Meat-free eatin'

Ash Wednesday was three weeks ago, and for many, that day marked the beginning of Lent. In keeping with custom, I pledged to abstain from an activity that is part of my normal life. This year, I decided to refrain from eating meat or eggs for the duration of the Lenten season.

While the primary reason for my decision was a religious one, the change has caused me to understand just a little better how the vegetarian population lives here at IU. It ain’t all a bed of roses.

Unless you happen to live in Collins LLC, where meat is more taboo than marijuana, you might find yourself eating the same tired veggie fare day after day. The sandwich counter at El Bistro in Read Center, for example, has a list of around a half dozen pre-made combinations that can be ordered, with only one containing no meat. An extreme example, yes, but given that El Bistro is crowded night and day, this probably affects more than a handful of vegetarians.

Please try not to misunderstand. I’m not totally converting to vegetarianism. After Easter, I plan to resume eating meat. I also plan to revel in it. I now know on a personal level, though, that meat doesn’t have to be the center of every meal. It will no longer have a monopoly over my entrées.

I went to the Michael Pollan talk a few weeks ago. Though I didn’t find his anecdotes and talking points to be particularly impressive, his book-jacket mantra of “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” makes a lot of sense. Meat might be delicious, a great source of protein, and chock full of necessary nutrients, but it’s not a good idea to go overboard. As my fellow columnist Ashley Ames would advise: everything in moderation.

Keeping vegetarian — and even better, vegan — actually has benefits for the economy of Indiana. Tofu and other soy-based products often take the place as substitutes for animal products. Soybeans also have the happy status as Indiana’s second-largest cash crop. Though there are some soy foods that no one should ever be forced to eat (soy bacon, I’m looking at you), that bottle of soy milk in the refrigerator might just be the livelihood of your local farmer.

Also, try not to believe the rumor that turning vegetarian will automatically cause you to lose weight. Exercise is just as important as diet.

There are some very palpable benefits to a highly plant-based diet, but there are also plenty of kooks out there who will do their best to convince you that meat eating is a moral issue. Meat isn’t murder any more than stepping on a grasshopper is manslaughter.

Choosing to become vegetarian isn’t a decision that should be made lightly. A certain level of social awkwardness could come with the new lifestyle and not everyone will approve. Just remember why you made the change in the first place. I’ll be standing right there beside you.
 

E-mail: erbcox@indiana.edu