Thinking of becoming veg?

Question

I have been thinking about becoming a vegaterian for a couple of years now but it is really personal after being forced to go into a slaughter house in Costa Rica over the summer while on a school trip.

I have been holding out because I don't like a whole lot of veggies. Can you email me some recipies that you eat on a regular basis so I can try them for a week or two and see how it goes?

Also my family loves having family dinner about twice a week. They know I have problems with most meat (I don't eat meat if it has a bone in it and I try to only eat organic) but how to I tell them that I am a vegetarian? they know I am thinking about it but I don't want my brother (an avid hunter) to make my life miserable. Also I am married and I don't want to force my openions on my husband (he is a great guy and would not be mad at any discision I would make). has anyone else delt with this? I don't want to make two meals every night. How do I ballance all of this? Any help would be great!

Meat eater~ this is not a question about weather or not its just how to make the transition and making an informed desision. I have done lots of research (I am an animal nutrition major) I have made an apointment with a nutritionist at my school quack shack to talk about supplements. Any more advice is great thanks all!

My husband is allergic to tree nuts so that will also limit my shopping list.

Answer 1

I sympathize with you. I became vegetarian for a while. Now I eat meat products sparingly or reserve it for when I am out to dinner or with family because its just too difficult to be observant in my present environment. I did initially have problems with people (family) because of my lifestyle change, but they got used to it and now it is a moot point.

My advice is to gradually remove meat products from your diet instead of just suddenly not eating meat (you may feel weak and ill if you make the transition too abruptly). You will need to consider eating dishes that contain rice and vegetables, soy bean products such as tofu and tempeh, and pasta-vegetable dishes. I eat a lot of mushrooms, too, which are high in vegetable protein. I can certainly email you some recipes or guidelines about how to prepare veggies and grains in a way that is appetizing and not hippy-veggie exotic. Send me a message with an email address through my Answers profile if you want this kind of info.

Answer 2

I have been a vegetarian for about 20 years. Eat a lot of the vegetables you do like, I like a limited assortment as well. If you enjoy eating foods with ground meat (i.e. chili ,burgers) you can buy bulgar, which is a soy product to use instead. I use this and my father (also an avid hunter) eats it without knowing and does not know the difference. Nuts are also a good source of protein. Tofu is an aquired taste. My son is not a veg. so when I am cooking I make his 'meat' while I am preparing mine. He also has come to enjoy non-meat dishes. As for your family, you will get flak but be strong and stick by your convictions. Educate yourself and them on the reasoning behind your conversion. After a number of years they will stop bothering you. A magazine called Vegetarian Times which includes recipes is quite good. Good Luck! It can be difficult, I still miss bacon and gravy on my fries.

Answer 3

Hi

firstly get some support & find a local veggie group & also online as it really helped me

the cooking thing is best if you look at what you like, even meaty dishes and make a veggie version

so find veggie burgers, mince etc
there are lots of places online with recipies but then learn to find new things you like

I got a little grief from my family and they quickly discovered they liked my veggie foods too as well as meaty ones

Im now vegan and there is no shortage of options.

Also if with company that make the food - just ask for the fruit & veg options - or take along some veggie burgers & sausagaes etc

its moe of a journey so you will learn all the way and I found that most people will respect your views- but do repsect others too - avoid arguments as no one will win.

also join up with VIVA & the vegetarian society as you will get so much info & recipies
these oranisations produce great mags which help as your family will read them if you leave them lying around
& probably take in the info better then if you explain it to them

there is so much help out there
& dont forget your free veggie starter packs
http://www.alternativesouls.com/vv/

nutritional advice
http://www.drjoeesposito.com/

Answer 4

Well there are a lot of recipes and things you can eat although you don't like veggies. There are many kinds of veggie burgers, fake chicken patties/nuggets, soy lunch meats (Tofurkey is severely good), and eggs if you are planning to eat those still. You can do a lot with pastas, beans, etc.

You may find that incorporating veggies into your diet slowly will result in you liking them.

