I want to be vegetarian.......?

Question

Ok, so I have posted on here some questions about my 9 yr old daughter becoming vegetarian and now it's my turn. I have basically cut out all meat but chicken and fish for our whole family since my daughter voiced her decision to no longer eat meat and I have found that cooking for her is easy with all the Morning Star and other meatless products out there. My dilemma is that now I wish to be vegetarian. I have quit eating meat 2 days ago and actually feel so much better. I don't really like the veggie meats out there and get sick of beans. I do eat eggs on my salads or a sandwich.

Now, how do I ensure I'm getting the protein I need. My daughter was easy because she loves the meatless meats.

Actually it's not about the animals. It's about being healthier. I still cook meat for my husband and son who think they'll die without it. I am doing it for my own personal well being so to those saying they'll eat 3 for every 1 I don't eat.... Whatever!

Answer 1

protein, protein, protein,... it is all I ever hear, well almost.

But, I digress..., congratulations on your decision, I hope you continue to feel healthier, and I hope your daughter's enthusiasm continues to be contagious.

I do not have a problem with protein, I do not focus on anything special to get extra. Everything we eat has some amount of protein in it. Beans, legumes, nuts, cheese, eggs, and grains are loaded with proteins. Tofu is delicious and loaded with protein.

Eat leafy greens for iron, kale is delicious, spinach, lettuces, brocolli, eat these also.

Look for ideas and tips online, and we are out here also, for support or to answer those question you may be afraid to ask in person.

I apologize in advance for the idiots who come here just to be annoying. We must let them wallow in their own ignorance until something makes them wake up.

Answer 2

First, you are probably already getting far more protein than you need. We Americans have been quite thoroughly brainwashed by the meat and dairy lobbies into thinking that protein is the end-all-be-all and that animal products are the only good way to get it! ;) In fact, excess protein is an immune system irritant and it taxes the kidneys unneccesarily and leaches calcium from the bones. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine recommends multiplying your body weight by 0.36 to get the number of grams you need daily, but points out that that formula includes a large margin of safety so you can actually be healthy on less.

Vegetarian sources of protein include eggs and dairy (if you opt to keep them in your diet,) soybeans and soy-based products (including tofu, tvp, edamame and meat analogs,) beans and other legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts,) nuts and seeds, whole grains (try quinoa - it's a complete protein as well as a good source of iron and calcium,) even veggies (especially dark green ones) have protein. If you're eating a balanced diet with a variety of these foods, you're getting plenty.

Answer 3

Vegetarian's don't always eat beans, and meat subs. There other foods like eggplant and pasta that you can use. The important thing is that you take in all the nutrients that you and your daughter need to ensure that you don't loose any vitamins. Both of you might need to take B complex tablets, like I do, since there are hardly any veggies that contain this vitamin.
On my website I have a menu of delicious vegetarian dishes. and an description of what it takes to become one. Having a daughter make such a decision at a young age is very impressive I didn't stop eating meat till I was 14 but before I just eat chicken, never was a meat fan, but my mom made me eat it to ensure I got protein, so now that I'm 15 goin on 16 I can make decisions for myself and I've now gone meat free for almost a year !

Hope this helps

http://www.freewebs.com/dezed/goodhomecooking.htm

Answer 4

The standard method used by nutritionists to estimate our minimum daily protein requirement is to multiply the body weight in pounds by .37. This is the number of grams of protein that should be the daily minimum. Below is a website with some good protein resources. Some non-meat sources include:

Barley, Beans, Sesame Seeds, Leafy Greens, Pasta,
Corn Meal, Lentils, Sunflower Seeds, Broccoli, Soy products,
Oats, Peas, Walnuts, Rice, Peanuts, Cashews, Other Nuts,
Whole Grain Breads

Answer 5

Yeah for your daughter I love that, I have a 5 yr vegetarian daughter, and 3yr old son who are very proud to be vegetarians, I don't even push them at all, it's like they just know whats right for there body's. Dad eats meat it like crazy, but still they don't eat meat. But what I wanted to share with you is this book called SKINNY BlTCH. It is a GREAT book to get your hands on, check it out from your library, I have to buy it, it is filled with great products, that these two authors have done the research for you. I agreed with all there choices that I've tried. So it's a good book for health and a great list of meat free items you can buy at the store.Also one last thing, the book CHINA STUDY is great and will help you understand all about protein. Happy eating and Cheers to your super fantastic daughter!!!

Answer 6

Congrats to you and your daughter!! Am I correct in assuming you want to cut the chicken and fish from your diet? Cutting out red meat is a good first step, but chicken and fish are still meat.

There are tons and tons of analogues (mock meats) out there, and I'm sure you'll find one you like. Even I don't like all the analogues I've tried. A lot of it is trial and error.

I have some tips on how to cook tofu in my profile,. Tofu has protein and calcium and adapts the flavors of foods it's cooked with.

For recipes: www.vegweb.com
And there's also a Vegetarian Loaf Studio (Google that) where you can put in whatever ingredients you have on hand, and it will give you a veggie loaf recipe.

Answer 7

Good on you for what ever reason you chose> I have been vegetarian for a month now and have found some wonderful help on Yanswers. there are so many good web sites around it just takes a bit of time and effort to research what you need. two excellent web sites are www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm
www.recipeezaar.com
The first one will give you a list of plant protein and says you need about 1 gram of protein per kilo body weight and the second web site has a section full of vegetarian dishes. Happy cooking

Answer 8

Maybe I'm reading the question wrong but if you are still eating chicken and fish, you aren't vegetarian. Regardless of that, meatless products are fine but they should not be eaten everyday...they are processed foods so eating them often does not exactly fall into trying to eat healthier.

Protein is not really an issue. It's in everything. Eat whole grains (whole wheat pasta dishes, whole grain bread), a variety of veggies and fruits, nuts and you should be fine. My whole wheat bread has 5 grams of protein per slice alone!

Answer 9

Soy is amazing!! It can be absolutely anything, and I love it.
Try to put soy powder into a blender with some berries from a protein smoothie.

Tofu is very good, and really healthy. It tastes amazing when it's served with vegetables.

Peanut butter is a great source of protein.

That's good that you like to eat eggs because that's also versatile.

Good luck!! <333

Answer 10

Hi,

The vegetarian society have a lot of great info on protein, why we need it and which products have it

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/protein.html

It includes a table you could print out for your cookery book library

Its actually not a problem for veggies as meaty diets have too much protein anyway.