I need help in becoming a vegetarian in a meat eating city!?

Question

Well, first off I've been wanting to become a vegetarian for sometime now, just never had the ability too. But now I'm looking at some options, but I need some help in finding places in Winnipeg,MB that are mainly vegetarian or places I can find books(cheap) or just places that would have people to help someone going into this decision. Also I hear things about the vitamins and proteins from meat that you *Can't* get any where else. Anybody with any solutions or supplements for these deficiencies in a vegetarian life style. Also what are the difference between vegan and vegetarian? Also is eating dairy a no-no for vegetarians. Thanks in Advance.

Answer 1

its easy eat plenty of salads and veggies and fruits plenty of grains and pulses also tufu and soya i am half vegetarian i am managing ok all my life, dont eat junk foods like wimpys,mcDonalds etc they are bad for you.

Answer 2

There are no deficiencies in a vegetarian lifestyle if you eat a balanced diet and you can everything you need without meat.

Google "The vegetarian food pyramid" to see what you should be eating.

Answer 3

Hi.  I have been a vegetarian since I was 17 (am 32 now).  I have never been to pegtown but I live in Indianapolis which is another very meat-eating city.

I've found that just about any restaurant has at least 1 vegetarian entree.  It sucks not having many menu choices, but oh well.  Many restaurants will also agree to leave something out of a menu item if you ask them.  For instance, Outback Steakhouse will leave the chicken off of the grilled chicken, pineapple, veggies over rice dish, and increase the quantity of the other items.  Your best bets for vegetarian food will likely be Indian and Italian restaurants.  Mexican also, to a lesser degree.

I'm no nutritionist, but I think you can get everything from a vegetarian diet that you can from a meat diet, except possibly B12.  Nuts, dairy, and tofu have protein.  You can get iron from raisins and other plants...I had bloodwork done when I was 19 to check my iron and protein levels, and the doctor's exact words were "you're so normal it's disgusting".  Since then I haven't really worried too much about nutrients, although I'm starting to think about it more lately.

As for the terminology, "vegan" means someone who doesn't eat meat, seafood, dairy, or eggs.  A person who still eats eggs and/or dairy is considered a vegetarian (there are specific terms such as lacto-ovo-vegetarian, etc but they aren't used often).  Some people consider themselves vegetarians but still eat seafood (for instance, my mother) but I do not think that falls under the definition of the word.  I guess a new word is needed for that.

Google "Winnipeg vegetarian" - it's surprising how many cities have little clubs, or at least a website with a restaurant list.  I know that Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Kansas City all have something like that.  Sorry my info isn't closer to where you are.

Answer 4

There is no nutrient that is only found in meat. If there was, veggers would be dead rather than outliving omnis by anywhere from 5-15 years.

Vegetarians eat no animal flesh. (This includes fish and gelatin) Vegans eat no animal flesh, dairy, eggs, honey, or anything containing animal products or by-products. They don't wear leather, fur, or wool, buy consumer products from companies that conduct animal toxicity tests, or frequent zoos, circuses, rodeos, and other places where animals are held in captivity or forced to perform.

Dairy doesn't technically contain any meat, unless you count pus, but it certainly involves a good deal of cruelty, which isn't in keeping with the spirit of vegetarianism...

Answer 5

I've been doing it for 41 years and it's not been the least bit difficult. I do eat dairy, however, or anything an animal gives painlessly, so it's probably easier for me than it would be for someone giving up everything animal related.

First off, congratulations on your decision! Why not start slowly, say by eliminating the dead flesh of fellow mammals but continuing to eat poultry and fish. If you find it hard to deal without eating a hamburger, buy some frozen soy based hamburger patties and use instead of ground beef. (Morningstar Farms GRILLERS are excellent; I've found  them to taste almost exactly like the real thing! There are numerous other brands and styles as well, made by Gardenburger, Boca, Amy's, etc., but my own preference is for the Grillers). There are also soy weiners that taste incredibly close to real weiners if you want to have a hot dog once in awhile. (Yves makes the best ones, in my opinion).

If you're willing to continue to eat dairy, eat plenty of low fat or non fat yogurt, make cheese enchiladas (or buy frozen ones), etc.

It's easy to find meatless spaghetti sauces at the grocery store--there are lots of tasty choices--and my favorite healthy veggie meal is PIZZA! I make it at home using a Boboli crust (whole wheat is heatthiest, but many people prefer the original), smeared with meatless spaghetti sauce, topped with soy shreds (made by Yves, called "Veggie Shreds" , looks and tastes exactly like real cheese when melted) or low fat mozzerella shreds, and a variety of favorite veggie toppings (I like mushrooms, green peppers, onions, black and green olives, tomatoes, JALAPENOS!, and even sometimes anchovies!)

To be sure, I take a good daily multivitamin as well--and if you give up dairy and don't replace it with tofu products you may need a calcium supplement in addition.

But it's not hard at all. Go for it! Just don't try to do everything "cold turkey." Ease into it and soon you'll be a happier and healthier person!

Best of luck!

Answer 6

Count your blessings. At least you're not in Flin Flon (who the heck names a town Flin Flon??).

Answer 7

Vegan simply means no animal products whatsoever, including honey. Of course that includes eggs.

I take it that Winnipeg has libraries? You can find FREE veggie cookbooks there. I will give you a vegan Web site that rocks: www.ivu.org. It has vegan recipes from around the world! So whatever cuisine strikes your fancy, you can find it there! Learning to cook is key because you can take matters into your own hands. Restaurant food is typically pretty unhealthy anyhow. Lots of fried, chemical-laden, nuked food.

One thing to make life easier: lots of fresh fruits and veggies. I am sure there are farmers' markets there in the summer? Take advantage of fresh, local produce while it's still warm! Add some raw nuts and seeds, whole grains...you don't have to make such involved recipes all the time.