Have you heard of this?

[dream]

Have you ever heard of this? I was at a dinner party on Saturday and someone said they are vegetarian during the week but eat meat on the weekend. (Due to weekends being such a social force in their life).

[moonrambler]

I haven't heard of that exactly, but it doesn't surprise me. It fits into the "mostly vegetarian" diet.

[openeyes]

Yes. There's a TED talk promoting it:

Graham Hill: Why I'm a weekday vegetarian | Video on TED.com

Try a Weekday Vegetarian Diet: Eat Green Food without Taking the Plunge : TreeHugger

[votoshka]

Yeah, I've heard of it, and overall I guess it's a pretty good idea to help people cut down on meat. But it does seem a wee bit of a cop out (even if weekends are social, there's no reason you need to eat meat).

Of course, it depends on your reasons for being vegetarian. If you're doing it for ethical reasons, it seems to me you should make the effort to not eat meat at all... but if you're doing it for "health" I think you're barking up the wrong tree I don't think cutting out meat is really all that beneficial healthwise.

[firenexx]

Weekend Warriors

[develop]

Sounds interesting! I may have to try this. Not sure if I can do it though because I love my meat

[KtotheB]

I understand that philosophy. I eat vegan 6 days a week but I usually eat an egg on Saturday morning.

[Acting Like Godot]

Is it surprising?

I often eat vegetarian when I eat alone. I often eat meat when I eat with others.

I think that it is healthy to eat relatively more fruits and vegetables. I also think that it is healthy to eat less meat, and in particular, to eat less red meat.

But I am not entirely convinced that it is a good idea to completely not eat meat.

[Cantando]

Originally Posted by dream

Have you ever heard of this? I was at a dinner party on Saturday and someone said they are vegetarian during the week but eat meat on the weekend. (Due to weekends being such a social force in their life).

Sounds a bit fake to me.

You are either vegetarian or you are not. I only eat meat a couple of times a week but I wouldn't say 'I am vegetarian, but ...'.

It's like saying, 'I am a non-smoker in between cigarettes', or, 'I am celibate except when I am having sex'!

[Andrew Gubb]

Well, an improvement is a better goal than making an identity for yourself. If this is the only way for you, then why not.

Obviously I wouldn't do it. If those people saw things through my eyes, my point of view they wouldn't do it I'm sure.

But they have their right to decide, and I applaud anyone who makes any amount of improvement. I've found my point of equilibrium in a vegan diet which isn't totally raw. My ideal is a raw diet, for both me and plants (who have feelings) and the environment, but I'm not there yet.

For my own life, improvement is better than an all-or-nothing ideal. And I can see how that can work for other people in other situations, who don't have the certainty or the determination or the ease of changing their habits to make a change that I found relatively easy.

[vaelors]

I also experienced that!

[chrisrushton]

labels are stupid.

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by Cantando

Sounds a bit fake to me.

You are either vegetarian or you are not. I only eat meat a couple of times a week but I wouldn't say 'I am vegetarian, but ...'.

It's like saying, 'I am a non-smoker in between cigarettes', or, 'I am celibate except when I am having sex'!

It's like that, but so what? Why is it fake?

A person can be a smoker on the weekends and not during the week. I would bet that fits plenty of weed-smokers

A person also can be celibate during the week but not on weekends . . . like if they're only with their partner on the weekend.

[youssef]

One needs all kinds of foods to maintain his body and his temperament case but must wise for quantities

[Cantando]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

It's like that, but so what? Why is it fake?

A person can be a smoker on the weekends and not during the week. I would bet that fits plenty of weed-smokers

A person also can be celibate during the week but not on weekends . . . like if they're only with their partner on the weekend.

I gave my opinion, you disagreed.

How about: I am a pacifist, but at weekends I like to get my gun out and shoot a few people.

Can't you see the irony?

Oh, I forgot - Americans don't do irony.

[Brutha]

You are either vegetarian or you are not.

Many people who call themselves vegetarian don't define the term the way you do.
The term vegetarian means different things to different people.

In a recent scientific study that I read they defined vegetarian as someone who eats meat less than one time per week on average.

[Agota]

I think that it's great for people who want to cut down on meat, since for most people, cutting down on that would be a positive change.

I wouldn't call it a vegetarian diet, though, because in my eyes vegetarian diet includes no meat at all or meat under particular circumstances (I'd still eat a meat from the Cog (Buddhist ritual) even if I'd be a vegetarian). However, it's only my definition of vegetarian and other people have their definitions.

In Buddhism, it's considered to be very positive to decide to refrain from negative actions, even if it's not all the time. E.g. it would be considered a very positive move for a butcher to refrain from killing on weekends (although being a butcher generally goes against Buddha's teachings and is considered a lifestyle which goes against Dharma). Obviously, it would be much better to refrain from any killing, but even a slightest improvement is better than no improvement. I think this principle could be applied to anything in life, including diet.

[cacheborn]

To each his own.

