My son has given up meat. Where can i find meal ideas that will give him enough nutrients?

Question

I'm not sure what to be feeding him instead of meat, any ideas please? He's 15.

Cheers ms, he's made the meat=dead animal connection, and that was enough to have him stop eating it.

js, sorry! duh!

Answer 1

It's good to see that you are supporting your son's decision. The Vegetarian Society of the UK has a wonderful recipe section and also offers advice about nutrition to any one who needs it...doesn't matter what country they are in....

The website....
http://www.vegsoc.org/


Food Facts....
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/foodfacts.html

Recipes...
http://www.vegsoc.org/cordonvert/recipes/index.html

Have fun experimenting!

Answer 2

Check out the Internet, library or booksellers. There are literally thousands of vegetarian cookbooks out there with nutritional information as well as meal suggestions. I have raised 11 wonderfully healthy children (some "natural", some adopted, & some foster kids) on a dairy/vegetarian diet...No meat, fish or eggs. But even a vegan diet can be extremely healthful, delicious, and complete in all ways.
Boring? Not a bit! Every cuisine has vegetarian dishes, or easily adaptable ones. The traditional meat, veg and starch is boring! Our veg diets are MUCH more varied and interesting than the Standard American Diet (SAD) I grew up on.

Answer 3

Go to the library and pick up some books. Humans do not need meat to get what they need. Some staples in my vegetarian house include:

Whole wheat pasta
Frozen variety of veggies
Pasta sauces and diced tomatoes
brown rice
Quorn
Boca products
Whole wheat bread
Nuts and peanut butter
Whole grain cereals
beans
Salad greens

You are getting some answers that include fish. Keep in mind that vegetarians do not eat fish as fish is indeed an animal.

Answer 4

Good on you for supporting your son.
There are now tons of books out there to help... and a growing number of web-sites. So much better than when I went through this 23 years ago!

As others have mentioned, the vegetarian society has an excellent web-site, with lots of links as well as recipe ideas.
The one I've listed is actually from an organic farm that is local to me, but is chock full of brilliant ideas. Check it out sometime.

Answer 5

Try to borrow or buy the book becoming vegetarian. It gives you lots of information about vegetarianism and it includes recipes. Try to browse the Internet where you can find tones of great vegetarian recipes.
If you go to the supermarket, you will be able to find vegetarian meat substitute by Yves. You can buy veggie burger, veggie hot dogs, veggie turkey slices...
Do some research on the Net. There are plenty websites dedicated to vegetarianism Good luck.

Answer 6

Good for him! Many children are still quite sensitive and easily make the connection of meat= animal being brutally murdered...
Search the web for protein options, also soy milk is a good source, I have soy milk with cereal and another cup at night. Soy sauce is great and you will be able to find many vegetarian "meats" at health stores. You will be able to still cook just about everything using meat alternatives.

Answer 7

My partner is a veggie and it doesn't affect either of us as he will cook meat just not eat it - he has to keep his nutrients up as he does severe workouts so he tends to eat a lot of quorn and beans with pasta - if you buy the quorn products they have some nice recipes on the back of the pack. Also just get a veggie cookbook. And don't forget to ask jeeves!
x1x

Answer 8

I became a veggie 15 years ago, at 12 yrs old. Still veggie.

Jacket Potato filling: (serves 2)
Ingredients
1 x 425g/15oz can red kidney beans
200g/7oz low fat cream cheese or low fat cheese
30 ml/2tbsp mild chilli sauce
5ml/1tsp ground cumin
(My bf doesn't like chilli, so I substitute garlic and herbs instead)

Method
Drain the beans, heat in a pan or microwave and stir in the cream cheese, chilli sauce and cumin.

My bf makes a great rice and lentils, and it goes like this:

Persian Crispy Rice and Lentils: (serves 8)
Ingredients
450g/1lb basmati rice, rinsed thoroughly and soaked
150g/5 oz/1 cup green lentils, washed and soaked
2 onions, chopped
50g/2 oz/1 third of a cup of raisins
2 cloves garlic, chopped and/or crushed
half tsp turmeric
3 tsp sunflower oil or olive oil
Dates if required
2 handfuls of dried mint
Half pint/250ml natural yoghurt

Method
Boil the rice for 20 mins until cooked and drain. Boil lentils for 20 mins, drain and mix with drained rice. Put lentils and rice back in sauce pan with 2 tsp oil. Cover inside of saucepan lid with tea towel and carefully secure tea towel away from flames on top of lid with twist, use rubber band or clip if necessary. Turn the heat to high. When a good head of steam appears, turn heat down to low. Simmer for 20-30 mins, until base is crispy. Stand the pan in cold water to loosen the base.
Gently fry onions with turmeric until soft and put aside. Gently fry raisins with garlic and dates and put aside.
Finally, grind mint into yoghurt and mix thoroughly.

Finally, go to the library and check out the vegetarian cookery books there.
Good luck!

Answer 9

Protein is his main problem now. He needs 40-50g / day.

You can buy protein powder & add it to fruit/smoothy shakes, or yogart (as I do); but this must be done every day.

Many yogarts, begles, whole-wheat pastas, veggi-chilies/burgers/chick-fillets & protein bars have protein.

He's not going to take this seriously, but he's really jeopardizing his health if he doesn't address it. Watch how long cuts take to heal, how much muscle mass he has and you'll have a clue.

This is something that you must deal with every day, not just a couple of times a week.

Answer 10

Morning Star farms makes excellent vegan steak and chik'n strips. You can use them in any recipe you already have. They are a great source of protein and they are easy to prepare, just don't overcook them. You can find them in the freezer of most grocery stores.