Food is classified according to its quality into three categories called food in the mode of goodness, passion and ignorance. Food in the mode of goodness are vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, roots, milk etc. and these are the allotted quota meant for human consumption. We can consume these ite ms only after offering to the Supreme Lord as by doing so He spiritualises the same and we will not incur any sins. By consuming such items, we don’t inflict much violence on them as their nervous systems are not developed like that of animals. So, we should not compare uprooting a carrot and slaughtering an animal at par. We understand from the nature that one living entity is food for the other living entity. (Jivo jivasya jeevanam) However, human beings have been allocated a particular quota for their sustenance and being the most evolved and intelligent among the created beings they are not allowed to transgress this law of nature. – Isopanishad – Mantra 1
īśāvāsyam idam sarvaḿ
yat kiñca jagatyāḿ jagat
tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā
mā gṛdhaḥ kasya svid dhanam
Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.
More over, the structure of the human body such as the digestive system, teeth, etc. are not suitable for consuming non-vegetarian foodstuff.
As the saying goes, “we are what we eat”. Our character, habits, behavioural pattern, etc. are linked to our consciousness and consciousness is developed based on the food we eat. If we eat food in the mode of goodness we will become sober persons and exhibit human qualities such as humility, compassion, mercy, kindness, respectful, pleasing to all, tolerance, forbearance, etc. Besides, food that are products of violence will make the eater violent & cruel. So, having born as an human b eing, it is our prime duty not to disturb other living entities unnecessarily in the process of our survival.