How can I be a vegetarian but still be healthy?

Question

I recently became a vegetarian for multiple reasons. I am having a little difficulty. I have been a vegetarian for 4 months now but I am hypoglycemic {I have low blood sugar that is corrected by eating extra protein}. It's hard for me to eat well. I need help!!!

Answer 1

Try to eat servings of either beans, nuts, tofu, tempeh, or seitan (normal vegetarian substitutions for meat), along with whole-grains (such as whole-grain wheat bread, quinoa) and lots of different veggies EVERY DAY!  

You can get protein from some unexpected sources such as whole wheat bread, soymilk, and dark leafy greens.   Make pasta sauce with cooked lentils or boca burger crumbles, and serve it over whole-wheat pasta with some Parmesan over it.  

Start experimenting with "ethnic foods"--there are lots of delicious dishes from other cultures that have been vegetarian for centuries!  For example, try Indian food or Thai!

You can make really good bean patties, and serve them with mashed potatoes and broccoli with lemon butter.  Here's a recipe!

Bean Patties:

in food processor blend until smooth, but still a little chunky:

1 can of black beans, drained & rinsed

1 can of white beans, drained & rinsed

Then put into bowl  and add/mix the following:

about 1 cup of breadcrumbs

salt & pepper

a handful of chopped fresh italian-leaf parsley

1-2 minced garlic cloves

a little olive oil

a little chopped onion (like 1/2 cup, to taste)

any other spices/herbs you like

form into patties about the size of hamburgers in the palm of your hand.  Then you fry them in a little oil on the stove on medium heat, or bake them at 400 degrees in the oven for 20 or so minutes.  

These are a great way to get protein.  We eat them all the time.  Also, you can serve them with a veggie like the broccoli below:

Broccoli with lemon butter

Get fresh broccoli, wash it, cut into bite-size florets, steam until soft, but not mushy.  Then mix together about 1 T of lemon zest and/or 2 T lemon juice, salt, pepper, and softened butter.  Put lemon butter on top of broccoli and it will melt.  So delicious!  and broccoli has protein in it!

Happy eating!

Answer 2

First of all, it is an illusion that protein consumption "corrects" hypoglycemia! The reason it appears this way is that protein is so complex that it stays in your system a long time digesting and gives the impression that you are cured. The fact is that hypoglycemia is a condition caused by poor dietary choices. If you stop eating refined carbs (refined grains and processed sugar) and up your fiber-rich foods and raw fruits and especially veggies, you would find that your condition improves immensely. You also need high-quality raw fats like organic coconut oil, avocados, and olive oil.

Answer 3

There are some easy, good sources of protein for vegetarians out there.

First off, there is nuts. Nuts are very high in protein, and, especially peanuts, are fairly cheap.

There is also beans, another great source, just makes sure (if getting canned beans) that you get the vegetarian kind, there are many cans of beans that contain animal fat.

The last source of protein I can think of is soy. Also fairly cheap, soy doesn't have near as much protein as nuts and such, but it is still very high in protein.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Yes.  I've been a vegetarian for my whole life and am very healthy.

Just make sure you get all the nutrients you need, maybe you can talk with a dietitian or a nutritionist.  I'm sure there is someone who would help you set a healthy vegetarian diet.

Answer 5

It's not hard at all.  Eat small frequent snacks and meals all through the day.  Google the vegetarian food pyramid.

Answer 6

Cutting back substantially is still the point, because, quite honestly, no one ever cuts back 100% anyway. Even the strictest vegan eats a few gnat's eggs in his salad by mistake.

  If you need protein, then, from time to time, eat a little meat for Christ's sake, just make sure it is the best, most organically grown you can find.

Answer 7

eat things with protien like cheese, beans, peanuts, and daily take protien powder like in smoothies, milk, and other drinks. im a vegan and its very important to take vitamin suppliments to give your body what it needs if you are not going to eat certain things. Hope this helps!

Answer 8

Nuts, soy, and protein shakes.

A lot of vegetables have protein in them too.