First week as a vegetarian. Any tips???

Question

Okay so it's my first week without any meat, and I really want to stick with it so far no cravings for meat it actually disgusts me now. I am starting each day with a soy protein shake for breakfast and I have cashews or peanuts with yogurt with my lunch or a snack. Any other tips for foods with proteins or other nutrients I need?? Wish me luck!

Sorry forgot to add it but yeah I still have some dairy but I'm trying to cut it out gradually, and I do not eat eggs.

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 mik) 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

The whole protein myth is really overblown. All whole foods (whole grains, veggies, beans, etc.) have protein in them. You'd have to try really hard (or only eat Fritos) to be protein-deficient.

You DO have to take a b-vitamin supplement or eat seaweed every now and then. There are no veggie sources of b vitamins. Nutritional yeast tastes kind of like parmesean cheese and can be sprinkled over salads, pasta, whatever to add some b vitamins.

I've been a veggie for 17 years and I've never had a problem, other than anemia that was caused by, um, girl things. Make sure you eat a variety of foods and drink enough water for all of the protein that you're getting in that shake...too much protein at once is hard on your kidneys.

There are TONS of great vegetarian cookbooks out there. I really recommend all of the Moosewood cookbooks - they're total classics, the recipes are easy, and most libraries have them. Plus, they usually give nutritional info for all their recipes. Google, of course, can help you find recipes on ANYTHING vegetarian....

Enjoy your good health as a vegetarian! (I mean, it's not guaranteed, but it's a start :) ).

Answer 3

I suggest eating some tofu. It can be stir fried or put in other dishes. I'd be careful with yogurt though. Make sure that it doesn't contain any gelatin or animal products. There is soy yogurt.
There are vegetarian hamburger patties that have a decent amount of protein. (Morningstar, Amy's Kitchen, Boca)
You can also make different types of salads with beans for protein. There are cheeses that are rennet and pepsin free that can be found at Trader Joe's or any other Natural food place.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches is also another option.
There are vegetarian/vegan cereals that are safe to eat as well. Soymilk can be found at most markets, but is not necessary if you still eat dairy.
If you are a lacto- ovo vegetarian (eat dairy and eggs) you can try eggs also in the morning, which has 8 grams of protein.
Good luck!!!!

Answer 4

I am an experienced vegetarian (16 years without ever eating meat), and I would recommend eating as much protein as possible. I usually eat a product called "Zogolos", it's hard to find but the company creates fake meat products that contain all the nutrients that you need (including iron and protein). You can check here http://www.zoglos.com/ for more information on the products and their ingredients.

Another great product you might like to check out are "Yves Veggie Products". They are similar to Zogolos but I think they have more choices, and I can fully recommend them as tasting great. Here is their website

http://www.yvesveggie.com/splash.php

Answer 5

Good for you! Protein is one of the most important nutrients for humans. It aids in all the body's processes. Protein supplements and shakes are good, but the body handles natural sources of it better, like cheese, yogurt, eggs, nuts, beans, and tofu. They're better for you and less expensive than protein bars and shakes. Make sure you still get lots of calcium and iron, which is plentiful in meat. Taking a multi-vitamin is a good idea.

Answer 6

Beans, nuts and seeds (almonds, Brazil nut, cashews[not too many], chestnuts, hazelnuts(filberts), macadamia, pecans, pistachio, pepitas(pumpkin seeds), poppy seeds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds (tahini is ground sesame seed)), and plenty of grains ( barley, buckwheat, corn, wheat, millet, oats, quinoa, rice, rye, sorghum) as well as fruit and vegetables of course.
Are you just having dairy or eggs as well?
I find food combining works for me. Fruit for breakfast, Starch (grains) (including bananas) for lunch with salad / veges. protein for dinner with salad and veges. The protein can be a few nuts or seeds. Beans which aren't really food combining food can go with lunch or dinner. Dairy is eaten alone in food combining. Eat the most easily digested things first in a meal and works well. Start the day with water and at least half an hour before meals rather rather than after meals. Enjoy.

Answer 7

With fruits, vegetables and soy you're OK !
For your mind it's different... so each time you desperately want to eat meat just think about the way those animals lived and the way they where slaughtered, it should help !

Answer 8

yeah dont eat meat









eat eggs beans and tofu

Answer 9

stay storng i love people like u more meat for me best of luck dont give up :)

Answer 10

Sorry for the dissenting opinion, but you need a steak, fast.