I want to be vegetarian - mostly for health reasons?!
I just don't think I can stomach meat. The thought of it lately makes me feel a little ill. I just want a healthier lifestyle and I think cutting meat from my diet will help tremendously. I also believe it may make feel more strong-willed. I want to have control over something, over what I eat.
It just feels like something I need to do. I'm 18. I feel as though my body is changing and I want to make my health a priority.
Do you have any good everyday tips for being a vegetarian that I should know. I may keep fish in my diet, but I'm still yet to decide. I will be eating dairy, but probably not as much - will stick with soy more.
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
the best thing i can advice is to set up a trial period, say 3 months. at the end of the 3 months sit down and think about your experience, what you can change, how you have felt, etc.
during those 3 months listen to your body. make sure you are eating enough to get the nutrients your body needs. if you feel your body needs something then listen to it.
a year and a half ago i turned vegetarian. i gave myself 3 months, and at the end of it i just continued. i did notice a few months ago that i was missing something, so i started eating fish again.
be prepared though if you go to any family/ friends meals to bring your own stuff to eat, otherwise be prepared to just eat the rabbit food they offer.
it could be a good thing too. most people think vegetarians just eat rabbit food all the time, but theres millions of recipes out there for yummy vegetarian dishes. if you make them and offer your friends/ family to try them they may change their mind (most of my family are happy to try the vegetarian stuff, and even think its nicer than the carnivorous crap. there are a few people in my family that wont try it though)
Follow these guides and make sure you get the right amount of nutrition:
Vegan Dessert Substitutes:
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/sweet-creamy-and-cruelty-free-vegan-substitutes-for-desserts/
Meat Substitutes:
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/miss-meat-not-a-problem-a-quick-guide-to-vegan-meat-substitutes/
Vegan Vitamin Substitutes:
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/the-essential-vegan-supplement-guide/
http://www.onegreenplanet.org
For quick weight loss in a safe way, you will need to follow a plan.
http://www.fatlossmeal.com
well just eat salads and rice
First of all the Dairy is not such a good idea, you can't have eggs, milk, cheese, honey, etc.
The thing to do is eat cooked veggies, raw veggies such as dark green veggies, cooked beans, and fresh fruit, and maybe like
Kashi whole grainfood,daily to keep up your protien. Eat a variety of things daily so you are not eating the same foods every day and like i said watch the dairy and items that might contain dairy products. Go to a vegan store if there is not one around you go to one online and see all the different products they have. You can't eat mayo because its made with eggs. let me know if you need any additional details.
VEGANIST by Kathy Freston
Vegetarianism is a very healthy choice. I'm 17 and I felt grossed out by meat too. But I went a further step and I'm vegan.
I save articles like this:
http://www.nursingdegree.net/blog/19/57-…
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/vegetar…
http://thefruitpursuit.com/2010/12/08/ve…
http://thefruitpursuit.com/2011/01/14/ve…
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/die…
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/resources…
http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com/2011…
http://www.britishmeat.com/49.htm
http://www.giveusahome.co.uk/articles/ve…
Anyway, the good thing about you being a veggie is that you can naturally get B12 from dairy/eggs. And DHA from fish. You don't have to be a vegan but I am and it's great. I was worried that I wouldn't have anything to eat, but I'm experimenting with foods I would have never tried. So much fun food shopping.
Be careful to fall into the trap of pizza and pasta everyday.
Oats, vegan burritos, fruit, Clif bars, Kashi cereals, are all good vegan breakfast options.
Nuts, Clif/Larabars, fresh veggies/fruits, chocolate soymilk, pretzels, dark chocolate, hummus, are good snack choices.
For dinner you can eat beans, stir frys, Kashi frozen foods, mock meat, spring rolls, veggie sushi, quinoa, couscous, pasta, salads, the options are endless!!! They even sell brown rice and veggies that you can simply steam in the microwave.
A delicious way to get your veggies is by eating Kale chips. SO good!!!!! All you do is drizzle olive oil(or spray to cut calories) and add salt or other seasonings like nutritional yeast and you bake in the oven until crunchy.
Also try making green monsters. Basically milk, bananas, flax seed and spinach blended into a smoothie. So yummy!!!!!
Also, vegetarians have the highest risk for osteoporosis - more than vegan and omnivores, because milk leeches calcium from your bones.
Good luck with your new healthy lifestyle!
PS: I take these multis to fill in gaps(even omnis need vitamins):
http://www.thriftyvegan.com/VitaminsNutr…