want to stay away from all the harmful restaurants that are available now days McDonalds, BK, TACO BELL. I am tired of eating all this harmful foods and want to take care of myself and my body it had to take a really bad situation in my family to make me see things different. My mom is in the hospital due to cancer and well that made me open my eyes to check my eating habits and I realized that if cancer don't get me a heart attack will. I was slowly killing myself with my eating habits and lately I've been feeling a difference in my body by eating well and I like it a lot. I just want to know if this decision is a good decision, I am 24 can I pull it off? so far so good... thanks...
2007-09-12 05:44:55 · 16 answers · asked by WhErE Do I BeGiN??? 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
Stay strong, learn a bit about nutrition.
Going vegetarian is an excellent health decision for anyone at any age. Beisdes high fat content, meat today is full of hormones, antibiotics, and other things that are unsafe for us to eat.
It will take some willpower, but if you make the decision to start this new lifestyle, just tell yourself there's no going back. This is who you are now!
I've been vegetarian since I was 10, but my dad ate everything and anything (meat and potatoes guy) and we lost him to a heart attack in 1999. He was only 57. I was 19. I know his diet is what killed him. So you're right to be concerned, given your family history.
For maximum health benefit from your new diet, avoid the mistakes most newbie vegetarians (Including me.. Quit eating meat in 1990, by 2006 I was 206 lbs!!) make. Don't replace meat with cheese and junk food. Build your diet around fruits, vegetables (In as raw of a form as possible) Whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds. Use junk food, immitation meats, white breads, deserts, dairy and eggs in strict moderation.
Good for you!!
2007-09-12 05:53:56 · answer #1 · answered by Shelly P. Tofu, E.M.T. 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Cutting out fast food and junk food with chemicals is a really good idea. However, becoming vegetarian should be a gradual process if you are not accustomed to living without animal products in your diet. Do a lot of research and talk to people who have been vegetarians for a long time before removing meat from your diet completely.
My rules of thumb for eating healthy are "Did it grow that way?" (this will tell you if the edible product in front of you is a whole food or not like an apple vs a marshmallow) and does this product have a short list of ingredients that I can pronounce easily. If the food fits neither one of those categories, then I would stay clear of it completely.
Don't get me wrong, I still eat chocolate cake, chips with dip, etc but I cook at home a lot so that I can make what I like in a healthy way and in moderation.
Good luck and I wish your mom well.
2007-09-12 06:12:57 · answer #2 · answered by xandra242002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to popular belief it isn't that meat is the culprit it is the amount and the preparation - moderate amounts are better. That being said vegetarianism can be a viable and healthful option if it is followed correctly. Many people eat far too many processed vegetarian foods and wind up with a whole new group of troubles. Remember any diet needs balance - if you eat the right balances and exercise you will feel better and be healthier. There are 2 good sources for living a healthy vegetarian lifestyle 1-VegWeb.com and 2- MyPyramid.gov they will help you to understand the correct amount of non-meat proteins as well as provide the best cooking methods. If you look at the Mediterranean or Indian (from India) diets you can get great cooking ideas that are low in fat - high in protein and truly good vegetarian choices. Also explore the world of Japanese cooking they have so many amazing ways of incorporating tofu and it is so yummy and healthy for you. I have friends who swear they "hate" tofu but they will have a soup or lasagna at my house and think it is cheese. You can have a healthy diet at any age - just know what you need to eat, eat a balanced diet, don't over use fats and preprocessed foods, exercise and drink lots of water. Hope this helps!
2007-09-12 06:05:18 · answer #3 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vegetarianism is a healthy option at any age. I know a couple of people who were born and raised vegan and always have been. You're never too young or old to start.
I agree with the people who said stay away as much as possible from the fake, processed meats. Switching from one unhealthy group of foods is not going to do you any good. Once you start eating real, whole, unprocessed foods (and exercising, of course) you will feel a million times better. I know when I went vegan I started to feel better within a week, and I've only been sick twice in the last three years. Good luck.
2007-09-12 06:14:12 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am 24 and I made the decision to become vegan overnight. I have been vegan (no animal product: meat, dairy, eggs, honey) for 7 weeks now. I have never felt healthier! Read the book "Skinny *****." It talks about all the stuff in animal products. It is a weight loss book, but you lose weight as a vegan for a reason. You are no longer consuming animal fats. Really consider this book... I read it after I became vegan and it still opened my eyes to a lot of stuff.
2007-09-12 07:21:53 · answer #5 · answered by Y!A P0int5 Wh0r3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an excellent decision, yes. But you might want to take it slowly. I would start by stopping the fast food cycle and gradually reduce your meat consumption. I think this is best because your body is so used to crap, you want to wean yourself.
You also want to read "Skinny *****" by Rory Freidman and Kim Barnouin which will give you tips on a healthier diet. Use what fits you best.
Howard Lyman's "No More Bull" also focuses on the health aspects of vegetarianism.
For recipes: www.vegweb.com
For vegetarian and veg-friendly restaurants: www.happycow.net and www.vegdining.com
Good luck!
2007-09-12 09:23:18 · answer #6 · answered by VeggieTart -- Let's Go Caps! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Charliemoo - the way our teeth are shaped!! Horses, gazzeles and other grazing creatures have the same so-called 'canines.' Humans were never evolved to eat meat, but being very intelligent, adaptable animals we evolved ways to hunt (by trap, projected weapon or help of other animal) and farm animals and then thoroughly disguise their flesh by cooking and sauces, so we would not go hungry in times of sparse vegetation. We are not evolved for chasing down a hunted animal, we need dogs, etc to do this for us we can only shoot/ throw spears and our 'canines' are pretty useless at tearing raw flesh. Roadkill does not make us think about lunch. We are not evolved to eat animals, it was just a thing we did to survive harsh times and has now become normal (and harmful.)
2007-09-12 06:52:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely yes! Good for you that you realize that at your early age. I'm turning 30 and i started feeling uncomfort with my health. And one thing i am working hard now is to be a full pledge vegetarian. it's not easy so be certain with your goal...forget those yummy junk meats!!!
2007-09-12 05:54:53 · answer #8 · answered by chiko 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it's a wonderful, responsible decision. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables because they are filled with life force.
2007-09-12 05:51:32 · answer #9 · answered by Caroliness 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a hula hoop dancer ? are you confused ? the hula is a dance that was developed in the hawaiiian islands by the Polynesians . The hula hoop is a toy hoop, usually made of plastic, that is twirled around the waist, limbs, or neck i've heard of hula dancing, but not hulahoop dancing . can you really get money for hula hooping ? thats kind of sad . lol . stick to your day job .
2016-05-17 22:15:21 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