I want to be a vegetarian...but Im picky. Any food suggestions?

Question

I would love to be a vegetarian, but unfortunally im am very picky. I dont like many vegetables, or specific food. I am very intrested in becoming vegetarian and i have recieved informational materials from peta already. I am just concerned that if i do become a vegetarian, being the way im picky, i may not get all of the protein and stuff my body needs to be healthy. If your not entirely sure, do you have any other websites i could look into? All is appreciated!

Answer 1

i think you should look into foods that are flavorful and filling. veggies alone in their basic state will become boring so you need to broaden out. i highly suggest some ethnic foods that incorporate vegetables as the main ingredient in their meals but do it with an interesting twist. some suggestions are falafels (a veggie patty sandwich, very yummy), tabouli (a parsley and cracked wheat salad), humus (chick pea dip), pasta with flavorful sauces and tofu that is pan fried with lots of garlic, olive oil and spices (tofu will take on the flavor of whatever you season it with and if you include it with the pasta will give you protein and some substance). Also look into vegetable samosas, veggie burgers, veggie pizza, veggie chilli. There are so many options now for vegetarians and i don't think you'll have too hard of a time getting your nutrition as long as you consume grains and alternative protein foods. Also important is taking a daily multivitamin that includes iron to fill in the gaps with your diet.

Try these websites for ideas:

http://www.veggielife.com/recipe.aspx?source=overture

http://www.vrg.org/recipes/

http://vegweb.com/

Answer 2

There are better sources of accurate information than PETA, who has been known to stretch the truth to fit their agenda. The USDA has suggestions for vegetarian diets. On its website and that of the ADA you can find lists of nutrient contents, tons of discussion about the vegetarian diet itself, and many links to other useful sources.

Getting enough protein is a commone worry for those considering being vegetarian, but this is really not hard at all because there are so many foods that have protein: nuts, beans, peas, tofu, gluten, and eggs and dairy products, to name just a few. Iron is one nutrient that is scarce in plant sources, so you will need to be careful about that.

If you are worried about essential nutrients, forget about being a vegan. (The eat nothing from an animal source, like eggs or dairy products.) A vegan diet has to be supplemented as it lacks a B vitamin found in animal sources and this is an essential nutrient.

You might want to start with meat substitutes to make the transition. Quorn is a great chicken substitute and also low in fat and calories. It tastes pretty darn good, too. Burgers come in many "veggie" versions and some of them are excellent. There are many do-it-yourself versions you can make at home as well.

Another great way to try out the lifestyle is the availability of "fake" meats, poultry and seafood found in many Asian restaurants and markets. I once watched a friend eat an enitre meal at a vegetarian only Chinese buffet without having a clue it was vegetarian. It was also Kosher! If you're a diet-observant Jew, you only need one set of dishes if you go veggie.

Finally, buy or borrow some good vegetarian cookbooks and experiment at home. Linda McCartney's cookbooks have many transitional recipes including some for the holidays.

I'm not a "real" vegetarian, but I am part of the year as a religious discipline. One of my daughters was vegetarian a large part of her teens and we found it no problem at all. Especially when we found yummy veggie corn dogs!

Some people even consaider themselves vegetarian if they eat only fish and seafood, but that's not precisely vegetarian. It depends on what your reasons are for making the choice. And an occasional "lapse" doesn't get you banned for life, doomed to go out and eat an entire cow. If you find yourself craving an animal product you'd rather not eat, first make sure your diet isn't lacking a nutrient. Cravings can result from something you need and just aren't getting.

If you are still growing, pregnant, or nursing, or if you have a serious health condition, please talk with your doctor before starting any radically different diet. And then enjoy a nice Fakin Bakin, lettuce and tomato sandwich!

Answer 3

Usually the reason people dislike vegetables is because of the way they are cooked.Usually people boil vegetables, and that takes all the nutrients away and makes them limp and discusting.I love chopping up many vegetables( potatoes,broccoli, red beet, paprica, tomatoe) and putting some olive oil on them, pop them in the oven and then eat them. I reccoment gettingn the magazine "vegetarian times", which has a ton of healthy recepies that are delicious.Also, protien is in vegetables, a lot of people do not kow this.Eat lentils and rice, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, all sorts of grains.

Answer 4

Eating vegetables by themselves is just plain boring. What you need to do is forget about the kind of vegetables you eat and concentrate on a good sauce for the stuff.

Here's what I'm having tonight (in a few minutes): Fresh chopped tomatoes, snow peas, carrots, onion (sauted), garlic (whole cloves), all cooked in coconut oil and a curry mixture. When done, this is served over rice. I've had this before. It's so so so good, I can't wait, see ya.

Answer 5

If you give up meat you will have to augment your protein elsewhere, in the form of tofu or tempeh; corn eaten with beans (which supposedly creates a whole protein when combined); and grains. Quinoa is high in protein, as are spelt, kamut and oats. You might want to consider giving up red meat and chicken while continuing to eat small fish like sardines or herring, or scallops/shrimp, because it will benefit your nutrition while remaining low on the food chain. Good luck.

Answer 6

Take a holiday somewhere where people don't have the option of being picky (or vegetarian, for that matter). I hear Sudan is lovely all year round. I think you'll find a new appreciation for your dietry options.

Answer 7

Im a Vegetarian and You can eat anything unless they have fish, meats or eggs You can have Vegie pizza theyre awsome or vegi burgers ect.

Answer 8

ummm........morning star brand has tons of stuff thats healthy, vegetarian and totally tastes good...it has alot of stuff that u can have like vegie chiken nuggets, sausgae, corn dos, hot dogs, burgers, breakfast foods, turkey, ham, bologna.......anything that u can think of and it tsates reallllllly good. I actually preffere alot of veggie stuff over the real meat......o0 yea it has tons of protein.....but if u dont like something dont b discouraged to try new stuff....cuz trust.....there are some NASTY vegie burgers out there....lol.......but yea...deffinetly try some "morning star" brands...i reallllly like vegie breakfast sausage.....its soooo good...way better than that real sh**

Answer 9

Baked beans!!! And, i know it sounds disgusting but Penut butter and marmite on bagel or toast is gooooood!

Answer 10

watever u do make sure u look at plenty of meat it'll help ask FAT ALBERT he went on that diet a while back and look at him now he looks twice the size he waz wen he even looked at vegetables