When I first decided to become a vegetarian about two months ago, almost every person that I told looked at me with a strange expression and simply asked “why?”. I would then give them my justified reasons; factory farming sucks, meat production sucks, and what we feed the animals within the factory farm sucks. They would then look at me with dazed eyes as if they stopped listening after I uttered my first word, and move on with another conversation. Every vegetarian deals with some type of ignorance from people around them if they dare say the words “I’m a vegetarian”. Here are a few phrases that every vegetarian has no doubt heard before:

“Why would you do that to yourself?”

Let’s just start by saying that no person is going to stop eating meat if they don’t want to stop eating meat. Therefore, every vegetarian feels strongly enough about the awful impacts factory farming and meat production has on the earth to simply not want to eat meat any longer. I’m not punishing myself or making myself miserable by any means, I am taking a stand for a huge issue in our society that needs to be heard more.

“You’re never going to be able to get enough protein.”

I believe this might be the most popular comeback when someone mentions being a vegetarian. Newsflash, meat is not the only food category that is rich in protein. There are plenty of other options for protein such as beans, fruits, veggies, and nuts. So no worries, we vegetarians will survive.

“What do you even eat?”

Everything that is not meat. *gasps* I know, shocking.

“Do you ever get tired of eating lettuce?”

Well considering I also eat an abundance of other veggies, fruits, pasta, and grains, lettuce doesn’t get too boring. *rolls eyes*

“You’re going to end up cheating soon.”

No. Just... no.

“Animals were put here for us to eat them.”

True, humans are omnivores and by a standard of science, we are meant to eat meat. However, animals were not put here for us to stick them in factories and treat them as if they cannot feel. I can simply not support how farm factories and meat production are ran.

“You’re not helping anything, you’re just one person.”

Every time I get asked why I’ve chosen to become a vegetarian I am able to spread just a fraction of information that every person who eats meat should know. Information on how animals are treated within farms as well as how the meat packaging industry is affecting the earth is information I keep crisp in my brain just in case anyone wants to hear about it. Of course, this isn’t going to change the mind of every person I tell, but at least it sparks curiosity in some to find out more. So yes, by not eating meat I might not be accomplishing a ton, but by leading by example and spreading the word I and all other vegetarians hope to someday.

These are just a few examples of ignorant comments vegetarians deal with daily. As I have said before, I am only on month two of my vegetarian experience, yet I have already heard all of these phrases more than I thought possible. So, please, I’m begging, if you are choosing to eat meat in your diet, do not criticize every person who chooses to eliminate meat from their diet. Because I know personally I love being a vegetarian and I am proud, and I along with every other vegetarian do not need ignorant comments clouding our beautiful days.