Becoming Vegetarian?

Question

Hello everyone,

I have made the decision to become Vegetarian. Does anyone know how I can more easily adapt to this because I keep going to make a ham sadwich and I realise - "Im Vegetarian!".

Also, what are the best protien supplements instead of meat?

Thanks alot everyone
Stephen

Answer 1

You don't need protein supplements. Omnivores don't extract all the protein out of their food - much goes to waste. Your body will make best use of all it gets, and stores the separate amino acids until the right ones become available to combine and make proteins. Just chose a varied diet of beans, pulses, soya, nuts, etc. Find a decent local health-food shop and try to buy something you've never bought before each time you go there - my one always has new products.

Answer 2

well, i also want to be a vegetarian so i did som research. if you want to make the transition heres what u should do:

1. start out with something with meat and a side salad.
2. There are countless soy and vegetable-based meat substitutes on the market that will make your transition to meatless fare a piece of cake. You can buy frozen ground beef or sausage substitutes to use in tacos, sloppy joes, chili and lasagne. You can also find many varieties of veggie burgers, meatless hot dogs, vegetarian deli slices, and other meat replacements to satisfy any desire you might have for some of these "comfort foods".
3. Then get used to eating these and substitute them for real meat little by little as you feel comfortable with doing.
4. Pretty soon, you should be a vegetarian!

But keep in mind this is a tough choice. Even i spent a time debating between what i want and what i like, so get comfortable with it and just stopping cold turkey isnt for some people. hope that helps ;)

Answer 3

There are lots of ways to go vegetarian. Some do it by going to the health foods store and buying 'meat analogues'--tofurkey and soy dogs and other products made from soy protein that look like and taste distantly similar to meat. That's OK, for myself I think if you're going vegetarian, you should just eat and enjoy vegetables!

Now, how vegetarian are you going? If you're ovolactic (you eat eggs and dairy) then your nutrition profile will not be that different from an omnivore's. Same if you only do dairy; milk and cheese has similar nutrient profiles to meat.

Those who go entirely vegan are the ones at most risk for nutritional deficiencies. The big problems are protein, which others have noted can be resolved by eating a mix of beans, nuts, seeds, and legumes, and folic acid, which can be gotten from dark green leafy veggies as well as some other sources.

I recommend educating yourself on all of these choices before settling on one. Search for web pages or check Wikipedia.

Answer 4

Thats a very nice decision. Try to find out some Indian friends around. Indian vegetarian foods are fully balanced. Pulses and grains have lots of Proteins. Greens (spinach) has lots of Fibre and Iron. Meal Maker (Soya Fibre) when cooked gives a taste like meat and gives lots of fibres. For more vitamins, Juicy Vegetables like Tomatto and Pimkins. You have every good things in Veges. And than meat products, edibles out of plants are more friendly for digestion. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 5

How you will adapt will depend on how much and what kinds of meat you used to eat and how strong your convictions are.

As for protein, you will not need to take supplements. I am part of a large community of perfectly healthy vegans, none of whom ever take supplements. Most Americans consume WAY too much protein. As long as you are eating a decent variety of foods (as in, not potato chips 3 times a day) you'll have plenty of protein. Good luck!

Answer 6

There is alot of protein in beans, nuts, and green vegetables as well. Spinach has alot of iron it. Just know some vegetarian still eat some fish, chicken, and other seafood from time to time. A neighbor of mine is one and thats how I know she also eats duck sometimes. Heres a few recipes to help you out.

Quinoa Tabbouleh

INGREDIENTS

* 2 cups water
* 1 cup quinoa
* 1 pinch salt
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
* 1/4 cup lemon juice
* 3 tomatoes, diced
* 1 cucumber, diced
* 2 bunches green onions, diced
* 2 carrots, grated
* 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. In a saucepan bring water to a boil. Add quinoa and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature; fluff with a fork.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine olive oil, sea salt, lemon juice, tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, carrots and parsley. Stir in cooled quinoa.

Good Nut Burgers

INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup finely ground almonds
* 1/2 cup minced onion
* 1 carrot, minced
* 1/4 cup tahini (sesame-seed paste)
* 1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce
* 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven broiler. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the almonds, onion, carrot, tahini, tamari sauce, and lemon juice. Form into 6 patties and place on baking sheet.
3. Broil burgers 5 minutes, then turn and broil the other side another 5 minutes. Watch to make sure the burgers don't burn. Remove, and garnish as desired.

Black Bean Spinach Pizza

INGREDIENTS

* 1 (10 ounce) package prebaked Italian bread shell crust
* 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed, drained, and mashed
* 1/3 cup chopped onion
* 2 teaspoons chili powder
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
* 1/2 cup salsa
* 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
* 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
* 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
* 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
* 1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the crust on an ungreased 12-in. pizza pan. Combine the beans, onion, chili powder, cumin and garlic; spread over crust. Layer with salsa, spinach and cilantro. Sprinkle with hot pepper sauce and cheeses. Bake at 450 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Answer 7

hi
stephen
this is the good decesion what you have made
because vegetarian is a good food for health

Peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons - 8 grams protein
Almonds, ¼ cup – 8 grams
Peanuts, ¼ cup – 9 grams
Cashews, ¼ cup – 5 grams
Pecans, ¼ cup – 2.5 grams
Sunflower seeds, ¼ cup – 6 grams
Pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup – 19 grams
Flax seeds – ¼ cup – 8 grams
these all very good for health
and high protien food

Answer 8

hello, there i'm over 10 years vegetable too since i was child. you can adapt the protien from eggs, milk or bean. This is a good protien supplements...

Answer 9

Good for you! For protien suppliments use flax seed oil and DONT use cod liver oil because they have to hurt the fish. shop at whole foods if it isn't too expensive and buy Amy's microwavable. It's ssooo good. Also alot of Chinese restaurants have good tofu.

Answer 10

I don't take any supplements..I eat whole grains, nuts, soya for the bulk of my protein intake.