can i have some advise on going full vegetarian?

Question

i have been weaning myself off of meat for a while,but i just cant stomach it very much longer,when i eat meat it is organic,because i work in the industry and know how they are treated on organic farms, but i need to know what i can fully replace meat with,i dont want to go to veg.com because of the pictures of animals being tortured and tested on and pics of slaughterhouses,please give me some pointers and any websites that focus on vegetarian and not pictures of suffering animals..thank you!

i work for a major natural organic grocer research team that researches organic farming to ensure organic procedures are being followed in accordiance with the fda,including organic meat farms,this has opened my eyes to alot of what goes on in meat farms that are not organic,and yes as i said i really would rather not eat meat simply because of the animal,wether it dies in an organic farm or not it still dies,i feel better about eating organic meat simply because the quality of life is respected,but it dies anyway,that my reasoning,i was raised eating meat,had no problem but since i have been working for the company...about 6 yrs now,i have really come to realize that i dont think i can eat an animal that has died,especially ones that are treated like they are in normal slaughterhouses,no im not a extremist,i dont support peta,i dont go around chanting meat is bad and your a bad person,i guess my concious tells me not to eat something that has suffered geatly.

replace i mean what to eat in oplace of meat ,i do eat meat,only organic though,id like to completly stop,i am fullfilled when i dont eat meat,im talking long run,i suppose a trip to a nutritionist is in order too,thanks for the advise.

Answer 1

As a vegetarian I know that this will be quite a lifestyle change for you. I do have several suggestions for replacing the meat in your diet. One great way to still use many of your recipes is to use a meat substitute. There are a few soy based foods that you can find in virtually any grocery store (even in wal-mart) in the frozen foods section. My favorite brand is Morning Star. They make many different soy based foods like veggie chicken strips, veggie beef strips, veggie sausage, veggie beef crumbles and many others. Some of these products can be used to make sloppy joes, fajitas, burger, breakfast and anything else you can come up with. There are also veggie burgers that are soy and vegetable based that can be great for lunches or a light super. I do not know how many vegetables you currently eat but I am going to suggest incorporating more vegetables in your diet to increase the flavor and variety of your food. One major concern that many of my friends have voiced is that I might not be getting enough protein. A great way to get the needed protein is through eating beans and rice together, I have also herd that leafy greens and broccoli have lots of protein and nutrients that are very beneficial besides tasting great. Best of luck with your transition and have fun with your meals.

Answer 2

Hi,

a little more information about your situation would help. For instance, why ARE you going vegetarian?

When do you choose to eat meat? How will you know you are eating too much meat?

Some general advice: investigate local vegetarian communities. More than just food advice, these communities probably have some very good recipes, and a welcoming atmosphere. If they can share their love of a certain tofu-mushroom dish (or whatever) going vegetarian can be a joy! -- but you have to find these supportive communities first.

I would give you some websites, but I don't know which city you live in... so, go to the nearest Whole Foods or coop and ask an employee there!

Answer 3

Ive been vegan for about 2 months now and I dont crave meat one bit... Theres a bunch of meat substitutes out there to cure ur cravings a bit. Of course none will be the same taste but u can get some products that r pretty close to it. If your craving burgers you can get 'boca burgers'. If your craving hot dogs you can buy 'smart dogs'. (those taste 95% real, no joke!!!!) You can also get chicken substitutes. Though, Ive never tried them because I hate chicken, I hear they taste good. Eggs, Tofu can do the trick. Milk, you can use soymilk for everything. Plain soymilk doesnt taste that great alone but works great in recipes. Chocolate soymilk is to DIE FOR though. I hope that helps!



EDIT: I forgot. You can also go to
http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/
for a list of foods you can eat. Theres SO MUCH
food you can eat. Although, not most of it is healthy but
you can find alot of stuff for snacks. =]

Answer 4

Good for you!!!!

When my best friend and I started going veg, we did it SLOWLY... First we cut out red meat, and then we ate chicken, turkey and seafood (I've never liked any kind of seafood!) and then eventually we went completely vegetarian.

I would suggest you continue to go slowly and give up meat only when you feel that you no longer crave it. Try having it only 2x a week and go from there. There are lots of new alternatives to meat nowadays. If you like tofu and the gluten "meats" you can make all kinds of dishes with these. One of my favorites is Tofurky (I wasn't too fond of their Tofurky turkey... ) Italian saugages! There's also companies like Boca that makes different "meats".

Person suggestion: If you are going to start with Tofu, buy firm tofu (It'll be written on the package.. Such as Soft, Medium and Firm.) Firm tofu can really absorb the flavors of herbs, spices and sauces that you'll cook with it.

Don't forge to take multivitamins too. B vitamins are very important.

Also, suscribe to Veg News magazine. Tons of info, great pictures and articles!!!

Good luck and happy eating!

Answer 5

question for you ...ow is the killing on an Organic farm different ? killing is killing Boost fiber intake
Balanced diet from
plant–based sources
Focuses on soy, legumes
and beans
Vegetarian bacon with toast,
yogurt and fruit
Linguine Florentine with
fruit and salad
Tofu and bean enchiladas
with fruit and salad
Cottage cheese with
fruit cocktail
Vitamin B-12: Dairy products and eggs have vitamin B-12. If you follow a vegan diet, you may need supplements or foods with added B-12. Some foods high in B-12 are fortified ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, and fortified soy milk. Vegetarian meat substitutes, such as burgers or hotdogs made with soy may also have vitamin B-12.


