Is it hard to stick to being a vegetarian?

Question

I really would like to become a vegetarian since I've seen some disturbing videos about how people kill the animals.

I would like to know how I can stick to being a vegetarian and if it is hard. Also, how can I not eat meat since my family likes to cook a lot of meat?

Answer 1

well sounds like it would be very difficult 4 u. But u will live. when everyone else eats meat, you can eat a salad. And they also have veggie meat thats made out of like tofu but it still tastes like normal meat. They have special stuff like that for vegetarians. And, since u wont be getting enough protein, make sure u eat ALOT of beans :D

HOPE This HELPS

Answer 2

its really not hard at all, i just get kind of mad sometimes because theres a few things that really get me mad that they arent vegan friendly

cook your own meals

maybe use some meat substitues, theres lots of them out there

my favorites are boca, smart deli and yves

smart deli and yves are the only brands i know of that makes fake bologna and ham, for sandwiches or whatnot

make sure you read the ingredients on EVERYTHING!!!!!!

you never know what could have some sort of hidden animal ingredient

hers a list of animal ingredients for vegans to avoid, you can pick out the nonvegitarian ones if youd like (i dont know of any vegitarian lists on the internet, sorry)

http://www.caringconsumer.com/resources_...

Answer 3

While I have no personal experience or desire to live a vegetarian life, my sister has been a vegetarian since she was about 10.  

Although she's worked very hard to adhere to her decision, she's struggled for years on getting enough of the right kinds of nutrients to stay healthy.  She eats a lot of tofu and legumes (she especially likes garbonzo beans, aka chickpeas) as well as green, leafy vegetables like spinach and brocolli.  

You'd think she'd be pretty healthy, getting plenty of protein and iron, but she's been hospitalized twice for malnutrition.

So yes, it can be very hard - but not necessarily for the reasons you'd think.  I think it would be easier to start purchasing organic meat, instead - chicken and beef are readily available in your local health food store.

Answer 4

To be honest, its hard... or atleast it was for me. I really hated the idea of people killing animals for food, but especially the way they killed them. It was totally barbaric and abusive. I tried the vegetarian thing, and i was good at it, i stuck to it for about 3yrs with a few exceptions though... like i still ate some things like eggs and stuff that some vegetarians dont eat. But in the end i kinda found that the lifestyle wasnt for me. I became pregnant and gave up being a vegetarian, but i still try not to eat alot of meat, and i limit myself to only very few types of meat. I dont eat anything where the animals were given steroids or abused. I live in the country, and i make sure i know where my meat comes from, and its raised by caring people and have a very fast and i'd say near painless death.  

Answer 5

I've never found it hard at all.  On occasion, it's been inconvenient, but to me that has been a small price to pay for a diet that is in line with my principles.

Start by googling "vegetarian starter kit."  There are several free ones you can order and they should have plenty of good info to get you started.

I would also recommend picking up a copy of "The New Becoming Vegetarian" by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina.  Both of them are registered dietitians and the book is pretty much the bible of vegetarian nutrition.  Read it and you'll understand why all the hoopla over vegetarians and protein is unfounded and you'll know how to get your nutrients from food instead of relying on supplements (everything you need can be gotten on a vegetarian diet.)

You'll also want a couple of good cookbooks.  If your family cooks a lot of meat, you might have to be willing to help with the cooking and meal planning in order to get healthy meals that work for you.  Things like spaghetti sauce can be kept meatless for you and the rest of your family can add meat to it after you've served your portion, for example.

Answer 6

That's awesome how you care about animal treatment. You have many options to can choose from. I don't think sticking to a vegetarian diet is hard. But I also live alone and not a big fan of meat to begin with. You should research healthy substitutes for meat. If you choose to eat eggs and milk, dietary supplements are not necessary with a well balanced vegetarian diet. Vegans who do not eat any animal products (milk, eggs, honey) need to be careful of b-12 deficiencies.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vegetar...

Also, Omega fatty acids are not abundant in the plant world. However, flax seeds are easy to obtain and contain large source of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fat...

You might struggle with cultural influences. If your diet is based around meat, making the switch might be difficult. If this is the case, try reducing the amount of meat consumption over time. If you are having trouble but still care for the animals, try looking into local farming. With local farms, you can see how well the animals are treated. There are problems with large organic meat vendors hyping their claims. So research what company you buy from or buy locally and speak with the farmer yourself.

Answer 7

well, you have to start taking iron supliments because iron is in meat. and you have to find other sources of protein. it might be very hard in the beggining. try to eat less meat for now, and continue to eat less and less until you know that you can deal with eating none at all. it will be harder to stop eating meat so abruptly, so do it over time.

=)

Answer 8

Maybe you should just cut back on the quantity of meat that you eat for the time being.  That would be much easier and to me, more sensible.  Videos are easy to produce and there are people who film them for their own propagandistic purposes.

Answer 9

Only if you enjoy eating.

Answer 10

Staying vegetarian can be difficult, as we unfortunately live in a world geared towards meat-eaters. However, these challenges should not discourage you from doing what you believe to be right.

I think the key to remaining committed to vegetarianism is to consistently remind yourself of your values and ethics. I wouldn't suggest watching more videos of animal suffering (unless you desperately need that jolt), as they may serve only to hurt you and make you jaded. Instead, try reading some well-informed and well-reasoned arguments for a vegan and vegetarian diet. For issues of animal rights, try "Animal Liberation" by Singer, "The Case for Animal Rights" by Regan, or "Drawing the Line" by Wise. For health reasons, try "The China Study" by Campbell or "The Food Revolution" by Robbins.

If you're lucky enough to have a supportive family, you can ask them to help you prepare the same meal they're eating, but with tofu, beans, seitan, veggie burgers or other meat alternatives. If they aren't willing to accommodate you, cook for yourself. Look up some vegan/vegetarian recipes, or use meat substitutes in your favorite dishes. Also, remember to eat plenty of whole grains and vegetables. Try cooking up some veggie sides for your whole family to enjoy.

Answer 11

I am vegatarian since 8 years. It is easy if your mantality is like that ,that you prefere to eat other things than meat. If you like meat after short time you return to your meat diet.

It can be difficult if you do not like cook,because if  your family is not vegetarian,you have to cook alone.

I suggest,not to stop suddenly eating meat. I first stop eat pork,then beef,then slowly I stop to eat chicken an last fishes. Just I eat milk and egs from animal products.

You should start to like all kind vegetables,fruits,many kinds grains. Eat little often,because you can feel little hungry because normally meat is very slowly absorb by organism and you feel full for longer time than eating in vegetarian way.

For me is very good to cook in Indian style,with few spices.

I like vegatarian diet and do not want to return to eating meat.

I wish you good, health  vegetarian meals.

Answer 12

Nope.  Just watch the documentary called "Earthlings".  You'll never want to eat meat again.

Answer 13

no

Answer 14

nope, being a vegetarian is easy.

being vegans harder.

and just tell your family you want to be vegetarian.