Vegetarians eat lower on the food chain, wasting fewer of the planet’s resources and causing less pollution. Their lives are relatively cruelty free, and most vegetarian diets are very healthy. However, there are some disadvantages to being a vegetarian.

Social disapproval

People who would be ashamed to comment on anothers dress, religion, politics, or morals sometimes feel free to comment on their diet. Vegetarians frequently hear that they are faddish, squeamish, childish, or foolishly idealistic. Young vegetarians are often told that they will get over it.

Some people consider their nosy remarks to be light teasing, and others are evidently truly alarmed about the harm a vegetarian might be doing to his or her body. While this concern is kindly meant, it is intrusive.

Some vegetarians have a stock of smart remarks ready, and a few evasions too, in case they do not want to have an earnest discussion over lunch on a particular day. Others fight back, gently, explaining the reasons for their choice until their questioner does not care to hear any more.

Social Sabotage

Another social problem some vegetarians encounter is people who sabotage their choices.

Families may provide few healthy vegetarian choices. Some parents have been known to demand that their children eat a certain food. A few vegetarians have been informed, in the middle of a meal, that they are consuming animal products.

Vegetarians respond to these pressures by forming their own communities.  People who go veg often have quite a bit more in common than diet. In any case, they can help one other with solutions to common problems like shopping, cooking, and dealing with the ignorant.

Weight Control

Some vegetarians, especially vegans, tend to be thinner than the Western norm. Although this is generally not harmful, a few vegetarians do have to take steps to make sure they get enough calories.

Vegetarians cope by eating high calorie foods, and also by eating more. Slender vegetarians may choose to eat more beans, grains, seeds, and oils, and fewer greens, for example. Of course, for many people a little weight loss is not a terrible thing, especially if it is not achieved through suffering and deprivation.

Variety

Most vegetarian eating styles are full of variety. Others can be somewhat restrictive. Vegetarians who crave variety sometimes buy impulse items at the health food store. Though they are truly vegetarian, these goodies may also be junk food.

Vegetarians have to think about what they put in their bodies more than people who eat Middle American diets do. A nutritious way of eating has balance and variety. All vegetarians should make sure they achieve balance.

Tolerance

As a rule, vegetarians do not think anyone is peculiar for making different food choices than they do. Instead, they think about making decisions that suit their own lives. Most vegetarians are accepting and tolerant of those who do not share their point of view. They only wish that everyone could show them the same understanding.