Juliet Freudman, iEG contributor
Some of us are lucky enough to come from a meat-free family. But if you’re from a carnivorous one, the huge spread of meat and the nosy questions from family members during the holidays can leave you feeling frustrated and dejected.
Most of the time, those questions, (“So, where do you get your protein from?!!?”) come from innocent curiosity, but that doesn’t stop you from wanting to rip your eyelashes out.
Remember why you chose a meat-free lifestyle in the first place, and throw facts at your great-aunt who just wants you to, “try a little bit of the turkey she slaved over for hours.”
1. Because you value your health.
If I try to list all the health benefits you’ll be reading this until Christmas, but a few listed by the American Dietetic Association are lower risk and rates of blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Oh, and let’s not forget that healthy *glow* we herbivores always rave about.
2. Because of the environment.
A plant-based diet cuts your carbon footprint by 50 percent. Vegans use 1/11th oil, 1/13th water, and 1/18th land compared to a meat-eater.
3. Because rain forests should be preserved.
Unfortunately, every second, one football field of rainforest is destroyed to produce only 257 hamburgers.
4. Because the waste in meat industry.
70 percent of grain produced in the United States goes to animal feed for slaughter. According to David Pimentel of Cornell University, all of that grain could feed 800 million people. Or if exported, could benefit national trade balance by $80 billion a year.
5. Because vegetarians are practically immortal.
Switching to a vegetarian diet from a standard American diet can increase your life expectancy by 13 awesome years, according to Michael F. Roizen in his book The RealAge Diet: Make Yourself Younger with What You Eat.
6. Because besides B-12, every nutrient you need can be found in plants.
7. Because 10 billion innocent animals are slaughtered each year just to satiate human cravings.
8. Because you save A LOT of money.
Vegetarians save an average of $4,000 a year compared to meat-eaters!
9. Because the vegan community celebrates passionate living.
10. Because who could ever eat this cutie:
Or this munchkin:
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11. Because you do what you believe is right!
The best way to get someone off your back (and a valid response to any question) is: “Well, it’s been working pretty well for me.”
And if all else fails, what’s a family dinner without a big glass of wine?
Juliet Freudman is a freshman at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism who can be found eating chocolate when she’s not dreaming of Paris.