Question to Vegatarians and Vegans?

Question

I have a major problem with my sister. A few days ago, she came home and announced she was now a vegatarian. This was a surprise since the day before, she ate two hamburgers. The reason (when pressed and because I know her so well) is that she goes to school with two vegatarians and one very opinionated vegan (if you aren't vegan, he thinks you're the anti-christ).

What I need is some advice. I can't talk her out of it (changing because you want to is one thing, to be liked by people she won't see after this semester is another) so I need a lot of advice.

1. What protiens are allowed in a vegatarian diet? She won't eat tofu, beans, legumes or really any vegatables. We need to find some protein for her.

2. Is fish ok?

3. Any good recipe sites?

4. Any good sites on this new lifestyle? Maybe something that talks about the nutritional values?

5. Any good sites besides PETA? I don't trust them and that's all my sister would look at.

She hates eggs, she can't have nuts (allergic) and I wanted to know about the fish to see if there was some kind of protien loophole.

Answer 1

1) The most common question you will get from concerned loved ones (and sometimes even doctors!) who know you are reducing your meat consumption will be: “But where will you get your protein?” This is an area where our knowledge has indeed come a long way. Protein deficiency, unless caused by an extreme restriction in calories (as in starvation or eating disorders) or a particularly poor diet devoid of variety, is rare.

Consider these facts:

• Most people in developed countries eat too much protein (often double the RDA, which already has a safety margin built into it).
• High protein intake increases excretion of calcium in the urine, which can contribute to a negative calcium balance and bone loss, which can lead to osteoporosis.
• Excess animal protein, which is often high in saturated fat and cholesterol, raises blood cholesterol levels, and can contribute to heart disease, kidney disease and osteoporosis.
• Nuts and legumes are excellent sources of protein and have many other benefits as well.
• It is not at all necessary to “combine” plant proteins at the same time or even at the same meal in order to get adequate protein.
• Since many plant foods contain protein, eating enough calories and a variety of foods will ensure adequate protein intake.
• Legumes are an excellent source of lysine, which is the most common amino acid lacking in people who consume very little protein.


2) That is up to her. Many "vegetarians" are so called pescaterians, meaning that they eat seafood. I consider myself a vegetarian because I do not eat anything that is non-veg. However, I have been known to eat "bottom-dwellers" or sea creatures with under-developed nervous systems like oysters. I do not do this often but I know many folks who eat seafood several times a week but no other animal protein. The important thing to remember if you eliminate fish is that you must take a supplement like flax seed oil for Omega-3.

3) Try http://www.vegetariantimes.com/

4) See question 1 -- this came from http://vegsource.com/

The site covers just about anything you want to know about vegetarians, from health benefits, nutritional needs, recipes, etc. without the politics of PETA

5)http://vegsource.com/
http://www.friendsofanimals.org/ -- similar to PETA but more balanced -- they have been around longer than PETA and can keep it a bit toned down
http://www.vepachedu.org/vegresource.html -- complete guide to all things veg, including history, famous vegetarians, etc.
http://www.vrg.org/ -- vegetarian resource group

Good luck to you and your sister! I have been a vegetarian for almost 10 years. I am now 33 and have never been healthier. I have lost 60 pounds, my skin is clearer, my hair is shiny....

Also, an interesting fact about human physiology -- Our intestines are long like herbivores -- meat rots in our system before it can be eliminated. True carnivores have a short intestine so that meat can pass before it rots. Also, our teeth are made like herbivores to grind food-- not rip and tear flesh like the very long canines of carnivores.

Answer 2

Turning vegetarian because someone will not like you otherwise is probably one of the worst reasons. I think eating meat is very wrong, but I don't give people my oppinion when I'm not asked. And I don't make it personal.

He's probably on the defensive because as a vegan you get attacked a lot. Everyone will tell you (falsely) that your diet is unhealthy, and that we're supposed to eat meat etc. As a male vegan he may also think he has to be defensive because he feels veganism makes him seem more feminine to others. Maybe if she just lets him understand she is cool with his veganism, but she'd like to make dicisions for her own reasons that would be a good start.

1. Not eating tofu, beans, legumes o really any vegetables is a problem, it's okay for a little while, but certainly not in the long-term.

Good news is I started out hating most vegetables, and didn't like many legumes or tofu, but then I started trying new foods. My diet now includes heaps of fresh vegetables, legumes, and occasionally tofu. If she IS serious about this, she'll get bored of pasta and chips eventually and learn to make tasty vegetable dishes.

2. No, that would make her a pescatarian.

Answer 3

She's got her work cut out if she wants to stay a vegetarian without eating any beans, vegetables or legumes as that is what a vegetarian eats to get their protein. She would have to eat a hell of a lot of nuts and seeds and eggs (if she's happy to eat eggs) to even come near to getting her recommended protein intake.

Vegetarians do not eat fish - it's up to her whether she wants to eat fish, but if she does she is not technically a vegetarian and should not call herself one.

Some vegetarians eat dairy and/or eggs so these can be sources of protein for her.

It sounds like this is just a fad as I can't see her being serious about this. Vegetarianism is a serious life decision to make and not one you can make on a whim just because it seems trendy. She will soon get hungry without appropriate norishment and go back to eating fish and meat.

If she does seem serious and needs your advice look up some good books and websites on vegetarian food and advise her on nutrition. I've included two on veganism so it will be relevant whether or not she wants to eat milk or eggs. Warn her that unless she eats a balanced diet (including vegetables) she cannot stay a vegetarian without making herself seriously ill.

Answer 4

It sounds that she is under a lot of peer pressure at school. A person does not became a vegetarian over night, like most changes it should happen over a period of time.

Try this web sight http://www.msu.edu/user/daenzerr/rd491/types.htm

From what you are telling me this might be a phase. Yes, vegans among the vegetarians are a bit extreme. Also check out my web sight, www.thequirkychef.com I had an experience with the local vegans..

I would also try to find a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods Supermarket need by, they tend to market to vegetarians.

I hoped I helped you out, hang in there, your a good sister!

Answer 5

1. Plant proteins. She will have to eat some of that stuff or she is going to run into some problems.

2. NO.

3. www.vegweb.com

4+5. www.vegsource.com www.pcrm.org

Answer 6

Some vegetarians eat fish and some do not so you would need to ask her whether she wishes to eat it or not.

Hi there is nutritional informatin on this site : http://www.recipesforvegans.co.uk/vegannutrition.html

There are also lots of recipes. She might find a way of eating protein or vegetables which she lkes by tryings ome of them.

Answer 7

Fish is not ok but look at www.vegweb.com for some help. I hate tofu but beans and lentils are my favourites. What does she think she is going to eat if she won't eat vegetables. She may change her mind. Don't worry too much but please tell her to look at vegweb and you look at it yourself