Healthy food for a better life =] vegetarians please.?

Question

Where in Chicago can i go to find meat replacements? [ i want to eat healthier so Ive decided to NOT eat meat ] Do they taste the same as regular meat? Other organic food products where can i find that?

Any advise for a beginner?

Im only 16 so Im going to try as much as I can; its hard to get places because i can't drive and Im poor [ no job] but trying to do something is better then nothing plus if i ask my dad he'll help me =]

Be nice I appreciate everything =]

Answer 1

go to your local grocery store, most of them have an organic/vegetarian section now, if they don't look in the yellow pages for health foods.  I personally like Morningstar and Boca Flame Grilled burgers, I also eat a lot of whole grain pastas

Answer 2

Aww. Good for you. :)    

   Tofu is an excellent meat replacement. Just get a cookbook on tofu and that'll solve the problem of "What to do with it after it's out of the package."

   "Fake Meat" is also good, but a little gross because you're expecting the taste of real meat. Plus it's a little on the unhealthy side because of all the additives and other junk they put in it.

   Beans and peanutbutter are also great for getting protein. Plus they (well, peanutbutter) are high in fat. The fat you consume from meat is cut out when you don't eat meat. So you need somewhere to get that healthy fat.

  Avacadoes (guacamole) are also filled with really healthy fat, plus a lot of other great stuff.

   If you need more help, just e-mail me at [e-mail]

Answer 3

I also use Morningstar Farms and Boca products.  If you can't find them in their own section, try looking in the freezer section where they put the breakfast waffels and stuff.  Wierd, but that is usually where I find them!

Try the MF hotdogs, either brand has wonderful burgers, chicken, and breakfast sausage.  As you get use to eating vege, you will probably use less and less of these, and lean more to vegetables and grains, beans, tofu, and so on.  

We probably use MF or Boca once or twice a month, although dh loves biscuits and "sausage" on Sunday!

I almost forgot...Tofurkey makes very good lunch meat.  You will find this in the produce aisle, normally close to the tofu.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

the so-called meat substitutes are pathetic IMO.  the best vegetarian diet is this: eat pure (unprocessed) wholesome foods that come straight from the earth.  lots of vegetables and fruits.  for protein you can eat legumes (beans, peas) and milk products (cheese, yogurt).  try reading a book published in the 1970's titled "Diet for a Small Planet" and buy the Sunset book on Vegetarian Cooking - lots of excellent recipes that even non-vegetarians will like.

do you have garden space for a vegetable garden?  try it - it's very gratifying to grow your own food and enjoy it fresh off the vine.