I write in support of the recent correspondents who are getting just a little fed up with being lectured on what they should and should not be eating.

There is nothing quite like being lectured to make people feel like doing the exact opposite of what they are being told to do.

To expect people to become non meat-eaters for health and ethical reasons is a very noble aim but entirely unrealistic.

The authors' time would be better spent joining an organisation which supports compassionate farming methods and possibly urging people to eat a little less meat, but meat which has been reared more ethically and preferably organically. This would benefit not only their health but that of the creatures and the planet.

Some of the smug opinionated letters printed recently have even made me feel like reaching for a bacon butty and I have been a vegetarian for 30 years! Don't lecture, just lead by example and leave people to make up their own minds is my advice.

Karin Fall, Oadby.