Vegetarian Question Again?

Question

I asked this yesterday, but I am looking for more responses. So Im askin again

I want to go vegetarian. I decide that I am going to avoid all meat and cheese and try to avoid milk. I watched a video on the PETA site that made me realize that animals shouldnt have to die on my behalf. How they treat the animals is wayyy wrong. I am mainly looking to cut out all meat out of my diet, but want to quit cheese and milk also. So I have a couple questions that I was wondering about and any help will be great.

1. What are some good foods to buy at the store that are Vege?

2. How hard is it?

3. What are some pro's and con's about it?

4. And how can I get everyone to take me serious and have faith in me and support me?

5. What are some recipe's or things to eat that you would recommmend?

6. What is a good way to start, like should I go cold turkey?

7. Can Vegetarian still have dairy?

I know that it is alot but thanks in advance for all the help

Answer 1

This is a wonderful site that should answer all your questions and give lots of helpful advice, recipes and how to answer questions about your choices.

http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/index.php

Good luck and you will be taken seriously if you are serious about your choice.

Answer 2

1. Buy a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and grains. Tofu and frozen meals (like Amy's) are also good. Here's a list of popular vegan non-dairy and fake meat products: http://www.vegcooking.com/guide-favs.asp

2. It's not too hard; there are so many delicious vegetarian products available these days. Many restaurant chains like Burger King and Johnny Rockets even offer veggie burgers. It does take some time to adjust in the beginning, but after awhile, it becomes a routine part of your life. Having motivation like a PETA video is helpful -- you can think of those images if you're tempted to eat meat.

3. Pros: healthier, easier to lose weight (assuming you don't eat tons of simple carbs and junk food)... it feels good to know you're reducing animal suffering and helping the environment... vegan diets are cholesterol-free since cholesterol is only found in meat, eggs, and dairy. I have more energy and don't get sick as often.

Cons: Some people will feel defensive and try to argue with you about vegetarianism. Being vegetarian makes you more aware of all the suffering in the world and it can be depressing to think about... also, it's not convenient if you're at a steakhouse where salad is the only option.

4. Be careful that you don't act condescending or holier-than-thou, that just turns people off and doesn't help anything. Be courteous when you express your views, even if people are not polite to you. Try to have a sense of humor about things. You will get plenty of people who say things like "MMM I love eating murdered animals!!" ... never resort to calling people names or criticizing them for eating meat. Remember the point isn't to win an argument; the goal is to open people's minds and hearts to the plight of animals.

My parents did not support me or have faith in me when I went vegetarian. More than 10 years later, they can see that I'm really committed and it's not just a teenage phase. Just do your own thing and try not to worry about what people think.

5. Here's a good recipe site: http://www.chooseveg.com/vegan-recipes.a...

6. Some people find it easier to make a clean break with meat and become vegetarian overnight, while others need some time to transition. Either way is fine; feel free to go at your own pace. This site tells how to make the transition in one month: http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=06makin...

7. Yes, vegetarians can have dairy. Vegans don't have eggs or dairy.

Also, here are some veg websites you might find helpful:

http://www.tryveg.com/

http://www.chooseveg.com/

http://ar.vegnews.org/ <--- this has good responses to questions like

"don't plants feel pain, too?"

Good luck!!

Answer 3

1. What are some good foods to buy at the store that are Vege?

ok you should buy products like boca and morning star their delicous fake meat and chicken products!

2. How hard is it?

for me not hard

3. What are some pro's and con's about it?

pros your way healthier! con's it may be harder when you go out to eat to find veg options but ussually you can tell them to leave the meat products out.

4. And how can I get everyone to take me serious and have faith in me and support me?

truth is they do support you my brother would always make fun of me but at the end he was all wow you have amazing will power and its true.

5. What are some recipe's or things to eat that you would recommmend?

you have to try fake chicken patties from boca their soooo good! also the fake chicken nuggets from morning star!

6. What is a good way to start, like should I go cold turkey?

yes!

7. Can Vegetarian still have dairy?

you can i mean milk has delicious flavours like blood, pus, and scabs, its great!

hmm hope i helped

Answer 4

1. It depends really. Just make sure to read the labels on foods. Lately I've been noticing that ready made breadcrumbs have fish oil added to it. You could start to buy some soy products such as tofu or tempeh, these are not hard to find in any supermarket these days. Also start eating alot of beans i.e kidney/chickpea/navy etc.

2. It will be a little difficult at first. Though when i first start vegetarianising myself i had stopped eating red meat 5 years prior, but i still ate chicken - so chicken was my vice. I eventually overcame it. It will take some time to readjust your tastebuds :)

3. pros - you'll have more energy and be more aware about nutrition, cons - like moll said before you have to watch for your nutrient intake.. and also cost is also a con, unfortunately some vegetarian products are considered 'gourmet' for some reason so the prices may be 'gourmet' prices.

