I'm thinking about going vegetarian or at least piscivorous?!
Is there anything I should know about being vegetarian, or at least piscivorous/pescetarian?
Answers: For Lent in my church, you have to give up something for 40 days leading up until Easter. My Lent hasn't started yet because I'm Orthodox Christian. I was thinking of doing a 'trial run' because I'm very concerned with animal rights.
Is there anything I should know about being vegetarian, or at least piscivorous/pescetarian?
Well, first off, remember to take extra daily vitamins/supplements in addition to eating healthy. (By the way, there was a HUGE beef recall recently due to an animal rights problem) If you have any large medical problems that may be effected by becoming vegetarian, check with your doctor. You might want to talk to your doctor/parents....etc. Also, if you DO become vegetarian, you may want your iron levels checked at checkups by your doctor. Long term studies show vegetarianism to increase longevity, improve health, and significantly lower risks of cancer and other diseases. Keep in mind that you may want to look at your situation and see what your family eats. If you family is big on meat it may be a little harder to adjust. Start slow (stop eating one kind of meat, then slowly stop eating other forms of meat) Keep in mind there are millions of other people that are happy vegetarians, so it is possible! :)
Just be sure to get enough protein. If you become a pescetarian that'll meet most of your protein needs, but you could also increase your intake of soy products and nuts, beans, and so on. Eggs are a very good protein source, but most people should limit their consumption to around 5 or 6 eggs a week at the most. You should also make sure you're still getting enough iron, but there are either vitamin supplements or foods rich in iron that should make up the difference.
One thing to watch out for is that when a lot of people give up eating meat, they start to overeat carbohydrates which can cause weight gain. Try to keep an eye on that, and increase your vegetable intake instead.
don't be a vegetarian as a Christian you should recognize that if god did not want us to eat animals we wouldn't.
good for you! - read genesis 1:29.
I am proud of you for taking the steps. look it an't gone be pretty and an't easy. but you will be healthier stronger, and the best ever. so just do it! stop eating the meat!
Go and be strong and kind! and make a positive change.
Plan your meals. + there are loads of faux meats, try them too. and most of this stuff you can find in your local food store. -
1) Breakfast: cereal, toast, bagel, fruit etcs.. - this covers your daily carbs, better to have carbs in the morning versus at night.
2) Mid morning: yogurt, apple, protein bar. this will give you energy
3) Lunch: veggie sandwich, grilled veggies, veggie soup with lots of beans - you'll get your proteins and with the veggies, get your "a,b,c,d,e" vitamins.
4) Dinner: big spinach salad, or a leafy green salad, with a main course veggie dish. the salad covers your iron and more protein, with great vitamins. - b12
The main course veggie dish, - you can basically have what you want as along as it not to heavey in crabs. like don't eat loads and loads of paste or bread. but a little is good!
For ideas for recipes go on-line and there are loads of healthy free veggie recipes!
why dot you just give up chocolate?
I see that most people on here are advocating that being vegetarian is just eating lots of salads and fruit. That's not true at all. I have been vegetarian my entire life and there honestly isn't that much you "can't" eat.
When you go out, get a veggie burger instead of a regular burger. I'll just give you an idea of what I eat every day.
Breakfast: Some type of toast, cereal, and some fruit. On the weekends I'll have waffles/pancakes, tater tots and Morning Star sausage patties (they're the BOMB and they're totally veggie!)
Lunch: Pasta, salad, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, peroegies (pasta with potatoes and cheese inside, put some tomato sauce over them and cook. Yum!), veggie burger, hotdogs (yep! Still veggie!) and the list goes on...
for dinner: toast with avocado and tomato on it or bruschetta sauce, veggie sushi (you can get it at Trader Joes) mac & cheese, chips and salsa, sauted vegetables.
As far as dining out:
Taco Bell: you can take meat off of anything and replace it with beans
Burger King: veggie burger, fries
Italian Restaurants: any pasta dish (make sure the sauce is vegetarian), eggplant parmisagna, bread sticks, salad.
Mexican Restaurants: Any dish pretty much, just ask them to sub the meat for beans and/or rice and they will usually do it. (i.e. chimichanga, ask to have beans, rice, cheese inside instead of the meat.
Chinese restaurants: They usually have lots of vegetarian selections as it is.
So it's pretty simple once you get the hang of it. I think most people don't want to try being vegetarian because there will be "nothing to eat." Well, that's not true as I eat everywhere I go just fine. If you don't see anything on the menu for veggies, ask.
Good luck!
**edit: If you're dying to have the meat taste, get some Boca Burgers. My fiancé who eats meat says they taste just like meat. If you want some that taste good, but not necessarily like meat, Morning Star Grillers are suuuper yummy!