Words by Anucyia Victor

I know that a vegetarian diet is good for you but each to his own, I say, and all the eulogising in the world won’t persuade me to give up my bacon butties. As the newly converted relish their new found devotion to all things vegetable, I will continue to devour my favourite rare rump steaks.

With the 15th National Vegetarian Week looming 22 to 28 May), us dedicated omnivores will have to come up with some good arguments to defend our meat eating habits. The campaign aims to celebrate vegetarianism in its broadest sense and prompt media discussion on the topics of vegetarian food, health benefits and lifestyle.

But just how many of us meat lovers will be shamed into giving up our carnivorous ways?

To bring you a balanced argument, Mumstop’s Chris Williams goes head-to-head with the National Vegetarian Society’s Collette Walsh in an attempt to explain just why he won’t be giving up the meat, while she sticks to her two veg.

Sticking to my meat

Words by Chris Horton

A high priority was placed on eating meat by our hunter-gatherer ancestors.

I can relate to the desire for meat; several years ago a friend introduced me to the delights of a ‘full English’ breakfast.

He took me to his favourite cafe for a ‘jumbo special’ and special it was, with each of its meat-based components tasting delicious.

At the time I was going through an empty period in my life and quickly found myself going every day. It was not merely the flavour of the food that I enjoyed, but it seemed to sustain me through the day and gave me the strength to battle on.

If what our ancestors ‘gathered’ had been sufficient for their well-being, why take the risk of hunting? Perhaps they too were aware of meat’s rejuvenating properties and its ability to sustain them?

So, ten thousand years later, I eat meat largely for the same reasons. Plus, in our modern world, it also takes less time to ‘hunt’ for and prepare a meat-based, nutritionally balanced meal.

Our ancestors only ate meat infrequently, so perhaps the ready availability of meat

is as unnatural as having no meat at all?

Instead of condemning modern meat-eaters, perhaps if meat were made more expensive by eradicating all the sins associated with battery farming, we would have happier, healthier consumers and animals.

I am well aware of the moral arguments vegetarians put forward against eating meat.

However, as they eat meat-flavoured, textured soya substitutes, I suspect they may be in denial.

Do they not realise that no amount of intelectualising will turn humans into rabbits?

I for one will hold on strong to my carnivorous habits – and no amount of proselytising will change me.

Why I Became a Vegetarian

by Collette Walsh – press officer at The Vegetarian Society UK

At the age of 13 I informed my mum that I was a vegetarian. She looked at me with suspicion and fear. My mother was brought up on a farm in Ireland where meat and two veg was a way of life. To hear that I was rejecting meat came as surprise, especially since I was so young and my five older siblings had never been such radicals.

So where did my decision to become a veggie originate? At that age, I was trying to establish a sense of independence, taking a wider interest in the world around me and deciding how I wanted to live my life.

The song ‘Meat Is Murder’ by The Smiths had a big influence on me. The lead singer’s lyrics about the cruelty of factory farming really hit home. I realised that I simply couldn’t be part of an industry that is so associated with violence and neglect.

Around this time, I was stopped in the street by someone from the Hare Krishna movement. They gave me a book about Krishna Consciousness in which the wisdom of vegetarianism is discussed.

Included in this are the health benefits of not eating animals. Then there is the spiritual dimension - that kindness and respect for all beings, man and animal, is a fundamental foundation for living a true life.

These days, being a vegetarian is as integral to who I am as being a woman. As a teenager, I was one of those annoying ‘militant’ types of veggies but as I have grown older, I have become more tolerant. I accept that vegetarianism does not suit everyone.

These days I savor the pleasures of vegetarian food and all the health benefits that it brings. This is the best way of getting the message across that it is a great to way to eat and also helps the planet and the plight of animals.

Interestingly, 21 years on and despite all the ridiculing, two of my siblings have become vegetarian. Indeed, the whole family has become quite significant meat reducers.

A number of my friends are also veggie and even vegan. I became a journalist in my 20s, ultimately writing about health issues and today, at 34, I am the press officer for The Vegetarian Society. I like the fact that I am keeping the message alive.