4. Try not to force your vegetarianism down anybody's throat. People will just feel cornered and defensive - that's usually why they're not as supportive as they should. I guess people will take you seriously because you're beginning to look out for your health.

5. I suggest going to these websites - i go there frequently for recipes  http://www.vegsoc.org.au/recipes.asp  http://www.veganmania.com/index.php

http://www.vnv.org.au/site/index.php?opt...

6. It depends on you. If you're ready for the change then cold turkey may be for you. But perhaps a slower transition would be easiest and better in the long run - to give yourself time to adjust to life without meat. it won't seem as such a shock then.

7. just in response to molls answer there.. vegetarians do not any animal regardless if it is fish or chicken. I myself am a vegetarian and do not eat either. I do eat cheese though, but some vegetarians such as myself am careful with cheese. I only buy cheese that is made with vegetable based rennet or microbial rennet. Enzyme rennets that're commonly used to make cheese are obtained from the cow's stomach.. that's just my preference. I still drink dairy milk. but am increasing the intake of nut milks and soy milk into my diet.

i hope my responses have helped you on your journey :)

Answer 5

1.  If you live in an area with a Whole Foods, it should be easy to find good food.  The meat substitute items (especially Quorn -- http://www.quorn.com/).

2.  Not tough at all.  I was raised on cajun food (all meat and seafood), and have been a vegetarian for 10 years.

3.  All pro's except little restaurant choices when you're in small towns.

4.  The only way to get support from non-believers is longevity.  It you stick to it, they'll eventually support you.

5.  Get a wok and go Asian.  There are also lots of French and Italian dishes, especially if you're vegetarian and not vegan.

6.  I ate fish and fowl for about 6 months, no red meat.  I then went vegetarian.  I haven't found reason to go totally vegan.  Maybe that would work for you.

7.  Yes.  Vegetarian = food that does not involve the death of animals.  Vegan = food from only plants.

Answer 6

1. fruits/vegetables

2. if youre serious, not too hard.

3. pros- youre not supporting slaughter/factory farming/cruelty

    cons- you have to keep track of your vitamin intake more than a non-vegetarian would.

4. a lot of people will doubt you. ive been vegetarian for almost 17 months and my parents still dont support me. but i can live with myself because of it, so im fine.

5. id say google it. there are TONS of recipes to try.

6. i went cold turkey. it was the best route for me.

7. yes, vegans cannot. vegetarians cannot have fish or poultry, as some people claim.

good luck!

Answer 7

i ahve gone back and forth form beng a vegan to vegetarian to meat eater all my life haha. now im bakc on the veggie train :D. go to goveg.com its an awsome resource by peta that has great recipes that are easy to follow and delicious. and in my experience i woudl go cold turkey as i found it easier not to be tempted. yves is a great meat substitute and tastes great. make sure your taking vitamins as you can lose alot of when not eating meat. watch your b12. if your getting tired takes some b12 pills or ask your doctor fot a injection.  and tech you shouldnt have diary but thats your call.

And good luck. let me know how it goes for you!!!

Answer 8

I have both vegan and vegetarian clients.  For them it is a way of life as well as a culture--and it's a state of mind.

When I cook for them, I love being creative because they appreciate it.  My challenge is to make things as mainstream as possible.

Buying food at a store isn't difficult--as long as you read the labels carefully.  Not all vegetarian acceptable things will be marked vegetarian.

However, if you gain a true understanding of vegetarianism, it will be simpler to work on your food plan.  Either go to the library and check out a book on the subject or purchase a book like this one:http://www.powells.com/biblio?PID=7169&c...

Once you have a complete understanding of how it works, then you can focus on exactly HOW you want to eat within the vegetarian guidelines.  Do that before you do your shopping.

Have a plan, make up some menus from online vegetarian recipes, then go looking for the ingredients. Don't just decide to do it and then get frustrated.

Some good foods to buy at the grocery store? Tofu sausage, tofu or garden burgers, tofu chorizo, tofu ground beef, chick peas, olive oil (get the best you can afford), oriental noodles, soy sauce, vegetables for stir fry (use tofu in the stir fry), bean sprouts and avocado for pita bread sandwiches, avocado for guacamole, whole grain cereals, rice to go with stir fry, rice to use in vegetable and mushroom casserole, whole grain breads for toast and jam or sandwiches, soups and stews made with barley, peas, tofu, carrots, onions, potatoes.

If you don't have them, get some good herbs and spices to use with your cooking.  How about vegetable lasagna?  What about vegetable spaghetti sauce or spaghetti squash.

Or, fried eggplant with spaghetti sauce and a Caesar salad?

There is no reason you can't eat very much like anyone else, once you see how simple it is and how it works.  If you will permit yourself an occasional milk product like ricotta or farmer's cheese, or Parmesan it would be nice.  There are egg substitutes available to use for coatings, omelettes and for some baking and there are a zillion recipe books out that will acquaint you with all sorts of food items.

I see many pros, especially your health.  You by yourself can't keep people from being carnivores, and you may not save an animal with your new eating habits, but the point is to try.  As far as getting people to take you seriously, that will always be a challenge--however, you can make the process easier by not making a big deal out of it.  Quietly go your own way.  If invited out, find out in advance what kind of food is being served in that place.  Menus for many chain recipes are published on line.  Look for the items that will best suit you.  Don't wait until you get to the place and then discover that they don't have a lot of things that you would care for--which draws attention to your eating habits instead of having a visit with friends.  By making the focus less on what you eat than who you are, is the way to make people know you are serious.  Telling meat eaters that they are on the wrong track will only make them defensive, showing them by example is much better.

Going cold turkey works for some people, however--don't do anything until you really know what is involved.  Read a couple of books, look at recipe books and go to several grocers to see what is available. Go to Asian and Indian markets and look at their selection of vegetable oriented foods, and get some new tastes to enjoy in the bargain.

Indian vegetable curries are wonderful.  They smell good and taste good.

Yes, you can have milk and eggs if you choose, that is called ovo/lacto vegetarianism--but get familiar with the whole principle which will help you in your choices.

I know this is a long answer, but your question deserved the best answer I could give you as I would like to encourage you in this direction.  PS--don't forget fruits and the many ways that they can be prepared--as desserts but also as accompanyments to main course things such as butternut squash and sautee'd apples--or spicy pear relish.  That kind of thing.

Answer 9

Everyone has given really good answers so far, but I want to point out that if you are going to keep dairy in your diet - which can be a great source of protein and calcium - there are other things to consider, too. If you are strict about not contributing to the death of animals, I recommend reading ALL cheese labels carefully. Rennet, an enzyme taken from a cow's stomach acid, is commonly used to produce cheese (generally sharper Mediterranean cheeses like Romano, Parmesan, and Goat's Cheeses.) Depending on your stand in the matter and how strict you plan on being about it, this is something to watch for. There are cheeses made from vegetarian rennet which definitely gives us cheese-loving veggies some much-needed variety. Check out organic and health-food sections of your grocery store.

Answer 10

1.  there is a huge amount of food you can buy that's veg!! try visiting www.peta.org/accidentallyvegan for a list of prepared foods that are vegan.  if you try to get mostly whole foods (fruits, veggies, grains, etc.) you won't have to worry about whether an animal was harmed to make it or not.  

2.  for some people it is simple, for others it can be hard.  for me it was a peice of cake!!  i printed out quotes from famous vegetarians and pictures of animals and posted them in my office and my kitchen...i even have one in my wallet! it keeps me motivated and helps me to not forget why i'm veg.

3.  pros: your health will improve, you won't have a guilty conscience, better skin, less expensive......the list goes on and on!!

cons: some people won't understand why you're doing it and can be very rude or insensitive...but that's the only con i can think of.

4.  do your research!! people will take you seriously if you know what you're talking about.  try to think of all of the questions they might ask you and think about how you will answer them in a calm, adult manner.  show them the facts....and have resources available to back up your claims.  also, if you make an effort to shop for your food and prepare it yourself it will show them that you aren't expecting them to do all the work for you.

5.  there are a ton of options!! here are some easy ones to get you started:

bean burritos or veggie fajitas

red beans and rice

veggie/tofu stir fry

eggplant parmesan

stuffed peppers

falafel

vegetable soups

veggie or spinach lasagna

cashew curry

vegetarian chili

etc. etc. etc....the options are endless!!

try visiting www.theveggietable.com...it's one of my fave veg sites for recipes.

6.  i prefer going cold turkey.  it's like jumping into a cold swimming pool...you adjust faster if it's done all at once instead of just sticking your toes in.  if you wean yourself off of meat you'll keep thinking, "oh my gosh, this is the last ____ i'll ever eat!!" and then you'll talk yourself out of it.

7.  there are different types of vegetarians...some can have dairy and some can't.

ovo-lacto vegetarians- eat milk and egg products, but no meat

lacto vegetarians- eat milk products, but no eggs or meat

vegans- do not eat any animal products, including meat, eggs, dairy, honey, etc.

GOOD LUCK!!!!! and welcome to the veg*n family =)