Vegetarian since 1972. Simply did not want to eat meat. Then I found out it was the healthy thing to do for me and for the planet. What luck! I find it very easy to be vegetarian and am so puzzled by people who can't imagine doing it or find it difficult or think they need meat to get protein. I strongly believe that the American gov't dietary guidelines are simply the reflection of the food industry's power over the government. I pitch in a hardball league for men over 25 and am still competitive. I don't know if it's just genes, diet, or luck.