Vegetarianism.....?!
Vegetarianism.....?
well its something ive been thinking about for a while... im 14 and obviously i cant do very much if my mum isnt willing to help out.. i want to go vegetarian because of the animals... i mean we can survive on other things... why let them suffer?
well i dont want to approach the subject with my mum being clueless.. so erm anything i should know? any tips? i know a few things i couldnt eat and also a few alternatives.. what can you suggest? thanks for your help.
Answers: A vegetarian diet is quite healthy if done properly. The key is variety, knowledge and willingness to learn. There are many good websites and books that will give you the essential information to beginning a living on a vegetarian diet.
Many young children will jump into vegetarianism without really knowing what they are doing and therefore have difficulties. You cannot just cut out meat and eat side dished, you need to replace the nutrients you were getting in meat from other sources(which is not a hard as some people make it seem.
major concerns for most people(although they shouldn't be since they are easy to obtain without meat) are protein, b12 and iron.
Protein
The average person only needs about 50 grams of protein per day. Protein is in everything, just look at the side of boxes. In todays world it is very hard to be protein deficient if you are eating a wide variety. Most protein deficiencies are seen in third world countries where famine is present.
High protein foods include:
soy milk, tofu, nuts(Almonds, Cashews, Filberts, Hemp Seeds, Peanuts, Pumpkin seeds, Sesame seeds, Sunflower seeds, Walnuts (black)), seeds, legumes(Garbanzo beans, Kidney beans, Lentils, Lima beans, Navy beans, Soybeans, Split peas), grains(Barley, Brown rice, Buckwheat, Millet, Oatmeal, Rye, Wheat germ, Wheat, hard red, Wild rice), vegetables(Artichokes, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Green peas, Green pepper, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard green, Onions, Potatoes, Spinach, Tomatoes, Turnip greens, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini), fruits(Apple, Banana, Cantaloupe, Grape, Grapefruit, Honeydew melon, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Strawberry)
Iron
Like vitamin B-12, iron is a crucial component of red blood cells. Dried beans and peas, lentils, enriched cereals, whole-grain products, dark, leafy green vegetables, and dried fruit are good sources of iron. To help your body absorb non-animal sources of iron, eat foods rich in vitamin C — such as strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, cabbage and broccoli — at the same time you consume iron-containing foods.
B12
Vitamin B-12. Your body needs vitamin B-12 to produce red blood cells and prevent anemia. This vitamin is found almost exclusively in animal products, including milk, eggs and cheese. You can also get vitamin B-12 from some enriched cereals, fortified soy products, etc
Helpful websites for info:
http://www.goveg.com/
http://www.britishmeat.com/49.htm...
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/goingveg.html...
http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/
Recipes/Ideas:
http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/...
http://allrecipes.com/recipes/everyday-c...
http://vegkitchen.com/index.htm...
http://www.vegsource.com/recipe/...
Books:
-Please Don't Eat the Animals: All the Reasons You Need to Be a Vegetarian by Jennifer Horsman and Jaime Flowers
-The New Becoming Vegetarian: The Essential Guide To A Healthy Vegetarian Diet by Vesanto Melina and Brenda Davis
- Becoming Vegetarian: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Vegetarian Diet
-Becoming Vegetarian: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Vegetarian Diet by Vesanto Melina, Brenda Davis, and Victoria Harrison
-A Teen's Guide to Going Vegetarian by Judy Krizmanic Soya Mince> Ok its taste like plastic, but put it in a good meal
Its contains really good amounts of protein
Plus its verryyy cheap i became a vegetarian at 11 years. if this is what you decide to do, you should definitely have a long conversation with your mom with your reasons. she will be the one putting food on the table Tell her you can eat soy meat. That's what all the schools serve anyway. fresh soya beans from tesco,sainsburys etc good source i'm q14 and goin vegie too, jus take it slow, start with the pork, them the beef, then chicken, i'm already on stopping the chicken.............. Look hun, i'm 16 i went thru a stage wer i wanted to and you know what, i had to quit my netball team , my footie and my hockey coz my bones werent getting much protein from fish, i started getting ribby and lordez, i regret it, now i am slightly bigger and i undertsnad that u feel it is wrong to eat animals, but if u eat one chicken there are millions left.
Dont go veggie love, dont damage ure health It is expensive to eat healthy as a vegatarian, but there are some really good things around to eat. I'm not a vegatarian any more, but when i was, i really enjoyed the "veggie" Burgers that were not trying to be meat. They were true vegy patties, made with rice and mushrooms and were really good. Tofu is also good if you know how to prepare it. It can have a texture like custard allthe way to a texture like a very firm omelette and can be flavored in tons of ways. There are also mane soy products out there that are also good and good for you. Hitler was a vegetarian. Congratulations on your decision! I think your mother would be more inclined to help you if you could allay any fears she may have of you lacking nutrition in your diet. Just make sure you get enough whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables in your diet and you should be just fine.
