☮ Social ☮ PD Social Talk Thread: Somatic Swirly Sepia Summer Sausage Stage Set Suppository

[Img_9999]

I stopped buying meat many years ago, but just never explicitly considered myself as a "vegetarian". Meat was not a part of my eating habits, but if I was invited at someone else's place and was offered meat, I would eat it out of courtesy. Or when my friends gathered for the occasional barbecue, I would of course show up and eat some dead animals.


But then I figured if I just started saying "no, thanks" more often I would actually become a vegetarian. For a year now I haven't eaten any meat. I feel good about that, for a while I wasn't sure about my motivations for giving up meat, I felt like I was just doing it to see what happened, but doing the conscious effort of stopping meat made the reasons clearer to me, and I feel like now I'm more honest to myself. Personally I'm mainly disgusted with the meat industry, I find it to be one of the most horrible products of the excesses of capitalism, so that's why I avoided meat in the first place and now completely discontinued it from my diet. But I think it is a very personal decision and I try not to be preachy about it at all. I feel healthier too, and it has made my cooking more creative.

I have actually considered going vegan, I feel it's the only completely coherent thing to do with the kind of concerns I have. But I can't get around to it, makes everything harder ... and also I like chocolate and cheese too much

But alas, we all live in some degree of hypocrisy.



Also interested in reading other bluelighters perspectives on the subject

 

[Cream Gravy?]

Oh, I eat like a true American. The only sugery/fatty ass thing that has never wrapped its greasy tentacles 'round me is soda. I don't drink any beverages these days save for coffee, water, and beer.


Love me some bacon though. I'm losing interest in beef and pork both slowly though, pork really is a dirty ass meat... have to cook it past the point of tastiness for it to be safe n' all. Beef is just hit and miss. Chicken is my favorite meat at the moment. Been eating far too many processed foods, not enough veggies or fruits. I've had the problem of disliking most fruits my whole life, certainly not healthy.

Have you ever met someone who was vegan most of their life? My girlfriends old roomy was a vegan for 10+ years when I met her, and she finally became a pescetarian as well as started eating some egg/dairy products because she was going to Japan for a semester and had no way to 100% avoid fish and the like. She was so squeamish about cutting up chicken breast even... I mean, that's some boring lookin' meat there, ain't much to squirm about. Anyways, t'was funny to see her transition. She got bad GI discomfort from dairy but ended up loving cheese and just toughing through it hahah.

 

[Xorkoth]

Turkey bacon? Turkey bacon? TURKEY BACON?!?! You filthy heretic!

That's where I was at with it too. Actually turkey bacon is alright, but it isn't even remotely the same as pork bacon. I call it the gateway meat. Had a friend abruptly stop being vegan for a while (after a long time of being vegan) because of the smell of bacon.

I've been vegetarian for the past four months, vegan for two, and I can honestly say I don't miss the almighty bacon whatsoever. It's strange how the meats I once loved do nothing for me now, and in fact the opposite at times.

Has anyone here ever tried going vegetarian or vegan? Not asking from atop a pedestal or anything, just genuinely interested in y'all's opinions and experiences.

I was vegetarian for about 6 months in college. I noticed after a while that I just don't feel as good and energetic without eating meat sometimes. Though I would say I eat it more than I need to these days.

 

[coelophysis]

I feel you guys, I know how addictive bacon can be, though I never "got" it despite what it does to my GI. I know it makes people go crazy over it.
Turkey bacon seems like the way bacon should be to my palette. It tastes like bacon and doesnt fuck up my stomach.

 

[solistus]

Chicken is probably my favorite meat overall, too. And bacon is really the only pig meat that I really like. Ham is okay, but nothing special. A good pork chop is tasty, but I'll take a good steak or chicken dish over it any day. I like my bacon kinda overcooked - I really, really hate the taste and texture of chewy fat, so I cook it till it's nice and crispy.

Now I really want some chicken marsala. Or chicken parm. Or some good old fashioned fried chicken. Mmmm... Poultry.

