I have a doubt.

[JadziaKathryn]

>Vah mau vah tor-yehat ri stau. Kup-fun-tor ha'kiv na'ish du stau? Dom nam-tor vohris nem-tor ha'kiv<.
As far as possible, do not kill. Can you return life to what you kill? Then be slow to take life.
Sayings of Suak

Oddly enough, that reminds me of what Gandalf said to Frodo in the first Lord of the Rings book/movie.

[evcake]

Many wise and venerable people have said and continue to say it, both in life and in literature.

[Asso]

Yes, yes.
But, the Romulans?

[TSara]

^ Part of the reason the Romulans left Vulcan was because they did not agree with the teachings of Surak.

So why wouldn't they eat meat if they don't follow the rest of Suraks teachings?

[evcake]

The origins of Romulan isolationism, imperialism, paranoia and aggression are not well documented, at least not in canon. The assumtion seems to be that their characteristics are based in pre-Surakian Vulcan characteristics, exacerbated by a lengthy and perilous emmigation. Unlimited expansion of the Empire is their current goal, according to Admiral Valdore in United
One assumes they are not vegetarians.

[dark_rain]

If they find it so easy to attack and kill things, what would stop them from eating what they kill? Very little, I would say.

[JadziaKathryn]

Romulans could be cannibals, for all we know. But, since they aren't above the use of poison, that wouldn't be a very bright idea.

[TSara]

Wait...

Didn't we see the Romulan's at the prisoner camp eat meat with the Klingons in Birthright I and II?

[Elessar]

If they find it so easy to attack and kill things, what would stop them from eating what they kill? Very little, I would say.

There's one problem with us judging vegetarianism in another society on Star Trek and that is that vegetarianism is not all that common on Earth, but that lack of popularity is not an indication that it is isn't healthy and more economically advantageous. That debate is still open HERE, I believe. A race might become vegetarians simply for those reasons. Just because our population is largely still omnivorous doesn't mean that's the "right way", so we don't need to necessarily be searching for oddball religious or cultural reasons why the Romulans, or anyone else for that matter, might become veggies. At some time down the line in our future, even with replicators, it might just make sense that we become vegetarians. I think that as long as you have an alternative source of protein in your diet, that it's 100% healthier not to eat animal meat. But we'd have to ask a doctor... D?

[TSara]

I think that as long as you have an alternative source of protein in your diet, that it's 100% healthier not to eat animal meat. But we'd have to ask a doctor... D?

My doctor actually recommended switching to a more vegetarian diet do to a medical condition I have.

Doesn't it depend on the doctor and the patient?

[Asso]

Elessar wrote:
dark_rain wrote:
I think that as long as you have an alternative source of protein in your diet, that it's 100% healthier not to eat animal meat. But we'd have to ask a doctor... D?

Well, no!
Our race is really omnivorous and the elimination of animal proteins is potentially dangerous. The fact that in the industrialized societies there is a meat diet excess is another thing. If we should become all vegetarians, it might raise an enormous problem of genetic engineering, because alternative sources would be required, with big quantity.
This is the thing that I don't like very much when I think about the Vulcans "vegetarianism": a debatable principle is placed as basis for a more developed society (if then really it is that: what is us pushing to we go ahead? for good and evil? reason, of course, but above all the emotions; and suppressing the emotions is wrong. But maybe I am speaking like Human).

[Linda]

It may be canon that Vulcans eat fish or crustations. In one TNG episode, I think Dr. Crusher wanted to make Picard a meal consisting of Vulcan molusks. Also I am wondering like Mitchell that if the planet Vulcan, being mostly desert and not having a large variety of food sources, the people would eat just about anything digestable. Could Vulcan discipline make a whole planet go vegetarian? I wonder. Perhaps in addition to a moral value against killing, they were trying to eat lower on the food chain to have enough food for everyone? I had an idea in one of my stories that the polar regions on Vulcan might be cooler and a good grain growing area.

Distracted proposed in one of her stories that canyons with water sources and more protected from the intensity of the sun might be a good crop growing area. So maybe the Vulcans could produce a large quantity of vegetable foods by adapting to their planet's limitations? Therefore, it was more necessity than moral conviction that made Vulcans become vegetarian.

Then there there is the possibility that Vulcan's colony worlds could be breadbaskets for the home world. And I will bet there was a brisk trade in foods from Earth sent to Vulcan. All that 'mentoring' of our world would not just be out of unconditional benevolence, especially considering the attitudes of the Vulcan High Command with V'Las in charge.

[evcake]

Maybe wars waged with atomic weapons made vegetarianism, along with the rest of Surak's teachings, seem like the only way.

[Elessar]

Elessar wrote:
dark_rain wrote:
I think that as long as you have an alternative source of protein in your diet, that it's 100% healthier not to eat animal meat. But we'd have to ask a doctor... D?

Well, no!
Our race is really omnivorous and the elimination of animal proteins is potentially dangerous. The fact that in the industrialized societies there is a meat diet excess is another thing. If we should become all vegetarians, it might raise an enormous problem of genetic engineering, because alternative sources would be required, with big quantity.
This is the thing that I don't like very much when I think about the Vulcans "vegetarianism": a debatable principle is placed as basis for a more developed society (if then really it is that: what is us pushing to we go ahead? for good and evil? reason, of course, but above all the emotions; and suppressing the emotions is wrong. But maybe I am speaking like Human).

Are you a doctor? Why is the elimination of animal proteins potentially dangerous? And there are plenty of already-existing alternative sources of protein: soy. I've never had it myself, but there's tons of it to go around. Something like 2/3 of the world population survive on rice, soy and fish and never eat beef, pork or much poultry, like the Western world consumes.

[TSara]

Well, no!
Our race is really omnivorous and the elimination of animal proteins is potentially dangerous.

Maybe not. It's pretty well documented that the average American is certainly not lacking protein. In fact, we generally eat too much of it.





This Vegetarian Diet Pyramid shows a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet. It features whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables and includes moderate amounts of nuts and seeds, soy, egg whites, dairy products and plant oils.



According to the Mayoclinic....

Here are nutrients that may be deficient in a vegetarian diet and how you can get these nutrients from nonmeat sources:

* Protein. Your body needs protein to maintain healthy skin, bones, muscles and organs. Vegetarians who eat eggs or dairy products have convenient sources of protein. Other sources of protein include soy products, meat substitutes, legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
* Calcium. This mineral helps build and maintain strong teeth and bones. Low-fat dairy foods and dark green vegetables, such as spinach, turnip and collard greens, kale, and broccoli are good sources of calcium. Tofu enriched with calcium and fortified soymilk and fruit juices are other options.
* Vitamin B-12. Your body needs vitamin B-12 to produce red blood cells and prevent anemia. This vitamin is found almost exclusively in animal products, including milk, eggs and cheese. Vegans can get vitamin B-12 from some enriched cereals, fortified soy products or by taking a supplement that contains this vitamin.
* Iron. Like vitamin B-12, iron is a crucial component of red blood cells. Dried beans and peas, lentils, enriched cereals, whole-grain products, dark, leafy green vegetables, and dried fruit are good sources of iron. To help your body absorb non-animal sources of iron, eat foods rich in vitamin C — such as strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, cabbage and broccoli — at the same time you consume iron-containing foods.
* Zinc. This mineral is an essential component of many enzymes and plays a role in cell division and in the formation of proteins. Good sources of zinc include whole grains, soy products, nuts and wheat germ.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/v ... et/HQ01596

It is possible to get all the nutrients your body needs...you just might have to work a bit harder at it. Just because someone is a Veggie, doesn't mean they can't follow a balanced diet.