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Thread: Vegetarians

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    Member dirtynarcosis's Avatar
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    Default Vegetarians

    Ok, so I have decided I want to go vegetarian. I feel it will help me control my weight plus I am a huge animal lover anyway. I've been thinking about it for awhile, but with moving and all I am gonna make a fresh start. So, are any of you guys vegetarian? Do you find yourself feeling better physically/emotionally? Any suggestions for meatless products that taste like meat? Websites for beginners to that scene? Thanks so much...
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    Member isis67's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    I am a vegetarian for 8 years now. I love it soooo much. I gotta tell you though i lost a lot of weight in the begining and then all i hate was carbs and sugar then gained it all back. The doctor told me i needed protein if i wanted to keep the weight off. As for the meatless products. I swear by boca burgers if you are grilling out. I just ask the cook to put one on the grill. If you are at home and have a craving, try morning star products. They are sooo good. I would eat them even if I wasn't vegetarian. I have friends who eat them and aren't vegetarian. Also try the peta sites. They can be a little extreme at times but still are great sites. Good luck!!

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    I'm not a vegetarian, but I cut back on meat dramatically. I will have one or two portions of either fish or chicken per week. Most days I have no meat and it doesn't phase me. I don't feel like I have to have a substitute. I have grown to enjoy things that are tasty and meatless on their own (such things are bean burritos, soy chips, fruits, nuts, salads, and protein shakes/bars). I really have to pay special attention to eating a lot protein. It's easy to get sucked into junk food.

  4. #4
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    I cut back on meat and lost a lot of weight. STILL, you need a major protein source in your diet...mine is dairy.
    A friend of mine went vegan for a month on a dare, and he told me he had to eat twice the amount of whatever non-animal product food to feel the same "full" feeling were he eating "regularly"......I'm fuzzy on this idea.
    Anyhow, it is a good idea, health-wise.

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    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    Meat is generally the "centre" of one's meal in a lot of cuisine. So without it you really feel that you are missing something. I've been a vegetarian for 10 years and I still tend to put meat substitute at the centre of meals - it's just reflex. The good meat substitutes are (in order of "goodness")
    Scnieder's Oh Natural (seriously, this stuff is amazing. Keep in mind that I haven't eaten any of it in 10 years, but the taste and texture is very close to real meat)
    Licks Nature Burgers
    Second Nature Dry Mixes
    Bocca Chik'n

    And I will tell you a secret. Lack of protein is not a problem for vegetarians. Meat is not necessary for protein at all. The vitamins you have to be careful of (because most people's eating habits are kind of poor and doesn't include that much salad) are iron and B12. B12 is found in dairy and eggs so it won't be a problem unless you go vegan. For iron eat your green vegetables. Too many vegetarians eat nothing but pasta. But nobody EVER got sick (or for that matter fat) on a diet of fruit and vegetables. Or if they did it had nothing to do with diet.
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    I'm a vegetarian too! Jenny's right. Protein is NOT a problem, there are more than enough opportunities to get protien in your diet as a vegetarian. Click here for a good starter's guide to the in's and out's of vegetarian living.

    Feel free to pm me if you need any help. I've got a ton of cookbooks if you are looking for something to eat!



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    Veteran Member MsTopaz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    'Total Health for You and Your Family The Vegetarian Way' by Virginia Messina and Mark Messina.

    this is the book i started with when i was reserching vegetarianism. it has alot of information on vegetarian nutrition. I've been a vegetarian for around seven years and work out alot as well (or i used to...getting back to that though). people at the gym were shocked to find out that i'm a vegetarian. my diet now leans more toward veganism, which is no meat, no eggs, no dairy, or any other animal products. i still eat cheese and use a whey protein supplement for protein shakes at night, but not on a daily basis.

    vegetarian times is a good magazine to start with IMO. you won't get tons of veggie crusaders there, and they have a website.

    i'm also into herbalism. it kind of comes with being a veggie for me. since i'm more into natural remedies than medications from a doctor or OTC's. and i use natural skin care and hair care products too (but that was more information than you asked for).

    as far as my health, i'm kind of dealing with some things right now but other than that i recover quickly from most illnesses (sp), but i rarely get sick. i don't use meat substitutes alot, too much starch for one, and i grown to really like the taste of veggies in their natural state (either raw or steamed). i take a good vegetarian multi vitamin that covers me if i am missing the b12. i don't eat a lot of soy products either, as too much isn't very healthy.
    Last edited by MsTopaz; 06-27-2005 at 05:04 PM.
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    I'm a certain type of vegetarian also.

