becoming a vegetarian?

Question

I am seriously considering not eating meat... though I still will continue to have eggs, milk, and cheese. Any advice on this? What do I need to eat or vitamins do I need to take to ensure I get enough protein... and how much do I need? Thanks!

Answer 1

You don't need special supplements..

Just eat a wide variety of whole grains, fruits, nuts, and legumes, and use highly processed soy meats, milk, eggs, and dairy in MODERATION and you'll be fine.. You'll get all the nutrition you need.

Remember.. balance and variety is the key..

And by the way.. as a CHrisitian Vegetarian I HAVE to respond to Wyatt.. If you read the whole chapter of Genesis 1 and 2 you will see that God gave Adam and Eve a VEGAN diet in the beginning.. It wasn't until the flood that he even gave PERMISSION for mankind to eat meat (DUR.. the plants would take time to re-grow after the flood).. anyway.. DOMINION in the verse Wyatt discribed had nothing to do with exploiting them, torturing them, or killing them.. IT meant that mankind would be greater than any other animal.. more intelligent, etc.. we'd be the rulers of earth... which we are..

Answer 2

It's a mis-conception that we veg heads don't get enough protein. Everything we eat has protein so you'll be fine there. You really don't need vitamins either. The only thing that you may get less of are B vitamins otherwise you're good. By the way, if someone say you'll need iron they're wrong. Iron from plant sources is much better than iron from animal sources. Think about it getting all your vitamins and minerals from plant sources makes more sense because it hasn't been already partially used up by an animal.

Answer 3

The protein myth has got to be one of the most insidious ones out there. Even vegans get more protein than they really need, which is about 1/3 to 1/2 gram of protein per pound of body weight a day.

Look, unless you're eating a junk-food diet or you're not getting enough calories, you are probably getting enough--if not more than enough--protein. Too much protein, especially animal protein (and this includes dairy and eggs) causes you to lose calcium from your bones. It also taxes your kidneys, which is why people with renal disease are put on low-protein diets.

You might want to check out the book "Skinny *****" by Kim Barnouin and Rory Freidman, as that gives you tons of information about a vegan diet. There's also "Being Vegetarian for Dummies" by Suzanne Havala Hobbs, a nutritionist.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Hi julie,

You can forget the myths of needing vitamins or taking special steps to get protien.

There is more that enough goodness is a normal balance of fruit, veggies, dairy, nuts and cereals.

Perhaps look though the pages fo the vegetarian society to get some info. The pages are clear, simple and non preachy - just facts.

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

they ahve pages on protein, iron, nutriants etc. They tell you why you need it, how muhc, and where a veggie diet gives you these products.

They also have veggie-starter packs for you.

http://www.vegsoc.org/newveg/

veggie for 27 years, there is no need for meat, vitamins pills, supplements etc.

best of luck with it !

Things like the answer below about doing lots of research and its a very disaplined lifestyle are just not true. I've never given any thoguht to my diet, i just avoid meat, fish, poultry and slaughter by-products, other than that I dont check, measure, wonder, research....no need at all. I only came across the veggie soc website since joining this forum.

I wonder what thier basis for saying this is. Often we hear things like "I've got a friend who....." Well, so what, whos to say that friend knows anything or eats anything like a proper diet, with or without meat.

" I know a lot of vegatarians that are overweight "....thats strange, we are constantly being told in this forum that we are all skinny and weak.

Answer 5

About the only problem you will have in getting enough nutrients will be iron and B12. BUT if you eat a fortified cereal, peanut butter, legumes and dark green leafy things, you will be fine. Remember, recommended daily for meat group is only 2 - 3 4 oz servings per day, so that should tell you, you don't need much. If your still concerned, you could always add a B12 &/or iron supplement, but the iron can make you constipated and can also be deadly if you take to much. B12 is realitivly harmless, but will turn your urine flourescent yellow. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Basically proteins are comprised of essential amino acids. To my understanding, there is no vegetable that contains all the essential amino acids.

So the main thing about being a vegetarian is to eat a variety of foods. Spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, green beans, soy, nuts (as long as you are not allergic), whole grains, rice, aspharagus, lentils, and cereals.

Cheese, milk, and eggs contain proteins. However, you don't want to eat too many eggs as they are high in cholestrol or eat only egg whites. You can as well, get those protein powders that are based on soy and grains .. many atheletes use those. And have a glass or two every couple of days.

You may want to consider including fish in your diet. Fish and fish oil contains certain nutrients that are good for you skin, hair, and general well being and not found in other foods. As well, fish I think are not as highly developed animals as chickens, goats, cows, etc.. so from an ethical perspective they probably feel less pain.

Answer 7

You need to research on eating to compensate for no meat in your diet- dried beans, tofu... I have been a vegetarian since I was a teenager ( 40 years ) and I take a 'Green Source' vitamin and iron.

Answer 8

You want to become a Ovo-lacto vegetarian? That's what I am... I don't take any vitamins but when I play sports I take Iron supplements bc I get bad muscle cramps without them... So that may be a good idea...

Answer 9

Get your protein from beans, peanut butter, yogurt, cheese, etc. Once you stop eating meat, you will lose the taste for it. Meats will literally become inedible.

Answer 10

All you need to do is make sure you get enough protein! Tofu, soy, nuts, cheese, and beans are all great sources of protein!