Switching to vegetarianism?

Question

Alright, I do believe you can be healthy eating animals, but I have recently read some pretty shocking information on how these animals are treated. I am considering becoming a vegetarian, maybe mostly vegan (if that makes sense), but I want to do it right. I don't want to be more unhealthy by not getting essential nutrients.

I think I know what I need to do to make this happen, but if anyone has any tips on how to make the transition easier, I'd appreciate it.

Feel free to tell to me to just buck up and do it. It won't hurt my feelings if thats what it comes down to. :)

Thanks in advance!!!

Answer 1

go for it!!!! i'm a vegetarian by birth but i recently read about how animals are treated in factories too and it is a HORRIABLE thing, and it's sad how not many people know about the things that are done to their dinner's dead body. i would start out with vegetarian first though because vegan would be tough. then if you are feeling strong and want to go for veganism then go for it! if you are going to eat cheese and eggs and dairy make sure you get organic and Horizon cheese and Cabot cheese don't have animal rennet so it's good! make sure to eat healthy! we need more vegetarians and vegans in this world! if you have a will and want to do this DON'T LET WHAT ANYONE SAYS TO PUT YOU DOWN GET TO YOU because you are an awesome person to comitte to a challange! don't give up! ; ) good luck

Answer 2

Check out www.vegweb.com for thousands of great vegan recipes. Their recipes are rated by members so it is best to pick the ones that are four or five stars.

Also, you might want to try experimenting with different kinds of ethnic foods. Many offer more options and variety for vegans and vegetarians, than say... traditional american food. I'm not a fan of veggie burgers and fake meats. There are healthier and tastier options out there.

The following cuisines have a huge variety of vegetarian and vegan options:

South Indian food

Middle Eastern food

Thai food

Japanese food

Answer 3

The site "Jen" posted is really helpful!

When I wanted to switch over to vegetarianism, I was playing a sport, and my body required a lot of protein. Since the easiest way for a person to get protein is from meat, I started out cutting red meat, or to be more specific, any meat that came from mammals, from my diet but continued to eat chicken and turkey.

Eventually, I weaned myself off of all meat. To keep my body healthy and full of protein, I eat soy meat substitutes. Soy Boca Burgers, Chickenless nuggets, etc. (My favorite place to get meat alternatives is Trader Joe's.)

I also drink soy milk (though I am neither lactose intolerant nor vegan) use protein milkshake powder, when I've got a sweet tooth, and it tastes excellent unlike most protein powders.

You'll get a lot of nutrients you need from the fruits and vegetables you eat. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and so on. If you're that truly worried about a meal plan that works for you and your body, contact a dietitian!

Hope this helped.

Answer 4

May I suggest that you start vegetarian and then you can try veganism once you're comfortable not eating meat. It's easier to give up meat if you can still have dairy. Then, later, if you want to, you can give up that.

Mostly, though, unless you happen to live in a major metropolitan area with lots of good vegetarian restaurants, you're going to have to learn to cook to eat well. I recommend "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian" by Mark Bittman. He also offers tips on how to make some of the recipes Vegan.

That said, the other alternative is to reduce the meat you eat and research local farms that treat animals humanely. There are some who do a good job.

Answer 5

I'd suggest.....staying an omnivore! Buy only free-range meat! But, if that's not going to happen, fine. Check out some vegetarian cookbooks from your library, check with your doctor to make sure you're in good enough shape and ask what you can do to make up nutrients. And get some people who'll support you on this, so you won't feel like you're going at it alone.

Answer 6

don't eat soya unless it states it was made from soya not grown in the rainforests. we are losing our rainforests because there being cleared by manufacturers of soya. you don't want vegetarianism to be the cause of global warming and loss of the rainforests which soak up the toxins in the atmosphere.

