Nowadays, you see many people choosing the life of fruit and vegetables instead of beef and chicken. In fact, a Vegetarian Times study shows that 3.2 percent of people in the U.S. follow a vegetarian-based diet. That’s nearly 3.2 percent of adults. This is why I went around asking people why they decide to choose this lifestyle and what had influenced them.

Social Media. Those two words are a portal to many ideas and thoughts about every trend, every law, every news. It makes you think and wonder how it has yet reached the world of vegetarianism. “Many more people are now exposed to vegan and vegetarian ideas through social media and videos” Charles Stahler stated, an organizer for the Vegetarian Resource Group. “There are now numerous Vegetarian Festival in and outside the United States that are attended by thousands or tens of thousands of people. This is (also) partially due to social media.”

That was not the only new thing I learned. Charles Stahler was able to list numerous ways cutting out meat from you diet can help you. “The results of an evidence based review showed that a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease”

There are also differences displayed in vegetarians that aren’t always found in meat eaters. “Vegetarians also appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes than non vegetarians. Furthermore, vegetarians tend to have lower body max index and lower overall cancer rates” But all the same, you still have to watch out for the types of foods you’re putting in your body. “You could be a vegetarian and live on potato chips and beer and miss certain nutrients. It has more to do with what you are eating than if you are vegetarian or not.”

Ghadeer

I went around asking a few vegetarians themselves to see what they have to say. For an 8th grader here at Unis Middle school, Ghadir AbdulHussein, the decision to stop eating meat started at an early age. “I decided to choose this lifestyle in when I was in 2nd grade because I didn’t like the way meat tasted at all and decided not to eat it anymore”  Every person has a different journey when they go from being constant meat eaters to vegetarians. “It actually took me a couple of days to get used to not eating any meat at all, but the process did get easier.”

Another vegetarian, seemed to have different reasons. “I didn’t become a vegetarian until 4 and a half months ago, mainly because I wanted to make sure I knew what I would be getting into.” Going from a meat eater to vegetarian seemed to be different too. “After reading about benefits of becoming vegetarian, I found it easy for myself to shy away from meats, so this was something I was pretty much able to accomplish overnight.” Alnajim would also like to give a contribution to Kroger. “With all honesty, I don’t think that I would have lasted this long if it wasn’t for Kroger’s vegetarian aisle. I find that they have very suitable replacements for meats.

When I asked for tips for people interested, most of them responded with the same general idea. “Do what works for you.” replied Stahler. So whichever lifestyle you choose, just remember that you can always find support in the large world of social media.

Middle School Journalist

Zainab Al-najim