Questions Answered

Why vegetarian?

There are many reasons, among them these:

Meat production is very wasteful of fertile land: by feeding crops to animals instead of directly to humans we lose up to 90% of the protein. A change to vegetarianism would thus vastly increase the amount of food available in a hungry world.
The breeding, rearing, transporting and slaughtering of so-called food animals is inevitably accompanied by much cruelty. Since the lives of millions of vegetarians have shown that we do not need to eat meat to live healthily, there is no justification for killing animals, or for causing them to suffer in any way, to satisfy human greed.
Animal husbandry causes great destruction to our environment, from the devastation in the South American rainforests to provide grazing land, to the increase in the greenhouse effect due to methane produced by animals.
Some people believe the slaughter of animals to be degrading. They are not prepared to do it themselves, and think it wrong to ask others to do it for them.
There is increasing medical evidence that meat, far from being essential to health, is bad for it, especially when (as is now usually the case) the animal has been kept alive with antibiotics, and has been artificially fattened through the use of synthetic hormones.

How many vegetarians are there in Ireland?

Thousands, and the number is growing.

Aren't humans naturally carnivorous?

Evidence from human physiology and from the dietary habits of other primates suggests strongly that humans are not naturally carnivorous. The majority of the world's human population lives on a meatless or nearly meatless diet.

Is vegetarianism a sort of religion?

No. People of all religious faiths and of none are vegetarians.

What is vegetarian food like?

A glance through some of the excellent vegetarian cookery books now available (see list below) would quickly convince anyone that vegetarian cooking and eating can be hugely enjoyable. For the adventurous there is a vast range of foods and dishes, while quick simple meals can easily be prepared with a little experience. Also, most health food shops and some supermarkets stock "convenience" vegetarian foods.

Do vegetarians eat dairy produce?

Some do, some don't. The latter are known as vegans. The vegan way of life is perhaps less simple to follow than the vegetarian one, but many people do follow it with enthusiasm and in good health.

Have there been any famous vegetarians?

Yes, very many, including Leonardo Da Vinci, Wagner, Tolstoy, Gandhi, George Bernard Shaw, Sir Isaac Newton, H. G. Wells, Pythagoras, Charles Darwin, Einstein and Linda McCartney, Spike Milligan, John Peel.

Well known living vegetarians include Paul McCartney, Joanna Lumley, Michaela Strachan, Carla Lane, Morrissey, Martina Navratilova, Victoria Wood, Margi Clarke, Billy Connolly, William Shatner, Brigid Brophy, Kate Bush, Chrissie Hynde, Julie Christie, and of course very many others.

Why a vegetarian society?

Our aims (as stated in our constitution) are to advance education, and to promote the positive aspects of vegetarianism in relation to both health and environmental issues. We also aim to create more awareness of the organisation, and to inform the people of Ireland about vegetarianism. We aim to co-operate with other organisations which promote the fundamental ideals of vegetarianism. The VSI supports both vegetarian and vegan aims.

We want everyone to know that there is no need to kill for food, and we would like to help others to make the easy transition to a meat-free diet. We encourage members to form local groups, and a contact list (see membership form) is circulated.

What does the Vegetarian Society do?

Amongst other things, we publish a quarterly magazine which is available in healthfood shops and which is posted free to members and associate members. We also produce leaflets on all aspects of vegetarianism and make this information available (free of charge) to enquirers. We arrange cookery demonstrations, organise social events, and hold information stands at various venues. Once a year, we organise the World Vegetarian Day event, which takes place in Dublin. We also encourage hotels and restaurants to cater more imaginatively for vegetarians.

Does the Vegetarian Society of Ireland accept members who are not yet fully vegetarian?

Yes, we do. We realise that to become fully vegetarian is less easy for some than for others. Those who are in sympathy with the Society's aims are accepted as Associate Members, and they receive all the benefits of membership except the right to vote.

Are there any good books on vegetarianism?

Yes indeed. Our own book, Simply Vegetarian (see Merchandise page) and of course, many more, among them this recommended selection:

Animal Liberation - Peter Singer - a readable and powerful case for vegetarianism argued by a professional philosopher.
When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals - Jeffrey Masson & Susan McCarthy - a book which argues that animals feel a range of emotions as complex as our own.
The Bean Book (0-7225-3947-9); Vegan Feasts (0-7225-4006-X); Vegetarian Christmas (0-00-710130-9); Vegetarian Express (1-84188-156-2) - Rose Elliot. Just four of a superb range of cookery books which show how pleasurable and healthy vegetarian food can be.
No Meat for Me Please! - Jan Arkless. Recipes for the vegetarian in the family, or the single vegetarian.
Vegetarian Microwave Cookbook; No-fuss Vegetarian Cooking - Sarah Brown.
The Vegan Cookboook - Alan Wakeman & Gordon Baskerville. A good introduction to eating without the use of eggs or dairy products.
Linda’s Kitchen (0-316-85861-7); World of Vegetarian Cooking (0-316-85487-5); - Linda McCartney. Two very different books of inspiring recipes.
Easy Vegan Cooking (0-7225-3696-8); Vegan Cooking for One (0-7225-3923-1) - Leah Leneman. Easy to make, tasty meals using readily available ingredients.
The Classic 1000 Vegetarian Recipes (0-572-02375-8) - Carolyn Humphries. Stuffed with great recipes to suit any mood or occasion.
Vegan Barbecues & Buffets (1-897766-55-6) - Linda Majzlik. A festive journey of vegan delights from mushroom and pine kernel sausages to tofu and mushroom medallions.

Also look around bookshops and the Internet. There are many sites from all over the world on vegetarianism and veganism.

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