The Vegetarian QuestionABC Lesson #4

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

— Michael PollanFood Rules

#19 - If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.#22 - Eat mostly plants, especially leaves.#64 - Break the rules once in a while.

Environmental Vegetarianism

“Environmental vegetarianism is the practice of vegetarianism or veganism based on the indications that animal production, particularly by intensive agriculture, is environmentally unsustainable.The primary environmental concerns with animal products are pollution and the use of resources such as fossil fuels, water, and land.”

Green Reasons to Go Vegetarian

Reduce global warmingAvoid excessive CO2 production

Reduce methane/nitrous oxide productionSave large amounts of waterAvoid further pollution of our streams/rivers/oceansReduce destruction of topsoil & tropical rainforestReduce destruction of wildlife habitats & endangered speciesReduce use of antibiotics, growth hormones, and chemicalsReduce ecological footprintHelp ensure environmental sustainability

Smart VegetariansAlbert EinsteinMahatma GandhiSir Isaac NewtonSocratesPlatoLeonardo da VinciHenry David ThoreauLeo Tolstoy

Types of DietsBelief Based (Kosher, Buddhist, etc.)Vegetarian (Vegan, Lacto Vegetarian, etc.)Semi-Vegetarian (Flexitarian, Pescetarian, etc.)Weight Control (Weight Watchers, Atkins, etc.)Medical Reasons (Gluten Free, Diabetic, etc.)Detox (Juice Fasting, etc.)Crash (extreme changes)

Vegetarian diets

A vegetarian diet is one which excludes meat. Vegetarians also avoid food containing by-products of animal slaughter, such as animal-derived rennet and gelatin.Lacto vegetarianism: A vegetarian diet that includes certain types of dairy, but excludes eggs, and foods which contain animal rennet. Lacto-ovo vegetarianism: A vegetarian diet that includes eggs and dairy.Vegan diet: In addition to the requirements of a vegetarian diet, vegans do not eat food produced by animals, such as eggs and dairy products.

Semi-vegetarian diets

Flexitarian diet: A predominantly vegetarian diet, in which meat is occasionally consumed.Kangatarian: A diet originating from Australia. In addition to foods permissible in a vegetarian diet, kangaroo meat is also consumed.Pescetarian diet: A diet which includes fish but not meat.Plant-based diet: A broad term to describe diets in which animal products do not form a large proportion of the diet. Under some definitions a plant-based diet is fully vegetarian; under others it is possible to follow a plant-based diet whilst occasionally consuming meat.

… vore?Carnivores are meat eaters, generally requiring live

foods. They have a large mouth with sharp pointed teeth that allow them to grasp their prey and tear off large chunks of flesh, which is swallowed whole rather than ground or chewed first.

Herbivores are on the opposite end of the dietary food chain from carnivores. Although herbivores can sometimes be seen eating live foods, the proper diet for an herbivore consists of plants, algae, and fruits.

Omnivores eat a variety of meat and vegetable matter. Although omnivores can and will eat vegetable matter, they cannot digest some types of grains and plants. Their teeth and digestive tract possesses some of the traits of both the carnivore and the herbivore.

“Just how destructive does a culinary preference have to be before we decide to eat something else? If contributing to the suffering of billions of animals that live miserable lives and (quite often) die in horrific ways isn't motivating, what would be? If being the number one contributor to the most serious threat facing the planet (global warming) isn't enough, what is? And if you are tempted to put off these questions of conscience, to say not now, then when?” ― Jonathan Safran Foer, Eating Animals

“Since the world has changed so much, the same values don't lead to the same choices anymore.” ― Jonathan Safran Foer, Eating Animals

Eating Animals …

CanadaBetween 4% and 10% of Canadians are vegetarian or vegan.In 2004, an Ipsos-Reid report prepared for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada found that 1 in 10 (10%) of Canadians call themselves “vegetarian”.In 2003, 4% of Canadians were labelled vegetarians (2003 Canadian-American dietetic association position paper).Between 3% and 10% of North Americans consider themselves vegetarian (CBC.ca). However, some respondents who self-identify as “vegetarian” do also occasionally eat meat, fish or poultry.

Other factors …

Backcountry CookingAffordabilityAccess & Convenience