A. A vegetarian is someone who doesn't eat any meat. They don't eat fish, chicken, pork, beef, or any other kind of animal flesh. They may eat eggs and dairy products. Vegans do not eat any animal product, and they don't eat any eggs, dairy products, or any food containing ingredients derived from animals.

Q. If you don't eat meat, what do you eat?"

A. This is an understandable question, as the companies who produce grain (all but 2% of which is fed to animals slaughtered for food, and NOT fed to humans) and those who produce meat and dairy products want you to believe that there is no such thing as a delicious or nutritious meat-and-animal-free diet. They're lying to you. Meat is NOT what's for dinner, and the answer to "Got milk?" should be "Heck NO!". Need proof? Read on for the answer to the another frequently-asked question from non-vegetarians:

Q. "Don't humans need meat to be healthy?"

A. NO. Humans who don't eat meat are much healthier than those who do. Humans are NOT carnivores; we're omnivores, meaning we eat a variety of foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains. Carnivores (like lions and tigers) eat nothing but meat.

Primates (apes, monkeys, chimps, who share 98% of our DNA) in general are omnivores, and eat a mostly plant-based diet, with "meat" (including insects, fish, and other smaller creatures) as very infrequent additions to their diet. Humans can eat meat, but it's hard on the body, and we eat way more of it than any other primate -- and we have the diseases (cancer, heart disease, hypertension) to show for it.

The nutrition in meat can be found in other foods, so there is no nutritional need for meat in a human's diet. If you don't believe this, consider our teeth and intestines. Carnivores (lions, tigers, other cats) have very short intestinal tracts, for quick elimination of their eaten prey. They also have huge fangs for tearing flesh.

Our intestines, like dogs, bears, and other ominvores, are much longer -- meant to allow foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains to take their time moving through the system, so that all the nutrition can be absorbed. This long system is what makes meat and dairy so bad for us -- these items stay in the system too long, and we get all the fat and calories, plus we get all the hormones and antibiotics that have been fed to the animals we've eaten. We also don't have big fangs for tearing meat -- we have teeth meant for chewing grains, seeds, fruit, and vegetables.

Q. "What about milk? I love it and it's good for everyone, especially children."

A. Milk is NOT good for you. The high numbers of humans who are lactose intolerant tells us that we are not meant to drink milk or eat cheese, and that our mothers' breast "milk" is as much dairy as we're supposed to have. Even those of us who can digest dairy products with no problem are still getting way too much fat, cholesterol, and calories from milk.

Cow's milk is designed to take a tiny calf and grow it to a huge cow in a matter of months. Humans have no such need for that -- no one wants to grow a child who weighs hundreds of pounds. When people get rid of dairy in their diets, their cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, and risk of stroke, heart attack, and cancer all go way down.

Commercially-produced milk also contains steroids, antibiotics, and a variety of other chemicals, all of which pass from the cows to the people who drink the milk. The steroids alone are a big part of the reason human girls now go through puberty at much earlier ages -- and this early onset of puberty is directly linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.

Q. "Meat alternatives don't taste good and they're hard to find. And they're more expensive than meat!"

A. Wrong, wrong, and WRONG. Meat alternatives (soy, textured vegetable protein, and beans) are delicious, and you can find them in any grocery store or market. Meat is much more expensive, both directly (in terms of the price you pay in the store) and indirectly (in terms of the costs of medical care for the diseases caused by its consumption). Visit GoVeg.com for great meal ideas, and subscribe to Vegetarian Times, an entire magazine devoted to delicious, healthy, vegetarian fare.

Q. "I'm a Christian, and I believe God gave us the animals to use for food and clothing. Not to eat meat is a sin."

A. And you think God would approve of how humans treat animals on factory farms, in testing labs, zoos, and circuses? The Bible says that man was given "dominion" over the beasts -- but that doesn't mean eating them, and it surely doesn't mean torturing them.

If you're confused about the role your own faith plays in choosing to not eat meat (some believe that God gave us the animals for food and clothing), check out the Christian Vegetarian Association. Any person, of any level of faith, from any denomination, will find their information useful and inspiring.