After almost three years of being a vegetarian, I've heard quite a few annoying comments about my lifestyle. No matter how hard I try and be as blunt and direct as I can, the same people will ask the same questions, so in hopes of finally clearing the air, here are the answers to some of the most common questions asked;

Aren't you like, always hungry?

The short answer; no. Being a vegetarian doesn't mean that you don't eat food-- it means that you won't eat any kind of meat or fish including meat broths. BUT you will eat anything else such as; cheese pizza, pasta, fries, fruits, veggies, and carb really-- expressly bread, beans, sweets-- expressly cupcakes, etc.

What do you even eat?

See the above answer.

Oh, so you’re like super healthy right?

Sometimes this question makes me feel healthy-- but the reality is fresh produce is expensive and sometimes like any other normal human being we cut corners and but snack food. Being a college student doesn't help with this either, its common for us to survive on hummus and pita chips for weeks at a time-- not very healthy.

Where do you get your protein?

Protein by definition is an organic compound consisting of amino acids vital for life. Any food that has high level of amino acids will do, such as; beans-- pinto, black bean, white beans, navy beans, kidney beans, etc., or any type of nut, such as; peanuts (PEANUT BUTTER), almonds (ALMOND BUTTER), walnuts, cashes, pistasios, etc., Nut milks, or the biggest one of all SOY.

Why?

Because I want to...

But you can still eat fish though, right?

Vegetarian: no meat, meat products or fish.

Pescetarian: no meat or meat produce WILL eat fish and shell fish.

Why do you hate yourself?

I don't. How can you not hate yourself for killing innocent animals for food?

So, are you like, super into animal rights and stuff?

In all honesty it depends on the individual. Some people go vegetarian for the animals or planet while other chose to forgo meat simply because they don't like it.

If I ordered a pepperoni pizza, would you eat it if I took it off?

I don't know, would you eat a piece of pizza I dropped cheese side down on the floor? ( It also depends on just how hungry we are.)

Oh that’s cute.

HOW ARE WE EVEN SUPPOSED TO RESPOND TO THIS? "Oh that's cute is the equivalent or telling someone you just won a nobel prize and your mom saying, "cool."