The Vegetarian Road...
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
September 2, 2009 6:52am CST
I have recently decided to make a very drastic, and difficult, change in my life. Beginning this month, I am developing a vegetarian lifestyle for myself. I have given it a lot of thought and have decided this for two main reasons:
1.) I think that a lot of the hormones injected into meats now are having terrible affects on our bodies and are partly to blame for the obesity in ppl. It stands to reason that if hormones are being given to cows and chickens to make them bigger (to produce more meat) they are more than likely being passed on to the person eating the meat and are therefore affecting the persons size as well. I’m not saying that all overweight ppl are overweight b/c they eat meat or anything, just that I think there is a connection in the two.
2.) The second, and more important, reason is the animals. Recently I saw two videos of how chickens are force fed to make them grow faster. They are caged up to ensure they get no exercise and are basically fattened up for slaughtering. The other video was of how cows are forced into slaughterhouses, sometimes using zapping guns to force them along. I also read an article just yesterday on how chicken factories (places that sort baby chickens) were tossing male chickens (roosters) into grinders ALIVE b/c there isn’t a big enough market for them. I love animals so much that I can’t be part of this. When I was young I was told that meat grew on trees, I’ve known the truth for a long time but I didn’t know that animals were being treated so terribly.
I am in no way criticizing anyone else for how they eat or trying to tell anyone what they should eat, just how I feel about it. This is going to be extra hard on me b/c Hubby and I have talked and agreed that he can continue to eat anyway he wants. Which means I still have to buy and cook the meat…but at least I know they weren’t killed for me.
Now, since I’ve made this decision I’ve been reading up on some things. I’ve read the difference between vegetarians and vegans. I’m a combo of the two, I’m not eating meat (vegetarian) but I’m also not eating eggs (vegan) but I am still having milk and cheeses. I’m not eating eggs b/c to me they are baby chicks and I don’t want to do that.
I’ve also read that there are certain vitamins and minerals that vegetarians have to make sure they get to make sure they don’t get deficiencies. Iron being one of them and possibly protein. So, here’s where I need some help. First, what kind of simple meals are good for a new vegetarian to learn, what kind of vitamins and minerals do I need to supplement and what words of encouragement can you give me?
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
4 people like this
23 responses
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
2 Sep 09
i do eat a lot of greens or veggies for about 3 months now. i thought i could not continue with it for long. but i think i am liking it. but i still eat eggs sparingly but a lot of fish. cause i need to eat some fish . i can't go entirely vegetarian haha. cause i have read that the fat of fish is good to reverse the effects of the meat and fats and oil that have accumulated inside my heart and so i gorging on fish now . but i just cook them on water and boil them with veggies. like potatoes and cabbage. so i choose those fish that has big fat in them. there are fish that are lean and just mostly meat.
i don't eat pork and red meat any more. i stay away from fried food . when i eat chicken it is very rare now. like once a month and sometimes once in two or 3 months only. and i am planning to continue with it. i have read so many articles about good health in msn.com and i have bookmarked them so i can get back at them from time to time so i can read them.
i have read that when you eat vegetable salad that put some olive oil on it cause the oil will help the body absorb those nutrients in the vegetables.
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
2 Sep 09
It's great that you've lasted 3 months and are still going strong. I worry about sticking to it but I know once I get used to it I'll be ok. I don't eat much read meat but I do eat more ham then I should and I rarely eat fish or eggs. I'm kind of confused on the whole egg issue anyways.
My grandma says that eggs are just a by-product of chickens, like milk is of cows, that unless they have a red blood spot in them, their not chickens. My Hubby says all eggs are baby chickens but have to be fertalized by the rooster to become actual living chickens. So I'm kind of confused if the eggs are unfertalized baby chickens or just a by-product.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
2 Sep 09
you should try fish. since you are in US there are so many great fish there to buy unlike in my place i just can afford those local fishes. i can't buy tuna cause they are expensive here. the tilapias and the milk fish are the affordable fish but i have read the tilapias have bad kind of fat so i avoid that too. i just use milk fish and other local fishes we have here. i like to have tunas also if only i can afford it. i am very much into fish now. i actually don't like to fish much cause i can't cook well but since my relative who is my third cousin is staying in our place and cooks great food that she likes fish too that i love whatever she prepares on the table. and even veggies taste great.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
2 Sep 09
I also read that article this morning and I wonder what they do with those ground up chicks. The article din't say but i wonder if they are put into the feed and then fed back to the ones bing kept for market.
when ever I have a question about what foods to eat for certain vitamins and minerals I go to The Worlds healthiest food web site at http://whfoods.org/
They give you a complete break down of all the vitamins and minerals and how to shop for those foods how to store them and a bit of history on them. It is a wonderful informative site.
