My new religion calls for a vegetarian diet. How do I stay healthy?

Question

I understand vegetarian diets can be a little tricky. You have to know the right things to eat to get all your nutrition.

Any pointers?

Answer 1

Vegetarian diets are not that tricky unless you are practicing strict veganism. The four things I would emphasize the most to you are:

1. Don't eat crap. I have known many vegetarians who don't eat meat, but eat all kinds of processed snacks and garbage... and then don't understand why they aren't as healthy as they thought they'd be. Avoid the processed stuff. Keep your food as natural as possible.

2. You're a vegetarian: eat some green vegetables! This may seem silly to say, but I am endlessly amazed at my vegetarian children who are never found near any vegetables. Rice and beans is a wonderful thing, but you must get your green, leafy veges in there.

3. Organic, organic, organic. There is so much "weird science" going on with genetic modification of food that the only way to be sure that you're getting something healthy for you is by sticking strictly to the organic foods.

4. Variety. Vegetarianism has such a wide palate of foods to offer. And, you probably won't get in trouble with deficiencies or whatever if you keep your menu varied.

Answer 2

It's not *that* tricky, all you really need to do is be sure to get a good variety of foods into your diet. Try things you've never tried before since you are exploring. You're guaranteed to get all the nutrients you need (even protein), plus you might learn quite a bit about healthy cooking!
I lost 40 lbs in 6 months by avoiding meat and dairy (not completely, just mostly) and switching to organic. Even changing your milk to organic can have great benefits!

Good luck and good health!

Oh, btw, supplements aren't always good for you either, and you really won't need them if you learn what foods give you what benefits. I purchased a book called Complete Vegetarian. It was a recipe book, however in the front of the book was a huge encyclopedia of different types of foods, grains, veggies and herbs and their health benefits. I would recommend it if you can find it.

Answer 3

Read up online: vegcooking.com, veganfitness.net (yeah that last one's vegan, but it's got great info on staying healthy for those of us who are vegetarian and vegan).

Also there is "Vegetarian for Dummies" and "The Complete Idiots Guide to Vegetarian" or somesuch available to give you the low down.

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Answer 4

Building of food habit of people living in a particular area takes hundreds of years. Though we are used to multi-cuisine dishes these days for our daily meal, it's best for good health to follow the standard food habit of a particular area. My answer may not exactly what you intended to know, but I hope you get what I mean to say.

Answer 5

Probably the wrong category for your question- but make sure that you get sufficient protein and don't just carb-out.

If you're vegan- look to soy products (soy milk, tofu), nuts, legumes, beans and higher protein grains (quinoa is actually quite yummy)

If you're ovo-lacto, then it's a lot easier. eggs, dairy products, cheese, yogurt are all good sources of protein.

Plenty of variety and color.

Answer 6

I ate tofu and took multi-vitamins. There are quite a number of meat substitutes on the market.

Answer 7

whats wrong with meat, fish isnt bad for you, just stay away from hog, and keep your cuts lean human were meant to eat meat, my grandpaw consumed beacon and beer and lived to 93, if you have bad genetics get your blood work done, and sometimes just eating plants still will not work

Answer 8

Talk to your Dr. You need supplements that will provide you with the nutrients you'll be missing from meat.