Going Vegetarian?!
Going Vegetarian?
I recently decided to give vegetarianism a try, but I would like to know if anyone can give me an accurate run down of what I would need (i.e. vitamins, minerals, protein, etc.) every day, particulalry for the things that I would normally be getting from meat. If there are any sites that have meal plans that anyone knows of, that would be great too.
Additional Details2 months ago
One small issue I know I'll have is that I don't like tofu.
I'm Jewish, and keeping Kosher is extremely difficult unless you live in a Jewish area or are vegetarian, because most food companies have very low standards for health and morality. That's why I have decided to make the switch, and since my faith means a lot to me I would appreciate anyone not leaving any sarcastic or shall I say, less than helpful remarks. I have no interest in anyone's negative opinion.
Answers:
2 months ago
One small issue I know I'll have is that I don't like tofu.
I'm Jewish, and keeping Kosher is extremely difficult unless you live in a Jewish area or are vegetarian, because most food companies have very low standards for health and morality. That's why I have decided to make the switch, and since my faith means a lot to me I would appreciate anyone not leaving any sarcastic or shall I say, less than helpful remarks. I have no interest in anyone's negative opinion.
Eat a variety of "whole foods," with plenty of beans, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid unhealthy foods like trans fats, which are usually listed as partially hydrogenated oils. Deep-fried foods often contain trans fats. Choose margarines that use nonhydrogenated oil, like Earth Balance or Smart Balance. Although a diet consisting of Coke and French fries is technically vegan, you can't be healthy if you eat nothing but junk food. Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is produced by bacteria, and some experts believe that vegetarians used to get plenty of this vitamin from bacteria in drinking water. Since drinking water is now treated with chemicals that kill the bacteria, it's important to make sure that you get enough vitamin B12 from fortified foods (like most brands of soy or rice milks, some breakfast cereals, and many brands of nutritional yeast,also eggs and milk) on a daily basis or by taking a sublingual B12 tablet of 10 mcg per day
Iron-beans, dark green leafy vegetables (like spinach),whole grain breads, Also eat something with vitamin c when you eat something with iron, it increases absorption
Calcium-dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, soymilk)
Protein-Isn't really hard to get, just eat a variety of foods, good sources are beans, brown rice, nuts, whole grain breads, soy foods
Omega-3 fatty acids-flax seeds/oil,walnuts,canola oil
Zinc-pumpkin seeds (best source), beans and lentils, yeast, nuts, seeds and whole grain cereals
Selenium-Brazil nuts are a particularly good source of selenium, so try to eat a couple every day. Eating a small bag of mixed unsalted nuts can be a convenient way to get your daily selenium intake, but make sure it contains Brazils. Bread and eggs also provide some selenium.
Vitamin D- Vitamin D, often called the sunshine vitamin, is another common deficiency in those not drinking vitamin D fortified milk. Synthetic vitamin D is added to both cow’s milk and most brands of soy milk today.
Vitamins A (beta carotene),C, K, E and Folate-variety of fruits and veggies
Iodine-Iodine is a trace mineral that's important for healthy thyroid function. Table salt is the most common and reliable source of iodine in Americans' diets. (However, sodium in processed foods usually does not contain iodine.) If you don't consume table salt, you can get iodine from a multivitamin or from kelp tablets.
Source(s):
See the new four food groups at:
http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/f...
It depends on how "veetarian" you're going. My sister cut out all red meats, but will still eat fish and poultry. If you're cutting out all meats, the main thing you'll need is protein. You might also want to supplement for Vitamin B12, but most cereals do have this in them. Iron is another thing that is high in meats, which you might be lacking if you're not careful. You can find iron in other products, but might want to just take a supplement for it. As for meal plans, try theses sites:
http://www.veggiemealplans.com/...
http://www.chatelaine.com/english/food/a...
I like the second one because it gives you some really neat recipes, such as the salsa mac-n-cheese and tells you exactly what you need to eat to have a nutrional diet for that day.
Whats the point?
I mean, even if you decide not to eat meat, its still going to be dead, right? Not that I'm saying Its a bad decision, it just never made sense to me.
Either way, I just see it as a waste of food, and I think it would be more work figuring out what you would need.
But, if thats truly your decision, so be it. I'm not trying to be rude or anything.....so good luck with your new lifestyle.
Ur gonna have 2 eat meat 2 replace the meat.
I think that vegetarianism is a very healthy diet. For 1 reason, you don't consume as much fat and oils that belong to other living things.It is scientifically proven that most vegetarians live healthier lifestyles than non-vegetarians I also believe that it is wrong to eat meat for 1 basic fact that you are murdering. As bad as that sounds, everyone that eats meat is a murderer, and i don't mean that disrespectfully at all. As funny as it sound, when a butcher kills a cow or pig...you have to realize that he/she is killing another animal's sister, brother, mother, father, cousin, aunt, etc...Plus I know you must have heard this many times...but how would you feel if someone was killing you that brutally so they can keep their tummies full? Makes you think doesn't it?
I have been a vegetarian all my life...but some of my friends are thinking of being a veg too so this is what i tell them...if ever you feel like eating meat..then carry a photo or sticker from PETA...that says fish are friends not food or something...if you want them...check out PETA2.com and order them. Just looking at a sticker or an animal in pain will drive away your craving! I know that it is a big step to take...but now a days there is "fake meat". It is actually tofu made by the Bhuddist monks of Nepal (i think). It tastes just like meat and you can eat it with a guilt-free conscience. If you want to purchase that..then go on PETA2.com and you can order the food. Or for the week you can ask your friends to be vegetarians with you...that way you can have fun and it won't be too hard.
Praise God. That is one of the best decisions that anyone can possibly make for their overall health and prosperity. Regardless what man may say, flesh foods take much longer to digest, putting a heavier burden on the body, thus taxing much more energy and applying toxins to the body. Flesh foods also increase acidity in the blood, greatly, which paves way for cancer to take over and other illnesses as well. A non-flesh diet is what our Creator had in store for us to begin with (read Gen 1 and 2), only did meats come when the flood did, for you cannot have a garden in a flood (read Gen 9). Flesh foods are very diseased now, including fish and chicken, and is the diet that will best suit anyone who is conscientious about maintaining and taking the best care of the bodies that God has given to them. If you eat plenty of legumes and nuts, maybe adding some molasses, you should not really have to take much supplements at all. The only places that have protein deficiencies are the places that have food deficiences. B-complex and iron may be the only things that you have to be concerned about but that is what the legumes, nuts and molasses are for. Every body is different and may require a little adjustment, because of the depletion of the earth's resources through sin.
www.veganoutreach.org get your vitamin info here. Recipes at www.vegweb.com It's basically the same meal plan as any, just when you would normally have meat, have a high protein veg option like nuts, seeds, beans or fake meat. It's even easier if you still eat eggs and dairy (but not very low in fat/cholesterol)
You'll get more than adequate protein.
Vegetarians really don't need to worry about anything particularly; vegans have to be a little more conscious about nutrition but its worth it.
beans, cashews, and potatos are all very high in protein adn iron
I understand you don't like tofu - it took me years to know how to do it the good way.
There's 2 recipes - if you want to give it a try !
http://index-go.com/health_fitness_medic...