I don’t eat meat...not because animals are cute. After surviving several blasts in Iraq - no wounds - but twisted up - I found that coming back and eating a meat diet - I just could digest it...Walter Reed suggested that going vegetarian would help my digestion since it was my hip and leg which was affected. They also stated that eating veg’s - the human body gets enough protein and that I do not need to intake the amount of daily protein someone does when they eat meat...so in all actual fact - humans don’t have to eat meat to survive, build muscle, etc...my conditions improved and I feel much better - plus I never get sick or take the flu shot - while everyone else around me that does - gets sick...plus I was taking allergy medicine and taking shots — my allergy symptoms cleared up with in 72 hrs completely...haven’t taken allergy med’s since....this is going on years now...i take it for what it is and from what I’ve experienced personally...however, the Natives in Alaska have to eat meat — but they do so almost 100%...so it really depends on environment...I can assure you - If I had to kill an animal to survive — I’d do it without thought...but where I’m at - I don’t have to and can eat a total meatless diet...alot of sick people are that way due to their diet...medication just hide the symptoms and never heal the person like going on a strict healthy veg/fruit/almond milk/grain diet...no soy either...
Well I thank you for your service, and I appreciate your conviction. I apologize if my post came off as an insinuation that you are/were a militant vegan. My statements were generalities intended for a broader audience and not directed at any particular FReeper.
It frustrates me to no end seeing people fade away into wisps because they have some preposterous notion that meat is murder or otherwise causes grievous harm to the human body. Humans have been consuming meat since the dawn of time. Yes we eat fruit and vegetables, but we also consume meat. It is scientifically evident from our dental evolution and the fact that we have a single-chamber stomach. To deny oneself meat is to deny thousands of years of evolution and the protein and fat necessary for normal systemic functionality.
More power to you for your plight, BCW. I personally exercise daily, including heavy weight lifting, kayaking, biking, running, and contact sports. I require a lot of protein to keep synthesis of new muscle fibers going and to maintain healthy blood.