@jimgaudette
I agree , for most people it is really hard thing , almost impossible, and I can understand that , absolutely.

Luckily I am not food oriented person and the same goes for my husband.

We enjoy good food and love going out to fancy restaurants on occasion but it is never THE reason to go out, etc. One has to eat but it is far from being center of interest or is necessary for enjoyment of anything for us. We do not feel like we are "missing" anything since we just adore veggies and fruits , always did, maybe it is the reason why we do not see vegetarian diet as god forbid "sacrifice" of some kind . The only thing I "miss" sometimes is a cheese, but not in sense that I feel deprived. If it happens to be part of meal when I order something out I will not go through process of taking it off lol, since that one peace of mozzarella in one month will really not make a difference. But at the same time, eating cheese like French person on a platter after the fancy diner is out of question now, or eating it every day in a croissant, or on top of a crostini or inside panini etc - just not going to happen ; ).

Regarding "eating on rare occasions" it is a very broad definition- for you it is once a month but somebody else would consider eating it once a week or even every other day etc.

Bottom line - if one can reduce and avoid red meat, milk and eggs it is advisable, if one can not, there is no advice or study what will per-sway him/her otherwise and that is OK too. Everybody is free to make their own choice - science is one thing and "real life" another.