There are a number of fake meats on the market too to get you used to not eating real meats. One brand is Baco and morning star are two that I know of. They do have a some what meat texture but are made from grains. Go the discussion boards for help an they also share recipes. the vegetarians use a lot of legumes for protein. They also use a good deal of nuts for things like Special K loaf and gravies that are very good. For baking you can use ground up flax seed instead of eggs.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
9 Sep 09
thanks for the link DeeBomb! Looks interesting, with a few suggestions I've never heard of.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Sep 09
I tried to be a vegetarian. I didn't realize that I was iron anemic to start with and became even more anemic. I would turn white and pass out. Later on, I found out I had fibroid tumors in my uterus. Now I only eat meat one time a day and try to make sure the meat or eggs are from free ranging, humanely treated, and non-growth-hormone added meat. When I go to other people's homes, I can tell if they have hormone-laced meat, it wacks out my menopause big time.
Go to your Dr., every diet and exercise book that is any good will tell you to go to your Dr. before starting any change to your diet and exercise to make sure you are healthy enough to change and to see what vitamins and minerals you may need. A Dr. who is a vegetarian him or herself would be the best one(s) to go to.
Buy a really, really good vegetarian cookbook. One that teaches how to prepare a variety of proteins. Tempeh, tofu, seitan, etc. that is an every day cookbook. Easy, fast meals. Then after you get the hang of it, buy one for holidays that is a little more elaborate. Always bring a peanut butter sandwich or tofu sandwich, something with you wherever you go. You may find yourself somewhere with meat being the only protein. Usually a protein and a grain complement each other well. Diet for a Small Planet is a good book. At pot luck dinners, always bring a lot of food since you may be only able to eat what you bring.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
7 Sep 09
I was on that many because the tumors were taking iron out of my blood. Make sure you don't have fibroid tumors in your uterus. The iron pills made me strain and gave me hemorrhoids.
See my response to someone above. Beans and green, leafy veggies have the highest iron in a vegetarian/vegan diet. You can also search for iron content of various foods and make sure your liquid intake is good.
@celticeagle (165954)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Sep 09
I honestly think you are a nut. You can find animal meat (YUK!!) that is not full of hormones and such. Healthy lifestyle? Yes, but BORING!! Do you really think you can stay with this for very long?? Come on. Be honest. Life is too short to worry about this sort of stuff. Eat ya ALOT of vegs. Go for it! But have some non hormonal (haha) chicken and some salmon and such too. Variety is the spice of life!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Sep 09
Hi Celtic Eagle,
I know vegetarians that actually eat more interesting stuff than we do. We have three proteins at our house, chicken, beef, and pork. We might have eggs and/or cheese. I get tired of trying to find inventive ways to use the same stuff over and over again. Once in a great while, we have beans. A vegetarian's house has, tempeh-in many forms from soy to multi-grain, tofu-in many forms from plain to spiced and in different textures from soft to hard, seitan, tvp-textured vegetable protein, many kinds of beans, tahini which is sesame seed paste, many nut butters (if they can afford them) like almond butter, cashew butter (is that ever good)as well as the usual peanut butter. They have portabello mushrooms as their steak, eggplant as their chicken, and fak'in bacon as their pork. There is vegetarian sausage, etc. I love babagnoush, hummus, tvp chili, etc. We used to have vegetarian pot lucks and the food was extremely varied. I have gone to regular pot lucks and everyone showed up with chili in tomato sauce and I can't have the tomato sauce. I know someone who makes it without tomato sauce, but he couldn't come. The only thing that bothered me was the amount of salt everyone seemed to use at begetarian pot lucks, but our regular pot lucks seem to have too much salt for me,too.
Yes, you are correct, there are non-hormonal, humanely treated animals and fish. A friend of mine is vegan which is even more strict, they don't have honey even. She went to the hospital and they had nothing for protein that they could serve her. Also once the body stops making enzymes for meat, if you have to eat meat or want to eat it again, there can be mild, moderate, or severe gastro-intestinal distress. A person must eat meat once a week to keep that from happening. So there are many things to consider. Like the people in our county jail who are vegetarians, they feed them cheese until they can't seem to go to the bathroom any more. They don't know what else to feed them and they aren't going to buy special protein for them.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Sep 09
Hi twoey! Reading what you wrote broke my heart too and I have been thinking along the same lines as you for some time now because I actually don’t particularly like beef, steak etc, never have, even as a kid which used to frustrate my mother apparently!
The problem I have is that I used to be anaemic as a child and these days I have to take iron supplements because although I am no longer anaemic my Ferro tones are too low.
I don’t eat much red meat except the mince in spaghetti bolognaise sauce around once a month and the odd sausage every now and then.
I do eat chicken and certain cold meats and as far as eggs are concerned I am not too bothered because until they are fertilized I don’t consider that I am killing a baby chicken when I cook them.
I could cut off cold meats but if I don’t eat chicken I don’t know where to get my protein from as my iron is low enough as it is so I am in a bit of a quandary. Fish I do eat occasionally but I don't love it.
I joined your discussion to learn from others’ suggestions.
Hope you figure it out for the best of your health.
Me? I’m still deciding as to what to do...
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Sep 09
Researched this for you, according to a vegetarian site with a Dr. on board:
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.htm Dried beans and dark leafy vegetables are high in iron and should be eaten with foods high in vitamin C so they can be digested/iron is better absorbed. See summary for exact quote, I paraphrased or condensed, something.
So I would eat beans on lamb's quarters (a wild, dark, leafy green) and either flavor the beans with pineapple juice or drink pineapple juice or maybe eat an orange. Fruit cocktail with spinach leaves. I'm sure you can think of many ways to do that.
I also saw that the cereal, "Total" came up for lots of iron in food, not sure if it is on a vegetarian diet or not.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
4 Sep 09
Thanks very much for this info, writersedge very valuable. I will look into it, thanks I appreciate it!
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
2 Sep 09
You are so right when you talk about what they do to the meat, and dairy products.
We have not gone total Vegetarian we still eat some meat and eggs, and other dairy products, but the ones that we consume are 100% organic. That way we do not get all the bad stuff in them.
We have got 4 hens for our eggs, that way i know what they are eating so our eggs are fresh, and have no processing. we have no rooster so their eggs are not fertilized to become baby's.
I usually get my milk from down the road, from a friends milk cows. so my milk, is raw and has not been processed in any way. and i make my own cheese and butter. If i had more land, i would have my own milk cows.
I wish you all the luck on your venture on becoming a vegetarian and i will keep you in my prayers for you to have success.
I have sent you a link for some good products, and i also added some info in another post you made. so i won't repeat it here.
@SharonPhillips46 (67)
• Trinidad And Tobago
2 Sep 09
Hi dlr, My names sharon. How r u? I saw on ur profile a motor bike it looks great . How much would one of these bikes cost?
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Not all eggs are not baby chicks, they are not fertilized because there is no rooster involved. Eggs are made by chickens all the time, but if there is no rooster involved they are not baby chicks. Just like women produce eggs all the time, if there is no man involved, those eggs are not babies. According to the web "The farmers and egg producers check each egg to be certain that the egg is unfertilized through a process called candling. "
I would not take anyone's recommendations on what vitamins you should take except your doctor. When I stopped eating meat, my mom was always worried I wasn't getting the proper vitamins. After a few years of not eating it, I went and got my blood tested and it was fine, nothing lacking. I've never had any problems with my blood tests since and never been told to take supplements. I am a little different though because I do eat fish (pescetarian I guess). For the first few months, just eat the vegetarian menu without adding supplements, then go check with your doctor to see if you are missing anything. Otherwise, you may be wasting your money on pills you don't need. I saw a DR report on TV awhile back stating that most people are just wasting their money on unneeded supplements.
As a new vegetarian - the easiest thing you can ever eat is Morningstar! Their brand is yummy and they have all kinds of great products. Also Yves and LightLife (I think it's called) makes veggie meat slices which solves the craving you may have for lunchmeat. I have to say almost any meal can be vegetarian, you just have to change it up. For example, you can make chili, tacos, spaghetti, or anything just by replacing the meat with beans, veggie meat crumbles or rice. Think of all your favorite dishes and how you can make them vegetarian b/c you will still be craving those dishes. I didn't eat tacos for a long time, I craved them so badly! When I found out about veggie meat crumbles, it was so great. I eat tacos all the time now :)
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Oh and I have to add, I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I don't question or stop anyone else from eating what they want and I'm pretty much the ONLY person I know who doesn't eat meat (outside of online friends). So here's some things you should get used to as a new vegetarian:
1) "Why don't you eat meat?" You'll get that all the time
2) You'll say you don't eat meat and they'll say "well do you eat Chicken?" Um, no I don't eat chicken either.
3) "What the heck can I cook for you when you come over?" You should come up with a list of easy items like pasta/sauce that people can make for you, because for some reason meat-eaters find it impossible to create meat-free meals when they find out you're a vegetarian.
Feel free to ask me if you need any tips or have other questions :)
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
19 Sep 09
It's kewl you are going the veggie route. 
Peanut butter, dry beans are great choices for iron and protein. With veggies, instead of boiling them, which leeches the vitamins/minerals out, opt for steaming them instead.
Peanut butter, dry beans are great choices for iron and protein. With veggies, instead of boiling them, which leeches the vitamins/minerals out, opt for steaming them instead. 
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
5 Sep 09
I became a vegetarian when I was four years old. My sister told me where meat came from. Now I am older I can see that it is relevant for health reasons. These days I have gone one step further and am a vegan. I have to make sure I get enough Vitamin B12 and Iron. In my teenage years I was a vegetarian to the road to becoming a vegan so I know how you feel. I eat lots of fruit and vegetables, rice and pasta, plus nuts and seeds. I drink soya and fruit juices. I don't wear leather. My shoes are made from lorica. Good luck with your diet and please ask if you need any help. I will be happy to help you my friend with any information that you need.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
2 Sep 09
The eggs are not baby chicks because they haven't been fertilized by the male, so I think it would be safe for you to eat eggs.
I feel the same as you do. My Grandpa raised cattle, pigs and chickens and all were treated humanely, free to roam and do as they pleased. The methods of raising livestock for food these days are horrendous. I buy only free range eggs, from chickens that are allowed to live freely. I do still buy some meat but not much. Grandpa treated his livestock kindly and loved them. Sadly, people now look upon them as dollar bills without feelings.
What about fish? Are you eating fish?
I've long theorized that the hormones in meat are responsible for the lack of maternal instinct in our mothers, so that they let their boyfriends beat their kids and leave them in locked cars on hot days. There's no other conceivable explanation that I can find.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
2 Sep 09
I still have to do more research on the whole egg thing and no, not having fish either. My Dad raises cows, pigs, chickens and turkeys too but like your granpa, he treats them like his babies. I saw those video's and it just broke my heart.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Sep 09
Twoey68,
Most females make eggs. We're human. We make eggs in our ovaries. If the eggs don't become fertilized, they go out of our bodies. If they do, they become babies. Eggs have only 50% of the genetic make up, the other 50% come from sperm. Without sperm hitting the eggs, they do not become babies. But you do need to get free range chicken eggs because some chickens are not treated humanely while they are kept to lay eggs.
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
10 Sep 09
I hate to tell you but the commercial dairy industry is just as cruel as the meat industry. The cows are pumped full of hormones to give more milk. They also are forced to get pregnant every year or so so they continue producing milk. Their babies are taken for slaughter so that they don't drink the milk that could be sold for humans.
@Carpathian (582)
• United States
17 Sep 09
Well, I for one think it is very mean of the companies to kill and treat animals that way. I also, would like to tell you that I am glad that you are trying to eat right. It is always good when a person tries to eat better or exercise or just do anything that makes their lives healthier or better. I would look on-line for easy veg's. receipts. I am sure there are a million of them for you. Also, try to ask the health food store what vitamins are good for you. Again you can look on-line for that in the health sites. But, most of all exercise is the best thing. Even if it is just walking 30 mins. a day. So, have fun and enjoy your new life.
**Peace and Love gets you through everything in Life**
@scififan43 (2434)
• United States
10 Sep 09
Good luck to you. I do not think I could stick at a vegitarinan diet, I love my meat and patatos. lol. I have tryed to diet before but it did not work.
@Archie0 (5652)
•
2 Sep 09
You are absolutely right, the reasons you have given even makes me think that i should stop with meat and go for greens, because its becoming too harmful as with your 1st reason yes they give a lot of injections to hybrid the animals with health and there are too many chemicals in them.I have decided once that i will stop eating any meat but i couldnt resist myself, but i surely have to give a second thougt for this now, thanks good topic.:)
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Your right, I'm sure it's going to be very hard not to eat it. I was raised eating meat...it's been a strong part of my life ever since I can remember. Honestly I love meat, a nice thick ham and swiss sandwich, but I can't eat it knowing that some little piggy was slaughtered just so I could have that sandwich. I'd rather live without the sandwich and know that even if the piggy was killed, it wasn't for me.
It will be doubly hard for me b/c my Hubby loves meat and I have no intention of trying to force him to stop eating it...that's entirely up to him. He supports my decision but just wants to be sure that I still get the nutrients I need when I stop eating any meat.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
@rusty2rusty (6763)
• Defiance, Ohio
2 Sep 09
Never mind my question in your other thread. I see my question has been answered here. I wish you good luck going vegetarian. I was almost that years ago but was convinced otherwise. In a month or two I think I will be going back more to that direction but not completelty a vegetarian. I have never been a big meat eater to begin with. Long story short I plan on getting back to my way of eating and not being that big of a meat eater again. Sorry I can't answer your question. I was always told to eat more bread. Good luck my friend.
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
2 Sep 09
I did the same thing when i was 15 till about 18 for your reason #2. The animals.. you are right that you miss out on the proteins but i found i had to eat more to get full, or i was always hungry, i weighed more when i was a vegetarian then i ever did eating meat.. but our regulations and grades of food are different then yours in the states.. may be different hormones or osmething .. not sure..
I ate tofu.. you can do many things with it. its sort of how a mushroom is, absorbs the flavour of whatever you cook it in. i made a lot of stir fries, and peanut butter also is a source of protein.. look into some greek foods.. i believe a lot of greek recipes are vegetarian.. like spinickapita.(sp) mmm greeks sure do know how to cook! lol.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
2 Sep 09
If you are going veggie, you well might want to consider some nutritional supplements. For one thing, red meat contains zinc, a mineral that promotes healing and brain function among other things. As an Australian site promoting meat states, "I Zinc therefore I am."
Red meat also contains vital amino acids, B-vitamins, and carnitine. Eggs and dairy products do provide some of the same nutrients as meat, though, so it is good you are not cutting those out.
Here is some "fine print" about the important nutrient carnitine:
http://articles.a1supplements.com/supplements/amino-acids/acetyl%11l%11carnitine:-the-amazing-supplement?/
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
2 Sep 09
Hi twoey, While I'm not able to help you as far as meals are concerned, I want to commend you for making a decision that you feel is morally right. I too have heard of such things, especially with chickens being force fed. I've heard that the life of a chicken is about six weeks and I know that isn't what nature intended. I too am a lover of animals and find these things difficult to accept. I would like to see some Animal Rights groups take up this cause as all animals should be treated humanely. Blessings.
@Barbietre (1438)
• United States
2 Sep 09
I have a very close friend who used to be a macrobiotic vegan, rode his bike to work eveyday skis and was very atheletic. But being vegan does not protect you from as much as you think. His cholesterol was over 600. And after having a skiing accident he was lacking certain enzymes to get better and heal right. He was ordered to eat more protein souuces and now eats some meats, all fish and chicken. He has cut back on his sugar and carb intake and is now much healthier than he ever was.
Also do NOT rely on SOY, there are many BAD things about it. here are3 some resources. http://www.mercola.com/article/soy/index.htm
I understand the ethical dilema, but there are sources of clean, grass fed beef and well cared for animals, but it is a bigger cost. if you do follow thru re think the eggs issue, it is very complete protein.