It can be annoying to have to make multiple meals, but instead of thinking about it like that, consider ways to make things go either way. For example, you could make spaghetti with regular tomato sauce, and have meat on the side for your husband to add to his. You just have to be a little more creative with things. There are many foods that you can just omit the meat from, and he may not even mind.

Don't worry about your brother. People will always make fun of others who aren't like them, mainly because they don't understand the differences. He'll get over once he sees you are comfortable in your choice.

Good luck, and glad to see someone else want to become vegetarian!

Answer 5

I cannot even begin to tell you the health benefits of becoming a vegetarian/vegan! Not to mention you would be helping in ending cruelty and environmental issues. Yeah....just by not eating animals, you are helping the environment. I'll give you a site to look at and learn more. It will all make sense once you do research on it. These are some great sites. GOOD LUCK!
Oh...and it is hard to tell a carnivorous family that you will no longer be participating in the dining of flesh.....but they will get used to it. My parents did when I took the turn in my teens. They were hard headed at first, considering we were a bunch of Dallas Texans who could not fathom no meat (GASP!!!!), but they did become very supportive. They still are, even though my dad still tries to get me to eat certain animals by using the argument "They're stupid." I laugh it off and order a baked potato.
Again...good luck. I hope you can follow through.

Answer 6

I don't know many recipies, but there are alot of veggies that if cooked the right way can take the place of meat entirely. Eggplant, okra, squash. Those can all be made in to patties for burgers and such. Try getting a veggie cookbook and see what you can find. The internet should be a helpful place as well.

Answer 7

We have been progressing to a more vegetarian diet since January due to cholesterol and other concerns. My fiance is also allergic to nuts, coconut, and has cut out sugar and potatoes due to glycemic index concerns, so its been challenging cooking.

The web site below has some info on making the transition as well as links to recipes on their Meatless Mondays newsletter.

You don't have to make two meals, maybe more side dishes. To make the transition, try cutting your meat portions in half. You will also probably save money on groceries.

The important things are to replace the fat from meat (for feeling satisfied); and to make sure you get complete protein which can be difficult.

There are textured vegetable protein (TVP) substitutes for chicken, beef, pepperoni, etc. that you can mail order; they can enable you to make meals like chili or whatever that still seem like they have meat in them.

Make sure you also switch to whole grains as you will probably rely more on carbs and the whole grains are better for you in a lot of ways.

We make big salads; serve grilled chicken or beef strips on the side that he can add on.

Soups/stews with barley, rice, etc.

Couscous is a good and easy meal

Snack on hummus and pita bread or veggies with dip

Use portabello mushrooms as a meat substitute also - grilled for a sandwich, sliced in lasagna, or eggplant slices, such as in eggplant parmesan.

Answer 8

i use to practice vegetarianism religiously for a couple decades ... then i took a trip to south america and did a lot of hiking/exploring, everywhere we went, there was mainly meat to eat by the locals, many times there were no vegetables available and i devoured the meat for 3 weeks .... now that i'm back home in the states, i eat vegetables 6 days a week and have meat on the 7th day.
i wish you good luck in your conversion

Answer 9

my dad was a vegetarian as i was growing up. they have vegetarian everything nowadays. i still prefer to use veggie ground beef instead of the real thing. you can make just about everything veggie (theres a whole section in the grocery store with everything... even corn dogs). make vegetarian meals a few times a week but mix it up. try stuff like perogies (they have meat or veggie) and make the meat for him and the veggie for you. make the veggie meat for you and the real for him. plus i bet he would never notice if you fed him the fake stuff...i used to cook it all the time and very few people noticed.

Answer 10

It's really not that big of a deal. You're making a lot of drama for no reason.

Just quit eating meat. Get a couple of cookbooks or just make your favorite foods without meat - stir fry, lasagne, tacos/burritos, pizza, salads, pastas, etc. can all be delicious and taste almost exactly the same without meat. You can even grill a chicken breast on the side for your husband, or he can cook his own piece of meat if he wants to.