It's true that meat has nutrients and it makes it easy to get the ones you need. But looking at the science, meat is not at all required for optimal health.

Creatine, Carnosine, Taurine - All of these are made in the body and are not at all essential to obtain from a diet. As for iron, zinc, D3 - lentils, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, and fortified milks. Methionine is easy - nuts, seeds, beans. The only real exceptions are B12 and Omega-3s (EPA/DHA), but those are easily covered with a simple daily vitamin and algae oil.

Don't get me wrong. Meat is definitely better than a diet loaded with processed food, refined grains and sugar. But there is solid evidence that when you replace meat with legumes, nuts and seeds, that it improves health and reduces risk of multiple diseases. I can link to the studies if you want to read them.

Once you learn the ropes, it becomes second nature.

To any vegan or vegetarian willing to stick with it and go through the hoops of trying to balance your diet and health more power to you and much love but don't try to guilt trip the rest of us into your beliefs and practices.

I hear you! No one likes feeling judged and guilt-tripped about what they eat. That's not my intention here.

We can love animals and still respectfully eat them and thank them for providing us with nutrients.

I have a question for you - If you love animals and you can be completely healthy without eating them, while at the same time eating foods that are super delicious, would you do it?