Any vegetarians here?

[Delphinium]

I'm a vegetarian, is anybody else?

[Lani]

Hm well, I have to confuse fish like salmon and tuna at least twice a week. Otherwise its vegies, legumes, tofu, fruit, nuts and seeds all the way. Does that count?

[twitchy]

Quasi vegetarian. We ate meat less often than average and got it from a farm we knew well. Organic and humanely treated. Then the kids, one after the other, announced that they no longer wanted to eat meat. They are really committed to it and play an important part of grocery shopping, scanning ingredients on every label. So as a family we tend to be vegetarian (lacto ova), but my husband and I dip into the freezer every other week or so.

[PurpleHaze]

yeah, i am also a vegetarian (lacto ova). but not since too long. in april it will be a year without meat for me.

[Rogue]

I was veggie for two years, but I adore fish too much, so for the last 6 months I've been eating fish as well. I still say vegetarian, because it's easier and safer than "well....I eat fish but don't eat meat, avoid gelatine and all cheeses made with animal rennet where possible". It just gets confusing. I'm coming up to three years being veggie, and I honestly don't miss meat. I'll eat what I want, which for me means veggie plus fish.

[darksithbunny]

My daughter says she is a vegetarian. What is the difference between that and being a vegan? Could you guys enlighten me so I can understand what my daughter is talking about?

She said that I am close to being one but I would need to stop eating all chicken. Does fish and shrimp count? I am so confused! She said you can't eat dairy or eggs either?

[Rogue]

There's different stages of vegetarianism/veganism.

For example, I'm not a "true" vegetarian. A vegetarian does not eat meat, fish, basically anything that once had a life and walked/swam around. Most vegetarians will however, eat items produced from animals that haven't caused their deaths, if I can explain it that way. For example, most vegetarians will eat dairy (milk, butter, cheese) and eggs. Vegetarians who eat these are called ovo lacto vegetarians.

Vegans are a step further. Not only will they not eat (essentially) dead animals, but they will not eat anything derived from animals, as most vegans believe these products exploit aniamls. For example, thousands of bees die from forced production of honey, so a vegan would not eat that. Similarly, white sugar is made so by the use of animal bones, so a vegan wouldn't eat that. Vegans will not eat meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, or any animal derived products such as honey, sugar, gelatine, suet, lard, colourings such as cochineal.

This may help: http://www.vegsoc.org/info/definitions.html

[SVZ]

Some vegetarians won't eat most cheese because it contains rennet, which is harvested from a cow's stomach.

[LynnieD]

I was a vegetarian for years...and then just one day decided to try meat again and that was the end of that. I still do NOT eat much meat or chicken at all. But will eat seafood morning/noon and night.
I just don't like beef/chicken/pork, etc so I don't eat it....

They have great veggie products out there though....

[moomies]

wow I didn't know cheese was made with something like that. Umm I don't think I'll like cheese now...(not that I'm a vegetarian or vegan...it just kinda seems gross).

[Rogue]

I don't know about the US, but certainly here in the UK, most cheeses are now made with microbial rennet, which is a non-animal source. It's only the trade named, such as parmesan and brie, which are still made with traditional animal rennet

[Delphinium]

I recently was looking at "cheese" made from rice. But I noted it said it had "rennet" in it, the only source I know is from cow stomachs. Does anyone know how to differentiate between the animal rennet and non-animal rennet?

I'm glad to see I'm in good company! Are there any vege boards like this one out there?

[SVZ]

if you're going to buy animal rennet free, make sure it says so on the package. you can't assume things unfortunately.

[SVZ]

most one's at whole foods mention it, as well as other organic supermarkets. but it's also not 100% reliable to call the hotline...sometimes the people tell you things which are wrong.

[FierceKiten]

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