Calcium: If you do not include dairy products in your diet, you need to be sure to get enough calcium from other foods. Foods high in calcium include broccoli, tofu, soybeans, collard greens, turnip greens, and calcium-fortified juice.


Vitamin D: Vitamin D fortified cow's milk or soy milk can help you get enough vitamin D. Being in the sun for five to 15 minutes every day can also give your body enough vitamin D. When you are in the sun, be sure your hands, arms, and face are exposed to sunlight.


Zinc: Foods that are high in zinc include almonds, bran flakes, wheat germ, and chickpeas.


Iron: Foods that are high in iron include bran flakes, sea vegetables, lentils, legumes (beans), and oatmeal.


Omega-3 fatty acids: Linolenic acid may help increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the body. Foods that are high in linolenic acid include flax seed, linseed oil, and walnuts.

Answer 6

Go and speak with a nutritionist. If you are going to change your diet so drastically, you need to understand how to go about doing it, how to be sure you are still getting the proper nutrition and vitamins, etc.

Not even the best of website will be able to do this for you as effectively as a nutritionist. Every person's body is different and some need certain nutrients more than others. Going vegetarian means not giving your body certain things it needs (B12 is only found in animal products) so you need to understand what you are getting into.

Answer 7

with the aid of fact they assume a doctor is the comparable concern as a nutritionist, Which they are actually not. medical doctors not merely are actually not experienced in weight loss software correct factors till they concentrate on it, medical doctors have a shorter existence span then the popular individual. Whats humorous is many nicely prevalent medical doctors and cooks substitute into vegetarian as they locate extra approximately it, or somewhat locate no concerns approximately it. whilst i became into pregnant and apprehensive approximately my weight loss software my physician became into unconcerned as became into my midwife and have been the two my sons pediatrician merely pointing out to not difficulty with the aid of fact a vegetarian weight loss software became into very healthy. human beings forget The foodstuff pyramid and medical doctors recommend 6-eleven servings of grain an afternoon, 3-5 of vegetables, and a couple of-4 of end result, and that those servings are extra significant then your servings of meat and dairy. If the popular individual ate that many servings of every day they does not have lots room for the servings of meat. learn have shown maximum individuals fall somewhat short on their servings of end result and vegetables, yet vegetarians get the pronounced quantity. besides vegetarians do not in many circumstances eat dissimilar quickly foodstuff (partly with the aid of fact of loss of techniques) so that they are eating extra healthy alternatives. A vegetarian weight loss software is what medical doctors pronounced all all and a few do not additionally be attentive to it.

Answer 8

you are embarking on a noble pursuit. I became a vegetarian ten years ago. The way I did it was to give up one meat at a time. It took me over a year to give up chicken and several to give up fish. As you give up meat gradually you can substitute healthy veggies. Depending on where you live, Chinese and Japanese restaurants offer lots of vegetable choices in tasty sauces. Be careful to watch the total carbs/.calories you take in to avoid gaining weight. I grew up on a farm and knew as a kid that it was wrong to eat the animals I watched grow up. Best of luck and congratulations of your choice.

Answer 9

I'm lacto-ovo vegetarian. I have been all by life.
Firstly GOOD FOR YOU :)
Here is a list of products and in my opinion the best makes.
TOFU - Cauldron - Many uses can be used in stirfrys, vegans use it in cheesecake. Admittingly it is slightly bland so I (if you buy Cauldron - which has already been cooked) cut it up into squares and fry it in a pan with oil. Then whilst it is cooking I add soy sauce - it will sizzle - don't be alarmed. Cook turning frequently until all sides of the Tofu squares are golden brown. Your tofu is now cooked. Nice with salads.
Also nice with salads are QUORN burgers - there are: fillets; which are covered in batter, southern style burgers and many others - QUORN also REALEAT (Haldane foods) make chicken style pieces which can be used in stirfrys.

My family and I try to eat as little milk as possible - we still eat chocolates and other things containing milk - but in moderation. We buy free-range eggs - so the hens have a happy life and are not crammed tight into cages like the poor battery hens are.
We buy organic cheeses - so the cows are looked after better.

SWEDISH GLACE and TOFUTTI make excellent icecreams and frozen desserts.

CAULDRON - do a wide range of ready meals and spreads - anything from Falafel to mushroom pate.(veggie pates)
TARTEX do nice flavoured pates. Nice on toast :)
GRANOSE - sausages/bakes/other packaged meals (Haldane foods) - www.haldanefoods.co.uk
LINDA MCCARTNEY - Pies, sausages/other ready meals. - http://www.linda-mccartney.com/

Check out: http://www.vegsoc.org/
has lots of info on helping you to become a vegetarian

Also there are sites to eating out, for example http://www.vegetarianvisitor.co.uk/ - for eating out in the UK.

There are many websites with veggie recipes on (just type 'vegetarian recipes' into google): Here are a few:
- http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/find/results?search=vegetarian&mbid=google
-http://www.vegcooking.com/
-http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/

Actually the BBC has a good section on vegetarianism and lots of recipes.

Anyway hope this has been of some use to you.
Good luck! :)

Answer 10

Here's a couple of links. When you say "replace," are you talking about "feeling satisfied," or are you talking about your need for protein? My roommate was a hospital nutritionist, and she told me that one large baked potato supplies your protein requirement for the day. Millions of people have never been meat eaters! Seventh-day Adventists, for example, tend to be vegetarians and their health and longevity higher and greater than average.