What vegetarian food should I eat?

Question

Ok, well I've been a vegetarian for about five years and I'm very proud of it. I'd say I'm pretty healthy...I eat a lot of fruit and veggies and I also eat veggie nuggets, burgers, corn dogs etc. But here's the problem: my parents are saying that I'm extremely unhealthy. I really don't think I am, but are there any other things I could eat that are vegetarian/vegan? I really don't like milk, what can I do about that problem? My parents are getting really mad at me for that. Oh and by the way, I'm almost 14. Don't say I shouldn't be a vegetarian, because I'm not getting enough protein. That's not even true, so don't judge me. Oh recipes would be nice. Thanks! =)

Answer 1

Vanilla soy milk is the best, I suggest 8th Continent.

Beans, eggs, legums..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetariani...

hope this link will help!

Answer 2

"I also eat veggie nuggets, burgers, corn dogs etc."

You know that those aren't health foods, right?

Bread, pasta, cereal, rice, beans, peas, lentil, nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies can easily offer everything that you need except B12.

http://www.veganhealth.org/sh

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo

All vegetarians should take a B12 supplement regularly since most people eat meat, dairy AND fortified cereals yet still have a B12 status that is lower than recommended.

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/b12

It may help you if you see proof that vegetarians have the same potential as anyone else.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sto...

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

http://www.macdanzig.net/bio.php

http://www.scottjurek.com/career.php

If you need meat or dairy during any stage of your life or to live any certain lifestyle, why does the American Dietetic Association say otherwise?

http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada...

Answer 3

seaweed?

Answer 4

I'm a vegitarian too. For protein eat peanuts/peanut butter. Thats a great source of protein. For the milk problem, try soy milk. But if you don't like milk, you don't like it. And if you think your heathy, thats all that matters.  

Answer 5

I don't think you are being unhealthy.  You have variety in your diet and it comes from healthy sources.  

You don't need to drink milk.  At all.  The good stuff in milk are fats, protein, and calcium.  You can get fats from nuts, seeds, and avocado.  You can get protein from beans and soy.  You can get calcium from leafy green veggies and broccoli.

You are fine.  If your parents are willing to learn, they should read and educate themselves on nutritional needs and how to obtain these requirements without resorting to meat, eggs, and milk.  Maybe you could find a book or something for them?  It could be educational for both you and your parents.

Answer 6

Try shopping your organic/health market section at your grocery store. They have frozen already prepared meals in the freezer section by Amy's. You could also try eating fish three times a week. Also some good selections are veggie cheese and tofu. I eat all of these things, but I also eat meat (red meat twice a month) and havent been sick in years. I have a variety, so maybe consider finding a way to add variety to your diet as well.

Answer 7

Drink some soy milk. :]

You don't sound unhealthy at all to me.  I've been vegan for a year now, and I just had blood work done because my doctor was concerned, and the only thing that was low by .1 point was my potassium.  Now I get to fill up on fruit. :D

If you really want to prove them wrong, ask your doctor to order a routine blood test.

Answer 8

try bacon,mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Answer 9

VEGGIES

Answer 10

The Vegetarian Food Pyramid http://www.vegsource.com/nutrition/pyram... is a good general guide for what you should be eating. Whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies should form the primary part of your diet. Beans, tofu, soymilk, wheat gluten etc. can provide your protein. Make sure you're eating a balanced diet, getting enough calories, and getting all your essential nutrients. You should be eating leafy green veggies for calcium and iron.

If you can, consider meeting with a nutritionist who is supportive of vegetarian diets to discuss your needs and whether you have to make any changes.

Answer 11

I don't have any recipes for you, but I've been vegetarian for a long time, and I went vegan this last summer. If your parents are worried about you getting proper nutrition, you need to be taking supplements. The vitamin I take is called VegLife Vegan One Multiple. But just google some recipes. Thats what I do for my parents. I google "easy vegetarian recipes" and print out the ones that sound good, and they make some of them for dinner.

Hope I was helpful.

Peach <3

Answer 12

Good for you!  I've been a vegetarian for 5 years, since I was 18... and I wish I had become a vegetarian long before that.  As far as the milk thing goes... I don't like milk either -- do you like soy milk?

There are so many great vegetarian recipes out there.  My most recent favorite is this vegetarian sandwich spread: http://www.ehow.com/how_4482234_vegetari...

Good Luck!

Answer 13

How did you manage to become a vegetarian at age 9, without your parents' help???  Vanilla soymilk is good, or frozen soy products (like Tofutti) would give you calcium ....  You're only 13.  You should be seeing your pediatrician on a yearly basis;  he can give you the proper dietary guidance.  Only he can judge if you are truly getting the nutrients that you need .... no one on an answer forum could possibly know that

Answer 14

you should take vitamins for calcium and vitamin D.  soy milk is a good alternative for milk.  strawberries and red peppers have a good amount of calcium in them.  if your healthy don't worry about it your probably eating the right foods.  here is a recipe for hummus that i use all the time.  

one can of beans (black, garbanzo, or any kind of bean you have on hand)  2 tbs of tahinni (sesame paste). to taste the following: garlic, red onion, tomato,  fresh hot pepper, salt and black pepper.  put everything in food processor. when it is all mash up taste for seasoning then eat on whole wheat crackers.

Answer 15

hummus on whole wheat pita bread is high in protein

almond butter on ww bread w/sliced banana and honey

couscous*

falafels*

quinoa* (the only complete protein grain)

spaghetti with sauteed mushrooms instead of meat

mac & cheese

whole grain cereal with almond milk or soy milk

pancakes

*these you can find at a health food store

Answer 16

HEY! I've been a vegetarian my whole life and I'm 13. My mom is a vegan and she is a proffesional chef. She is constantly making new things, is working on her 4th cook book, owned a bakery and a restarant (she sold it) and always cooks for my family.

So hear are some things that are really easy, healthy, and yummy. For breakfast, I like to have tofu egg. It's soooooo good. I know the pickest eater and she will eat nothing but white rice. And she loves it!!!! So what you do is:

Heat up the pan on high for about 1 minute.

Spray Pam or spread olive oil.

Mash up tofu on the pan so you have little tofu bits

Pour on soysauce

THEN THE BEST PART........ You'll need nutritional yeast....its so good. but when you have it, you put some of that on. Maybe half a cup. More or less. Depending on how you want it.

Feel free to add on more of soysauce. When your done, mix it around and have some toast on the side!!!

I want you to know that smoothies are really heallthy. And you don't always need yogurt or milk. Frozen fruits like berriees, bananas, peaches watever. the pour soymilk about three quaters of the way. u can add dates in. or agave nectar to make is sweet. OPTIONAL: to make your parents really proud, add flax seed. They don't taste like much and thy're reaaaaallllllyyyyyyyy healthy.

I know it's easy for me because I have a mom who supports me and can cook, but you can do the same. I suggest you buy some cookbooks. And you can ask me anything else for more recipes. GOOD LUCK!!!! AND REMEMBER........WE'RE ALL PROUD OF YOU FOR SAVING THE ANIMALS. ONE PRESON CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE