To ALL the VEGAN/VEGETARIANS on Y!A, I have some questions?!
Answers: Hi, I have recently become educated with regards to the virtues of vegetarianism, and one of my friends is also trying to cut meat out of her diet. We've looked at lots of slaughterhouse images, read books on how bad meat is for you, surf the PETA site, etc. And i am wanting to change my eating habits but i have no idea where to start. I've always been such a carnivore and junk food junkie but i'd like to change that and am not sure if it should be done all at once or gradually. To say the least, after doing some research for the past month or so it kind of grosses me out to eat meat now but if I dont eat meat, i stay hungry. I just need some pointers, if you decided to become veg, how did you do it? does the constant hunger feeling ever go away? do you supplement your diet with vitamins or anything? is it hard to find restaurants that cater to vegetarians? It's kind of hard to start eating better if I have always been a meateater and cheese fanatic and i just need some pointers.thanks
Congrats on your decision! I think you will find that you have a new perspective on life in general when you cut meat out of your diet completely. ;-)
As far as how to make the transition, I'd do some research first. It sounds like you're pretty well-versed when it comes to the slaughtering process and animal treatment, but now you should focus on the human aspect of vegetarianism and read about what we eat. If you cannot find a good book about it, another way to learn more is to pick up some vegetarian cookbooks from the library. They will show you are huge variety of different dishes that are vegetarian-friendly. They also usually have a section that talks about nutritional aspects of the lifestyle. And if you plan to be a lacto/ovo-veg, they do have recipes that still contain eggs, milk and cheese.
After you research, try to figure out which transition process is best and easiest for you. I went cold turkey and stopped eating all animals in one swoop. I still ate dairy, though. I know of others who cut out red meat first, then poultry, then fish and then weaned themselves off in a stair type method. It's up to you - it's your personal journey. :-)
Yes, the constant hunger goes away. That's one of the perks about being a vegetarian: you can eat a LOT of food and not gain as much weight (at least, that's been my experience). I literally eat all day long - snacking interlaced between my meals.... and because I'm eating good food (like fruit, veggies and nuts) and I exercise regularly, it's a win-win. I guess I'm just trying to say is that as long as you eat the right foods, you can eat more often and even larger quantities, if you're so inclined. And I'm sorry to say that junk food won't work. lol.
You don't have to take vitamins unless you want to. Basically, all the vitamins and minerals you need can be found in non-animal products.
Yes, it's hard to find restaurants that cater to vegetarians. But it depends where you live. I'm sure in some areas of the country they are more common than in others. I still eat at major chain restaurants and ask for the dishes that strike my fancy - just w/o the meat.
Here are some tips that I wish someone would have shared with me when I was becoming a vegetarian...I hope they help!:
- Try to avoid the tendency to load up on cheese and carbs. Many people see pasta, cheese pizza and grilled cheese as great alternatives to meat dishes. They are okay - but in moderation. Eat a LOT of fresh fruits and veggies. They're better in the long run.
- It's okay of you cave into a craving here and there. This is especially true when you first start. The process is not an easy one. You are changing a major aspect of your life that is probably as normal to you as breathing. It will take time to change your mindset. If you see something you want to eat and cannot help yourself, it's all right. It doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you human. :-)
- Try new foods. This is much easier if you have a cookbook or two to get you started. I fell in love with marinated artichokes after I became a vegetarian. They're versitile and taste great. Don't be afraid to try!
- Don't lean on meat replacers. Yes, MorningStar Farms, Bocca and Gardenburger have made yummy alternatives that look, smell and even taste like the real thing, but don't allow those to rule your kitchen. They're still processed foods and too many of those are not good (no matter what diet you follow).
I wish you all the best!
There is so much food out there to eat other than meat that is torchured.
Any vegetables, fruit, pasta, they don't need meat to be tasting good.
Though I am a meat eater, I don't like the way some animals are treated either. I purchase my beef from a local farmer whose cattle are grazing in a pasture near a beautiful creek. This is farm country and the farmers treat their animals humanely so they taste good and people want to purchase them.
Sorry, I just had to let you know that all meat is not torchured.
I love fruit and vegetables too and could become a vegetarian very easily, but I like a balanced diet.
What they're gonna tell you:
-Your cravings for meat are acquired and not instinctual. Afterall, what's more natural that a slab of uber-processed tofu or seitan?
-You stay hungry because you aren't eating the right things and enough of the right things. I may co-sign off on this one, however...most people on a functioning vegan diet are rich and can afford B-12 patches bi-weekly, $50 jars of spirulina, designer proteins and exotic grains weekly. Can the average joe afford that? Nope. Price of one T-bone daily for week: About $25.
-It's hard to find restaurants that cater to vegetarians because it's not popular. Even East Indian restaurants (known for being vegetarians) serve chicken, lamb, goat and other meat selections. Goat curry, anyone? However, they do have their niches, you just have to look about and ask about. Just be prepared to drop a few C-notes for your asparagus and broccoli braised tofu.
-Consult a doctor before you dramatically change your diet, that is my suggestion. But, if you don't want to do that, make the change you desire gradually, not cold turkey. Don't do yourself like that. I went anemic trying to "go veg" (woo hoo) cold turkey, and failed within a month. I was a grouchy, angry, perpetually PMS'y wreck. Needless to say, I admit I did it wrong, but meat is simply for me. When I had my first lamb chop after my tryst with vegheadism, I almost had an orgasm. That sealed the deal for me.
Meat for life, baby.
