It’s National Vegetarian Week! 20 Celebs On Why They Gave Up Meat

May 19th, 2016

Awake Goy

You may not have heard, but National Vegetarian Week has arrived! Running from May 16 – 24^th, this event aims to celebrate animals around the world and the people who choose to protect them, and to educate people about why this diet is so important. During this week vegetarians, vegans, and meat eaters alike are asked to talk about their favorite veggie foods, promote veggie products, and showcase new menus.

If you’ve been thinking about going vegetarian or even taking a break from eating meat to see what all the fuss is about, then what better time than now to give it a shot? Vegetarianism has been becoming increasingly popular over the past decade or so, with many celebrities contributing to the trendiness of clean eating and cruelty free living. Below are statements made by 20 celebrities to the UK’s The Independent over the years. You may have known that some of these celebrities are vegetarians, but others might just surprise you.

I know, I know… some of you may be thinking, who cares what celebrities do? And to be honest, I’m generally of the same opinion, but like it or not, celebrity opinion does impact the lives of many people in our society. When celebrities choose to advocate a worthy cause, many people listen.

1. Ellen DeGeneres

“I personally chose to go vegan because I educated myself on factory farming and cruelty to animals, and I suddenly realized that what was on my plate were living things, with feelings. And I just couldn’t disconnect myself from it any longer.”

2. Russell Brand

“I don’t see why someone should lose their life just so you can have a snack.”

3. Natalie Portman

“Everyone has to find what is right for them, and it is different for everyone. Eating for me is how you proclaim your beliefs three times a day. That is why all religions have rules about eating. Three times a day, I remind myself that I value life and do not want to cause pain to or kill other living beings. That is why I eat the way I do.”

4. Morrissey

“You either approve of violence or you don’t, and nothing on earth is more violent or extreme than the meat industry.”

5. Leonardo Da Vinci

“My body will not be a tomb for other creatures.”

6. k.d. lang

“We all love animals. Why do we call some ‘pets’ and others ‘dinner?” ~ K.D. Lang

7. Peter Dinklage

“I love animals. All animals. I wouldn’t hurt a cat or a dog — or a chicken, or a cow. And I wouldn’t ask someone else to hurt them for me. That’s why I’m a vegetarian.”

8. Albert Einstein

“Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.”

9. Moby

“If you don’t want to be beaten, imprisoned, mutilated, killed or tortured then you shouldn’t condone such behavior towards anyone, be they human or not.”

10. Jessica Chastain

“I don’t want to torture anything. … it’s about trying to live a life where I’m not contributing to the cruelty in the world. … While I am on this planet, I want everyone I meet to know that I am grateful they are here.”

11. George Bernard Shaw

“The average age of a meat-eater is 63. I am on the verge of 85 and still at work as hard as ever. I have lived quite long enough and am trying to die; but I simply cannot do it. A single beef-steak; would finish me; but I cannot bring myself to swallow it. I am oppressed with a dread of living forever. That is the only disadvantage of vegetarianism.”

12. Cassey Afleck

“When people ask me why I don’t eat meat or any other animal products, I say, ‘Because they are unhealthy and they are the product of a violent and inhumane industry.”

13. Paul McCartney

“When I see bacon, I see a pig, I see a little friend, and that’s why I can’t eat it. Simple as that.”

14. Pamela Anderson

“Every time we go by KFC, my kids ask me to honk and they yell ‘Boo’ out the window.”

15. Bryan Adams

“My motto has always been “If you love animals, don’t eat them … The moment I began to understand what was going on with the treatment of animals, it led me more and more in the way of the path I am [on] now, which is a complete vegan.”

16. Alec Baldwin

“Every time we sit down to eat, we make a choice: Please choose vegetarianism. Do it for animals. Do it for the environment and do it for your health.”

17. A$AP Rocky

“You gotta go do research on the way they treat like f*****g chickens, man. Those chickens go through f*****g torture before they’re processed and s**t, have all sorts of f*****g steroids injected in them and everything.”

18. Woody Harrelson

“Initially, it was an energetic pursuit, but eventually I did develop a deep compassion for animals. I’d eat a burger, and want to go to sleep. I started for energy. And it has served me well. “

19. Johnny Depp

“If you don’t like seeing pictures of violence towards animals being posted, you need to help stop the violence, not the pictures.”

20. Alicia Silverstone

“Nothing’s changed my life more. I feel better about myself as a person, being conscious and responsible for my actions and I lost weight and my skin cleared up and I got bright eyes and I just became stronger and healthier and happier. Can’t think of anything better in the world to be but be vegan.”

If you are a vegetarian or vegan, what made you take the plunge? If you are considering trying it out, what is your main reason? Even if you are against it completely, let’s hear that too! Please share in the comments below or join our discussion in the CE Community on Facebook!

Much Love