well, i don't know if your friends or the ppl you are mentionning are christians or at least believe in god. If they do, you can quote for them this scripture from the bible about what kind of diet god had originally designed for men. I have realised that quoting things from the bible when you have Xtian pple in front of you is helpful and they valid what you are saying.
And God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is a living soul, I have given every green herb for food: and it was so." ~God, Genesis 1:29-30
Then if they are kind of spiritual ppl but not Xtians you can mention other religions like Taoism and Jainism
One should not injure, subjugate, enslave, torture, or kill any animal, living being, organism, or sentient being. This doctrine of nonviolence is immaculate, immutable, and eternal. Just as suffering is painful to you, in the same way it is painful, disquieting, and terrifying to all animals, living beings, organisms, and sentient beings.
Jainism. Acarangasutra
Buy captive animals and give them freedom.
How commendable is abstinence that dispenses with the butcher!
While walking be mindful of worms and ants.
Be cautious with fire and do not set mountain woods or forests ablaze.
Do not go into the mountain to catch birds in nets, nor to the water to
poison fishes and minnows.
Do not butcher the ox that plows your field.
Taoism. Tract of the Quiet Way
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