dragonfly75 said:
I think that eating meat, being at the top of the food chain blah blah blah is just fine, except that we're not treating animals in slaughterhouses humanely.
That's exactly how I felt and exactly why I became a vegetarian. I'm OK, in theory, with people eating meat. We're part of the food chain/circle of life/hakuna matata whatever. The way factory farming treats animals, though, is just unconscionable. I can barely stand to think about it, let alone buy their products and support it. A lot of people don't know, or don't want to know what actually happens in a factory farm, and choose to believe something like the person who posted before me. It can get a litle frustrating to deal with.
Being a vegetarian is not that difficult these days. I won't lie and say that I don't miss meat, but I proud to be living what I believe. I've tried so many different things I never would have before I went veg and I now have lots of new favorites. 9 times out of 10 whatever I'm eating looks a lot better than anyone around me!
It wasn't so much of a transition as just a decision. I just stopped eating meat. It took a while for me to really find all of my alternatives, but it really isn't that different. Breakfast is pretty much the same--just skip the bacon/sausage/ham or whatever. Lunch is not that hard. You can have PB&J, or cheese and crackers, yogurt, or a veggie burger. They also have lots of frozen meals you can eat. If you have a Trader Joe's near you--check it out. They have tons of stuff. But even at the regular grocery store you can get mac & cheese, meatless lasagna, cheese ravioli, etc. Dinner can take a little more creativity, but it's not hard. You can have all kinds of pastas, bean & cheese burritos/tacos/fajitas, cheese pizza, etc.
You will run into all sorts of people who won't support your decision. If I had a dollar for every person who gave me a puzzed look and said "But I couldnt' live without meat", I would be very rich. I think living well is the best way to "prove them wrong" so to speak. Eventually they get used to it and shut up.
It can be healthier, though that's not a guarantee. If you live on grilled cheese and fries, it's really doing you no good, but if you commit to trying new things and paying attention to what you're eating it's great for your health!
Good luck with whatever you decide!
I also have had high cholesterol my whole life and meat has tons of it and isnt good for me. The way animals are treated is an issue too, but I'm not one of thoes crazed animal rights supporters or anything. 
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