I'm straight up addicted to soda. I'd rather have a bottomless coke with my meal than a dessert, unless it's a really fucking good dessert.

 

[Xorkoth]

I liked soda as a kid but ever since probably college, I just don't like it anymore. It tastes super fake and feels like it's killing me, and then when I got a little more knowledgeable and saw and really thought about how much sugar is in it, it turned me off the rest of the way. There is literally no time that I ever crave soda.

As far as turkey bacon tasting like pork bacon, I find there to be very little similarity in the taste, but turkey bacon isn't bad. It just tastes like crisped turkey lunch meat to me, with extra salt added. I really am not into turkey in general, I find it to be a really boring, bland flavor, but chicken is great, really tasty.

I grew up in the midwest, where it wasn't considered a meal unless there was meat. Beef was common and it was my favorite, I used to eat beef at every possible opportunity. Now I only eat beef every once in a while. I like pork a lot but not the standard pork chop. Some cuts of the pig taste amazing and some not so much. I usually eat chicken as far as meat is concerned. I'd eat a lot more fish but it's a lot more expensive than the land meats unfortunately. I've been wanting to go on fishing trips, haven't yet, but in April my friend I might go try to catch a bunch of mountain trout.

I cook 90% of all the food I eat from raw ingredients, so I eat pretty healthy (and after all these years what I make is almost always tastier than what I'd buy elsewhere anyway), though I do recognize that I have a bit of an addiction to meat. I believe it's best for me to eat it regularly, but I could probably do fine with twice a week, instead of 4 or 5... I definitely feel cravings for it and they happen well before I start to feel less good. Of course a lot of what I eat is large cooked meals like pasta sauces or curries, where I make like 8 meals' worth at once, and it usually has meat as a component, so that's part of why I eat it more days than not. I try to eat what I make until it's gone before I get more food.

I have a theory about humans and meat, or actually food in general. Eat of us has ancestors from various regions, and those people all were part of cultures/groupings of people who have habitually eaten certain foods through their history. Some cultures ate more or less of different things including meat. As a result, different people's bodies are best equipped to process different sources of food. Dairy is a great example... only from places where dairy has been used for a long time have people generally developed the ability to tolerance dairy as adults. Some people, such as arctic cultures, have for a very long time eaten almost exclusively animal meat/fat, because animals are about the only thing to eat there. I would bet if they stopped eating meat and went vegan or vegetarian, it would have negative ramifications for their health. And vice versa, I'm sure there are people for whom eating meat, or specific kinds of meat, is not the best choice for health.

 

[perpetualdawn]

You're not the only one with that theory. Diabetes is rampant in Canada's (and probably USA's) first nations, and a pretty good theory as to why is that it's because these populations have gone from eating basically a meat (or something like "paleo") diet to eating all kinds of garbage like sodas, white bread, high carbs. I heard about some studies where some diabetic first nations switched to a more heavy meat diet, and had very good results with reducing the rate of diabetes.

I basically eat vegetarian myself, no land meats, just the occasional fish, but I'm not preacher about this diet. It works really well for me, and I think if you can do it, it's one of the best things you could do for the planet, but it just doesn't work for everybody.

Chicken is a really good choice because it's low impact in terms of carbon emissions, and land-use, and it's very economical. Besides that it's the closest we have to dinosaur meat! Rabbit is supposed to be good too, but maybe a bit more exotic to most people.

I sometimes feel like I still need a chicken dinner unfortunately but I will adjust in time and be down to vegetarian with vegan being the end goal.

Nothing wrong with eating chicken, especially if that animal was raised, cared for and slaughtered in a humane way. It's way better to eat a bit of chicken and be happy and healthy than to be miserable with a diet that your body isn't suited too (yet?).

You guys have probably seen charts like these before, but I find it to be a good reminder:

In the above, chicken looks bad next to the other foods, but it's not a fair comparison because chicken is obvs a lot more nutritious than an apple. And you'd have to drink a lot more milk to get the same amount of protein.