I was brought up as a strict vegetarian, I did not even eggs till I went to college. Later, I rebelled and tried everything from ham, pork to prawns. Did not find it much interesting so now I am back to being a vegetarian. But if I get stuck at a airport where there is no other option, I would have no problem eating meat to survive. I do eat eggs once in a while.

[Cantando]

Originally Posted by Brutha

In a recent scientific study that I read they defined vegetarian as someone who eats meat less than one time per week on average.

By my calculation, that makes zero! I am all for cutting down on meat BTW.

[openeyes]

Originally Posted by Brutha

In a recent scientific study that I read they defined vegetarian as someone who eats meat less than one time per week on average.

By that definition I may currently be vegetarian, while still consuming plenty of eggs and dairy. I don't avoid meat, but enjoy being able to share food with my wife, who would rather go hungry until it becomes seriously health threatening instead of eating meat.

Originally Posted by Cantando

How about: I am a pacifist, but at weekends I like to get my gun out and shoot a few people.

I prefer the phrase "pacifist between punches" ;-)

[CoolBee]

I stayed in a hotel in Norway (Oslo) once - 1995 - and because I was coming again with a vegetarian friend, I decided to check out the vegetarian menu - Ham Salad.
The interpretation there basically seemed to be 'cold food'.
Another time, when I lived in a student hostel, there was no vegetarian option served that day, when asked why, the Head Chef replied 'because it's fish today and vegetarians eat fish'.
My brother, who was then a vegetarian, was in Kenya and was invited to a family meal. It swiftly became apparent that the one and only family goat had been cooked specially for him. No way could he refuse it.
Another friend was a 'pisco-vegan' - basically she was vegan except she had to eat fish because she was highly allergic to nuts and had no other way of getting adequate protein.
So, what are my points: (a) not a single definition (b) you want to do something but a health issue of some sort means you can't do it 100% (c) sometimes the social situation takes priority. It's for the individual to identify what that situation is. for some it will be your dear old mum/gran and other times it will be as with my brother, a family's unbelievably precious gift (by their interpretation).

[Brutha]

By my calculation, that makes zero! I am all for cutting down on meat BTW.

They would qualify someone who eat meat one time every two weeks as vegetarian.

[Cantando]

Originally Posted by Brutha

They would qualify someone who eat meat one time every two weeks as vegetarian.

On average, yes. Out of interest, did that study take into account the quantity of meat consumed at one sitting?

If I ate 2 kilos of meat in one go every 8 days, would that still qualify me as a vegetarian?

Don't carnivores eat in a similar way?

If a lion eats a zebra, on average, every 10 days, is it a vegetarian (herbivore)? (just joking)

[votoshka]

Really, I think if you eat meat once a week... you errm.. eat meat once a week. You're not a vegetarian, you're just a low meat eater.

I think to be vegetarian you actually need to not eat meat at all (or fish or chicken ).

Of course, if you are put in a situation where it would be highly rude NOT to eat meat, I think it's okay to eat it. I don't think it actually stops you being a vegetarian (errm I accidentally ate meat the other day... a friend was getting me to try a pasta sauce and insisted it had no meat...it did it was an accident on her part, because she hadn't read the ingredients list and just assumed it was meat free).

I just think it's sort of pretentious to say "I'm vegetarian" when you actually eat meat once or twice a week...It's like a sort of status thing, instead of a way of choosing to live. I don't go around boasting about being vegetarian, and generally only bring it up when it's necessary (ie in a situation where someone will prepare me food). I don't go around with it as a label to make some sort of statement... so I guess it sort of bugs me when people do, and yet they're not really "vegetarian" at all. Even before I became vegetarian I only ate meat occasionally, but I would never have called myself a vegetarian as it would have struck me as very hypocritical! I also think it's stupid to consider chickens or fish as "vegetarian" food... They're just... not.

[Cantando]

Originally Posted by votoshka

Really, I think if you eat meat once a week... you errm.. eat meat once a week. You're not a vegetarian, you're just a low meat eater.
...
I just think it's sort of pretentious to say "I'm vegetarian" when you actually eat meat once or twice a week...It's like a sort of status thing, instead of a way of choosing to live. I don't go around boasting about being vegetarian, and generally only bring it up when it's necessary.

Thank you.

Why do such people label themselves as something, when, upon closer examination, they are not? And why have a label anyway? As you say, is it some kind of cool, status thing?

Do millions of hungry people around the world, who would like to have a bit more meat on the table to feed their kids, go round saying, 'Hey, look at me, everyone, I'm vegetarian, aren't I cool!'

[firenexx]

I just don't understand the bit about the person who "had" to eat fish because there was no other way to get adequate protein. I don't know about y'all but I've never relied on solely nuts for protein, I rely on them for healthy fats and minerals mostly. If the person was having trouble finding protein, maybe they just weren't eating any vegetables like spinach, broccoli, dark leafy greens, or even legumes. It's really not hard at all to get adequate protein, in fact, it's easier to get too much than to get too little. That's a very weird non-reason to eat fish. Not that I have anything against a person who eats fish, but if they are doing it solely for an incorrect reason, it seems a little odd.

