Why do people become vegetarian?

Being a vegetarian isn't a cut and dried brand, like everyone is exactly the same. Are all meat eaters the same? Some may not eat pork, others may not eat chicken. It's a matter of personal preference or conscience. It's no different for those who choose to give up meat for the vegetarian lifestyle. One reason people decide to become vegetarian is because they learn about how animals raised for food are treated and forced to live in overcrowded, inhumane conditions before the slaughtering process. For example, chickens are obligated to live in very small cages and are de-beaked. People who believe this is wrong and don't want to support these abhorrent practices choose a vegetarian lifestyle for ethical reasons. Other people become vegetarian because they don't like the taste or texture of meat. Some give up meat for health reasons such as the fact that meat is often injected with hormones or preservatives, or because meat is high in cholesterole. A smaller number of people become vegetarian because of the impact that eating meat has on the environment. For examples, farmers deforest land to create more grazing lands, or vegetarians may cite the amount of grain fed to produce animals for food. This grain could be used to feed thousands of people. Vegetarianism is also an element of religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. For those who hold to these beliefs, living a vegetarian lifestyle is a way of life that advocates nonviolence and is part of spiritual fulfillment. Other religions that promote vegetarianism are Seventh Day Adventists and Jains. Some people become vegetarian for a combination of these ideas. These are just a few main reasons why people become vegetarian.