I want to become vegetarian?

Question

I want to become vegetarian but it has been very hard for me. I need some information on how to become a vegetarian. Are there any good books to read? I read Fast Food Nation and it made me realize how animals are badly treated. I want to become vegetarian for two main reasons one because I love animals and hate how they are being treated in slaughterhouse and second because you could live a healthy lifestyle.

Answer 1

Make a gradual change first. I was vegetarian for about 2 years for health reasons. Cut out all red meat, and eat more chicken and fish at first. Try some different brands of soy products. Some, honestly, are nasty, but some aren't too bad. It all depends on what is good to you.

The biggest change for me that helped was eating cereal or oatmeal in the morning. I was used to having egg whites for breakfast almost every morning and that worked well.

After you've gotten more adapt to chicken and fish over beef, cut back on how much you consume gradually, until you really don't feel the urge to eat mean in general.

Also be sure to find another source for protein. 2% milk is good, but is remotely high fat to use as a replacement to actual meat. GNC makes various protein powders that you just mix with water and really aren't too bad.

I would also recommend getting vitamins, so that your body doesn't get any "shock" by cutting out various foods completely. Its nothing severe, but you'll have more energy overall.

Various rice and noodles are good substitues for veggie meals I've found. Also try changing up any meals you already enjoy... Like if you like carrots, try steamed carrots etc.... basically this way, you don't lost the satisfaction from eating food you like because you are basically finding "new" meals to try.

There are all kinds of books and guides for meals you can make for a vegetarian lifestyle, including lists of foods you might not realize as having meat.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Try going to your local natural and health food stores, alot of them will have vegetarian foods, books, and recipes. Try your local library and the Internet has alot of good info on that topic. Also look in your local area and find out if there are vegetarian and vegan restaurants and try going to them. My daughter has been vegetarian for two yrs now and she loves it. She eats well and she has been able to stay healthy. I have even tried some of her food that we have bought from the store and it is not half bad. Also there is a vegan restaurant in our town and we went together to that and tried a few different things. It was good and we had fun doing it. So try these few suggestions and good luck with your new adventure.

Answer 3

Hi. This is a very good guide for people who want to become vegetarians. It also includes recipe. It is recommended by Vegetarian associations. Don't worry, once you get more familiar with the cooking, the products that are there... you will find it easy. One step at a time.
http://www.amazon.com/New-Becoming-Vegetarian-Essential-Healthy/dp/1570671443/sr=8-1/qid=1165845524/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3576253-7320631?ie=UTF8&s=books
You can also check out this website:

www.happycow.net

Good luck.

Answer 4

Cheese pizza is great. Vegetarian chili (sans meat) is great. Vegetarian lasagna is awesome. Mashed potatoes with vegetable gravy...Tacos! Nachos. Something I love is a meatball sub without the meatballs- just the marinara sauce, cheese, mayo and hot peppers. I'm not great with the nutrition side of being vegetarian, but I do know what tastes good. :)

Answer 5

Your morality is fantastic. I have two daughters who are vegetarians. Their biggest problem is getting enough iron and protein. If you are blood group O it might not be the best diet for you. If you are blood group A, its perfect. Read
'Eat Right 4 Your Type' by Dr Peter J. D'Adamo. If you are B or A/B it could still be a great way to go. I wish you good health.

Answer 6

You don't have to follow a specific time set, or reduce your meats a certain one at a time.

Some people find it best to go slowly, & some find jumping straight in the deep end is best.

It is probably best to have set rules in you head though, of what you are willing to eat & what you aren't.

Check out http://goveg.com/ and also check out their sources. They have them listed at the bottom of the page.

It is really helpful to know how much good you are doing for the world & for your body. It helps strengthen your convictions as well as convincing others who attack you out of guilt or concern saying "meat is best".

Iron is much easier to get from plants than meat. Cooking meat loses most of the iron.

Good sources of protein are legumes, nuts, seeds, figs, spinach, Broccoli, tofu (I didn't like plain tofu at first, so I ate the marinated ones to begin with).

Answer 7

Buddism promotes the followers to be vegetarian. It is due to both of the reasons you mentioned. It is not easy be a vegetarian. Don't stop eating meat overnight, but do it slowly. Decrease the intake of meat from time to time.

Answer 8

I saw that you have gotten lost of sites to visit...but this site was the most helpful for me

http://www.veggie123.com/veggie/chapter1/

it has an online book, that is free to read. It is kinda long. So you might want to read it in peices. But it is the best pro- veggie book that I have ever read.

Good luck!

Answer 9

There is no special conversion ceremony to make one vegetarian lol..;)
you just need to give up eating meat and fish and all stuff which are prepared by killing animals.
just eat vegetables and fruits. It is very easy

Answer 10

it real easy beef up on the veggie and cut back on the meats, when you eat out look for veggie menus if you find hard not to eat meat then try the fake meat they are real close