You could reduce the footprint of chicken even further by raising your own and supplementing their diet by letting them graze freely and eat food scraps from your kitchen!

Chicken FTW!

 

[solistus]

Any fans of Mythbusters here? There's a successor show of sorts on Netflix called White Rabbit Project - it's really good! I've been binge watching it all afternoon.

 

[TheAppleCore]

I've been vegetarian for the past four months, vegan for two, and I can honestly say I don't miss the almighty bacon whatsoever. It's strange how the meats I once loved do nothing for me now, and in fact the opposite at times.

Has anyone here ever tried going vegetarian or vegan? Not asking from atop a pedestal or anything, just genuinely interested in y'all's opinions and experiences.

I wish that I could sway my diet more toward the vegan end of the spectrum, because plants generally feel better in my body than meat, but I just don't feel fully satisfied unless I'm eating meat every day. It might be a protein thing. I have a really high metabolism, so I have to shove a lot of food into my body every day. If I were to go vegan, I feel like I'd have to eat a disgusting amount of legumes.

Avocados are a godsend for me. They seem to fill the same nutritional niche that meat does (subjectively), so I don't feel the need to eat as much meat if I eat an avocado a day.

EDIT: A quick Google search provided an article that appears to agree with my experience:

If you are trying to cut down on animal sources of protein in your diet, or if you are a vegetarian or vegan seeking more protein, avocadoes are a great nutritional ally to include not merely as an occasional treat, but as a regular part of your diet.

 

[Img_9999]

Actually, even though avocadoes apparently have all the essential aminoacids, their protein content only accounts for 2% of their weight. Kales and broccoli for example, are vegetables with a higher protein content, but not by much (I think kale has around 4 grams per 100 grams) . But really, the best way to eat non-animal protein is to eat lot's of legumes as you said. I'm fine with that, one of the advantages of a vegetable based nutrition is that I get to eat A LOT and still be healthy

 

[swilow]

I'm vegan though my new years resolution is to start eating some dairy and eggs both of which I can procure from ethical livestock holders.

Tbh, I don't think vegan diet is sustainable. I can physically struggle to eat at the best of times and getting all nutrients is difficult with no animal faces.

 

[solistus]

I fucking love avocados. Fresh slices of avocado are delish. Guacamole is probably my favorite dip, and I use it in place of mayo/mustard/etc. on sandwiches sometimes (or just plain mashed avocado, if I don't feel like making guac).

I don't think I could swing a vegan diet - I love cheese too damn much, and eggs are such a cheap and easy-to-prepare source of nutrients and calories. Egg yolk is simply divine - so many things taste better with a fried egg on top. And breakfast burritos/tacos - god dammit, I'm making myself hungry.

 

[Morninggloryseed]

Turkey bacon is ok. I might even like it bette than swine bacon as i stopped eating pork unless i go to the Mongolian bbq buffet.

Now ground turkey... Thats gross.

 

[Morninggloryseed]

I eat a mostly vegetarian diet myself...most of my protein comes from eggs n cheese. Ill have chicken once a week or so...ground beef once a montn or so...and a good steak a couple times a year. I love my healthy dietary habits.

 

[perpetualdawn]

Yeah cheese is so good, I could never go vegan either. And eggs.....yum.

I think part of the difficulty people gave with going veg is in not getting enough fat. We've been so brainwashed to think fat = bad, although attitudes are starting to change on this.

Veg food is pretty lean by default, so you have to add a lot of oil, butter etc to get the fats up. I reckon a lot of the time when people go veg, and crave protein, that they're also craving fats. I think that's why avocados are working so well for you theAppleCore!

 

[Bagseed]

I'm vegan though my new years resolution is to start eating some dairy and eggs both of which I can procure from ethical livestock holders.

