How do I become a vegetarian?

Question

And please no answers like don't eat meat and eat vegatables.

Do I need to prepare to change my eating habbits? How?

Where do I find food I would like?

Is fish considered meat?

Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Do not eat meat!

Answer 2

Yes you need ot prepare. You should research what your body will be missing from not eating meat (including fish) things like protein, iron, ect. Then research evegtarian foods that provide these nutrients for you. You should then prepare at least a week in advance meals so you make sure you get the adequate nutrients. grains, fruit and veegtables, healthy fats, protein, ect.
You can find food at the grocery store, some things will be the same like rice, vegetables, fruits, pasta, ect. You could start trying tofu, instead of ground beef in wraps, lasgana, pasta, put in tofu. Tons of recipes online, or at your local bookstore/library.
For vegtarians fish is meat, you can of course choose to still eat fish but then you won't be a veegtarian, just someone who chooses to stay away from other meats.
Depending on why you want to become a vegetarian your lifestyle dpeends on your beliefs, are you eating for health reasons? Animal cruelty? Perhaps if animal cruelty getting rid of leather clothes and animal tested products. Not eating things like geltain (ground of bones, animal parts, ect) and tons of other things you can do, which would ultimatley lead you into the vegan lifestyle (vegans do not use or consume any animal by product like honey, eggs, dairy, ect.)
But baby steps! Start with what nutrients you need.

Answer 3

fish is meat.. it is a dead animal's flesh.. There is allready WAY too much confusion on this point allready, so please do us vegetarians the favor of not adding to this confusion.. Please DON'T call yourself a vegetarian if you want to continue eating fish..

Anyway.. start by thinking hard about meals you allready eat that you can easily leave meat out of (Spaghetti, comes to mind.. Try eating a nice spaghetti dinner without meatballs, and with a non-meat sauce! You just ate a vegetarian meal! Eat cheese lasagna without meat.. ORder a cheese pizza (with some veggies on top if you want) without any meat.. You see... it's not as hard as it seems!! Next time you're at Ruby Tuesday's, Chillis, TGI Fridays, Applebees or Red Robin.. try their veggie burger!!

You can start gradually if you want.... you can start eliminating certian meats from your diet (I'd start with red meats) and save one or two favorite dishes/meats (mine would have been a tunafish sandwich) that you allow yourself to still have, and wait until last to "give it up." Start experimenting with meat alternatives "soy meat" and eating bean burritoes instead of beef.. etc... You get the picture..

Do it the way that works for you!

Just remember that "Vegetarian" DOES have a definition, and therefore you should fit that definition before taking that title..

You can always tell people "I'm transitioning to a vegetarian diet" if you need to give some explanation befor you've "gone all the way"..

Answer 4

Talk to your doctor. Depending on your iron levels (can be determined with a simple blood test) you may need to take a supplement as not to become anemic.

Read through a good vegetarian cook book. They usually have introductions that explain how to get a balanced vegetarian diet.

Also make sure you take a multi vitamin while you're a veggie. Fish is considered meat - but there are some people who go the "pescatarian" route - where they only eat veggies and seafood. (this is what I did. I don't think I could have gone completely vegetarian - at least not at first).

And after you've changed your diet - make sure you keep a regular check up with your doctor including blood tests to make sure your iron levels are where they should be. Good luck!

Answer 5

I know it's silly, but, really, just stop eating meat. That's the first thing. And yes, fish is "meat." Vegetarians do not eat the flesh of an animal.

Second, eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and nuts. There are also plenty of veggie burgers and other analogues. You'll have to experiment to find the ones that work for you. Cooking tofu and tempeh takes practice, but you'll get the hang of it. I also recommend making your own seitan (a.k.a. "wheat meat"), as the packaged stuff is way overpriced.

Third, you will have to learn to read labels. You see, gelatin pops up in odd places, and if you're going the ovo-lacto route, you'll want to make sure your cheese is rennet-free. You'll also want to make sure the glycerin in your stuff is vegetable glycerin.

www.vegweb.com is a great resource for veg*ans. You can also check out the book "Skinny *****" for more insight. "Being Vegetarian for Dummies" is another good one.

Answer 6

YES definitely you need to BE SAFE - especially if you are currently eating anything resembling the "Average American Diet." There is such a thing as a Transitional Diet to ease your system into a Full veggie diet. go online to "Ann Wigmore" i had the wonderful opportunity to work & study with her oh about 25 years ago, and i would reccomend her transisional programs & recipes to anyone in your position. as far as foods you like, maybe go to a local Farmer's Market check it out, don't know where on planet you are so reccomending stores kind of won't work, but i think "Whole Foods" is thru out USA. youre going to have to experiment w/diffrent veggies tofu and cooking methods, it can actually be fun trying out all kinds of new foods. your body will go thru some changes too(a kind of cleansing), do not get discouraged-change is good! As far as i know Fish has red blood , a face, and a MOM, in my book that is flesh. Hope this helps :) GOOD LUCK!

Answer 7

I did not "prepare" at all...I just did it. Fish is considered meat (by me anyway). Maybe start trying different stuff before you go full blown...try boca burgers, tofu...look up recipes on-line. I make black beans tacos a lot, eat whole grain pasta with homemade sauce...homemade pizza. If you like to cook you will be fine...it's actually kind of fun to explore new food options.

Answer 8

To become a vegetarian,you must try to give up meat. Eat mushrooms,Soy nuggets(they taste like meat!),and eat the vegetables you like. Cook different vegetables in different ways.Gradually you will find that you will grow to like vegetables and will not miss meat at all.Happy eating!

Answer 9

for a TRUE vegeterian, fish IS meat....your eating habbits would change dramatically, there are a lot of foods you would be suprized contain animal products (jello, mountain dew). You can find a vegeterain starter kit at
http://www.peta.org
good luck, and good choice!!

Answer 10

Determine and stick to your determination. Eating habits will automatically changed according to your determination. You will get required food easily as other vegetarians are getting. Fish is considered non -veg.

Answer 11

It's not some kind of religion you convert to.

Just stop eating meat if you don't like it. Fine.

Just don't become one of these weak, whiney losers that are more annoying about Vag-itarianism that the Fundy Christians.