Reasons

People choose to become vegetarians for many reasons:

Animal Cruelty: Some do it because they believe it is cruel to kill and eat animals.

Religious Beliefs: Others do it because of their religion. For example, many Buddhists are vegetarian. They believe in reincarnation of a human into an animal's body. They are mainly against animal cruelty.

Health Benefits: There definitely health benefits gained from going vegetarian. Vegetarians usually live longer than meat eaters. Also, they usually reach their ideal weight faster as well. The vegetarian diet is high in fiber and people with high-fiber diets have been known to have less cancer, less diabetes and less heart disease!

Vegetarian Restaurant Reviews!

Challenges from peer pressure and family

Picture from General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Position on Vegetarian Diet.

Vegetarians take their diets seriously and this should be respected.

I can't tell you how many times I have been asked,"Why would you do such a thing? Meat tastes so good!" Once I explain how brutally animals are killed or that cow stomach is in cheese, they respond,"I don't believe you."

Kinds of Vegetarians

Total Vegetarians (Vegans): These are the strictest vegetarians and they will not consume meat, dairy products, or eggs. Most also avoid animal products such as leather or fur.

Lacto-Vegetarian: Lacto-vegetarians don't eat meat. They may or may not eat eggs or dairy products.

Ovo-vegetarians: They won't eat meat or dairy products. However, they will eat eggs.

Lacto-ovo-vegetarians: Most vegetarians in the US are lacto-ovo-vegetarians. They don't eat meat but they do eat eggs and dairy products.

Pescovegetarians: Vegetarians who consume dairy products, eggs, and fish.