I'm thinking of becoming vegetarian...?

Question

Can I get some tips on how to stick to it?
What are some alternatives to meat?
How can I get enough protein in my day?

Answer 1

I am a vegatarian. I usually try to get my protein and iron through soy milk and other soy-based products. I eat a lot of beans and nuts, which both contain lots of protein and iron. I wouldn't be so concerned about the protein though. If you don't become vegan, an egg for breakfast every morning is a good start to the day and gives you all sorts of irons and minerals. You can always eat Boca or Morning Star meat alternatives when you eat at home or at a someone's house if they are serving meat. Its not a hard diet once you get into it. You sort of become used to not eating meat and you don't think about the fact that you are vegatarian as much. If you don't like eggs, however, its probably a good idea to take an iron pill as a supplement. This can help make sure that you don't become anemic, which is a problem many vegatarians and vegans face.

Try not to be one of those vegatarians that believes he or she can survive off of salads. Its not healthy and completely not worth the health consequences. Also, its not a great idea to eat vegatarian due to the desire to lose weight. It isn't a really fattening diet, however if you want to really stick to it, labeling it as a losing weight program won't help. Also, bean sprouts are a really good source of iron. (You can put them on salads or in sandwiches.) Kale, spinach, and other dark green leafy vegatables are good sources of iron as well. And again, soy is a great way to maintain your protein needs.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 2

1. If you really believe in what you are doing, then it's easy to stick to.
2. Mushrooms, beans and the various faux meats are great subs. I particularly LOVE Quorn products.
3. Not enough protein is not really possible unless you live in a third world country. Everything has protein. If you choose to still consume dairy products and eggs, it's even easier. Whole wheat pasta and beans are great sources along with soy products.

Here's a link to a chart with the protein from non meat sources:

http://www.vegparadise.com/protein.html#Charts

Answer 3

"I'm thinking of becoming vegetarian...? "

- Great!

"Can I get some tips on how to stick to it?"

- 1.Know why you are becoming veg.
2. Learn all you can about it, health, environmental, ethical, and animal rights reasons.
3. Learn how to cook, if you don't know how.
4. Get a good cookbook.
5. Join a group or forum. www.veggiebords.com is pretty good. (PM me if you want more radical ones.)

What are some alternatives to meat?

- Your best off basing your meals off of things that are not meat substitutes This inevitably is the healthiest way to go as well. This is where the cook book comes in to figure out things to eat other then meat (or you can try websites such as www.vegweb.com). But if you find yourself wanting something Boca products are good. Any Grocery store will have them, I think.

"How can I get enough protein in my day?"

- if you are eating enough calories then you are getting enough protein. Period. If you are an athlete or are very active, then you may have to plan your protein intake slightly. Even then it's not a problem. (Check out www.veganbodybuilding.com if this is an issue for you.)

Good Luck, its much easier than it sounds.

P.S. Don't listen to the people who tell you that you can eat seafood. Fish, and all the things that fall under the title of seafood are animals. And as we all know vegetarians do not eat animals!

Answer 4

I've been thinking of becoming a vegetarian too, especially with the news of cloned meat not needing to be labeled (ewwwwww) when sold in stores.

Whenever I give up meat for Lent, I eat eggs for protein, and take vitamins. There are also some really good veggie burgers you can buy at the grocery store. Also, beans have lots of protein. Beans, nuts, eggs, and there might be some protein supplement vitamins you can buy, but I'm not too sure.

I think talking with a doctor would be your best bet to know how to keep your diet safe, healthy, and fulfilling!

Answer 5

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aka6VVWIUPOx9QMAMKiRo6fsy6IX?qid=20070107174444AAV0PRP&show=7#profile-info-29842ba28e4787a322ccb3fd17fd2b04aa

Sorry, this question just happened here a second ago... I feel silly putting that gigantic answer here a few minutes later.

So, I hope you enjoy what I had to say because I truly believe it.

You will get enough protein in your day
Tofu is a great alternative; it makes for wonderful dishes.
You also have many wonderful fake meats like
IVES, Garden Burger, Bocca and Morning Star Farms (all have enough protein)
Or you can always make dishes made of various beans.

Good luck

Answer 6

HELLO, fish, chicken, shrimp and crab ARE MEAT.
You cannot eat any of those and be a vegetarian, by any definition. True, there is such a label as "pescatarian" now, meaning someone who eats no other animals except for fish and/or sea animals, but they are not vegetarians, and no one in the veg*n community takes them seriously...

Actual vegetarian sources of protein:
Beans
Brown rice
Tofu
Wild rice
Tempeh
Wheat gluten
Bananas
Peanut butter
Almonds, pistachios, peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, etc.
Lentils
Lima beans
Peas
Broccoli
Luna bars and Clif bars (both vegan)

Visit www.goveg.com for more, and for recipes!


Oh, by the way, the amount of protein your body needs is in fact GROSSLY overblown by mainstream American media. It is much easier to be damaged by too uch protein than too little. Excess protein puts strain on your colon, digestive tract and kidneys.
I eat on average no more than 25 grams a day. I mostly live on raw fruit, and my doctor says I'm one of his healthiest patients. I have pretty good muscle mass, and my hair, nails and bones are all in great shape.

Good LUCK with becoming a vegetarian. It's such a wonderful thing to do both for your health, and the planet. You can always email me if you want some support. :)

Answer 7

well i'm not vegen, but the best way to get enough protein is beans. You will probably have to take a protein supplement also.

Answer 8

Research it on the www

Answer 9

GoVeg.com
You will not have any problem staying healthy on a vegetarian diet- good luck!

Answer 10

tips,. eat only food you like
tofu, and baked tofu, and don't go for fake burgers and fake beacon, they are no goodd

get proetin by drinking soy milk, drink 2-3 glass a day, you'll be fine