How do I be healthy but also be a vegetarian?

Answer 1

I think it's ridiculous that people are trying to talk you out of being a vegetarian. That's ignorant. But that's not really an answer to your question.

I think everyone else summed it up. It's easy to fall into a carb trap when you're a veg. Make sure you have a balanced diet... there are a lot of other places to get protein other than meat (take that, haters). If you're interested in trying to substitute, you can try the soy based foods in the freezer section. Some people like them, some don't. I prefer the Morningstar brand. I would suggest not eating them by themselves, but to mix with other things, just as you would with meat. For example, Morningstar has beef crumble starters (i think that's what they're called)... it's good if you want to make fajitas at home and whatnot. I think you can find other recipes on their website.

Good luck and don't let other people dissuade you from making your decision.

Answer 2

LOL, You act as if those are two separate things. Vegetarianism is quite healthy, and you do not need to take supplements. Please do not take iron supplements because they can make you sick when you do not need them. All these people "prescribing" iron to people are one day going to poison someone.

A healthy vegetarian diet is the same as any other diet, eat a variety of foods and you are getting all you need. Unless you are sucking down oysters, most vegetarian sources of iron provide way more than steak or any other animal.

Protein is found in everything; many vegetarian sources (yet again) provide more than dead animals.
You should only be getting about 40 grams of protein a day; many people have 2-3 times that. Say hello to cancer, osteoporosis and a colon filled with rotting flesh it cannot digest.

The vegetarian food pyramid suggests
6+ servings of whole grains (a slice of bread being a serving)
6+ servings of fruits and veggies
2-3 servings of legumes (an 8oz glass of soymilk would count as 1)
If you eat dairy, have 1-2 servings

Meat eating does NOT equal healthy. In fact many people eat far too much which causes illnesses later on in life. Taking meat out of a diet does not cause one to loose a variety; you are only taking out 1 (not very healthy) thing.

Meat is no miracle food.

The reason you see vegetarians who know so much about nutrition and take vitamins is because they were told that they would be unhealthy and sickly etc.. They researched food and diets enough to realize how much people lack, meat eaters VERY much included. If meat eaters paid the slightest bit of attention to nutrition, they would be changing a lot about their diets.

Go veg; eat a variety.
:)

http://www.vegsoc.org

Answer 3

Just make sure you are eating a varied wholesome diet and you will be fine! I will post what I ate today just so you can get and idea of what a good, well rounded day of eating includes in a vegan diet (since I am vegan).

Breakfast: Granola with blueberries and fortified soymilk, half a grapefruit and coffee

Lunch: Tofu and broccoli in a garlic sauce over brown rice, 4 pieces of vegetarian sushi

Snack: Dried cherry, coconut, walnut and almonds trail mix

Dinner: Veggie burger with tomato, lettuce and pickle on whole wheat bun and baked potato with earth balance (earth balance is a delicious vegan butter spread)

Snack: small vegan brownie

*Maybe not perfect and not nearly as exotic or fabulous as many vegan/vegetarians eat - but I just like to keep it pretty simple and easy. I was vegetarian for 13years and vegan for 2years and I am healthy as can be!
:)

Answer 4

I have been a vegetarian for six weeks now, and I already notice that I look and feel better.

My system is cleaner and my colon is cleaner.

The meats we eat today are not the same as the meats people ate hundreds of years ago. Today's meat is pumped full of growth hormones and the animals don't get to graze in the open ranges the way animals did back then. Meat back then was healthier, today it is poisonous. I challange anyone who does not believe that meat is disgusting to visit a slaughter house and see how filthy those places are. Feces, bacteria, waste, everywhere. Houseflies that like to sit on feces love slaughterhouses. In fact, meat is then sprayed with a chemical to disinfect it and pink color is added to it to make it look "healthy."

The point is, you don't need meat to get protein. Plenty of foods contain tons of protein such as beans, lentils, soy etc.

Also, you can drink a protein shake, so that takes care of that.

In fact, being a vegetarian, you will be way healthier than meat eaters. I'm a vegetarian now but I still eat fish and I also sometimes eat turkey. I work out and I have six pack abs now.

Smart decision on your part. Don't worry.

Answer 5

the trick to being a healthy vegetarian is not being a "junkitarian". Don't just eat bread and processed foods from the store. Eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, and make sure to get enough protien through beans, nuts, tofu, etc. I also take viatmin supplements (a calcium and multivitamin) to replace any that I may have lost.

Answer 6

You just need to eat a properly balanced diet to include the nutrients your body needs. This may or may not be simple depending on what you tend to eat. You should probably consider supplements and fake meats until you learn how to eat veggie foods more naturally. Read the labels on foods to learn what's in them and their nutrients.

In generally, eating all kinds of colors of foods helps with balance because the colors are indicative of the nutrients in the foods.

For people who normally eat a lot of different kind of foods, it may be easy, but many people generally do not.

Here is a chart with various protein details. Beans and seeds/nuts compare to meats, but without the cholesterol (heart disease is the #1 killer in the US, twice as many people than cancer even though you hear about cancer far more than heart disease, and it is largely due to cholesterol and fat).

http://www.soystache.com/plant.htm

Answer 7

You are likely to be MORE healthy being vegetarian. Eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, preferably organic. I like to juice carrots, apples, celery, parsley, swiss chard, and apples for a lovely fresh juice, full of vitamins and enzymes

Answer 8

Go to PETA.org and request a vegetarian starter kit. I am a vegetarian and I don't eat fish or chicken. I remember to take a supplemental B12 and iron pills sometimes you can get these through diet.

Do your research on food choices and you'll be healthy.

Answer 9

Im a veg. By not eating meats u are already on your way to healthyness. while not eating meats, dont load up on pastas and things like that. Make sure you load up on lots of fruits and veggies. Also consider a good protein shake. I use a juice plus protein shake for breakfast and i feel great! GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 10

Do you mean how can you be healthy and be a vegetarian? Why would you want to be? Meat is protein, an essential for good health. Of course you can eat substitutes, but why? Just avoid excessive red meats and enjoy what God has given you freely to enjoy.