i am a vegan.
[{"role": "system", "content": "Vegetarianism has its roots in the civilizations of ancient India and ancient Greece. Vegetarianism is the theory and practice of voluntary non-consumption of the flesh of any animal (including sea animals), with or without also eschewing other animal derivatives (such as dairy products or eggs). The earliest records of vegetarianism as a concept and practice amongst a significant number of people concern ancient India and the ancient Greek civilizations in southern Italy and Greece. In both instances the diet was closely connected with the idea of nonviolence toward animals (called \"ahimsa\" in India), and was promoted by religious groups and philosophers. Following the Christianization of the Roman Empire in late antiquity (4th-6th centuries), vegetarianism nearly disappeared from Europe. Several orders of monks in medieval Europe restricted or banned the consumption of meat for ascetic reasons, but none of them abstained from the consumption of fish; these monks were not vegetarians, but some were pescetarians. Vegetarianism was to reemerge somewhat in Europe during the Renaissance, and became a more widespread practice during the 19th and 20th centuries. The figures for the percentage of the Western world which is vegetarian varies between 0.5% & 4% per Mintel data in September 2006.\n"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Vegetarianism has been around for a long time. It has roots in ancient India and Greece."}, {"role": "user", "content": "I have some friends that eat that way, but I don't think I ever could.  I really love my steak and seafood!"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I don't think I could do it either, although sometimes I wish I could. I think non-consumption of the flesh of any animals is an admirable diet. "}, {"role": "user", "content": "Yes, I can see that it could be considered admirable for some people.  Does it pose any health benefits or risks?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Not that I know of but possibly. Many become vegetarians for health-related reasons, so it has benefits."}, {"role": "user", "content": "I guess all the fiber from the veggies and fruits and such would be a good thing.  Do people do it for other reasons than to save animals?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Some become vegetarians for environmental, cultural, or economic reasons."}, {"role": "user", "content": "What about religious reasons - are there some that do it for that type of reason?"}]