If animals consume other animals for their own survival, then why is it so immoral for humans to eat other animals?

Humans are animals too, so should we be blamed for being selfish and cruel for eating animals for our own survival, and all be ashamed of that? I’ve been pretty much stuck to my diet, ever since I first tasted meat, dairy, eggs, and other animal food related products. I payed no attention about what was I exactly eating, until I felt empathy for animals and awareness of how they’re being treated. I want to be a supporter of protecting animals and eating non-animal products, but I’m reluctant that I’m a hypocrite. Should every human, including me, feel like a pile of *#@$ for doing this all the time? Why it so hard for us to shake this habit off? Why?