Edit: Aww Meg, I love it when you talk all dirty to me. Red wine...my other weakness.
The protein scare is the biggest misconception about vegetarian diets. There are quite a bit of misconceptions so here are some web sites I think will help. The first is a list of vegetables with protein and how much the second are calcium sources in raw veggies. The third is an article about B12. It is actually a microbe found in soil and is abundant in seaweed, tempeh, miso, and root veggies. The last one is a list of foods with iron and how much.
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm
http://health.rutgers.edu/factsheets/iro...
http://www.carrotcafe.com/f/calevel.html
http://www.pamrotella.com/health/b12.htm...
Also, it helps to research nutrition so you get a feel for what foods you can eat to gain what. It might seem confusing at first but you will catch on real fast and you'll start to recongnize what your body needs and when. It's not expensive either once you know what to look for. I eat a lot of greens and cooked veggies and fresh fruit. Everything you need can be found in plants so don't let people tell you otherwise.
Hi. When I first became vegetarian I lost my appetite almost completely. Nothing appealed to me. After a couple of months your body starts settling in to a vegetarian diet, but the mind can take a while longer to catch up. I gave up meat cold turkey about 8 months ago because the idea of eating meat just became too gross for me. Watching the "meet your meat" videos didn't help.
I still feel the constant hunger feeling. When I was eating meat, a meal didn't feel complete unless there was meat on plate, and that feeling stuck with me. Probably due to years of having the food pyramid shoved down my throat! To ease that hungry feeling, make sure you're getting protein. Trail mix is good also peanut butter and toast and beans. I can't stomach the faux meats, so I'm still trying to work out the kinks in my diet.
I will tell you that the desire for meat does subside, and after a few months if you try to go back to eating it, you probably won't enjoy it very much (personal experience). I definitely suggest taking a multi-vitamin, but I think everyone should take one as insurance. As for restaurants, I live in a relatively small city, and there aren't a lot of vegetarian options. I tend to just get my old faves minus the meat.
Good luck.
goldenchild- I'd eat your liver with a nice chianti just for fun.
It's great that your a vegetarian and there are so many foods you can eat. Any fruits, vegetables, pasta, breads, and beans. Yes, at some restaurants it is hard to find foods that are vegetarian, but you can order a pasta that has meat on it and ask for them to take the meat off or you can get two or three side orders and sort of make your own meals. A great place for vegetarian meals are any Mexican restaurants or Indian restaurants.
Good luck!
Humans are OMNIVORES. Get used to it.
We didn't evolve to the top of the food chain to eat rabbit food.
It has been proven that you can torture plants by eating them, they even scream.....
All life exists by consuming other life.
Being a VEGAN just makes a statement about how immature YOU are and ignorant about the world around you.
Please learn reality, before nature exposes you to it the hard way....
I did it all at once. I eat meat substitutes, soya, pulses and nuts, all that kind of stuff is quite filling but i also eat a loada cheese and eggs lol. just say to yourself "next week i am going to stop eating meat completely" and stick to it. (remeber you have to watch out for gelitine thats in all gummy sweets and other stuff made from meat) But also remember theres a lot more to being vegetarian than just carrots and salad etc. there are mountains of amazing vegetarian foods like quorn(mmm). I eat loads of pasta lol esp. the wee ones with the cheese inside (yummy). Don't listen to the people who say vegetarians are all unhealthy and need pills to sustain their diets, you can get the balance right with other stuff that has more protein (good) and less fat (not so good but u still need it)
dont go hungry! eat tofu, beans, vegetables. there is sooo much good food out there. i just went to pizzeria uno's last weekend and i was stupified!!!! there was like, 5 vegetarian options. there really arent that many veg options at other restaurants, i usually dont have options. but ask the cook to make you somethingand they're usually really nice about it!!!!!
Have you considered raising your own food, chickens, milk cow etc. That would be a great step in the right direction, you could make sure these animals had a full healthy life.
Of course it is difficult especially if you are a city dweller. You could find a small farm or ranch in your area that does free range and buy meat/eggs/milk from them.
I am a vegetarian but I don't eat right. I just have my priorities messed up. I do take supplements. In many meals, cheese makes up the bulk of my diet as do carbs. Last year when I went to the doctor, I got a very good report - no concerns. There are sometimes I am still hungry after I eat but I just deal with it - either ignoring it or grab a snack. Here are some sites to help you:
goveg.com
tryveg.com
chooseveg.com
and my website
www.maketheconnection.co.nr
Boca. substitute meat that tastes great.
just keep eating veggies and fruits/ breads and legumes.It's not terribly hard. I was a hardcore meat eater as well. I just kept an open mind on new foods to try. soy and tofu based.
I've been vegan my whole life, so I've technically never "gone" vegan. There's no reason why you should be hungry! I eat burritos, pizza, and pasta all the time, and I'm very full. I've never taken a vitamin or supplement, and have never been sick. All restaurants "cater" to vegetarians. I've never really understood this question, as I'm a vegan and eat out like 3+ times a week. It's seriously not hard to say "beans instead of meat" or "hold the cheese".
If you are really concerned for animal rights, choosing vegetarianism over being vegan is a very weak way of showing it, in my opinion. What is the point of cutting out meat, while you continue to support the egg and dairy, leather, fur, and wool industries, buy products from companies that conduct non-required animal toxicity tests:
http://www.caringconsumer.com/pdfs/compa...
and frequent zoos, rodeos, circuses, and other places where animals are held in captivity or forced to perform?
Congrats on your decision! I hope you choose veganism!