What should I know before I go veggie??

Question

I'm 16 and I'm planning on becoming a vegetarian. Not because I feel bad for the animals, but because I want to lose weight. Are there any nutritional things I should know before I go veg? (like what substitutes for meat to eat, etc.)

note - i don't like the taste of meat at all, so "veggie-meat" isn't my thing

if I still eat fish, does that defeat the purpose?

Answer 1

Eat a variety of "whole foods," with plenty of beans, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid unhealthy foods like trans fats, which are usually listed as partially hydrogenated oils. Deep-fried foods often contain trans fats. Choose margarines that use nonhydrogenated oil, like Earth Balance or Smart Balance. Although a diet consisting of Coke and French fries is technically vegan, you can't be healthy if you eat nothing but junk food. Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is produced by bacteria, and some experts believe that vegetarians used to get plenty of this vitamin from bacteria in drinking water. Since drinking water is now treated with chemicals that kill the bacteria, it's important to make sure that you get enough vitamin B12 from fortified foods (like most brands of soy or rice milks, some breakfast cereals, and many brands of nutritional yeast,also eggs and milk) on a daily basis or by taking a sublingual B12 tablet of 10 mcg per day


Iron-beans, dark green leafy vegetables (like spinach),whole grain breads, Also eat something with vitamin c when you eat something with iron, it increases absorption

Calcium-dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, soymilk)

Protein-Isn't really hard to get, just eat a variety of foods, good sources are beans, brown rice, nuts, whole grain breads, soy foods

Omega-3 fatty acids-flax seeds/oil,walnuts,canola oil

Zinc-pumpkin seeds (best source), beans and lentils, yeast, nuts, seeds and whole grain cereals

Selenium-Brazil nuts are a particularly good source of selenium, so try to eat a couple every day. Eating a small bag of mixed unsalted nuts can be a convenient way to get your daily selenium intake, but make sure it contains Brazils. Bread and eggs also provide some selenium.

Vitamin D- Vitamin D, often called the sunshine vitamin, is another common deficiency in those not drinking vitamin D fortified milk. Synthetic vitamin D is added to both cow’s milk and most brands of soy milk today.

Vitamins A (beta carotene),C, K, E and Folate-variety of fruits and veggies

Iodine-Iodine is a trace mineral that's important for healthy thyroid function. Table salt is the most common and reliable source of iodine in Americans' diets. (However, sodium in processed foods usually does not contain iodine.) If you don't consume table salt, you can get iodine from a multivitamin or from kelp tablets.

Answer 2

You need to plan your diet. It's easy when being a vegetarian to "miss out" on certain vitamins and minerals. So you need to make sure all your vitamins and minerals requirement are met. Other than that, I think it's a great lifestyle(I'm not a vegetarian by the way). As for eating fish, maybe you will be considered like a what I call "half-vegan". Some vegetarian don't eat meat but will eat dairy products. You can find a complete list of the different types of vegetarians in vegetarian for dummies (actually not a bad book).

Good luck.

Answer 3

Being vegetarian does not mean you will lose weight. Meat does not make you put on that much fat, refined foods (junk food) will be the thing that does it. Fish is generally low fat so it is a healthier choice but you wont be a vegetarian eating fish.

If you limit or avoid refined sugars and junk foods and get at least 20 minutes of exercise a day, you will lose weight..meat or no meat.

Answer 4

I would not do it if you are just trying to lose weight. Only if you have no desire to eat meat. Of course helping out the animals would be a good reason. My point is not that you should eat meat if you like it. My point is that whatever you eat needs moderated in order to lose weight. Always talk to your doctor who will probably refer you to a nutritionist.

Answer 5

i agree with the guy who said that u don't have to be labeled a vegetarian just because u wan to lose weight

to answer your last question-yeah eating fish dose count as "meat" but then again u just want to lose weight so i suppose eating it is not going to be a big deal

Answer 6

The essential amino acids 8 need to be simultaneously present for a human to absorb a protein. Meat and fish and eggs have all essential amino acids present.

The combination of beans and rice I believe provides the eight essentials. Peanut butter plus milk also does the trick. It would be a good idea to do some nutritional research related to protein complementarity and the eight essential amino acids.

Answer 7

ALWAYS check with your doctor they can tell you the good foods to eat in place of meat. Beans, tofu, soy, nuts are good sources of protein but you need to know if you swhould be taking any type of vitamin(s).

Answer 8

Get some books on how to do it in a healthy way - you may want to talk with your doctor and get a diet from a nutritionist.
This could be one of the healthiest choices you make or a serious disaster - depends on how wise you are with your choices. Make sure you are educated.

Answer 9

you don't need to be labeled a vegetarian. if you don't like meat don't eat it.

i have a friend who doesnt like veggies

Answer 10

meat is important cuz it had protein so eat lots of nuts.