I'm planning on going vegatarian?!
This summer I'm planning on going vegatarian. Just for the summer. I've always wanted to try it and I thought that this summer would be a good time. (although, I think I make myself a freebie for a burger on the fourth of july, is that okay to do?)
I'm asking this question now because I want to know what I'll be getting myself into.
What are the steps for going vegatarian? Are there any vitamins I should be taking to make up for the nutrients I won't get from eating meat? I don't eat meat all that much anyway. I usually eat turkey and chicken. And I'm not a fan of beef really.
and anything else you would like to add, I'd love to hear.
I'm not really doing this for ONE reason. My mom has a friend who is vegatarian. And I'm doing it for fun and for health purposes mainly. and if I like it I might actually stay vegatarian...
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
There is nothing you're currently getting from meat that you can't get in a vegetarian diet. I'd suggest you prepare for your vegetarian months by getting hold of some good vegetarian cookery books. The only way that there are problems with being a vegetarian come if you just think in terms of a meat meal and then substitute cheese for it, which is what tends to happen with vegetarian options in restaurants etc.
Being a vegetarian can be a real bonus if you're even slightly interested in food and cookery, because there are so many interesting ingredients that meat-eaters tend to overlook. Nuts and seeds (especially pumpkin and sunflower seeds); miso, soy sauce, tofu, tempeh and other soya bean based foods and flavourings; not to mention the wonderful range of fruit and vegetables available these days; and much more.
The full range of amino acids available in meat is available to vegetarians not only through cheese but through the combination of eg grains and pulses, as in so many traditional diets. Minerals and vitamins are supplied in abundance in vegetables and fruit (in fact, that's the main source).
If you're thoughtful about your eating, you'll probably be far better nourished than you ever were as a meat eater.
If you like south Asian and Middle Eastern food styles, I'd strongly recommend Madhur Jaffrey's "Eastern Vegetarian Cookery", for a wonderful range of (mostly) straightforward recipes that are simply mouth-watering and designed to appeal to everyone, not only vegetarians.
Vegetarians dont need to take vitamins, neither do vegans.
There are lots of foods that vegetarians can eat, these days its easy to become a vegetarian, and its getting easier.
You dont have to worry about protein, all vegetarian foods have protein.
Good luck.
Start from fruits
Well I am 16 and I will be a vegetarian for a year next month (a new years resolution) I started out as a vegetarian becuase my brother was trying but kept eating meat and why I would make fun of it he would tell me its not easy. So for new years I became a vegetarian. I LOVE IT SO MUCH! I started to realize my body loved it too. I lost 13 pounds, and am healthier then I have ever been in my life (according to my doctor) Then I started to get into animal rights and now I wont eat meat ever again :D Also, I think that if your going to be a vegetarian you need to stick with it. Don't be like "oh its a holiday" and down 15 hot dogs.
being a vegetarian is super-easy, especially if you don't even eat meat that much to begin with. you will still have tons of options when it comes to food,and i honestly doubt that you will even miss eating meat :) i'm 15 too, and i have been vegetarian for 2 years already..the only thing you have to make sure of is that you get enough protein from nuts, tofu, and other grains like quinoa. and take a multi-vitamin everyday because i didn't get enough iron and other vitamins that i needed and i had other health issues going on at the same time too so i developed anemia. now i can't even take a multivitamin without throwing up (sorry, i know its gross) because i can't take the iron in pill-form anymore and i have to get it from spinach and other vegetables. the main reason for being vegetarian for me was that i just don't like meat. i hate the idea of biting down on flesh off a bone, having to worry about it being undercooked, or getting a mouthful of skin and fat..EWW! so yeah, thats why i'm vegetarian. now, even the smell of meat cooking makes me feel nauseous.
and don't think that just because your vegetarian it means that you can only eat salad. there are plenty of options, like vegetable stews, soups, pastas, i mean the options are endless. i love to cook so i think its really fun to experiment around with different recipes. good luck! :)
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