Why are some vegetarians obsessed with dairy?!
I've seen that some vegetarians give their main protein sources as cheese, milk, and eggs. Why? Haven't you discovered the power of the plant protein yet?
I usually buy the vegan cookbooks. I heard some great things about certain vegetarian cookbooks but they have cheese or butter or eggs in almost every recipe, so I avoid them.
Answers: It seems like when people give up meat they overcompensate by consuming unhealthy amounts of dairy. I don't mean to generalize, sorry, but it happens.
I've seen that some vegetarians give their main protein sources as cheese, milk, and eggs. Why? Haven't you discovered the power of the plant protein yet?
I usually buy the vegan cookbooks. I heard some great things about certain vegetarian cookbooks but they have cheese or butter or eggs in almost every recipe, so I avoid them.
That's a very good point you've raised. Substituting cheese for meat causes problems because cheese has virtually no iron or zinc, and is generally higher in saturated fat (unless low fat cheese). Replacing the meat with legumes or tofu, at least partially, will replace not only the protein but also those minerals.
I also see eggs being mentioned when someone asks about sources of protein. No doubt they are, but they are certainly not the highest in terms of practical purposes. One egg is about 10% protein by fresh weight, which is lower than even pasta (15%) and beans (20-25%). However, although a dried egg would have more protein than dried legumes, you can consume 200 grams of dried beans daily with no problems. 200 grams of dried eggs is going to shoot your cholesterol up (this is equivalent to 2 lbs of fresh eggs).
If one were to stick to a 'healthy' limit of, say, 2 eggs a day, that is only 12 grams of protein. That's the amount of protein in a single serving of pasta or half a serving of beans. Pasta isn't exactly the healthiest food out there, but I wish people gave it (and bread, and rice) some credit for the protein it provides. The food pyramid propagates the erroneous notion that there are "carb foods" and "protein foods" even though this only refers to the major nutrient in those foods. "Carb foods" provide half the protein in the average human being's diet, even an omnivorous human!
So true. I realized before I went from veg to vegan, I was eating waaaay too much dairy, (mainly cheese). Even more than when I was omni. I think it's a comfort food, and it's kind of addictive. Once I made the decision to stop, that was it. I went cold turkey with cheese and I feel much healthier for it.
i used to not really like nuts much when i became a vegetarian. now i do plus i drink soy. i still have dairy, just not as much.
It's probably to get the fat and protein they're missing out on.
haha, your question made me laugh because I am so obsessed with dairy at the moment! Not cheese, but natural yogurt.
I cannot defend myself. Why am I so obsessed with natural yogurt? I think its the bitterness. And its so wonderfully creamy. Mmmm! XD
cool question, you can have a star! ;-)
I became a vegetarian about 5 months ago. When i cut meat from my diet, I started going crazy about dairy. (my friends started calling a a fruit-itarian instead of a veg-itarian) I had milk, cheese, and eggs all day long. This was because im not a big fan of vegetables. but since meat was a big part of what i usually eat, i had to expand my diet. I started to eat more and more vegetables each day. ^_^
When people give up meat, you will often hear them say that they are craving protein, and they think that dairy products are helping that. What their bodies are actually craving is fat, however, and that could easily be solved with peanut butter, or an avocado.
Dairy products are naturally addictive- it aids survival of the young. Of course, all other species are WEANED before adulthood...
Dairy? really? I always thought it was carbs.
People foolishly think they need the dairy and eggs for the protein. And I guess a lot of them don't realize the cruelty inherent in dairy and eggs.
i don't know any vegs who did this, but i could easily see it happening. especially if your young and your parents insist that this is what you need to get your protein! i can't tell you how i got eggs and milk pushed on me! it's not necessary though... i love cheese too much right now to give up but i don't drink milk, yogurt, ice cream or eggs now and i manage to get more protein than i need.
It's a bit silly, because the dairy industry is directly related to the Veal industry. I don't think vegetarians realise this.
Haha so true I guess its a comfort food or like a guilty pleasure that we can get away with.
Well, it's just that dairy is nicer than vegetables.