Has becoming a vegetarian limited or expanded your food choices?!
For me, it's expanded them!. It's made me think "outside the box" and try new things!. I never would have eaten tofu or swiss chard or brussel sprouts or yams before becoming vegetarian!. I think it's funny when people ask what I eat, because the question should be what DON'T I eat, besides meat!. I eat a wider variety of food than any meat eater I know!.
Anyone else feel the same!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Anyone else feel the same!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
I'm right there with you sister!
My diet has expanded exponentially since becoming vegetarian (and then eventually vegan)!. I would have never eaten steel cut oats, black bean burgers, tofu, seitan, quinoa, soy cheese, and other yummy foods!.
I had NO idea what I was missing!
::EDIT:: Wow!. Is it just me or did some responders miss the point to the question!? No one is saying that the foods we list were not previously available to us!. We're just saying that we would have never tried them before!.!.!.eliminating meat from our diet has caused us to look at different foods (and sometimes take a second look at familiar foods) and prepare them in interesting ways!. And the only thing that a meatless diet *limits* for me is a triple bypass!. (lol!!)Www@FoodAQ@Com
My diet has expanded exponentially since becoming vegetarian (and then eventually vegan)!. I would have never eaten steel cut oats, black bean burgers, tofu, seitan, quinoa, soy cheese, and other yummy foods!.
I had NO idea what I was missing!
::EDIT:: Wow!. Is it just me or did some responders miss the point to the question!? No one is saying that the foods we list were not previously available to us!. We're just saying that we would have never tried them before!.!.!.eliminating meat from our diet has caused us to look at different foods (and sometimes take a second look at familiar foods) and prepare them in interesting ways!. And the only thing that a meatless diet *limits* for me is a triple bypass!. (lol!!)Www@FoodAQ@Com
I have to agree with youWww@FoodAQ@Com
I'm new at vegetarianism and I feel the same way!. At first I felt deprived!. Then I started trying new things and re-trying old things!. It's been an adventure so far :-)Www@FoodAQ@Com
It definitely has - who would have thought tofu was so versatile and tasty!? Or that beans were so good!? I never used to eat them unless they were baked! I've also developed a liking for spicy food!. I eat tons of seeds now, and my salads are pretty inventive!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I eat all of those things NOW, and I'm not a vegetarian!. Of course, it LIMITS your food choices, since you have no meats to also choose from!.!.!.!.!.!.!. but, it's just your own mind that limits your food choices, no matter whether you're a vegetarian or not!. I like to try a new food or recipe at least once a week!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
By default it must limit them!. As a meat eater you have the option to eat everything and anything while as a non-meater, you take away meat!. It's just simple math!.
You claim that it opened your eyes to new foods but those foods were always available for you!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
You claim that it opened your eyes to new foods but those foods were always available for you!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
My diet has expamded since i went vegan!.
I eat more variety aswell!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I eat more variety aswell!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I totally agree!! I used to not eat any vegetables other than corn and potatoes!. Since going veg I've tried soooo many new things, and there are very few that I haven't liked!. It's opened up a new world of foods to me that I had never paid attention to before!. I was just telling my husband last night that it's funny how I crave vegetables now that I never would have thought to eat before!. Being veg is great fun!.!.!.!.all kinds of new things come around =)Www@FoodAQ@Com
It hasn't really expanded my food choices because those are also available to meat-eaters but veganism definitely opened my eyes to all the different plant foods out there!. For example I had never heard of or used: quinoa, lentils, courgettes, almond butter, sesame tahini, edamame, collards, tempeh, seitan, etc!. until I switched over!.
also, when I was omni my only vegetables were spinach and potatoes!.!.!.!.oh! and do those little green specs in top ramen seasoning count!? haha!.
I know that those foods were out there before but I never took the time to embrace them like I do now, so it does feel like I've expanded my choices, in a way!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
also, when I was omni my only vegetables were spinach and potatoes!.!.!.!.oh! and do those little green specs in top ramen seasoning count!? haha!.
