Turning vegetarian help?

Question

I've been a vegetarian for about a month now. Although I didn't eat a lot of meat before, does anyone have any suggestions for foods to look out for to replace the nutrients I will no longer be getting from meat?

Also, I've been feeling a bit bloated for the last few weeks, is there anything I can do to stop this? I don't eat many more vegetables from before, just cut out the meat, so I wasn't expecting this.

Answer 1

I'm veggie and my mum finds it a pain  ! and 13 =] ( since 5yrs old  )

You reallllly have to think about this.

Tell your doctor your need vit/min supplants if you don't get in foods and ask him/her about this as if you miss out key food groups that can be bad for your body ..

totu is niceee !

Answer 2

peanuts for youre strength of standing tall. and penutebutter

Answer 3

Well you can easily replace meat with beans and cheese. Together, they are a complete protein and there are so many good recipes so you don't get bored.

In my personal opinion, I think the people in America are way too dependent on meat and protein when it really isn't as necessary as they say. If you compare Americans to people in other countries, Americans are much bigger. Not even fatter, just bigger. This is definitely due to how much protein we feel we need. So honestly, don't sweat not getting all the right nutrients. Just make sure you're eating healthy foods.

I'm a vegetarian and I definitely upped my produce intake. Getting involved in cooking also helps because you're motivated to try new things and add foods to your diet you might not have before.

I'm not sure what to tell you about being bloated. Try drinking a lot of water and exercise 3-4 days a week. It doesn't HAVE to be vigerous but I think the movement alone will help.

Answer 4

Have you been eating a lot of soy? Because people who eat a lot of soy can have problems.... Just like digesting too much meat (which is gross). Anyway Just make sure that you're getting a little of everything. If you can cut out dairy you'll feel great! And eggs... Really you don't need them. Just make sure that you get a little protein with each meal (That means something like tofu, tempe... so on and so forth). If you want a great book to read pick up one of the being vegetarian/vegan for dummies books.. Thats what helped me in the beginning!:)

Answer 5

vegetarian:  old indian word that means "bad hunter".

Answer 6

i like ya_vigal's comment, but i disagree, i can hunt, and well too. but i am still a veg*n.

things like beans should be you biggest issue when it comes to you diet, eat all the beans you can (within rationality) the cause of you bloating is either low fiber, dehydration, or malnutrition. eat more beans, get a varity of veggies, and drink more water, if that doesn't help go to the doctor.

also if you dead stopped eating meat, you body might be going through withdraw.

Answer 7

Cheese, nuts, pulses (lentils), peas (falafel!), beans, tofu (either buy plain and cook it yourself or vege ready meals), soya (Textured Soya Protein)... all the obvious ones really. They're all good.

It's actually not hard to get all your nutrients from a vegetarian diet. The biggest difference is that by getting all the good stuff from a vegetarian diet you cut out most of the bad stuff like cholesterol. In fact... the only food vegetarians eat that has any cholesterol is cheese! Other than that, it's cholesterol free and tofu even LOWERS your existing cholesterol!

In fact there's no reason for vegetarians to be any smaller or punier than carnivores. I myself am 6'2'' and 240 lbs. There are even pro body builders who are vegetarian.

I'm not sure why you would feel bloated... Maybe see a dietitian if it persists.

Good luck!

EDIT: To ya_vigilante: I've been a vegetarian since the age of 4 and I've been hunting, snaring and shooting since the age of 10. Now p**s off before we gut and skewer you because judging from your words you are clearly in some kind of vegetative state...

Answer 8

hi callum,

Im a vegetarian too. ive been a vegetarian for almost 11 years. hmm regarding the food...i think u can take soy products, beancurds and milk to provide ur body sufficient nutrients. The only thing that u have to tell urself is that try to control if u have a temptation to eat meat. I was a non vegetarian until i volunteered myself to become vegetarian. Some vegetarian do consume egg. In my situation, i dont take eggs but sometimes its very difficult to stay away from eggs espcially when im in other place rather than my home. Ya...some they add eggs in certain vegetarian products. I dont know where ur from but try to look for alternative vege products. its just to vary ur food. If u keep on eating vegetables everyday, u may get bored n stop being a vegetarian. it is sometimes very difficult to find food when ur away from ur home but it all lies on ur own strength to maintain ur vegetarinism. Eat nut,bread,milk,fruits.

Answer 9

You'll need more iron, and you can get this from dark green veggies like spinage and broccolli. Also, any veggie "meat" is great - theres different brands, but they're basically soya, and give you the same good stuff as meat would.

I'm a vegetarian, and didnt experience bloating, so I'm not too sure what that could be...maybe varying what your eating a bit will help?