I'm confused?!
I'm confused?
i just became a vegetarian and im so happy. the problen is i dont eat very well as it is already. i dont take vits dont workout but im small 5'4 109, dont eat breakfast, dont eat potatos, i do eat brown rice, wheat noodles and wheat bread, hate cake pies and candy. when i say i dont eat well i mean i sometimes eat only once a day being that im in school fulltime and i work 2 jobs to pay for school. my family and friends dont think its a good idea because of my eating habits but i just cant eat meat anymore after a friend of mine showed me how the animals are treated. i cried for days. i wanna do this but i dont want to make myself sick and bring on other health problems. please help me. what can i do what should i do. CONFUSED
Answers:
You must learn to eat breakfast, I use to not like breakfast either, but you don't have to eat a big one, just something to get your body going. Like a smoothie, pancakes and fruit. Yogurt, fried bananas (I know that sounds weird but I absolutely love fried bananas) Or at least cereal, you can try different types of cereal different kinds of milk. You should exercise a little, just find something fun, dance, play sports, or just jog at least, do a half hour a day. Make sure you eat every food group, eat vegetable proteins such as soy products, or if you dont like that beans, refried beans, bean burritos, hummus, falafels, anything. Also try peas and nuts. Tell your parents that you will make your eating habits better if they let you become vegetarian and maybe help prepare veg meals, good luck!
One meal a day is not healthy, vegetarian or not.
My recommendation would be to fix your eating habits now and then try vegetarianism once you are eating well. Trying to change things up while you are so unstable could cause harm.
You can do your best for right now. Instead of getting a Chicken Taco at Taco Bell, get a bean burrito. Instead of getting Clam Chowder soup, get Vegetarian Vegetable. Instead of making turkey sandwiches for yourself, make PB&J or fake turkey sandwiches. Just avoid meat where you can, but you seriously need to start eating better.
Here are some quick tips:
Add breakfast to your meals. It's the most important meal of the day. Here's also where you can maximize your nutrient intake. I usually take yogurt with granola and throw in some fresh or dried fruits.
Also make sure you take in ample greens and beans. That includes soy... for protein. You may also want to consider taking flax seed oil every day to compensate for the lack of omega 3 fatty acids found in fish. All it takes is either a capsule a day or a couple of tablespoons of flaz seeds in your granola yogurt in the morning.
Potatoes are also an excellent choice, if they are boiled with skin on. You should not eliminate that from your diet. You could bake them in the microwave if you are tight on time.
Eat lots of fresh veggies + fruits, a reasonable amount of nuts and protein (gluten from wheat or seitan/tofu from soy) to get proper nutrition. A quick way for me to prep meals (I work and study full time) is to cook hearty soups every couple of weeks with veggies and barley/oats and then freeze them in small containers. Stirfries on weekends, enough to last a couple of days. Frozen edamame that I can just nuke at work and munch. Bean salad if I am too tight on time (cans of corn, chick peas, kidney beans and black beans with salt, paprika, lemon juice, dried herbs like chives/oregano, olive oil and pepper - takes literally five minutes). Throw in chopped celery and tomato if you have a few minutes.
I hope that helps...
You don't need to take vitamins if you eat properly. It's not a big deal to eat 3 meals...just eat them. 1 meal a day is NOT healthy. Start to eat some snacks during the day and eventually move onto 3 square meals.
ok here's my ideal, eat more fruits and dried fruits and nuts and seeds, trust me, you'll like em, cause it's good food, your body knows it and you'll be fine
buy bananas and bring them with you to work, eat 3 or more at a time then you'll be full, and it's totally ok to eat alot of fruits it won't be bad for you.
and when hungry you can eat dried fruit, which stores very well, put them in small bags and take with you anywhere, you can eat anywhere, just eat as much as possible and stop before you feel full because it'll expand in your stomach so you can't eat too much,
put seeds or nuts in small bags and take with you and eat anywhere, get peanuts, high in protein, get sunflower seeds, any seed and nut you can buy in a gerocy store is good for you
your body is crying for MEAT!! you must learn to adjust if thats the way you want it. other wise, you will have to get by on small amounts of lean meat such as chicken and fish plus a GENEROUS supply of veggies. try not to worry about how meat animals are raised and slaughtered, its beyond your control anyway. just remember that your body need the protein and amino acids to thrive. as you adjust to the veggie diet, you can wean yourself from the meat. and im not a vegetarian by any means.
try to drink more soymilk and eat more tofu...and take a vitamin, just to cover yourself.OK?
Pack food and snacks to go. Eat at the same times everyday, every 2 hours. Light breakfast, 2 hours later have a light snack (fresh fruit/ veggies), 2 hours later have a small lunch, 2 hours later snack again, 2 hours later small dinner. The idea is to eat small meals and small snacks every 2 hours. You'll find that you'll have more energy and brain power throughout the day. Go to your local health food store. and talk to a dietician or nutritionist for vitamins, minerals, and protiens. Make sure to drink PLENTY of water and fluids to keep you hydrated. Good luck.