I need help on becoming a vegetarian?

Question

I would like to become an ovolactovegetarian starting on New Year's Day. I have done my research but it is always good to have tips from real people. Any ideas on how I can easily get the vitamins and proteins originally obtained from meat? Thank you.

Answer 1

Do you have in your area, adequate no. of stores that sell fresh vegetables? Fresh leafy greens and other vegetables as also legumes, nuts and seeds should form a part of your daily diet. You can get these from a shop that sells Oriental foodstuffs.

Sprouted legumes, unpolished whole wheat and rice, cooked in a pressure cooker to preserve their essential nutrients, give enough of roughage and proteins which the body requires. Eat fresh fruits every day, with apples, peaches and plums being eaten with their skin; banana is also a good source of essential fibre and doesn't add much calories.
Leafy, green vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, radish/turnip, spinach, parsley and the like make for variety beside being light on fat. Take plenty of salads.
Supplement your daily intake of vegetables with nuts like walnuts, raisins, etc. If you can, drink milk and eat yoghurt, particularly the latter as it has a lot of beneficial bacteria.

As you have already done research on this, you would be aware of the quantity to be taken and the calorific value of these vegetaarian foods. Vegetarianism is healthier and also environmentally sound. Good luck.

Answer 2

I suggest going to a Health food store for vegetarian vitamin supplements. As far as protein, the USA has insane rates of osteoporosis and many people are beginning to believe this is because we all eat too much protein. My husband has been vegetarian for 17 years, and I have been for a little over a year, and we never worry about the protein. We can hike 8 miles on the weekend, so we must be doing something right.

Please do some research on protein and keep an open mind... IMOO it is nothing to worry about!

Answer 3

I became a vegetarian for a short while and now I only eat poultry and seafood. (no red meat) My advice is to start slow by elimating certain foods from your diet so that it is more gradual and not such a shock to your system. If you don't normally eat a lot of fruits or veggies your body may react to a sharp increase in them so it is best to do things gradually.

I good thing for those meat cravings is meat-substitution products such as Boca or MorningStar. These are great for my burger or corndog cravings. Check out the links.

If you are going for total strict vegetarianism you need to watch out for certain products that contain gelatin and such. Gelatin is made from animals (bone marrow) and is used in a lot of candy and unsuspected places. Even in prescription medicines.

Also look into your local area for Indian, vegetarian, and organic food restuarants and supermarkets. Especially organic markets have lots of meat substitution products. If you live near a Trader Joe's this is a great place to find 'not-so-easy-to-find' vegetarian products.

As for your nutrtional needs, it is always best to discuss this with your doctor. I didn't. O:-) But you should. Make sure you take a complete multivitamin daily and don't overtake them just because you are vegetarian. That can be bad for you too. Lots of nuts and tofu products are great for getting your protein. Also look into Seitan and textured vegetable protein for making ur own meat substitute recipes.

Many grocery stores hide their vegetarian products in the produce isles, make sure to look around and inquire.

Try cooking some vegetarian dinners now to see if you can do it. It is much easier to be this than vegan. I love cheese, it is my weakness.

If you need any help and live in the Chicago area, just email me. I can give you some suggestions on restaurants and groceries in or around the Cook County area and also in the Champaign area of Illinois.

Its also a task of self control, if you have another friend that is doing it it is best if you do it together. You can help each other out and boost your confidence.

Hope some of this helps. I've included a link to a site that helps with the transition and gives info on nutrients you will need to find other ways to get.

Answer 4

Well, one thing you can do is "gross yourself out" research how they slaughter animals, and then visit farms and see the animals you are eating. Also, animal's eating habits and that would probably gross you out and make you want to discontinue eating them.

A better way to do it is have a plan. You can just quit cold turkey...no pun intended...you have to quit gradually. Look at smokers and people trying to lose weight they join networks and get their families into it to help them. They also gradually quit. Like, say how much meat do you eat of each kind a week? Write it down and gradually half, quarter, eight, or whatever is best of you every week. Replace with a new food. Go to the grocery store and try new fruits and vegetables. Get the ones that you enjoy the most to replace the meat.

I hope this helped.

Answer 5

Eat nuts, and also cheese and other dairy products and take a daily vitamin and protein pill.

If you need help just not having any meat cravings, I would suggest eating at home more often. And it's best to completely avoid a Chinese Restaurant, since almost every dish of theirs has meat in it..

Answer 6

Is that eating eggs and dairy? I have lots of vego friends and work in a restaurant where we constantly have to accommodate thee needs of them. Many of my friends have stir fry as their staple diet. Rice with veges and there are heaps of soy based tasty sauces that you can get from your local Asian emporium that will add a flavor blast to it. Check the label for meat or fish products. It's not all salads and pasta, many Indian dishes are vegetarian as that is their staple diet, you can be so creative and although fresh is good, there are numerous exotic condiments that can really make your meals. As far as getting your vitamins, there are plenty of websites to investigate and you should tell your doctor too. No doubt, they will be able to give you a plethora of info about how you should go about it. Definitely don't think about it as restricting your diet. There are so many things out there that you can make and munch on that wouldn't have even crossed your mind. Follow your natural flavor tendencies and there will be a food out there to match any craving you have. Remeber, mushrooms are the meat of the vegetarian world. I'm sure you will feel better for it. Good luck with your resolution. Mine is giving up smoking. Again.

Answer 7

I am taking a vitamin supplement. I eat a lot of bean and rice and nuts. I just tried lasagna tonight with veggie meat and it was pretty good. I have been a ovolactogegetarian since 11-15-2006 to support my son. I have always wanted to any way and besides having gas feel great. Thanks to beano lol

Answer 8

There is a tun of ways to do it. Eat alot of vegtables and fruits there is tofu and nuts and eggs. I couldn't really last while i was on that kind of diet but best of luck and happy new year.
oh ya and take some vitamins it might just work.

Answer 9

Take supplements. Like something from vitamin world. You can go and ask them and I sure that they could help. In side of the store there is a computer that can help you pick the right supplements.

Answer 10

I'm also a lacto-ovo-vegetarian.

Eat lot's of vegetables, nuts and fruit. Have a decent amount of fibre. Brown bread, rice and pasta is a good idea. Drink plenty of water. You want to be lacto-ovo-vegetarian, so have cheese, yoghurt or milk with your meals.