Vegetarianism.  You’ve probably heard the word in your life several times, whether it be coming from your friends, from your TV, or an article you read on the internet, and you might be repulsed at the thought of a life without meat or intrigued by the thought.  Perhaps you’re even tempted to try it.

   At thirteen years old, when I took the time to think about those chicken nuggets and patties I was putting into my system, I decided to make the switch to a meatless lifestyle.  I knew of a few people around me who were vegetarians, but each of them to a different degree.  Some ate fish products and chicken while not consuming any red meat (steak etc.), while others, while never eating any animal, additionally didn’t eat gelatin (commonly found in Jell-O products).  So, what really defines a vegetarian?  Your own thoughts and beliefs define it; nobody can tell you how to live your life, and, as long as you’re true to yourself, the most satisfaction from a diet change will come from making your own decisions about it.

   Research is the first step to making your own decisions about your vegetarian diet.  For example, several years after becoming a vegetarian, I still was eating Ramen noodles (with the seasoning packet) and Lucky Charms cereal.  Inspired by an essay I was writing for my high school English class, I checked the ingredients labels on these two products only to discover that they were made of animal by-products (powdered cooked chicken and gelatin, respectively).  This discovery raises several questions.  First, what is a vegetarian?  Someone who doesn’t eat meat, and if so, which meats?  Or somebody who neither eats meat nor any by-products of animals, including eggs, cheese, dairy products, gelatin, and rennet (an enzyme used to make some cheeses).  The latter two are by-products of the actual killing process.  Cutting out all meat and by-products would be considered veganism, which is basically a shortened term for strict vegetarianism, and you might find yourself asking, “Do I want to be a vegetarian or vegan?”  From this discovery, yet another question arises.  “Can I buy the Ramen noodle package and discard the seasoning packet?”  (The powdered cooked chicken comes from the seasoning packet).  However, what does the company, who made the product, care if you eat the packet.  They made their profit when you bought the whole thing, and, with that profit, are possibly encouraged to continue their use of the chicken.  The only thing gained from throwing away the packet after purchase is continued waste of the world’s natural resources. 

   These questions can only be answered by one person:  You.  Because only you know the decisions with which you feel most comfortable.  Research is key because labels like Chicken Flavor Ramen noodles, which imply that the product “tastes” like chicken, but does not, in fact, contain chicken, can be misleading.  Although I feel uncomfortable with the ramen noodles, I continue to eat them.  They may not be at the top of my list for a snack; however, they are by far one of the most economic decisions of a snack anyone can make.  I made this decision for myself; it doesn’t mean, though that I am any less of a vegetarian than I was before, because you will still not find any chunks of meat on my plate, nor will you find me wearing leather or biting into a piece of Jell-O. 

   However, more and more today, we find vegetarians competing with each other in competitions of who is more vegetarian than another.  They judge each other on what they eat or don’t eat, which really isn’t the point of vegetarianism at all.  Vegetarianism is an awareness of the world; most people make the switch for animal rights, or a healthier lifestyle (my initial reason), environmental conservation, or a combination of several different reasons.  Unfortunately, some people seem to tarnish these pure reasons for a simple pat on the back, because they did something for the world, they deserve some kind of praise.  A vegetarian who eats fish products, but is involved with campaigns for animals rights, is more aware of her world (and deserves more praise) than a strict vegan who wears leather and demands admiration for her rigorous diet choices.  A vegetarian is someone who has a will to change the world.  Uncomfortable with the fact there is chicken in Ramen Noodles?  Write a letter to the company and ask them for a plant based alternative.  If we want to weed out the meat that sneaks into some of our favorite foods, we have to say something about it and ask for change.  A person who eats a by-product of animals, such as gelatin, who is also at a rally for the ethical treatment of animals is not a hypocrite (as long as she doesn’t claim that eating gelatin is wrong); she is an activist demanding a change.

   Although, you may be able to cut meat out of your diet but are not willing to cut out the by-products, use your new diet as a golden opportunity to try new things; you may find a better tasting alternative to that gelatin you can’t seem to live without.  There are a myriad of ethnic restaurants that specialize in vegetarian options throughout the world.  You just have to be willing to look for and find them.  Even some chains we all know and love have healthy and unique food.  If you haven’t already, visit a local Noodles & Company Restaurant; they have dishes to try ranging from Asia, the Mediterranean, and here in America (Mac & Cheese!), or visit an Olive Garden.  If you’re looking for a unique experience, try Calabria Family Restaurant in Elkhorn, WI.  This family run eatery has cuisine to sample from Italian, Mexican, and French culture (might I suggest you try their French onion soup?  When you order, a steaming cup of soup arrives covered with delicious, lusciously melting mozzarella cheese… yum!)

   One final thought:  Vegetarianism is a belief system, just like any religion, and a person who shares these beliefs deserves respect for her personal decisions.  However, the respect should go the other way, too.  A vegetarian that claims a meat eater or hunter is a violent animal hater is nothing but ignorant (assuming the hunter hunts ethically).  Being condescending towards other people doesn’t help the world or solve any problems, it only creates more.  It makes non-vegetarians less likely to be accepting of vegetarians and less willing to help with our causes for environmental conservation, responsible slaughter (if it really needs to happen), severely lessening slaughter (or getting rid of it!), and living healthier lives.