Question about becoming vegetarian??!
Answers: Is it true I can eat things like jell-o, pop tarts, skittles, or star burst and things like that?? Why or why not? And what kind of vitamines would I have to take if i'm only veg not vegan?
All of those foods contain something called gelatin. Gelatin is basically crushed bones and ligaments of animals. It is used as a thickener. So you wouldn't be able to eat those things. If you are a vegetarian and you eat dairy and eggs then you wouldn't have to take any vitamins, but if you decided to become a vegan then you would have to take a b12 vitamin or you can eat algae, which most people don't want to eat. B12 is a micro-organism found in the soil. When plant foods are sprayed with pesticides, they then don't contain b12 anymore. But taking a simple b12 vitamin is a small price to pay for saving lives. Go veg. :)
No one lives on Skittles, Jello, Pop Tarts and Star Bursts. Snacks, candy, empty calories, and sugary stuff laden with gelatin are not the stuff of a good balanced vegetarian diet.
Vitamin B12 is available in fermented foods like Tempeh and in Nutritional Yeast not algae as reported. However, if you are eating dairy you are getting some B12. though perhaps not enough
Being Vegetarian or Vegan isn't about leaving the flesh foods alone only. It is embracing a healthful way of life and balanced nutrition.
Yes and No. Some of them contain gelatin. Which is made form 44% Pig Skin, 28% Bovine Hides, 27% Bones. Vegetarians avoid gelatin and use other emulsifiers instead, such as agar, carrageenan, pectin, or konnyaku. Common examples of foods that contain gelatin are gelatin desserts, jelly, trifles, aspic, marshmallows, and confectioneries such as Peeps and gummy bears. Gelatin may be used as a stabilizer, thickener, or texturizer in foods such as ice cream, jams, yogurt, cream cheese, and margarine.
Most vegetarians do not concern themselves with gelatin. Gelatin comes from animals, but it is not meat. It is an animal by-product, similar to eggs, which most vegetarians eat. It's up to you if you want to eat gelatin or not, but I would suggest you eliminate meat first and continue to eat gelatin, at least in the beginning.
I don't think you should take any vitamins unless you take a blood test and find a deficiency.
I think most vegetarians avoid gelatin. But I'm sure there are some who still eat those candies. It's up to you how far you choose to take you vegetarianism. You can be relaxed about it and eat candy or you can be strict and eliminate dairy and/or eggs. It's really up to you. But gelatin isn't really vegetarian, so I would avoid it where ever possible since there are lots of plant based alternatives to gelatin.
Well, I'm sorry, but you can eat jello, frosted pop tarts, skittles, marshmallows, or starburst because they all have gelatin in them. Gelatin is made by boiling animal ligaments or skin to form a clear odorless substance. You don't need to take any vitamins as long as you eat lots of protein and a well balanced diet. But the gelatin thing isn't is bad as it sounds. You may think you can never have candy again, but there are plenty of veg*n sweets out there like rice mellow, vegan cookies, vegan cake, vegan gummi bears, and lots more!
These are good cookies: http://alternativebaking.com
All of those items listed are made with gelatin. Gelatin is made by taking the bones, hides and connective tissues of slaughtered animals and boiling them. Vegetarians don't just avoid eating meat, they also avoid the byproducts made from those dead animals. (There's a big difference between an egg, from a live animal, and gelatin, from a dead one.)
If you're eating a varied, balanced vegetarian diet, you can meet all of your nutritional needs without supplements. There is nothing in meat that can't be gotten from a plant source. If you're interested in nourishing yourself with food instead of vitamin pills, pick up a copy of "The New Becoming Vegetarian" by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina. They are both registered dietitians and have written a thorough volume on vegetarian nutrition.
Vegetarians do not (as a rule) eat gelatin. However, it is up to you. If you decide you are not going to eat meat, poultry or seafood, but you have to have your Skittles, the vast majority of people in the world would still consider you a vegetarian.