I'm thinking of becoming a vegetarian, I need advice?

Question

I love animals so much and keep asking myself why I'm eating them. I would like to become a vegetarian, but I am scared I won't like it or be able to find tasty foods. I think I'd still eat eggs and drink milk and such. Just no meat. What are good foods to replace meat and give you protein? Also, when you go vegetarian, does it give you lots of stomach problems such as gas and diarrhea? I already have problems as it is, and don't want to make them worse.

Answer 1

Here are tips:

1. Take your time - my journey from meat eater took about a year.
2. Start out using some basic subsitutes for the meat you are used to in foods where you won't even notice - ground meat replacements are available in the frozen food sections.
3. Leave meat off things that don't need it - pizza, salad, spag, etc.
4. Get some good cookbooks when you are ready to branch into more interesting foods - Moosewood books and New Farm Vegetarian are two of my favorites.
5. If you are worried about what to each check out the book "Diet for a New America" it will cover many of the health items you are intereted in.

Answer 2

There are lots of fantastic resources to being a vegetarian. I subscribe to vegetarian times, a magazine that not only has some delicious recipes in it, but also advice on products to buy that are veggie friendly, and which companies are doing their part to not torture animals. The switch for me was not too hard, giving up seafood was the toughest thing. I see lots of people giving you answers that are not entirely correct, like vegetarians are not healthy. I can tell you right now, that all of the vegetarians I know are healthy because they watch what they eat. You can eat all kinds of junk food, and still be a vegetarian. I see some other great suggestions for veggie foods, my favorite are Quorn products. They are easy to make and taste fantastic. Probably not exactly like meat, but its been so long since I have had it, that I would not know the difference. You just need to make certain that you eat all the foods in the major food groups, there is even a vegetarian food triangle. I hope this helps!

Answer 3

I've been a vegetarian for almost two years now. My entire family eats meat. It's quite easy being a vegetarian. Go to your local supermarket and look in the frozen section for products by Morning Star Farms. Or Smart Deli. Smart Deli is a company that makes products that taste like lunch meats. (The bologna is the closest to the real thing. I even had my friends thinking I was eating meat!) Morning Star Farms has some really great products. I currently have around seven of their products in my freezer. I love the Chik Nuggets, Chik Patties, Mushroom Lovers Burger, etc etc. I could go on all day. I get plenty of protein each day, but I do not get enough iron. I know I could get enough iron if I really put an effort forth, but if you're worried about not getting enough vitimens, just do what I do and take a multi-vitimen.

Good luck with being a vegetarian if you decide to take that path.

Answer 4

I went from being an omnivore to vegetarian overnight. It isn't a big deal, but be careful with a couple of things. I increased my consumption of dairy and eggs, and gained weight. This type of behavior could lead to heart and circulation problems.

The best advise that I can give is to eat a large variety of plant foods (fish, chicken, eggs, milk, cheese... don't grow on plants). All plant foods have protein, so you should not worry too much about not getting enough protein. Protein is used to grow new tissue and make repairs for injuries. The body and brain need carbs for energy. If you will thoroughly chew your fruits and veggies, you can almost eliminate gas problems.

In these days when everything causes cancer, meat is a major contributor to colon cancer. The fat from animal products is responsible for atherosclerosis. The animal proteins contribute to osteoporosis.

Others have suggested good resources. I want to recommend a good cookbook, "Guilt-free Gourmet" by Vicki Griffith. It features vegan recipes as well as health tips and menu plans.

good luck.

Answer 5

Eating meat can contribute to stomach issues because it takes a long time to digest it fully. This includes the fat content in it as well. I suggest going to the book store and getting information there. No matter what any one says here, you can get everything you need very easily from a vegetarian diet. The folks that say you cant honestly do not know what they are talking about.

Vegetarian foods will not give you any problems unless you have a sensitivity to certain items. If you have issues now, you need to find out what is causing them.

Most of the answers given here are ignorant and just plain BAD. Do your research, eat healthy and make an informed decision based on facts, not on what some people here say.

Answer 6

I feel so much better when I don't eat any meat. I have been off and on a vegetarian since I was 13 and I have been doing it consistently, recently, for the past year. I am 32. Commit to at least 6 months of doing it and decide after that if you want to continue. You can't cheat at all. You owe that to yourself! You will feel so good, I promise. Make sure you get a variety of fresh fruits, veggies, beans, lentils, and rice! Oh- and eggs, cheese and yogurt are good too, but in moderation. Just make sure you have a well rounded diet, enough protein and nutrients to make you thrive. Your skin will glow! Good luck!

Answer 7

I am from India and half the people I know eat vegetarian food. Its wonderful for your stomach and you must surely try being a vegetarian. You can get good amount of protein from Pulses, Soy, Milk, Sprouts and gram. Yogurt is a tastier alternative. Dont start eating uncooked greens from day one, your stomach takes time to adjust.

I personally feel that Fish and Eggs are good for health as well. Its only the red meat like Pork, Lamb, Goat, Beef etc that are bad for health. I need to know your ethinicity before I can suggest recipes :). Have fun

Answer 8

Well, it's not just no meat. It's no egg yolks, no milk(sometimes), basically nothing with a face. But there are pills that you can take for protein. I don't know exactly what other foods there are that give you protein. I love animals too but I think of it this way: it's the circle of life. Everything eats something else. It's the way the world works. There's nothing we can do about it. I personally wouldn't want to be a veggitarian.

Answer 9

Dont worry you will find good foods. I had that prob but when I kept eating all types of stuff I began to like it. I hated salad but since it is an aquired taste you have to get used to it. I was on and off vegetarian so I would eat a hamburger once a month. I would get sick because I didnt have meat for a while.

Answer 10

My answer would be to stop thinking for a bit, look at some Vegans and Vegetarians and give yourself an honest answer as to if you think they look healthy or not. Then start thinking again and see if you still feel like you do now. Humans are carnivores, always have been and always will be. We need the red blood cells replentished to keep us healthy.
Cut back your meat intake, that would be just fine. But to take it out of your diet all together . . . not healthy.