Being Vegetarian Does NOT Mean you are going to be Skinny!

I am constantly astounded by the number of ads and media that drills into our heads that veganism or a vegetarian lifestyle is a guaranteed way to lose weight. Peta is the worse culprit of this misconception as their "Save the Whales" campaign demonstrates.

OK, perhaps if you constantly stuff your face with burgers, chicken wings, fish fries, and cheese then changing to a vegetarian lifestyle will cause you to loose weight—but this will happen not because you've sworn off animal products but because your calorie content is lower. That's it!!

If you eat well already—eating low fat cuts of meat, fish, low fat dairy and vegetables—you probably will NOT lose weight on a vegetarian diet.  Especially if you substitute animal protein—low fat cuts of meat, fish etc—for high fat dairy products. You may even gain weight.

So if you think you are going to be skinny by switching to veg, take an honest look at how you eat now (and look at your calorie intake). If you calculate that you'll be taking in less calories by going veg, then you'll have success in losing weight this way. The calories will tell!

Remember—cows can get fat by eating only grasses.

Why go veg?

So why go veg? Everyone has their own stories and reasons. Mine involves a memory from years ago when I was 17 and visited a slaughterhouse (or abattoir for those who prefer the less visual term).  I remember the blood, the butcher wiping his hands on his bloody smock before shaking our hands and the cows hanging from hooks...memories that caused me to not eat meat for a year following this experience.

Although this memory remains with me, my conviction faded and my priorities in life changed—family, house, career.

Now, many years later, I am re-visiting my beliefs and convictions after a re-newed interest sparked by discussions with a coworker.

In October 2009 I started researching and experimenting with meat alternatives, and in November I consciously decided to remove meat from my diet.

So back to the question of why?

Although I have eaten meat for many years I have always been uncomfortable in accepting the fact that animals are being killed for us to eat.

1. Although I would never criticize people for killing animals to eat (it's a personal choice), I certainly feel that I can't feel disdain for the slaughtering process while continuing to eat meat myself.
2. Under ordinary circumstances, if given the chance, I would not be able to kill and butcher an animal (even fish) in order to eat—unless I was absolutely starving.
3. In today's society there are many alternate products that would make a vegetarian diet more interesting.

I am now in my third month and counting...