Tips on becoming vegetarian?

Question

Stuff i should know about? My family eats meat, and i want to become a vegetarian my mom is all for it she told me that first i have to go to the doctor or something... i don't know Helppp?

Answer 1

Yeah. Stay away from meat!

Answer 2

So you are like me - eating without the violence to save animals :) Thats cool! Hi5 to you!

Well it is kinda difficult becoming a Vegetarian so I am going to try and make it easier...

- Give yourself a break once in a while. When you start off, eat meat only once a week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks - until the forth week.. then try not to eat it any more.

- Buy some Vegetarian cook books! :) You might find some new recipes that you might actually like!

- Be sure to eat lots of beans, nuts, cheese, and other dairy products. (unless you are becoming vegan, then no dairy)

- Check labels for food that may not be "suitable for vegetarians" - some processed foods have hidden animal ingredients such as gelatin, animal fats and rennet. The main ones to check are vegetarian cheeses, yogurts, soups, desserts and some sweets and biscuits

- Only eat cheeses that list enzymes as microbial or vegetable-based. Most cheeses are in fact not vegetarian, as they contain animal enzymes derived from killed calf stomach.

- You can still have 'family-favorites' such as spaghetti, lasanga, chili - without the meat :)

- If you eat meat by accident, then dont worry because we all make mistakes. It doesnt mean you're no longer a Vegetarian, it just means you're human.. Reminds yourself again why you didnt eat meat in the first place and you wont go back to eating it.

Answer 3

Hi.  If you are a healthy young woman, you don't need to see a doctor.  A vegetarian diet is not at all risky, especially if you take some time to learn about food and what nutrients your body needs. (Omnivore's should learn these things too!)

I suggest getting a book on it that includes advice and a simple cookbook. I've linked a good starter one for teens below.  I used this, and passed it on to my brothers girlfriend when she became a veggie.  She likes it!  

The big pitfall to avoid is to avoid replacing meat with lots of sugar or carbs.  Don't stop eating meat and eat only cookies and a ton of pasta!  Take some time to discover good sources of protein and healthy fats, so your meals will be balanced.  It's not that hard, despite what people say, there are a TON of sources of veggie protein.  Beans, tofu and other soya products, eggs, nuts, spinach, etc.

You might want to add a multi-vitamin to your diet as well, at least while you are learning.  

The diet part isn't that hard.  The HARD part of being a vegetarian is having to constantly explain you don't eat meat; it gets really old explaining yourself over and over.  And also, when you go to parties/dinners/out to eat with friends, other people might worry you won't be able to eat! (I know I felt really sorry when my grandmother worried I was hungry at holidays.)

The good thing is more and more people are going vegetarian and so it's not so weird anymore and people don't care as much.  Restaurants are getting better at making more tasty veggie options.  As for grandma and parties, it's best to just adopt a smiley I'm-happy-with-whatever attitude and never make it an issue.  NEVER lecture to people about it--those vegetarians make all veggie's look bad.  

If it's a barbeque, bring along a box of boca burgers, and some corn on the cob, and throw em on the grill so you can join in too.  

Good luck and welcome to a healthy, happy lifestyle!

Answer 4

Try buying the veggie meats at the grocery store. They are good and help you get protein.

Answer 5

if you're going vegetarian for health reasons, then, yeah, talk to your doc. if it is for something like you feel bad for the animals, then don't go vegetarian. you will save between zero and zero animals.

Answer 6

MorningStar veggie stuff tastes amazing! Try some of that. And if you really just eat something like salad and try to enjoy it, you will.

Answer 7

I don't much meat either, but keep in mind you still have to have protein and there are different kinds of vegetarians.  Some refuse to eat eggs or drink milk .  You also must eat fish to help your body.  Meat seams to weigh me down and i weigh 123lbs not much but I'm a small woman and I just feel to full and not good it i eat meat.  But always ask your doctor and be sure your body can handle it.  Certain vegs help stop cancer to so even if you decide to still eat meat eat vegs and fruits to.

Answer 8

Eat plants

Do not eat anything that has a Face or once have a Face

Answer 9

im a vegetarian too. as long as u eat lyk beans or food with protein ull be fine. the first few weeks were hard but after a while u really get used to it.  i didnt go to a doctor but some ppl do but i already knew that my nutrition was okay.