Good luck! You definitely need to do a lot of research on this, because it's important that you eat a balanced diet. Meat contains some very beneficial vitamins that you'll need to make sure you get from other food sources and/or supplements. So, read up and make educated choices. You don't want your health to suffer. You must know that vegetarians need foods which contain B12 and Zinc. Sunrider International caters to vegetarians and they have a product VitaSpray, that takes care of these deficiencies. Read, read, read. Research vegetarianism on the internet, facts and fiction, and prepare a damn good argument to go to your Mum with. You seems very mature and sensible to consider that your Mother will be the one who will have to change a lot of her shopping and cooking habits. You should tell her you've considered this also, as it will show that you are being considerate towards the rest of the family.
Good luck - and well done for doing something about an issue you feel strongly about. Don't let anyone talk you out of it if it's what you want to do. You can be a perfectly healthy vegetarian if you research properly what you should eat and where to get all your vitamins and minerals from. Well done you! sorry I don't think it's cool to not eat meat Look into finding a good few recipes and then offer to cook for your mum, you may might achieve 2 things.
1 you show you are grown up enough to make your own decisions
2 You have thought it through(show your research not the PETA rubbish) and shown you can still stay healthy on such a diet.
Either way in my opinion you must respect your mums decision.
Good luck Print out this screen or show it to your mother. It has a picture of the Vegetarian Food Pyramid that will keep you healthy. You will need to learn to cook your own food. Click this link and scroll down to the picture of the pyramid:
http://www.salagram.net/veg1.html... well I used to be a vegetarian eat A LOOOOOOOOT of protein or you'll get depresed at first you have to have will power then it gets easier plan your meals like on sunday sit down and say well I'llhave this on monday and this on tuesday and balace out your meals very procisly. It's a pretty healthy lifestyle...
But, you have to realize that man farms vegetables the same way he does animals.
We add chemicals and hormones to our crops to make them grow. Plus, you're probably going to have to take a few supplements to get certain minerals you only get a substantial amount of from meat. I understand your feelings towards animals. I'm a meat eater, but I don't eat very much. I eat a lot of veggies and beans and rice.
You're really seeking a way to justify something to your mom and not so much looking for reasons to become vegetarian. You already have that. You don't want animals to suffer (because you eat meat) and that's a spiritual conviction that you make on your own.
I will tell you this, however. There was a time in my life when I got so hungry because of abject poverty that I did not have meat to eat. I missed it. I like a little bit of it. I'm very picky these days about the meat I do eat but I do miss it when I don't have it.
Good luck to you and read books about it.
The books will give you the information you need. I really don't know how to say this without giving the impression that I am anti-vegetarian. For those that are, I respect your choice.
That being said, I know that at 14 you are coming to grips with the morality of your dietary choices. While it is true that it is possible to survive as a vegetarian, you must be careful that your diet includes full proteins and all necessary amino acids.
Here is the part where many vegetarians will probably give me the thumbs down. However, the harsh reality is that our systems evolved to be omnivorous. In fact, it is the consumption of animal products that allowed us to grow the big brains that even make it possible for you to consider the moral implications of your diet.
I'm not saying that you can't be perfectly successful and healthy being a vegetarian. However, I do believe the natural diet of the human system should include some animal products (however, the average American diet consists of *way* too much meat).
Without going into a whole soliloquy on the subject, predation plays an enormous role in the balance of nature. Consuming animal products no more makes you evil than eating a deer makes a lion a less than noble creature.
Perhaps you should consider simply cutting way back on the meat products rather than going totally veggie. It will certainly make it easier for you to have a balanced diet.
Just my $.02 for what its worth... There is a book that fills the request that you have, and it's called diet for small planet. You'll need to order by the name of the book, can't remember the authors name.
This is just what you need to eat the right amount of food groups to cover up the lack of meat protein.
Good choice on your part, I've been eating vegetarian now for over 37 yrs with only a few slices of ranch raised beef, this due to my unique blood type. I'm almost 16 and I went veg at 14 =)
My mom was a little freaked out by the idea, but we have a lot of vegetables in the house anyway (we're kind of strange).
The only thing you really have to worry about is making sure you get enough protein.
It's kind of hard to find good sources without meat...
Good suppliments are-
Soy (Boca burgers are wonderful things, look into it haha)
Peanut butter (but it's very fattening, so if you eat a lot try and switch over to reduced fat)
and (my favorite) Gold Fish (the crackers haha)
There's a lot more, but those are the best you should know about.
Hope that helps.
Peace we breed animls to kill to live
vegies grow plants to kill to live
the earths greenery provides oxygen for us to breath to live
kill the gteenery will kill us
period Just do your research. Tell your mum your reasons why you want to be a vegetarian is that animals suffer so show/tell your mum that it happens. Explain not all animals are treated bad but most are so that upsets you greatly and you can live without meat. You can be healthy (even healthier than meat eaters) by watching your protein intake as well as calcium, B-vitamins, iron, etc. When it comes to meal times and your mum doesn't want the hassle of making a separate meal then suggest you will make yours. It'll be nice for you two to spend time in the kitchen. For convenience some veggie meals can be very quick to make and others you can freeze for later.