    I don't eat red meat yet will eat chicken maybe once a month if that (can go for months without eating any chicken). Can't survive without my cheese! Also eat eggs and seafood (another type of meat). My diary (milk, yogurt, cream) I've cut back too.

    This all came about naturally... I just went off meat and so forth...therefore it is easy for me to be vegetarian.

    Protein is easy to come by in vegies... I eat alot of spinach leaves.. anything green! As for the other vitamins... look to steaming vegies so you keep the goodness... the skin on potato is good for you...

    As for meat substitutes, never had to substitute meat in my diet... so I can't help there. I just went with the vegetarian alternative wherever I was... be it a fast food restaurant or someone's BBQ...

    Personally, I don't miss meat. Anytime I eat it now (as I've been vegetarian for over 5 years now... I've lost count lol!)... I actually have a reaction.

    Recently I ate a small portion of steak.. I mean small! The next day I was run down and felt like I had a cold! The same happens when I eat pork. There's something in chicken I crave every so often however once again I can only eat a small amount of that too!


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    Veteran Member Clark's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    I'm a vegetarian. My advice is to still remember to watch what (and how much) you eat. I ate lots of pizza and stir fry and ended up overweight anyway.

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    Senior Member Underestimated's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    Raw nuts, anyone? I can't have soy. I eat a lot of raw almonds. I also take flaxseed oil. I cheat from time to time and remember why I don't eat meat. Yes, you will feel better, have more energy, etc.

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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    Quote Originally Posted by Underestimated
    Raw nuts, anyone? I can't have soy. I eat a lot of raw almonds. I also take flaxseed oil. I cheat from time to time and remember why I don't eat meat. Yes, you will feel better, have more energy, etc.
    Very good point! Nuts are a great source of antioxidants, fats and are a much better alternative when snacking too!



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  12. #12
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    Pamela

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    God/dess dlabtot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    Any suggestions for meatless products that taste like meat?
    Check out Quorn

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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    I'm sort of a vegetarian. I don't eat meat that I haven't killed, which resulted in me not eating meat for so long that it makes me sick now.

    I don't use meat substitutes, don't see the point. Just make sure to get enough protein to keep your blood sugar stable.



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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    I'd reinforce the B12/iron thing. I know I'm not typical, but I've been a veggie for 2yrs and have suffered some whopping anemia (both b12 and iron, which I ended up needing shots for- ouch!!!) After going veggie I discovered I have absorption issues with these vitamins, so even greens with iron don't go into my blood stream. However, got it nicely fixed with a lot more dairy (for my b12) and supplements (if you need them, take them on an empty stomach with a vit C source like grapefruit juice, and they get absorbed 100% better than otherwise). So, for all vegetarians/vegans, if you're often tired and pale, get a blood test. Good luck!

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    God/dess colleen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    I have been a vegetarian for so long now that I don't even remember how long. (at least 8 years) I hardly ever get sick, and when I do, it does not last long.

    I went through my pregnancy and had a healthy delivery and my son is now over 4 years old and also does not eat meat. He has been to the doctor ONCE in the last year, because the pollen was stuffing up his head and giving him an ugly-sounding cough. He is INCREDIBLY healthy and energetic.

    My husband has cut back considerably on eating meat, and claims he feels much healthier than he did before. His "mystery bellyaches" have gone away and only reappear after he eats meat.

    The most important thing I will tell you is to be SURE you get enough protein and eat sensibly. When I quit eating meat it was jsut on a wim, and I did not bother to eat properly, jsut munched on whatever was around. I gained a bunch of weight and got so tired I thought I had chronic fatigue syndrome.

    IF you (like me) are cooking for a reluctant non-veggie partner, then by all means experiment with some Boca or Morning Star products. If there is a Trader Joes in your area, check it out. They are reasonably priced and have better quality than the big chain grocery stores. YOu might also try Whole Foods, but they are a little pricy. Check neighborhood heath food stores, too. They are often cheaper than the big chains.

