Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism

Growing up as a Mormon outside of Utah, I get questions about my faith. Almost all Mormons can relate, even ones in Utah. For most, the temptation of drinking coffee or alcohol isn’t hard to bear; we are quite content with chocolate milk and board games. Rather, peer pressure makes living life difficult. That’s what’s hard being Mormon and vegetarian. A vegetarian doesn’t eat meat.

Vegetarians’ standards face the same stigma within the Mormon community because Mormons love meat. Meat is necessary at most LDS gatherings. When I tell people I’ve been a vegetarian for almost a year, they’re first thought is, “Why are you vegetarian? Don’t you miss eating meat?” I give my response based on scientific research on the effects of meat on the environment and your personal health. People are respectful 99% of the time, even though many people disagree with my lifestyle choices.

My mom disagreed with vegetarianism long ago. From what I remember, she talked about how God gave us dominion over the earth. Surprisingly, she became vegan when she got breast cancer and researched the benefits of veganism. In case you don’t know, A vegan is somebody who doesn’t eat any animal products like meat, dairy, and even odd products contain parts of animals like some medicines or marshmallows. It’s the next level of vegetarianism. By being vegan, my mom significantly reduces her risk of getting breast cancer again.

Below are some questions I get and my answers:

Q: Where do you get your protein?

A: Many plant-based foods contain protein. In fact, vegetarians and vegans get 70% more protein than they need¹. So … where did this question even come from? I don’t really know.

Q: Do you ever feel full?

A: Of course! I never have problems getting enough food. Most restaurants provide vegetarian/vegan options.

Q: What about vitamin B12 deficiency?

A: This is a valid criticism of vegetarianism; many don’t get enough B12, which can lead to things like nerve damage; however, many foods are fortified with B12 (i.e. most cold cereals, sports drinks, almond milk etc). This is because B12 is naturally found in the soil. Animals eat the soil. People eat animals. People get B12. The vegetarian way is to get your B12 directly from the soil.

Q: What about God giving us dominion over the earth?

A: He said long before anybody cared about climate change or deforestation or animal manufacturing. He knew we need to take care of the earth. That doesn’t answer your real question which goes something like this: Hasn’t God given us animals to eat? D&C 89: 12-13 describes my opinion on that.

Do you see the similarities between questions for vegetarian and questions for Mormons? In both cases, I don’t push my beliefs on anybody. Instead, I want everybody to understand and respect my decisions. I’ll respect yours.

11.  http://www.care2.com/greenliving/do-vegetarians-get-enough-protein.html