Funny thing you get those comments about brainwashing from atheists (who might hear them as well)... come on people, all minorities get bashed, We should support each other! The only thing that should consider you is maintaining a healthy vegetarian diet, which is very possible.

Agreed! So long as vegitarians aren't forcing you to live that way, I see no issue with it. I don't see any really unsound reasoning in being a vegitarian, but it's a matter of choice as to what you want to eat.

Soy is a terrible source of protein. it contains phytoestrogens, which, unless you're a post-menopausal woman, are not good. In men, though this probably applies most (perhaps only applies) to men in puberty, it can shrink your penis and testicles, and promote the development of breasts. Soy also contains Phytates, which inhibits the body's ability to effectively utilize minerals and nutrients. Soy also inhibits the body's ability to use protein. On a side note, most soy crops are sprayed with pesticides, and, on top of that, many soy bean plants are from genetically engineered crops. I do not believe that consuming large amounts of soy can have emasculating effects in post-pubescent men, however, I am not sure. There are reasons bodybuilders and weightlifeters do not use soy and get their protein from better sources, namely whey, egg whites, and certain types of meat. not all meats are created equal; chicken, beef, and fish are good sources of protein that the body rapidly assimilates. Pork, on the other hand, takes many hours. Being a vegetarina is fine, but remember -- humans evolved as omnivores and should eat as such.

I am all for a balanced diet, don't get me wrong. I was speaking specifically to TVP which contains soy, but is really what it is an acronym for, namely Texurised Vegetable Protein. It is almost its weight in protein pound for pound (though it tastes kind-uh like spounge).

As for the other facts you mentioned n soy, I'll be reading up on that.

"Being a vegetarina is fine, but remember -- humans evolved as omnivores and should eat as such."

I dunno about that one. I mean I agree that humans are capable of eating a variety of things, I just don't think that is necessarily a good reason to.

well indeed, the fact that we're capable of eating something doesn't necessecarily mean that we should. now, should humans eat meat? i can't say whether we should or not, however, I can say with great certainty that we have the intestinal tract of a carnivore -- it's short. animals that're purely herbavore have longer intestines because it takes longer to digest fibre, and on top of that, most pure herbavores have multiple stomachs. does this say you should eat meat? absolutely not. i cannot argue as to whether you, as an individual, should eat meat. all i can say is that the human digestive system is perfectly capable, no, [i]designed[/i] to handle meat intake. my dad has been a life long vegetarian. i've eaten tvp and i don't like the texture much. it is to my understanding that tvp is essentially compressed soyflour (or what is left of the bean after the oil is extracted.) is this correct?

I think so. And I agree about the texture.. blech. It is just eww. (again my subjective view... I feel wierd having to mention that).

I also agree that our intestine were designed by natural selection (I don't like the implications of the word "designed" but I agree that it is appropriate) to consume meat.