Vegetarians deserve more accommodation
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 08/05/2009
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Today, many popular and mainstream modern nutrition techniques seem to be turning to vegetarianism.
The list of vegetarian celebrities has a historical background as well. Not only movie stars like Michael Fox and Rachel Leigh have converted to the vegetarian lifestyle but famous names like Pythagoras and Leo Tolstoy pressed toward vegetarian cuisine.
Crucial changes against the vegetarian lifestyle began in the 20th century as American society went through a red meat boom that resulted in massive obesity and line of serious health diseases. The USA takes first place of the number and severity of heart attacks, cancer, diabetes and other strong problems. Of course, now a new issue us meat eaters have to deal with are the artificial developments of the food industry. The profit of many companies results in numerous new diseases and infections.
There are two main types of vegetarian eating styles. Most vegetarians consider themselves lacto-ovo vegetarians meaning that they eat dairy and egg products. This style of vegetarianism is prominent in India and was a movement in ancient Rome as early as 600 B.C.E. Total vegetarians, or vegans, eliminate all animal products while individuals who occasionally eat meat, poultry or fish consider themselves semi-vegetarian.
Many people wonder if vegetarians are dying of malnutrition or at least panic if confronted with a hamburger. All in all a vegetarian is completely normal with completely normal food cravings who enjoys a good time and is carbon-based. The only difference is that this person never eats anything that once had eyes.
I’ve tried my hand at being completely vegetarian and have rebounded to my omnivoric ways time and time again. So, now I’m taking it step by step. I took red meat out of my diet entirely. I remember hamburgers tasting good but now the idea of taking a cow’s leg, mulching it into a fatty pulp and forming a perfectly shaped pancake makes me throw up.
As a consolation prize vegetarians are presented with tofu and soy-meat. It amazes me how so many of America’s dining establishments include one or two vegetarian options on the menu. Maybe these establishments fail to acknowledge the fact that those who are vegetarians do actually like food and shouldn’t be forced to munch on a salad.
Perhaps if there were more options out there it would be possible for more people to be vegetarian and in turn more people to be healthy. Gardenburgers need to stop, it’s stunning how many restaurants present lavish unending care on their meat dishes yet are content to throw a flavorless hockey puck from Wal-Mart in the microwave and call it a tasty vegetarian option.
Nevertheless, I know it’s hard but I’ve heard at least once you get used to it, it’s not so bad. Kicking the addiction to meat is a struggle, but as the new semester starts I think I’ll take on this task of making myself pure. Tofu, soy and veggies... here I come!
Nisha Deo is a senior in the College of Liberal Arts. She can be reached at opinions@purdueexponent.org.