When people find out I’ve been vegetarian for over 14 years, their first reaction is usually:
“Oh wow – are you, like, really into animal rights?”
And look – I do care about animals. But the truth is, that was never my main reason for going vegetarian.
I didn’t grow up on a farm or have a life-changing moment with a baby pig. My motivation was more… systemic.
I took an environmental science course as gen ed in college. I learned how broken our food systems are. And I saw the data on emissions, water use, and land degradation from animal agriculture.
And I realized: if I wanted to live in alignment with what I cared about, food was the most personal, powerful place to start.
That’s how this all began.
But over the years, my reasons have shifted, deepened, and evolved – especially after becoming a mom.
So today, I want to tell the real story of why I’m still vegetarian, and why this lifestyle still makes sense for me after all these years.
Spoiler: it’s not about perfection. It’s about purpose, impact, and finding something that actually works in real life. 😉
How It Started: The Environmental Spark
Back in my university days, I was neck-deep in papers about climate change, sustainable land use, and food systems. I was fascinated – and a little horrified – by what I was learning. Animal agriculture wasn’t just a side issue. It was a major contributor to deforestation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and global greenhouse gas emissions.
And here I was, sitting in lectures learning about all of it… while eating a bacon cheeseburger for lunch.
Something didn’t sit right.
So I made the switch. Not overnight (or at least not the second time I tried), and definitely not without a few awkward meals in the beginning.
But I stopped eating meat because I wanted to walk the talk. I wanted to reduce my impact in a way that felt immediate and concrete. It was one of the first major lifestyle changes I made that helped me feel like I was doing something – even if it was small.
And honestly? It felt good.
window.fd(‘form’, { formId: ‘68358cd81ba24b5073c496d9’, containerEl: ‘#fd-form-68358cd81ba24b5073c496d9’ });The Part That Blew My Mind
When I was studying environmental policy, I knew meat production wasn’t great for the planet. But once I actually started digging into the numbers? It honestly blew my mind.
Here are just a few things that stuck with me — the things that still motivate me to keep going even now, years later:
- Animal agriculture is responsible for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions — more than the entire transportation sector.
- A whopping 77% of the world’s agricultural land is used to raise livestock, either for grazing or to grow their feed — and yet, meat and dairy only provide 18% of our calories.
- Producing just one pound of beef uses around 1,800 gallons of water. Yes, for one pound. That’s more than a month of showers.
- Deforestation in the Amazon is driven largely by beef production and soy grown for animal feed, not tofu (like some folks like to claim).
- Livestock are a major source of methane, a greenhouse gas that’s 80+ times more potent than CO₂ in the short term.
And these are just the highlights.
When I learned all of this, I couldn’t un-know it. Suddenly, my food choices weren’t just about me — they were about the land, the water, the air, and the future we’re building.
It’s not that I thought eating a salad would save the world, but I knew I couldn’t keep eating like it didn’t matter.
And honestly? This data still motivates me. It’s easy to forget about impact when life gets busy, but food is such a direct line between our values and our actions. It’s one of the clearest ways we show what we care about.
That’s what keeps me grounded in this choice — even when it’s inconvenient or imperfect or I just really want nachos at a party and the only thing available is meat chili. I remember the bigger picture. And I make the best decision I can in that moment.
From Planet to Plate to Parenting: Why I Still Do It
Over the years, my “why” has gotten a lot more layered.
I’m still in it for the planet – that hasn’t changed. But somewhere along the way, health started creeping in as a bigger motivator. Especially once I became a mom.
Because suddenly it wasn’t just about my footprint. It was about modeling habits. Feeding small humans. Taking care of my body not just for me, but so I could show up as the parent I wanted to be. It wasn’t enough to care about sustainability – I needed it to actually work in the chaos of real life.
So I started paying more attention to how I felt, how I ate, what I had energy for. And the beauty of a plant-based lifestyle? It still made sense. It helped me feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally – and it kept me anchored to something that mattered beyond my day-to-day routines.
The “why” that started with the planet had grown to include my body, my kids, my sanity – and yes, the animals too.
Why I’ve Never Gone Vegan (And Why That’s Okay)
Let me just say this up front: I have huge respect for people who are fully vegan. Truly. It’s a powerful choice and it can have a massive impact.
But it’s not the choice I’ve made for myself.
Here’s why:
Veganism, for me, feels like a level of restriction that doesn’t align with what I need in this season of life. I already juggle a million things – parenting, work, life logistics, existential dread. I need a lifestyle that supports me without draining me.
Vegetarianism gives me the best of both worlds:
✅ A real impact on the environment
✅ The flexibility to eat out with friends without grilling the waiter about ingredients
✅ The freedom to grab a snack without reading every single label like it’s a legal contract
And honestly? I believe some animal products – like good-quality eggs and dairy – can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. Especially when they’re sourced responsibly.
So no, I’m not fully vegan. And I’m okay with that.
I’ve never been about extremes. I’m about enoughness. About showing up imperfectly, making thoughtful choices, and doing what I can without burning out. Vegetarianism has been my anchor in that.
Find out if a vegan or vegetarian diet is right for you.
What It Looks Like in Real Life
If you’re picturing someone with a fridge full of fake meats and perfectly labeled jars of soaked lentils… it’s not me.
I try to keep things simple. I lean toward real, whole foods as much as I can — not because I’m chasing some ultra-clean lifestyle, but because I feel better when I eat that way. That said, you’ll still find a box of mac and cheese in my pantry and the occasional emergency frozen pizza in my freezer. Because, again… balance.
Some days I’m making Pinterest-worthy plant-based meals packed with color and variety. Other days, it’s buttered toast, roasted carrots, and a fried egg if I’m lucky.
I’m not here to win any food awards — I just try to make choices that support my health, feel aligned with my values, and don’t leave me stressed or starving.
I don’t obsess over meat substitutes or try to veganize every comfort food. I just focus on building meals that are mostly plants, mostly from ingredients I can pronounce, and mostly things that I actually want to eat.
This lifestyle doesn’t feel restrictive to me — if anything, it feels freeing. It lets me skip the stress and second-guessing, say no to the stuff that doesn’t serve me, and yes to the choices that do. And that’s what makes it sustainable.
Learn more about vegetarian nutrition or getting started with a vegetarian meal plan.
Why I’m Still Vegetarian – Even When Life Is Full
Because honestly? The world can feel like a lot. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, like nothing you do really makes a difference.
But food? That’s something I can control. And choosing to eat less meat – or none at all – is one of the most tangible, consistent ways I stay connected to the kind of life I want to live.
Vegetarianism is my baseline.
It’s the choice that makes me feel like I’m doing something – even when everything else feels chaotic.
And I want to be clear: I’m not perfect.
I don’t always buy local or organic. I still use convenience foods. I’ve forgotten my reusable bags more times than I care to admit. But I come back to what I can do. What I do have power over. And food is one of those things.
Vegetarianism is my way of saying, “This matters. I care. I’m trying.”
And that counts for something.
It’s Always Been About Living With Intention
I didn’t start this journey because I hated bacon. I started it because I wanted to live in alignment with what I believed in. And 14 years later, I still do.
What’s changed is how I define success.
I don’t need to be the “perfect” vegetarian, or the most ethical eater, or the cleanest, greenest person in the room. I just need to keep showing up. Keep making choices that feel honest. Keep taking care of my body, my family, and this planet – in whatever small ways I can.
So no, it’s not just about the animals.
It never really was.
It’s about sustainability, health, enoughness, and building a life that feels good, not just looks good.
And if that resonates with you?
You’re already on the right track.
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