Anyways, I think labels are pretty dumb. I also think some people use the "vegetarian" label as a status symbol. A friend of mine said he was a vegetarian for 2 years, but I distinctly remember him eating meat many, many times during those 2 years. He said his only exception was wild-caught game on occasion, but he makes many more exceptions and I don't see why someone who eats a little less meat than the next guy would call themselves a vegetarian.

[michellesears]

I do more of a proper food combining meal plan. So I only eat meat when it combines well with the other food options available. Since meat doesn't combine well with pastas, breads or rice I pretty much am meat free.

I do get a lot of questions from my family about being vegetarian, maybe I'll tell them I only eat meat on the weekend

[Bradshaw]

Originally Posted by dream

they are vegetarian during the week but eat meat on the weekend. (Due to weekends being such a social force in their life).

Originally Posted by votoshka

Of course, if you are put in a situation where it would be highly rude NOT to eat meat, I think it's okay to eat it.

Ehh.... I've met some people who think the same thing, but I dunno... it feels off to me.

Whether it's okay or not to eat it is up to the individual to decide, but honestly doing it just to follow social norms seems a bit... you know. The OP also mentions something about social force... but I find it all very silly.

I've been in such situations. Some months ago I went with my girlfriend to her parents house which is far... far away from any city. It was her father's birthday and all 30 or so of his friends celebrated by eating meat.

I made sure that the restaurant made a vegan meal for me, and me alone, in a small town where there's no such thing as a vegetarian restaurant. The restaurant cooked an excellent meal for me and that was that.

Sure, there were some silly comments, the usual nonsense was spouted--there was even one old man who pointed out that in wartime you either eat meat or you die, but I never wavered.

I think labels are silly too, but if you decide to do something then don't stop just because someone doesn't like it. Stick to your guns and all that jazz.

Originally Posted by votoshka

(errm I accidentally ate meat the other day... a friend was getting me to try a pasta sauce and insisted it had no meat...it did it was an accident on her part, because she hadn't read the ingredients list and just assumed it was meat free).

Yeah, that happens... Through experience I've learned that it's better to double-check everything when you're a vegan. It still happens once in a blue moon though. The great thing about double-checking all the ingredients in everything is that I've learned about tons of things I didn't know about before.

[votoshka]

Originally Posted by firenexx

Anyways, I think labels are pretty dumb. I also think some people use the "vegetarian" label as a status symbol. A friend of mine said he was a vegetarian for 2 years, but I distinctly remember him eating meat many, many times during those 2 years. He said his only exception was wild-caught game on occasion, but he makes many more exceptions and I don't see why someone who eats a little less meat than the next guy would call themselves a vegetarian.

Yeah, I think it's pretty stupid. I don't go on about being vegetarian, and really only mention it when someone is making me food or offering me food, and generally I just say, "I don't eat meat" of course then people question that . I rather find it easier not to discuss/defend my eating choices.

Originally Posted by Bradshaw

Ehh.... I've met some people who think the same thing, but I dunno... it feels off to me.

Whether it's okay or not to eat it is up to the individual to decide, but honestly doing it just to follow social norms seems a bit... you know. The OP also mentions something about social force... but I find it all very silly.

I've been in such situations. Some months ago I went with my girlfriend to her parents house which is far... far away from any city. It was her father's birthday and all 30 or so of his friends celebrated by eating meat.

Well, I think there's a difference between visiting a family in Kenya and having them kill a goat especially for you, and just visiting family for a celebration. In one case you could really hurt their feelings by turning down meat that was especially prepared for you, whereas in the other they can just get over it and you can eat whatever meat-free food is available.

I don't expect people to go out of their way to cater for me, and generally I'll just generally eat vegies and stuff. I'd get upset if they tried to force meat on me though! Most people just let me be, however

The only time I'm annoyed is when I'm going somewhere where it's KNOWN I'm veg and they make it difficult for me (on purpose or just errm...I dunno). Like Christmas with my in laws The only thing I could eat was some boiled peas and carrots, because they'd cooked all the roast veggies in with the meat... when it wouldn't have been THAT much effort to put some aside in a different pan... And then the next day they made sandwiches for everyone, and put meat in EVERY sandwich!

[ButterflyWoman]

Originally Posted by votoshka

I just think it's sort of pretentious to say "I'm vegetarian" when you actually eat meat once or twice a week...It's like a sort of status thing, instead of a way of choosing to live.

This thread (and this comment, specifically) has just made me decide to never call myself vegetarian, even if I eliminate meat from my diet (something I've contemplated doing for some time; I've already cut way back on meat in general and beef in particular).

People seem to see "vegetarian" as an identity, and if there's one thing I don't need, it's to create yet another facet of "personal identity" for myself.

When/if it ever becomes an issue, I'll just say, "I don't really eat meat," and leave it at that. (Sort of the way I say "I'm not really religious" )

Of course, this also alleviates the pressure to "become" a vegetarian. I can just not eat meat, and not worry about whether I'm vegetarian or not, because I don't need the label or the classification or the paradigm or whatever we want to call it.

Cool beans.