vegetarianism?

Question

i have been a semi-vegetarian for a couple of years, and went completely veggie a few weeks ago.
just wondering what other fellow vegetarians are doing in order to receive their optimal nutritional daily values.
I absolutely love soy (tofu, meatless meats, etc) and i do eat plenty of vegetables, and nuts, and could probably increase my intake of beans. Lastly, i take multivitamins as well.
Any extra info would be appreciated :P

Answer 1

I'll never understand why fellow vegetarians insult each others definitions of their eating habits. Any step towards totality should be applauded as a step in the right direction and that should be the end of it. In any event, it is good to keep up on your intake of soy products as a source of protein, but not exclusively. Soy products provide a healthy dose of vegetable protein. Try to eat lots of beans and legumes (there is a whole "bean color rainbow" that is fun to explore). Watching your protein is one of the most important aspects of being vegetarian. I don't know if you are eating eggs and cheese, but those are excellent sources as well.

Answer 2

I (vegetarian) saw a dietician several years ago, and, quite surprisingly, got 'don't need to worry about protein -- but get more iron.'

I loathe tofu and meat substitute things, and, at the time, barely ate any beans. While I'm an egg fan, it was still sort of startling. All that stuff about protein (and, for vegans, b12) drowns out everything else, I suppose.

All that was recommended was more spinach (which I like); no supplements or anything along those lines.

So -- I suggest spinach, and less worry.

Answer 3

vegetables can be great nutrition, so if you eat lots of variety of food you should be ok. the only thing you will not get from the vegetables is vitamin B12. It can be found only in eggs, cheese,meat, fish, etc, shortly animal based products. So maybe just take B12 together to your diet, or have an eggs or fish 2-3 times a week.
I found very good and short info about food balance in Michio Kushi "Macrobiotics" book. This works for me, even though I do not keep his rules so strictly.

Answer 4

Just keep a well-balanced diet and you should be fine. And don't foget plenty of fruit, too. You may want to consider not giving up dairy products. I've heard that while vegetarianism is okay, strict vegetarianism can potentially cause health problems.

Answer 5

I Totally disagree with the previous post, of course there are semi-vegetarians.

EVERY effort someone makes not to eat an animal is a good one. Someone who has eaten meat all their life may have a hard time switching, and it may take time, but it is still admirable

Answer 6

I hate to tell you but there is no such thing as a semi vegetarian.

Anyway, whole grains are something you need to have a few times a day as well. Google the vegetarian food pyramid.

Answer 7

Sounds like you're on the right track. The only thing I recommend is letting your doctor know what you're doing. That way, if you start feeling weak or just not like yourself, he or she can help identify what it is you're missing. If your doctor can't, then maybe he or she can send you to a nutritionist that specializes in vegetarian/vegan diets.

Answer 8

Full marks for trying ......... Filling yourself up with artificial tablets to give you the proteins and vitamins your body needs is bad bad bad ....... try resisting a freshly roasted chicken with roasted garlic potatoes and very fresh steamed veg and lashing of onion gravy.

Answer 9

dont talk to doctors, they never know what they are talking about. try researching herbs + herbal tea.

Answer 10

I think you are doing wonderfully.