Good day!
I have been a vegetarian for about 3 years now. Before I am writing this article, I want to say this is not persuasive, it's informative. I'm not trying to turn you into a vegetarian, I'm just going to share my opinion and feelings about not eating any meat.
Everything started about 6 years ago. I was in Spain (or Portugal, don't exactly remember but it's not important) when I saw this dead donkey hanging from the ceiling. I was shocked, scared, and my feelings about eating animals started to change gradually. I did still eat it, but with every chew my anger, and fear grew. The feeling of chewing on something that had been alive was so gross, I couldn't handle it.
My turning point came about 2 years later. I was in Spain, again (holidays changed my life), when I ate this hamburger which gave me food poisoning. It made me feel so terrible, I only wanted to eat very thoroughly baked meat. I wanted it darker every day, because I was scared of being poisoned again. It all went downwards (or upwards) from then on. A year later I decided to completely quit meat.
I haven't ever regretted not eating meat, because I don't miss it and it's not something moral in my case - it's because I simply can't, not because I don't want to.
I have read various books about being vegetarian and not eating meat and I have seen so many awful clips from the food industry, I think I would've become a vegetarian even if all of this hadn't happened to me, but it's just not my first and most particular reason.
Many people think vegetarians miss out on many proteins and other important ingredients but I honestly think we don't. Yes, if you only eat unhealthy vegetarian food you may miss out on some very important things you definitely need in your diet, but if your meal is balanced you won't. It's the same for meat-eaters: if you eat unhealthy, you'll also miss important ingredients. It's the same, it doesn't make a difference.
I also prefer the feeling I get after eating a meat-free meal. I always felt so full after eating some chicken or a burger - I don't have that feeling anymore, now that I don't eat meat anymore.
Being a vegetarian also makes me more creative with food. You don't always have the opportunity to eat something that replaces meat, so you'll have to figure out what else to eat. It also helps me losing weight, because replacers simply aren't as calorie-rich as meat itself.
I don't have anything negative to say about being a vegetarian, in fact. Many people say 'I'd like to, but..' - no. No buts. Also for fitness. The time's never perfect, so just do it!