I know that those foods were out there before but I never took the time to embrace them like I do now, so it does feel like I've expanded my choices, in a way!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Expanded! I try lots of new things now that I may not have ever known about! If you go to peta!.com you can get a vegan websie list!.!.!. or caring consumer!.com!.
ps I hope you not only eat veggie but be careful of what you buy that could be tested on animals!. I love those littel furry guys!Www@FoodAQ@Com
ps I hope you not only eat veggie but be careful of what you buy that could be tested on animals!. I love those littel furry guys!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Agreed! I have nothing against meat eaters, but let's face it, every time my boyfriend and I go somewhere, he gets a burger or chicken strips or ribs, while I'm forced to try something different on the menu!. The other day at a Vietnamese restaurant, the only thing I could eat was a "rice crepe!." Wasn't spectacular, but I wouldn't have tried it if I could've defaulted to the 99 other choices with meat!
But, at the same time, I understand that meat eaters can be adventurous as well!. It all depends on who you are, but when I ate meat, I always stuck to the easy route and ate what I knew!. So yes, I totally agree with you! Eight years and going strong!. :)
also, to the guy above me and the others have answered that it logically limits the choices, I think the questions means for you personally!. I would always just get the same dishes when I went out, but as a vegetarian, you usually have to try to different choices!. Like I said, I'm sure some omnivores are adventurous and push themselves to break out of the box, but I wasn't one of them and therefore, this diet has increased my "plate!." I also don't have to pay nearly as much for food, because in California, no meat usually means two bucks or more cheaper!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
But, at the same time, I understand that meat eaters can be adventurous as well!. It all depends on who you are, but when I ate meat, I always stuck to the easy route and ate what I knew!. So yes, I totally agree with you! Eight years and going strong!. :)
also, to the guy above me and the others have answered that it logically limits the choices, I think the questions means for you personally!. I would always just get the same dishes when I went out, but as a vegetarian, you usually have to try to different choices!. Like I said, I'm sure some omnivores are adventurous and push themselves to break out of the box, but I wasn't one of them and therefore, this diet has increased my "plate!." I also don't have to pay nearly as much for food, because in California, no meat usually means two bucks or more cheaper!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
MARRYING a vegetarian has expanded my food choices because I've tried things I wouldn't have otherwise, and have eaten things I had never even heard of before him!. Unfortunately, we eat out often and his food choices are not only very limited, but often more expensive than the meat dishes!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I think becoming vegetarian makes you start looking for 'new' foods so that you have a good variety in your diet!.
I certainly think it expands your food groups!.
When I was a vegetarian(I'm vegan now) I certainly ate a much more varied diet than my non-vegetarian family and friends!.
I love butternut squash and sweet potatoes!
I also think that vegetarians(that were once meat eaters) have tried a larger variety of food, in the fact we know what chicken, pork, beef etc taste like!. How many non-vegetarians have eaten tofu, quorn!?
As a vegan I now cook a lot more, and my range of foods has again increased!
When people ask me what i eat, they are usually met by a few seconds silence as I don't think "oh what do i eat" I still have muesli for breakfast, sandwiches, currys, roasts, just meals without the meat, and the dairy is replaced by soya!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I certainly think it expands your food groups!.
When I was a vegetarian(I'm vegan now) I certainly ate a much more varied diet than my non-vegetarian family and friends!.
I love butternut squash and sweet potatoes!
I also think that vegetarians(that were once meat eaters) have tried a larger variety of food, in the fact we know what chicken, pork, beef etc taste like!. How many non-vegetarians have eaten tofu, quorn!?
As a vegan I now cook a lot more, and my range of foods has again increased!
When people ask me what i eat, they are usually met by a few seconds silence as I don't think "oh what do i eat" I still have muesli for breakfast, sandwiches, currys, roasts, just meals without the meat, and the dairy is replaced by soya!Www@FoodAQ@Com
a quicky to all those meat eaters who missed the point- she is talking about the actual choices she has made, not the actual amount of things she has to choose from!.
anyway, i agree, i probably eat a bigger variety now than when i ate meat, and i was an adventurous eater before hand who generally ate a more varied diet than just about anyone else i know!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
anyway, i agree, i probably eat a bigger variety now than when i ate meat, and i was an adventurous eater before hand who generally ate a more varied diet than just about anyone else i know!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
wow good question!
