Hi, I've just turned vegatarian and i need some help..?

Question

I know nothing on what recipies to use or what to cook with, i am hoping some people will give me a few recipe ideas :-)

i am taking vitamin B12. is that ok?

Answer 1

Vegetarians can take a common multiple vitamin or B-12 supplement, or enjoy fortified cereals or soymilk to get a reliable source of B-12.

The Benefits of Vegetarian Eating
http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=03benefits
Concerns About Protein
http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=08protein
Vegetarian Diets: Doing It Right
http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=08right
Protein, Iron, and Calcium
http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=08sources
New-to-You Foods
http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=07guide
For Your Grocery Cart
http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=07groceries
Vegetarian Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Sauces, Snacks & Sides, Soups & Chilis, Desserts,Drinks and Resources
http://www.cok.net/lit/recipes/
Meal and Snack Ideas
http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=07menu

Great Vegetarian Sites for Recipes
http://www.veganrecipes.com/index.html
http://www.vegancooking.com/
http://www.veganchef.com/
http://www.ivu.org/recipes/
http://www.compassionatecooks.org/
http://www.vegcooking.com/

Answer 2

Italian and oriental foods tend to have the most recipies where you can easily make it vegetarian. Eggs, cheese, and tofu are very common substitutes for the weight of meat so people use those often to make a meal for vegetarians filling. Indian food is also a very good choice since somewhere around 90 percent of the people who live in India are vegetarians. Beans and nuts are also good substitutes for the protein that meat gives you. As far as vitamins go, be wary. Look at other brands and make see if there are options that say 'vegetarian' or 'vegan' on them. Alot of companies get their vitamins etc. from animals. Check with personel in the vitamins section of any grocery store, they have to have experience with what they are selling and are usually fairly intelligent people who can really help you.
A special but important note. Cheese is often not vegetarian. Rennet is a very common ingredient used in curdling the cheese and most rennet comes from the lining of a cows stomach. Always check the ingredients for cheese. If it says rennet, enzymes, or cultures and doesn't specifically say 'vegetarian rennet' or 'vegetable rennet' or 'suitable for vegetarians' then DON'T eat it because almost 100% of the time it will be from a cow's stomach. Taco Bell is a fast food mexican resteraunt that uses vegetarian cheese in their foods and Papa John's is a pizza place that uses vegetarian cheese. ALWAYS ask people about it and ask more than one person working at any resteraunt because chances are the cheese isn't safe and the people at the front are likely not to know, ask for the chef.
Don't be too scared by all this. Vegetarianism is all about intents. If you accidentally eat meat, or something, then it's okay, because you didn't intend to. But be thorough in checking. Also, tell your friends about the cheese thing so you don't ever come off as being rude when you skip meals with cheese and so they can avoid that when you cook.
Welcome to the light side,
Good luck.

Answer 3

Congratulations on deciding to follow your conscience!

As a nutritionist once told me, it is actually not so hard to get all the needed nutrients. You may have to watch out for iron, and I think it's fine to take B12, but you might want to ask a dr. I have been a vegetarian for 18 years and have had my blood checked periodically, and there has never been a problem.

The nutritionist told me that most breakfast cereal is fortified with B12 and iron and more, so if you eat that, it's a great start to getting the nutrients you need. Rice and beans is possibly the most perfect way to get your protein (something to do with the way they bond and get absorbed in your body, I think) - and it's easy and cheap, to boot. Mexican food without meat is also a good option, and you can get lots of Asian food without meat but with tofu - a great protein and calcium source.

A regular cookbook like Joy of Cooking actually has many veg recipes. I also love the cookbook One-Pot Vegetarian Dishes (really easy), and Moosewood books and Beyond the Moon are good, too.

You can get a lot of tips in Vegetarian Times and you might ask for tips at your local health food store, too.

The Boca and Morningstar Farms products in the freezer section of the grocery store are great - lots of variety. There are usually also veggie hot dogs and cold cuts in the cold section around the produce aisle.

Many pastas also have a surprisingly high protein content.

Good luck!

Answer 4

There are a lot of meat alternatives in the markets now, so it won't be too hard to find them. Morning Star Farms has pretty tasty things to eat, but should be eaten in moderation because they contain a lot of sodium and preservatives. Here's a recipe that is really great.
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Fast and Easy Tofu Lo-Mein

"This easy-to make recipe is very inexpensive. You can really mix in a lot of different ingredients to spice it up or make it your own. Try different Ramen noodle flavors."
Original recipe yield: 4 servings.
Prep Time:5 MinutesCook Time:25 MinutesReady In:30 MinutesServings:4 (change)

------------------------------...

INGREDIENTS:
1 (16 ounce) package extra firm tofu
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 (3 ounce) packages Oriental flavored ramen noodles
1 (16 ounce) package frozen stir-fry vegetables
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon soy sauce, or to taste

------------------------------...

DIRECTIONS:
Press tofu between paper towels to remove some of the water; cut in to bite size cubes. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu, and fry until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Meanwhile bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add noodles from ramen packages, reserving the seasoning envelopes. Boil for about 2 minutes, just until the noodles break apart. Drain.
Add the stir-fry vegetables to the pan with the tofu, and season with the ramen noodle seasoning packet. Cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables are tender, but not mushy. Add noodles, and stir to blend. Season with soy sauce to taste and serve.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

I keep brown rice, pasta, cheese, tortillas, oatmeal, nuts, beans, fruit, veggies in the house at all times...stock up on some staples, like soy sauce (for stir fry), olive oil, hot sauce, and experiment.

I often stir fry veggies in oil and soy sauce and eat with brown rice. Pasta with homemade sauce is good too! Either cook down fresh tomoatoes with garlic, onions and olive oil or use tomato paste and water and just put whatever spices you like in there.

Quesadillas are easy and good. I use corn tortillas because they are healthier and cheaper.

I shred fresh carrots and beats on salads or on rinsed canned red beans when i don't feel like cooking.

Oh! and plain yogurt is really yummy and really good for you. I eat it with honey or use it like sour cream.

Have fun!

Answer 6

Go to your library and borrow a copy of Moosewood Cookbook and The Enchanted Broccoli Forest. If you decide they're your taste, buy them. These books ushered me into vegetarianism a couple years ago, and I still love them. (I'm making my mom's birthday lunch out of them today - enchiladas followed by orange cake - yum!!!)

Answer 7

you can still cook with oil and etc try using the boca burgers etc they have alot of vegatarian dinners. you can also do a search online for vegatarian cook books.

Answer 8

www.vegweb.com for recipes. Recipes have commentary and you can ask for clarification if you have questions.
www.veganoutreach.org for nutrition advice. B12 is needed for vegans, and isn't as critical if you still consume dairy and eggs.

Answer 9

Here are some sites and recipes that will be helpful to you....

http://www.vrg.org/
http://vegweb.com/index.php?action=recipes;/subs/loaf3.shtml

Searched for vegetarian : Found 14047 recipes here:
http://fooddownunder.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=vegetarian

Answer 10

use beans and nuts alot. you need the to replace the protien you lose from not eating meat. maybe before you make life style choices like this you should look into them a little bit so you dont start off blind.