Check out these websites for more info. They've helped me out a lot. Look for their info on nutrition and recipes. Good luck.
http://www.viva.org.uk/
http://www.vegsoc.org/
http://www.all-creatures.org/cva/vegbene...
http://www.vegsource.com/ Hi, I recommend getting a really good vegetarian cookbook, 'No meat for me, please' by Jan Arkless is really good and cook some of the recipes with your mum to show her how easy and nutritional veggie food can be and offer to do some of the cooking yourself so she doesn't have to do it all. Also PETA has a free vegetarian starter kit which you can get from www.peta.com
Good Luck I became vegetarian at 14, I had slowly gone off eating it because I didn't agree with it. One day I said that's it I cant eat it again. My mum was very good about it, but what I would suggest is that you do some research on it gets some books from the library. Look for recipes on the net, take a interest in what you are eating, ask you mum if you can try out a new recipe or say you will cook for you both because its important to you. Talk to your mum about it at the end of the day she wants what is best for you. There are lots of veggie alternatives in the supermarkets and it is easy to switch but needs to be thought and planned so you are eating healthy and plenty of fruit, veg, dairy and nuts lentils, pasta etc.I think if you take an interest show your mum and talk to her about it you might be surprised.
Best of luck with it what ever you choice, the decision has to be yours..... [: I'm 14 too! I'm on my 4th month now.
My 3rd month annaversary was yesterday ! ;>
Well, Let's see;
The only things you really need to know,
is where to get your vitamins and nutrients.
What to STAY AWAY FROM.
And things of that sort.
I do my best to stay away from
Gelatin, Glycerine, Products that were tested on animals, and non organic vegetables.
I eat organic, because of the fact that:
Animal excretions are used as fertilizer, and some animals eat other animals. I don't want that in my food. >_>
If there's anything you need to know, just E-mail me.
My direct email line is
JJazyGirl2006@aol.com
I hardly check my Yahoo, since me and my mom share this account.
But yes. I am willing to help as many people as I can. [: I want to agree with "Praise Bob" and I hope you take his advice. He's right on the money and has said essentially what I was going to say.
Eat less meat--especially red meat. And you really don't need much of the others --- poultry, fish, seafood.
Although others may say there is not such thing... other cultures say otherwise.. .. it's a new trend called a "Flexitarian Diet" and the objective is to minimize meat... red meat especially. My diet is Flexitarian --- about 80-85% plants and veggies and 20-25% meat (red meat about 1x per month and then only about 2-4 oz.).
A Flexitarian diet allows me the freedom to meet nutritional needs of my profession, and joined with a good excercise program and meditation I'm in A-1 shape physically, emotionally and spiritually without the stress of wondering if I'm getting enough protein and nutrients..
Approach mum with a plan to minimize meat and the meat you do eat plan on poultry, fish and seafood. Google "Flexitarian Diet" and bring her some information.
Praise Bob ... was spot-on!! First off...congratulations on a GREAT decision! =D I became a lacto-ovo vegetarian a year ago, and I was 14. (I also don't eat gelatin, animal fat/bones, for animal rights!)
I thought my parents would be clueless at first too, and I was a secret vegetarian for 2 months before I got the courage to ask them. What I did, is I went to TONS of vegetarian websites, and I made a packet of research on why I wanted to be a vegetarian. I had facts, substitutes, pictures, sources, etc. My parents and I also read "A TEENAGER'S GUIDE TO GOING VEGETARIAN" and "THE TEEN'S VEGETARIAN COOKBOOK." (Look on Amazon for both!) They were both good books, and they helped us!
Now, if you or your parents are worried about protein...then make sure to get your daily value of fruits, veggies, nuts, beans, and more. (A lot is explained in the books.) And for meals,. I love pasta, salads, stir fry, pizza, meat substitutes, etc. And even though you might not be going vegan, soymilk is still very good, and good for you! I use it on my cereal! You can also make fruit smoothies with it.
If people bother you about your choice, ignore them! =D Believe me, you are helping to save the environment, animals lives, and more! GOOD LUCK! =D This answer will get many bad ratings I know because my views on here are anti-veggie. The reason I am anti veggie is that I have had some very close people who have gone veggie or been veggie when I have met them.They all have small but significant mental problems. This is undoubtedly because they lack some chemical which is required for balanced brain function. Ok do your research but don't do it through the veggies sites because they are obviously going to be biased towards changing you to eating only veggies. Look at a lot of the answers on here to start. Many of the regular contributors are unable to engage in grown up debate about their choices. Question why that is. One thing to consider about it being unfair to animals for us to eat them? right as it might or might not be for us to eat them most domestic animals would not be around if they had not been domesticated they would have become extinct. Cows, Sheep etc all do not live wild in any part of the world in signifcant numbers because they have been unable to survive. Were it not for the fact that we eat "farmed" animals most would not be on this planet anymore ..sad but true...therefore by stopping eating meat you will be making a small contribution to the eventual extinction of the animals you show concern for. Good luck in whatever choice you make but look at the whole picture before deciding The vegetarian society has a great website with loads of information for parents.Loads of recipes as well,take a look.