(04-15-2020, 09:34 AM)Star Ranger4 Wrote: 1) Meat is an essential.
(04-15-2020, 01:08 PM)robkelk Wrote: Most vegetarians and vegans would disagree with you on that.
(04-15-2020, 02:55 PM)Black Aeronaut Wrote: Trouble is that, on that very same token, you can't forbid people from eating meat. After all, protein is an essential part of the human diet. While there are indeed plant-based sources, forbidding people from getting their protein in the form of meat is like mandating that Jews and Muslims must eat pork.
Ehm, no it's not. It's more accurate to say that forcing people who refuse to eat meat on ethical or medical grounds (most vegetarians and vegans) is similar to forcing Jews and Muslims to eat pork. There is no requirement to eat meat or animal derived foods in modern western society for any reason and if you so desire you can just leave it aside.
That aside, meat is an essential component of the current food supply, with other sources of protein either unsuited to human consumption, too expensive, or unpalatable, if they are even accessible. Modern day plant derived meat substitutes often require extensive processing to be suitable for human consumption or to cover for nutrient deficiencies from diets lacking in meat. If you want to experience a cuisine that has adapted to a no meat culture, look into Indian and especially Jain cooking traditions.