Tbh, I don't think vegan diet is sustainable. I can physically struggle to eat at the best of times and getting all nutrients is difficult with no animal faces.

hah this is probably the first time I heard of someone wanting to eat animal products as a new years resolution. :D

I am neither vegetarian nor vegan, but recently I get most of the animal products I use from dumpster diving. It's crazy how much vegetables get thrown out, but it's even more sad when they throw away something sentient beings died for... for christmas I consider getting some organic locally produced fish.

I also don't think I'll ever even be vegetarian, and I tried. But I hope that some day I'll be able to only get meat eggs and dairy from trusted sources or produce it myself. (my sister and I hope to some day inherit a farm, if that works out, I'll definitely have chicken and shit )

ad fats: yeah eating enough fat is definitely important! and there is evidence that eating lots of healthy fats and cutting down on carbs is beneficial. I love quality olive oil, sunflower oil, pumpkin seed oil (this one is a speciality in Austria and slovenia, they roast the pumpkin seeds before pressing, and the oil is a thick almost black green oil that tastes amazing. you cannot use it for cooking, but for salads it's awesome)

 

[swilow]

Kudos bagseed, I used to dive myself. It blew my mind what is wasted. I always wanted to eat roadkill. Anyway.

I like not eating animals but I also feel depleted and malnourished and fucking shit. I think I need more bulk protein and I find eating heaps of food a chore so cheese and eggs might help. I'm thinking f getting some birds so eggs will be 'free'

Its a shame chickens don't produce milk.

 

[Solipsis]

Yeah I really try to pay attention not to eat beef unless certain kinds / certain occasions. But can't manage to really go vegetarian although I've adapted to the vegetarian diet of my roommate before in the past (i felt lighter). Maybe I'd manage if I could afford gourmet mushrooms etc on regular basis as substitute.
Want to also eat fish and fruits de mer when I can, but that is also hard to get responsibly. Fresh water fish ok, but they're so loaded up with antibiotics

I already have issues with nutrition as I have very little appetite and a metabolism that keeps me very lean / slim (fortunately working out again, otherwise I'm built weakly), so that doesn't help with that kind of dieting.

Chicken milk? That's one of the first things they really need to CRISPR the shit out of. :D

 

[Bagseed]

Kudos bagseed, I used to dive myself. It blew my mind what is wasted. I always wanted to eat roadkill. Anyway.

I like not eating animals but I also feel depleted and malnourished and fucking shit. I think I need more bulk protein and I find eating heaps of food a chore so cheese and eggs might help. I'm thinking f getting some birds so eggs will be 'free'

Its a shame chickens don't produce milk.

I've been doing it for well over two years now on a regular basis, and it is helpful when being a student on a budget like myself... also gives me a good feeling saving food that has been thrown out. It's always funny to take people with me dumpster diving for their first time and seeing how their mind is blown^^. But I also often eat shit, like convenience products I normally never would buy. ^^

And I know that feeling of being drained when not having meat in a while, but I really don't know if it's psychological or not.

Yeah I really try to pay attention not to eat beef unless certain kinds / certain occasions. But can't manage to really go vegetarian although I've adapted to the vegetarian diet of my roommate before in the past (i felt lighter). Maybe I'd manage if I could afford gourmet mushrooms etc on regular basis as substitute.
Want to also eat fish and fruits de mer when I can, but that is also hard to get responsibly. Fresh water fish ok, but they're so loaded up with antibiotics

I already have issues with nutrition as I have very little appetite and a metabolism that keeps me very lean / slim (fortunately working out again, otherwise I'm built weakly), so that doesn't help with that kind of dieting.

Chicken milk? That's one of the first things they really need to CRISPR the shit out of. :D

I usually eat a shitload everyday and I am still skinny, with a little natural muscle bulk. but when I have time, I do lots of cardio and sometimes pushups and the like. when I eat to little (normally under stress), I usually feel like shit, which often results in small panic attacks (as recently while writing a hard exam, and having had no proper meal beforehand).

 

[Img_9999]

Pretty cool how everyone here seems to be so conscious about how/what they it. I love it