I was a vegetarian for almost 15 years (1986 through 2000). I thought it was a great idea for all of the reasons that people usually cite. Eventually though, I just didn’t feel well. I began to lack energy, didn’t recover well after workouts, became less and less able to add lean muscle, etc.
One night, as an experiment, I ate a piece of fish at a restaurant. It tasted good and I might have enjoyed it, except that I felt like some kind of traitor. I half-way expected to get violently ill. The next morning I woke up feeling as if I had eaten a glowing chunk of the golden Sun. Problem solved.
I know there are elite athletes are who are vegans and vegetarians, so it must be possible to get adequate nutrition without taking in meat. For some reason I just couldn’t. Either I’m not smart or careful enough and/or I didn’t read the right books, or I’m some kind of freak who just needs meat (or thinks he does). I don’t know.
But if you are like me, and you make an effort to be a responsible meat eater, here’s an article for your edification and enjoyment on the ethics — and sustainability — of eating meat:
Robert Mitchell Jr. 