Is it worth it to become a vegetarian?

Question

There's never really vegetarian type food in my house. I want to try to become a vegetarian. Is becoming a 'flexitarian' a better idea?

Answer 1

First off, you might want to ask yourself why you want to become a vegetarian. Is it for health reasons? If so, why not alter your diet to include healthier standard foods instead of strictly non-meat foods. If you are doing it because you just don't want to eat meat and meat products, then being a "flexitarian" isn't really going to suit your wants. Vegetarianism requires a lot of self control and vigilance; many foods have animal by-products that you wouldn't think of right away. Caesar salad has anchovies, Jell-o has gelatin (an animal byproduct), while some cheeses use rennet, which is an animal enzyme. Some ales are also clarified using the enzyme from a fish's stomach. These are all things you are going to have to learn to avoid if you really want to become a vegetarian. Good luck with your decision.

Answer 2

It's been worth it for me. I've been lacto-ovo vegetarian for 1 1/2 years now and I love it. When I ate meat, I used to get frequent headaches related to my diet (usually I was low on either protein or sugar)... somehow my body would tell me which one... I'd get a craving for a high protein food like peanut butter or for sweets (I rarely eat sweets). Anyway, I've not had ANY of these headaches since switching to a vegetarian diet. I feel I have at least as much energy as I used to, probably more. My skin is clearer, my nails are healthier, and I certainly don't get sick any more often than I used to (although I've never been one to get sick often).

As long as you're not going vegan, there's still TONS of food options for you. The meat substitutes are great (Morningstar Farms, etc) for making the transition. A lot of stuff like pasta-roni and rice-a-roni have (a few) varieties that are vegetarian (not that they're incredibly healthy....). Baco's (imitation bacon bits) are actually vegan (so says PETA) although they aren't marketed that way. Probably half of everything currently in your cupboard is actually vegetarian. :) It's not that hard.

Answer 3

It's worth it for some, but others don't have the self control. If you think that it will be better for you, whether that's mentally, physically, emotionally, or ethically, then go for it. Take the time to do the research so that you stay healthy and gradually become more and more strict. And like any diet, if you fail for lunch one day, start again at dinner.

As far as "flexitarian", again, it's up to you. It's not necessarily "better", it's a ll your personal choice.

Answer 4

yes! i'm the only veggie in my house and i have been for years and it has been a little difficult at times but it is SOO worth it. i feel good about myself for doing something to save animals from suffering and i'm in good health (i get sick maybe once a year max). hopefully your parents will be supportive and buy vegetarian food, the only problem can be choosing a restaurant because some serve meat in about 95% of their meals. it is a difficult transition, my sister is slowly becoming a veggie as well (she still eats chicken), but it is 110% worth it. if you need help go to http://www.goveg.com/vegetarian101.asp they have recipes, lists of vegetarian foods, and facts that show why being a vegetarian is great. good luck!

Answer 5

I'm not too sure what you mean by flexitarian but I guess it's a good idea. Eating very few meat is good for your health(like not more than once a week) but I suppose you still need to eat eggs, milk, etc. You also need to eat other types of protein, like almonds, soy and beans. Cutting carbs and eating lots of fruit and vegetables should be good too. You are responsible for what you eat so saying you don't have it at home is no excuse.

Answer 6

Good for your heart.. Lentils, legumes, brown rice.. soy products. You don't have to be 100% vegetarian,but try doing it several days a week.. If you do eat meat, don't make it the meal. Do like the chinese and japanese do.. Make it a part of the meal.. I don't eat a lot of meat,but I do eat fish and sometimes chicken.

Answer 7

That is a silly idea. You may be able to last a week maybe, then you will crave for normal food. It's just not practical. Just imagine being served burgers at a cookout with your family and friends. They all chow down....while you nibble on the lettus, onions, and tomatos.

Answer 8

Being a vegetarian is not hard--believe me. The only thing to it is cutting out meat--that's all. I'm highly doubting every single thing in your house is meat. That's a bit of an exaggeration...

...and talk to your parents about buying other food. They're not going to bite you (at least I'd hope not...).

Answer 9

there is a difference between vegetarian and vegen.

Vegetarian eats foods that dont contain meat or meat products. which you should have lots of items in the house that dont have meat.

Now vegens dont even eat any product that comes from an animal. IE they wont even eat jello, not that you would want to know what its made of.

Answer 10

yes, slaughter houses are bloodbaths where chickens are electricuted and then still half alive, get the combination of drowning, shock and boiling water. Cows barely a few months old hung upside down legs dangling throats slit open. Pigs sliced open still squealing..

any more information needed type PETA into google, there is a lot of explicit material.. i warn you now.

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