Make sure you get iron and folic acid, the best source is from cereal fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Answer 7

congrats for turning to vegetarian because of you more and more animals will save their lives

Proteins: Body's protein needs can be provided by either animal or plant sources. Mixed protein diet obtained from various plant sources is better than animal protein and is recommended in diabetes, renal diseases and liver diseases. Mixed protein diet from different plant sources has been the pattern of diet in India for all vegetarians.

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are mainly found in plant foods; like cereals, grains, fresh and dry fruits, legumes, vegetable, greens, nuts etc. plant carbohydrates include' large amounts of starches, sugar and fibers which are important for gut functions. The body is better suited to a high carbohydrate diet than a low carbohydrate diet. In fact 55% of the food intake should be carbohydrate. All animal products do not contain carbohydrate which is essential for body.

Fat: Plant fats differ from animal fats in two different ways 1) they are cholesterol free 2) they generally contain more polyunsaturated fat and less saturated fats. Plant fats usually have higher polyunsaturated fat value than animal fats.

A diet which is low in cholesterol and which contains fat of a high PIS value is associated with a lower incident of coronary health disease.

Vitamins and Minerals: plant foods are rich in many vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is obtained by exposure of skin to sun light and this is not a problem in India.

Calcium: The vegetarians can meet their needs for calcium from dairy products. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Dark green vegetables are good sources of Riboflavin as are legumes and whole grain cereal.

Iron: The problem of iron deficiency is relatively common but vitamin C significantly enhances absorption of iron hence it is advisable for vegetarians to include with each meal a food high in vitamin C which as lime, citrus fruits or juices.

Zinc: Zinc is found in large number of plant foods.

Fiber: Fiber is found only in vegetarian food like whole grain cereals, legumes, greens, fruits, vegetable etc.

Thus in vegetarian foods all requirement of nutrition for body growth and maintenance is fulfilled. One can have a complete and balanced diet provided we take enough food which is as close to nature as possible in maintaining sturdy and disease free body. It is equally helpful in curing many diseases.

ADVANTAGES OF VEGETARIAN DIET:

More & more evidence is surfacing that directly links a prolonged non- vegetarian diet to diseases as cancers, heart diseases, diabetes, asthma just to name a few.

1. LOGEVITY: Vegetarian can expect to live 4-10 years longer then the non-vegetarians.

" Source: Seventh day Adventists study

2. LESS HEART DISEASE: Because of low fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content of the vegetarian diet the risk of heart disease is lowered. High blood cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of heart disease.

3. LESS CANCER: Up to 40% of all cancers are diet related. Cancer death rates have been associated with obesity and high fat / low fiber diet. Vitamin A & C are thought to be protective against colon cancer. Low fat diets protect against prostrate and breast cancer. Indoles, lignans, isoflavones, protease inhibitors which are present in plant foods and shown to be potent anti carcinogens.

4. LESS BOWEL DISEASE: Diverticular disease and appendicitis occur more frequently with low fiber intake as in meat diet.

5. LEES OBESITY & LESS INCIDENCE OF DIABETES: It is easier to plan a low fat diet for a vegetarian then for a meat eater. The fiber in plant food dilutes the energy & provides a satisfying meal without all the calories. Diabetes over the age of 40 seems to be related to obesity.

Answer 8

Congratulations! Vegetarians and vegans save hundreds of animals a year from being slaughtered.  One person can definitely make a difference!  I'm a vegetarian as well and take a liquid vitamin daily, which contains all of the vitamins, minerals, omegas, etc.. that I miss from meat.  I also am sure to eat soy products, such as tofu, and lots of fruits and vegetables.  I feel better now than I ever have! It was probably the best decision I've ever made in my life, so I encourage you to do the same.  Just to make the transition easier, however, I suggest you try being vegetarian for a few months before you become vegan.  I think thats seems easier than going straight into being vegan.  Good luck and congrats again!! :)

Answer 9

Here's an excellent guide for vegetarianism. I used it when I switched over and I'm more healthy than ever before:

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides/Fo...

Answer 10

Get yourself some books and read up on becoming a vegetarian. You will need a couple vegetarian cookbooks too.