Tips on becoming a vegetarian?!
I'm not currently a vegitarian and do not know if I will ever be 100% veggie, however, I would like to take some positive steps for my health to become 'mostly' vegitarian if there is such a thing!. ;)
Do you have any good resources, recipes, online shops, etc!., that can be helpful!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Do you have any good resources, recipes, online shops, etc!., that can be helpful!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
Becoming vegetarian doesn’t mean you have to give up the tastes you love!. There are now delicious vegan versions of almost every meat, dairy, and egg product with all the flavor but without causing animal suffering and environmental degradation!. Next time you are at the grocery store, fill your cart with these healthy and humane alternatives!.
Think globally, eat locally
After exploring foods from other cultures, most new vegetarians find that they really have more food choices – not fewer!. Here are just a few offerings from around the world:
Visit veg-friendly establishments
As the number of people requesting vegetarian meals increases, so too, does the number of establishments catering to those requests!.
Most chefs are happy to show off their skills by making you a tasty vegetarian dish that will make your dining companions green with envy!. Explore your local health food store!. You will be amazed at all the wonderful canned, frozen, and fresh vegetarian foods that are available!.
The following websites can be used to find vegetarian-friendly restaurants and grocery stores in your area:
National Guides
VegDining!.com
HappyCow!.net
VegetarianUSA!.com
VegGuide!.org
Grab a veggie cookbook
Countless vegetarian cookbooks, offering mouthwatering recipes ranging from grandma’s traditional “meat and potato” type meals to colorful and exotic foods from around the world are just a bookstore or library away!. Literally thousands of recipes are just a mouse click away on such websites as Vegan-Food!.net and VeganChef!.com!.
Vegan Protein Powerhouses
Many vegan foods are packed full of muscle-building protein, while being low in saturated fat and free of cholesterol!. Try these versatile and delicious high-protein foods in your next dish:
Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) - a dried soy product that can be used in place of ground beef in stews, chili, tacos, pasta sauce, etc!.
Lentils - a small but nutritionally mighty member of the legume family, loaded with minerals, B vitamins, and protein--all with virtually no fat!. Lentils are excellent in soups, stews, and curries!.
Tofu - a product made from soybeans, is the king of versatility!. It has a bland taste on its own but it absorbs the flavors of the other foods and seasonings cooked with it!. Firm tofu can be used in place of meat in stir-fries or marinated and baked, while soft tofu can be used in dips and deserts like pudding, pie, and smoothies!.
Seitan - also known as “wheat gluten”, is a chewy meat-substitute that is the protein part of wheat which is left after the starch and bran are removed!.
Tempeh - a fermented soy product with a slightly nutty flavor and a firm texture similar to meat!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Think globally, eat locally
After exploring foods from other cultures, most new vegetarians find that they really have more food choices – not fewer!. Here are just a few offerings from around the world:
Visit veg-friendly establishments
As the number of people requesting vegetarian meals increases, so too, does the number of establishments catering to those requests!.
Most chefs are happy to show off their skills by making you a tasty vegetarian dish that will make your dining companions green with envy!. Explore your local health food store!. You will be amazed at all the wonderful canned, frozen, and fresh vegetarian foods that are available!.
The following websites can be used to find vegetarian-friendly restaurants and grocery stores in your area:
National Guides
VegDining!.com
HappyCow!.net
VegetarianUSA!.com
VegGuide!.org
Grab a veggie cookbook
Countless vegetarian cookbooks, offering mouthwatering recipes ranging from grandma’s traditional “meat and potato” type meals to colorful and exotic foods from around the world are just a bookstore or library away!. Literally thousands of recipes are just a mouse click away on such websites as Vegan-Food!.net and VeganChef!.com!.
Vegan Protein Powerhouses
Many vegan foods are packed full of muscle-building protein, while being low in saturated fat and free of cholesterol!. Try these versatile and delicious high-protein foods in your next dish:
Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) - a dried soy product that can be used in place of ground beef in stews, chili, tacos, pasta sauce, etc!.
Lentils - a small but nutritionally mighty member of the legume family, loaded with minerals, B vitamins, and protein--all with virtually no fat!. Lentils are excellent in soups, stews, and curries!.
Tofu - a product made from soybeans, is the king of versatility!. It has a bland taste on its own but it absorbs the flavors of the other foods and seasonings cooked with it!. Firm tofu can be used in place of meat in stir-fries or marinated and baked, while soft tofu can be used in dips and deserts like pudding, pie, and smoothies!.
Seitan - also known as “wheat gluten”, is a chewy meat-substitute that is the protein part of wheat which is left after the starch and bran are removed!.
Tempeh - a fermented soy product with a slightly nutty flavor and a firm texture similar to meat!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
An easy way of thinking that I myself am doing is first I'm switching all-natural and organic foods and my mentality is if it didnt come from nature dont eat it! Then you gradually start to give up things like Beef and Pork which is the worse and then you try to work on the chicken and seafood (which I am currently doing) and remeber the more color on your plate the better for you like an artist palette but from nature!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I gave up meat (for moral reasons) a little over a month ago!. Honestly it isn't nearly as hard as I would have expected!. There are some really delicious alternatives available these days!. There are some wonderful veggie burgers etc!. Look around your grocery store and you will probably be amazed at the variety as well as great tastes!. also check out some of the vegetarian recipes web sites!. Vegweb!.com is a good one!. And if you get tempted to eat meat again just take a second to remember that before it got to its pretty, little package at the store that meat was a living creature!. Is your craving really worth a living, breathing creature's suffering!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Vegetarian is a whole lifestyle so you can't be semi or "mostly" vegetarian!.
Positive steps to eat better is a great idea though!. Here are my tips:
No more white bread or white pasta!. Switch to 100% whole grain
Eat at least 5 servings of veggies a day
Drink plenty of water and avoid soda
Cut back on bad fatsWww@FoodAQ@Com
Positive steps to eat better is a great idea though!. Here are my tips:
No more white bread or white pasta!. Switch to 100% whole grain
Eat at least 5 servings of veggies a day
Drink plenty of water and avoid soda
Cut back on bad fatsWww@FoodAQ@Com
Go to goveg!.com!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Do it over time and get rid of certain foods step by step!.Www@FoodAQ@Com