    If you are jsut cooking for yourself, then consider experimenting with all the really great proteins that do not look like meat at all. I use Dairy, nuts, tofu, tempeh, textured vegetable protein, high-protein breakfast cereal, beans, eggs . . .. .and there is some more stuff out there that I don't even know how to cook with yet!

    YOu will hear a lot of people say dumb things about why you NEED meat in your diet. Pay no attention! People used to tell me I needed meat so I woudl have energy. I was working full time and going to college, that's how much I "needed" energy. Anything a woman can do on a normal diet, she can do on a veggie diet as well. My son is living proof of that! There are als vegetarian body builders and fitness models, so don't let anybody tell you you need meat to be in shape. It is just not true.

    Good luck with your new lifestyle. You will feel so much better. Feel free to PM me if you want any recepies or other info.


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    Veteran Member MsTopaz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    i'm with colleen on this one. don't let people badger you with their 'you need meat...' speeches.

    i'll go a step further and say that you don't need dairy or eggs either. i went veggie at first for nutritional reasons, then got serious about it for health reasons (female problems, breast cancer scare). my diet is near vegan, and when i started to eat too much animal protiens (i.e. cheese) again, the problems that i had before i changed my diet came back. so when people got in my face telling me i need meat/dairy/eggs i told them no i don't and told them why.

    i also don't care for doctors (don't trust them either) so i choose to take care of my health more so than the average person.

    carbs give you energy...not meat or dairy or eggs...a good veggie friendly multi-vitamin will give you the b vitamins you need...and you can get calcium from dark green leafys and brocoli...
    why do some people still have to fight to get the same opportunities that are given to others?

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    God/dess colleen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    We are slowly phasing out dairy and eggs at our house, too, but with a little boy who is a picky eater, that is not easy! Cheese is one fo his favorite foods, and milk is a staple in his diet. What we do use is organic/free range, however, so that helps aleviate some of my fears.

    There are so many good protein options to choose from, however, it is getting easier and easier to do without animal products.

    I would suggest starting out slowly by elimanating actual dead animals first (and fish, which has mercury) and then phasing out dairy and eggs as you find other alternatives. It is really easy to get rid of the meat if you keep the dairy and eggs at first, buy going completly vegan right away woudl be pretty overwhelming if you are not already used to vegan foods and cooking.


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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    I've been one for nearly 15 years. I'm 5'9" and weigh 120 and have since high school. I eat a lot of asian food, yogurt, free range eggs, almonds, etc., for protein (and tofu, which I love) I sautee a lot of veggies and eat them with whole wheat pasta and maybe some stilton crumbles. I also make free range egg and spinach and feta quiches.

    Good luck

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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    Ive been a vegetarian for 10 years. I suggest if you are going to the gym to drink a protien shake before you go. Also consider eating a lot of different vegetables. I have never gained a pound since I have been a vegetarian and its wonderful. I am very healthy
    Eat alot of nuts and beans. I promise you will feel so great if thats what you decide to do!

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    Default Re: Vegetarians

    Vegetarian 4 years, vegan 3 years. The last few times I've done iron counts it has been high, so anemia hasn't been a concern. If it is for you, I suggest supplementing. I really haven't felt any great changes or weight loss/gain. Eating healthy is the key no matter what your diet, if all you drink is soda and all you eat is cheese sandwiches, you won't be very healthy - even if they're not ham and cheese anymore.
    I will mention this, if you "crave" foods or whatever, don't give up! I swear the first day I went vegetarian I forgot and had some beef. And many other mishaps after that. It gets easier, don't get discouraged and don't let other people trying to be "superior" [anyone remember the Level 5 Vegan from Simpsons?] make you feel bad. Eating meat once a week is waaay better than most people.
    I try to eat protein because I feel healthier with it, meat substitutes such as Morning Star, Boca, Gardenburger, LiteLife, White Wave [usually available at the grocery store] are the easiest source. Nuts, soy products such as tempeh or tofu, whole grain foods are also good sources for that. The only problem I had was apparently I wasn't getting enough calcium on my teeth, so one was starting to decalcify. Chewing tums and drinking calcium orange juice or soymilk AT LEAST once a day helped that. I think that was due to being vegan moreso than vegetarian.

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