Excuses...excuses. Most people even today are partial non-vegetarians, most don't eat non vegetarian food 3 times a day.....So in effect, no real change.
Sacrifices were made for someone's good.....
, the priests didn't compain.
No Facts, Facts and more Facts. Animal sacrifice made during yagna and then consumed is not the same as satisfying ones lust for eating dead animals. Read again what manusmirit said about rakshasha.
You can spin your fantasies and extract amusement, but reality is most Dharmic religion practitioners were vegetarians till the invaders came and change the diet habits.
Here is some direct quotes from the much maligned Manusmriti
5/51. He who permits (the slaughter of an animal), he who cuts it up, he who kills it, he who buys or sells (meat), he who cooks it, he who serves it up, and he who eats it, (must all be considered as) the slayers (of the animal).
5/52. There is no greater sinner than that (man) who, though not worshipping the gods or the manes, seeks to increase (the bulk of) his own flesh by the flesh of other (beings).
5/53. He who during a hundred years annually offers ashwamedha, and he who entirely abstains from meat, obtain the same reward for their meritorious (conduct).
5/54. By subsisting on pure fruit and roots,and by eating food fit for ascetics (in the forest), one does not gain (so great) a reward as by entirely avoiding (the use of) flesh.