i want to become a Vegetarian but i have no idea how! what kind of food will give me the same energy?

Answer 1

Why Become Vegetarian?
There are as many reasons for becoming vegetarian as there are vegetarians; it's a highly personal and individual decision to make. But in a survey conducted on behalf of The Vegetarian Society the majority of people said that they gave up meat and fish because they did not morally approve of killing animals, or because they objected to the ways in which animals are kept, treated and killed for food.
With the growing awareness of the importance of healthy food, many people are also becoming vegetarian because it matches the kind of low fat, high fibre diet recommended by dieticians and doctors. Concern about the environment is another factor as people become more aware of the effect raising animals for their meat is having on the environment. Or you may be concerned about wasting world food resources by using land to raise animals for meat instead of growing crops that can feed more people directly.

See the Information Sheet on Statistics for further details of surveys.
A vegetarian is someone who does not eat meat, fish, poultry or any slaughterhouse by-product such as gelatine. Vegetarians live on a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit, with or without free-range eggs, milk and milk products. Vegetarians not eating anything containing dairy products or eggs are called vegans.

Isn't it hard being a vegetarian?
Not at all. Vegetarian food is widely available in shops and restaurants, it's easy to cook and you're probably already eating many vegetarian meals such as beans on toast or jacket potato and cheese without even putting your mind to it. It's no sacrifice to give up meat when there are so many delicious recipes and so many tasty foods to experiment with. Plus you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you're eating a healthy diet that doesn't involve the killing of animals or the abuse of the world's resource.
A well-balanced vegetarian diet provides all the nutrients you need for good health. In the case of protein, it's not only found in meat. It's also present in adequate quantities in dairy products, eggs and nuts, as well as in combinations of foods such as pulses and grains. In fact it would be very difficult to design a vegetarian diet that doesn't include enough protein.
Useful Tips on Going and Staying Vegetarian

- Treat yourself to a vegetarian cookbook for inspiration and advice. There are a wide range covering recipes for beginners, advanced cooks, slimmers, diabetics. Most also give dietary advice.
- Find our more about the subject. Our New Veggies Start Here section has information on all subjects relating to vegetarianism from the ethical issues to the practical day-to-day details, as well as being able to answer any other questions you might have.

- Start gradually. Adapt familiar meals such as lasagne and shepherd's pie by using textured vegetable protein. Although fully vegetarian, it has the look, taste and texture of mince or meat chunks, according to which variety you buy. It is available from health food stores. If you don't buy the flavoured variety, be aware that you need to add seasoning of some kind or it will remain bland and uninteresting.

- Buy vegetarian cheese. It's not an unfamiliar product as cheese is probably already on your shopping list. But whereas some cheeses are made with an ingredient from the stomachs of slaughtered calves, vegetarian cheese uses vegetable-derived rennet. Every supermarket now stocks at least one kind of vegetarian cheese, and many of the more unusual varieties such as Stilton and Brie are also now available in vegetarian versions.

- Buy free-range eggs. Again, eggs are another staple ingredient in many people's diets so it won't take much effort to pick up the free-range variety instead of the Battery Produced.

- Read the labels. Although you may get the odd shock when you realise that a food product that seems vegetarian in fact contains something such as gelatine or animal fat, there are plenty of others you'd be surprised and pleased to find out are suitable for you.

- Look for The Vegetarian Society's Seedling Symbol on food products. It tells you at a glance that the product is suitable for vegetarians.

- Pulses. Forget the dried variety if you find them difficult to prepare - go for the tinned variety of kidney beans, chick peas, etc.

- Adapt familiar dishes. If you're the only vegetarian in your family and it's too difficult or expensive to cook totally separate meals, adapt a meat dish. A casserole, for instance, can be made with beans and vegetables in one pan. Then the meat can be cooked separately and given just to the meat eaters. Or use soya mince and see if anyone notices the difference.

- Don't be put off by unfamiliar foods. Tofu, for instance, is a boon to vegetarians, especially new ones. This by-product of soya beans is incredibly versatile and easy to use. And if you use the plain variety, don't think that you've done something wrong when it appears tasteless in the finished recipe - it's meant to absorb the flavour of other ingredients. Or you can buy the smoked or marinated versions. (See Tofu recipes)

- Explore health food stores. They'll have vegetarian products you haven't seen before, and the assistants will be able to answer your questions about products suitable for your new lifestyle. -

Answer 2

Meat is actually filled with a lot of unhealthy toxins along with protein. Becoming a vegetarian means youre body will slowly get rid of those toxins and become healthier which will give you more energy, better skin, and even whiter eyes. Wether you do or do not become a vegetarian, you should always tae a multi-vitamin to help you get all the neseccary vitamins and minerals needed in a day. Its not too difficult to get the protein you need..its actually been proven that many people get the needed amount of protein they need everyday through things like crackers, vegetables, ect. You can also give soy meat a try!

Answer 3

You say "energy". Meat and fish don't give energy, it's the fruits and cereals that do.

If you want to replace protein, now that's a good question. Nuts, breads, dairy products, beans.

Answer 4

First off, YAY! :-) For protein, eat lots of nuts, peanut butter, edimomi, vitamins, and more. If you are in grade 1-12, for a packed lunch, I would take water, PB Sandwich, rice cakes, fruit cups, veggies, edimomi, etc. Good luck!

Answer 5

Peanut butter... things with protein, like tofu, and beans with rice. Protein is the main thing to worry about, not enough and you get anemic! It usually takes a while for your body to get used to not having meat, and if you decide to not be a vegetarian anymore, your body has to get used to eating meat again. Do alot of research and then decide if you really want to go through with it.

Answer 6

Tofu
Veggie Burgers

It's also good to take multi-vitamin pills after you become vegetarian because it's hard to get all minerals and vitamins without taking pills, but if you eat all the right foods, you can!

Answer 7

dont forget to use soy beans in ur diet.