Others are:
May not like the taste
May get sick from eating meat
Do not believe in killing animals
May think it's healthier
Wants to lose weight
Feels it's more spiritual

For some reason, vegetarianism ranks right up there with religion and politics as a volatile topic of conversation. And as with religion and politics, vegetarianism often creates division in families as members agree or disagree with it. There's seldom a neutral position.

A vegetarian is no better or no worse than someone who eats meat three times a day although he'll probably be healthier. A non-meat eater has no right to sit in judgement of someone who doesn't follow his or her dietary preferences.

SEMI-VEGETARIAN?
On the other hand, many people claim to be vegetarians even though they eat fish and chicken, as if eating vegetables with dinner is "close enough" to classify as being vegetarian. Vegetarians, especially vegans who eat no dairy products, find this irritating for some reason. I've been a vegan for over 25 years and it doesn't bother me at all. Who knows...maybe next year they'll be a real one instead of "close enough."

There's no perfect time to turn vegetarian. Rudolf Steiner tells about a doctor, a vegetarian who was asked by a patient if he too should give up meat. The doctor asked, "Do you eat cats and dogs?" To which the man replied, "No, of course not. The thought disgusts me!" The doctor said, "Well, when you feel the same disgust for meat, you'll stop eating it."

That's as good a reason as any for not eating meat but there are two schools of thought about this: "It doesn't matter what you eat and if you're on a spiritual path, you can overcome the effects of eating meat" and "You are what you eat."

Both meat eaters and vegetarians can be overbearing with an air or superiority. Being a vegetarian no more makes him a saint than enjoying steak makes a meat eater a murderer. Strangely, both sides are firmly convinced they're right and the other is very odd.

YOUR BODY IS YOUR VEHICLE
There's no question that a vegetarian diet, especially a vegan one, melts off pounds and inches, but this is not the best reason for giving up meat.

Steiner says the body of man is the tool of the spirit. When we think of everything our body is called on to do, we can compare it to a car. If we don't take care of our car and keep it maintained, it won't work properly and the eventual repairs will be expensive. We need to keep our car clean inside and out and give it a periodic check up and minor tune up now and then.

Even with all that attention, it won't run at its optimum potential if we don't put in the right kind of gas because the wrong gas will probably damage it. Then we won't be able to drive it where we want, do what we want, enjoy ourselves with a trip to the park. In short, unless you feed your car and your body with the proper fuel and take care of it properly, you'll be without a vehicle.

DO YOU EAT TO LIVE OR LIVE TO EAT?
Do we live to eat or eat to live? Not many people stop to question what their body needs. Most are hungry, think of something that would taste good and satisfy their hunger regardless of the calories, carbohydrates, artificial colorings, preservatives, chemicals or artery-clogging fat.

It's never too early to help children learn about the benefits of vegetarianism and the beauty of the fruits and vegetables in your kitchen. In fact, an increasing number of children are refusing to eat meat with no prompting from parents or peers. They seem to know that a vegetarian diet is healthier without knowing the reasons. Young boys and girls like to help cook and bake with their parents. They'll learn to appreciate the color and design of carrot or beet slices, the center of an apple or tomato. This is not only a good time to talk about the beauty of nature, but of science, botany and the analogy of the healthy body and car.

IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY
Not everyone can--or should be--vegetarian. People who are very active in sports are usually meat eaters while those who live a more solitary, meditative life tend to be vegetarians or vegans. Usually, but not always, since everyone is an individual who is finding his or own path in life. However, it is true that vegetarian and vegan diets are instrumental in the development of an active inner life of spiritual exploration and growth.

As a result, they become less judgmental, more outgoing, more interesting and interested in life and people. They're usually more energetic as well. Meditation is easier and deeper, especially when one is fasting. People are learning that they can expand their horizons and knowledge by not eating meat, which they say "weighs them down."

For anyone on the path of spiritual development, or for someone who is about to embark on this adventure, a vegetarian diet is really is food for the soul.