote: »

By your definition, which may or may not include some things other vegetarians would consider to be not vegetarian.

Given the range of preferences exhibited along the spectrum known as vegetarianism, it would seem the only safe meal to serve a vegetarian would be one suitable for a vegan!

No it's not MY definition. This is the Vegetarian Society defnition, which anybody catering for vegetarians would be advised to read in order that they know what they're doing

"Someone who lives on a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits with, or without, the use of dairy products and eggs. A vegetarian does not eat any meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish* or by-products of slaughter.

There are different degrees of vegetarianism which may be what causes confusion with caterers. The four most common forms of vegetarianism are:

• Lacto-ovo-vegetarian. Eats both dairy products and eggs. This is the most common type of vegetarian diet.
• Lacto-vegetarian. Eats dairy products but not eggs.
• Ovo-vegetarian. Eats eggs but not dairy products.
• Vegan. Does not eat dairy products, eggs, or any other animal product."

NewShadow wrote: »

How it was unacceptable the 'meat eaters' were eating the vegetarian food - shouldn't they just eat their disgusting meat and leave the vegetarians the vegetarian food (which has also been quoted on this forum)

It's a pain in the rear end when the limited food on offer to vegetarians is then eaten by meat eaters, often leaving the vegetarians with nothing to eat at all! It happens quite frequently.

eamon

Or when eating out the sole veggy option is a baked goats cheese. I won't blame the chain restaurants but independent restaurants should know and be able to do better.

meritaten

my lovely 12 year old granddaughter has been pescetarian for about three years now. she amused me by telling people now that she is vegetarian, because she got fed up of people thinking it was her 'religion'! lol.
but, she is losing her taste for fish and prawns - and loves Quorn and Linda McCartney veggie meals.
She is also an expert at getting really good vegetarian meals when eating out. she discusses options with the wait staff if she doesn't like the 'set' options. and usually ends up with something the chef has concocted just for her! I nearly always find myself wishing I had just ordered 'what she is having'! especially as we rarely get charged for her meal as it isn't on the menu. rofl.
for example - she didn't like the one veggie option in this foody pub, so after a bit of discussion with waiter, he ascertained that she likes veggie lasagne and Aubergine was on the menu with a meat dish - and chef conjured up an Aubergine moussaka just for her! free!

Justamum

eamon wrote: »

Or when eating out the sole veggy option is a baked goats cheese. I won't blame the chain restaurants but independent restaurants should know and be able to do better.

It used to be an omelette many years ago - and they'd charge the same they would for a meat dish!

catkins

Me and OH have been vegetarian for over 30 years. We have never found it a problem but then we cook from scratch and eat lots of vegetables, pulses, nuts etc.


Neither of us particularly like quorn products although we do quite like Linda McCartney sausages.


If we eat out it is almost always in an indian restaurant and they do loads of veggie meals. If we are in London there are quite a few completely vegetarian indian restaurants and the food is delicious.


Neither of us miss meat at all. The smell of meat cooking makes me feel sick, especially pork. If were are going to visit my parents on a Sunday my mum makes sure they don't have pork

VfM4meplse

Bettie wrote: »

Think I will have to take a few packed lunches as staying the night before and the night of... veggie pasty in my room and plenty of crisps lol Such a waste of money as it's about sixty quid a head and I won't be eating much.. so not very :money: :rotfl:

This is where M&S Simply Food starts to feel like a bargain!

NewShadow wrote: »

Part of the problem with this is the attitude of some vegetarians - I've been lectured before now as a meat eater (vegi twice a week, fish once a week)

Forgive me if I lack sympathy (which I do).

burtha

Hi , veggie for 30 years , hard at first due to lack of choice but now easy ..but cook from scratch,don't buy sweets will make them if wanted, keep chickens so will eat 'my' eggs ,otherwise choose not to , will eat veggi cheese , don't use milk cause horrid stuff , hate eating out so very rarely do but look at overall cleanness etc etc and have often not eaten but my kids have ...sound odd

Can cook and prep meat , dh shoots so know they have had a decent life and use all of it , my choice not to eat meat as I could not kill something and not happy with buying meat from a shop..... ,not my children's choice till there older ,although as a family we do eat a large proportion of veggi meals anyway, don't use meat substitute product because never really wanted/needed to .. ...alway s amazes me at the lack of other kids knowledge of were/ what meat comes from ...
All down to personal choice but whatever reasons people chose hopefully it will improve there diets ..

Wouldn't buy veggie burgers from stall as can't be bothered to check what it's cooked in/next too etc ...bit like the famous mcd veggie burger that's cooked in ?? dead animal .... check the small print on everything ....

HornetSaver

Justamum wrote: »

The line is only blurred because of people who 'self define' as vegetarian when they're not!

True. But if you self identify as pescatarian, you will only put up with so many "well fish is meat anyway", "er... what?" and (my personal favourite) "um, I'm afraid we don't do insects" before you'll give up and call yourself a veggie who eats fish.

moneyistooshorttomention

eamon wrote: »

Or when eating out the sole veggy option is a baked goats cheese. I won't blame the chain restaurants but independent restaurants should know and be able to do better.

Make that lasagne, lasagne and yet more lasagne.

Reminds me of Henry Ford's comment about "You can have any colour car you like - as long as its black".

Or the Monty Python spam sketch.