I think it has broadened my horizons about food, so yes I have to agree with you!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I think it has broadened my horizons about food, so yes I have to agree with you!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
expanded greatly!.!.!.both my husband and I grew up on farms but their where some things we had never tried when we were younger!.!.!.!.
and because we both grew up on full working farms any type of meat or dairy will now make us very sick!.!.!.can't digest it at all!.!.!.
and since we both need to lose 20-25 lbs we really expanded our choices too much!.!.!.
we occasionally will have chicken because I make this "fire in the hole chicken soup" that will kill you or cure you during cold season!.!.!.have made it with out the chicken and it just did not have the cure power!.!.!.
sort of a Jewish chicken soup with Mexican cousin!.!.!.!.
and we are both much healthier since we stopped the meat!.!.!. he was misdiagnosed with m!.s!. many years ago, the symptoms disappeared as soon as the meat and dairy were gone!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
and because we both grew up on full working farms any type of meat or dairy will now make us very sick!.!.!.can't digest it at all!.!.!.
and since we both need to lose 20-25 lbs we really expanded our choices too much!.!.!.
we occasionally will have chicken because I make this "fire in the hole chicken soup" that will kill you or cure you during cold season!.!.!.have made it with out the chicken and it just did not have the cure power!.!.!.
sort of a Jewish chicken soup with Mexican cousin!.!.!.!.
and we are both much healthier since we stopped the meat!.!.!. he was misdiagnosed with m!.s!. many years ago, the symptoms disappeared as soon as the meat and dairy were gone!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
yeah, being a veggie has made me experiment more so i am technically expanding my choices!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
It has ABSOLUTELY expanded my choices!
I was a very picky eater until I became a vegetarian (I'm not 100% veggie anymore) in College!.
I used to HATE beans when forced to eat them as a young girl, but after becoming veggie I was then compelled to start trying new foods, cooking, and discovered I LOVE beans, LOVE Indian food, mexican food, and other ethnic cuisine I would have been afraid of before!. I too would have never knowingly tried tofu or kale or all these wonderful food available had I stayed a boring meat eater!
Of course, I am no longer purely vegetarian and but the vast majority of the time I choose vegetarian and aim for vegan when good options are available!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I was a very picky eater until I became a vegetarian (I'm not 100% veggie anymore) in College!.
I used to HATE beans when forced to eat them as a young girl, but after becoming veggie I was then compelled to start trying new foods, cooking, and discovered I LOVE beans, LOVE Indian food, mexican food, and other ethnic cuisine I would have been afraid of before!. I too would have never knowingly tried tofu or kale or all these wonderful food available had I stayed a boring meat eater!
Of course, I am no longer purely vegetarian and but the vast majority of the time I choose vegetarian and aim for vegan when good options are available!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Oh, expanded for sure!. I probably would not have tried kale, spinach, butternut squash, tofu, tempeh, seitan, bean tacos, taro, eggplant, cauliflower, or zucchini (which I'll eat only if cooked a certain way) had I not gone vegan!. Sure these foods are available to anyone, but by cutting animal foods out of your diet, you're forced to try new foods, and this expands your diet greatly!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Expanded, I have discovered combinations of foods I had never previously imagined!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
It can't possibly expand your choices!. You are limiting what you will eat!. All that this revelation shows is that you were not thinking enough before you became a veggie!. As a meat eater, I can chomp on whatever naet concotion you come up with, or have a steak!.!.!. see all your choices, plus 1!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
No I don't agree, I have ate tofu and its not bad, I love Brussels sprouts and I love raw yams!. I eat the same stuff as vegetarians do but I add meat!. I love bean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts!. I absolutely love veggies but I like meat really well also!. If it took going vegetarian to expand your horizon than that's good!. I love to cook and I am always trying something new!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Sorry, but this is a rediculous question if you just think about it clearly for the moment!. Being a vegetarian, without a doubt, LIMITS a human's total number of food choices because all meat-related items are prohibited by definition!. On the other hand, if one is not a vegetarian, they can eat all the items a vegetarian eats PLUS every possible meat dish!.Www@FoodAQ@Com