Going Vegetarian

I've tried going vegetarian too but I guess I'm a meat person. I got curious as to how they live that's why I tried it and came the 3rd day without meat I was kinda longing for it. I went straight to the kitchen and fried myself a dozen of chicken nuggets and ate them there without any rice (rice is a standard food here in the Philippines).

I read through the replies and as for B-12, I am not sure, but will look around and see if any alternatives offer this vitamin. I know protein is a big issue, mostly because when my family went on a Daniel Fast, (A fast from everything but fruits,veggies and whole grains) My husband struggles because he loves meat. Nuts have a lot of protein, so we bought mixed nuts and ate lots of peanut butter, the natural kind of course. Also, consider taking only a little bit out at a time. I saw you are not a big meat eater in the first place, so start by eating only beef, chicken and fish with scales and fins, like salmon. Then just eliminate each one, I suggest the beef first, then the chicken and save the fish for last. In my opinion, if I ever went meatless, I would still try to keep eating the fish, as long as it is clean fish like salmon, because of the oils that are really good for me...

Water cress is my favorite food.I also love kimchi. I love eggplant and okra. I love them with rice and tomatoes

My friend told me that going vegetarian isn't easy. She loves animals but couldn't get herself to not eat meat especially of there's a crispy fried chicken in front of her. I guess the best method for you is to stay away from meat shops, Mcdonald's, Burger Kings, etc.. and start buying vegetables that will get you by for the week.

I can't go into detail but when you really want to avoid any sort of meat than make sure you use other products that contain a lot of B12 vitamins, since these can mainly found within meat, and are really necessary for the human being (as actually almost every vitamin) Though I would not recommend becoming a vegetarian, cause you have to avoid a LOT of products,I'd say you better keep yourself to only chicken and products from the cow, than it is already a lot better... In that way you aren't too "bad" and you still have enough vitamins to stay strong yourself. PS: Becoming a vegan is really no good. I've had plenty of teachers at school that have always said to NEVER follow such way of living because most vegans get sick after a while because they hadn't informed well beforehand and got sick because of lack of vitamins they could find in other products.

have you heard about seitan? Its basically a stuff made of flour that taste exactly like meat. Maybe you can resort to it. There is also this kind of mushroom that taste exactly like chicken. if you mixed blended sushi wrapper,green onion and tofu together and turn it into patties then fry it, it taste exactly like crab cakes. I'm not even vegetarian but I know it.

Going VEG??? !!! ??? wow... why??? Lily, I can't give you any advice about it, coz they call me a complete non-vegetarian... I like vegetables and meat both in my meal... It doesn't feel complete without it.. Just a question!! Why do you want to go vegetarian???

I have been part Vegan for some time. There is nothing bad with taking meat out of your diet. Plus, if you know the right protein substitutes you won't have a problem with not getting all the required nutrients from your food. I am fortunate that tofu is abundant here in my country and I was able to rotate my Vegan dishes around that. Also beans and legumes. I don't know what horror stories you're referring to, but taking meat out of your diet and being a vegetarian won't be too hard. It's just like changing the brand of cereal that you have been used to for the past few years. The tough part of being Vegan for me has been eating out because there are few Vegan or Vegetarian restaurants here in my country.

Personally I know many people who are vegetarian and thriving. I know plenty of vegans too who are also thriving. The key is that you have to eat lots of fresh produce. Just like a meat eating diet, you still have to eat good food. Where people go wrong is that they replace a meal of meat and lots of veggies with a meal mainly made of pasta or rice and they do not add the same amount of vegetables in that they would have eaten beforehand with their meat. A lot of people add way too much soy and grains into their diet when they give up meat instead of eating more fresh vegetables and that is where they go wrong. There is no need for people to suffer without meat. We do not need it or dairy. Who told you that we need dairy? It is totally unnatural for us to be consuming milk from another mammal. These industries are cruel to animals and the environment as well as us. My health improved rapidly as soon as I stopped eating meat and dairy. My small problems that I just thought were normal as they were always there went away overnight almost. I always used to have constipation problems which would end up with me on the toilet in the middle of the night with the runs, I suffered nasal blockages at night and in the mornings. I always used to have to breathe through my mouth at night while sleeping. This then led to other problems too. I am here to help you if you need support doing this. Go Vegetarian! You can do it!

You're not going to stay completely healthy eating only vegetables, as humans are omnivores, and not hervibores, so we need the nutrients in meat and vegetables as well, but not only in meat or only in vegetables. If you have a really good reason to go vegetarian, and not only because now it's considered cool or someone has told you some horror stories, then go for it, but don't expect your health to be as good as the one of a person who has a balanced diet.

Once my friend actually try to be vegan himself for half year. Maybe he actually done it, and his sole purpose is to reduce fat. Well, he succeeded it. He committed himself not to eat meat, and only vegetable. Now, he is back to meat again, and his transition was quite well. You can do it if you can commit to it.

Hi! Based on what I've read, going totally vegan should not be an overnight decision, so it's a good thing that you've been asking for opinions and idea before getting into it. It is important to have a medical check up to ensure that your body can keep up with the changes in your diet. I think there are kinds of vegan, such as lacto-vegan or something like that. Milk and dairy products are included in the diet. The common problem with vegan, according to some articles I've read, is iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency, which could lead to anemia. What about going semi-vegan, first? Eliminating meat and meat products but not dairy products. You could maybe try that first and assess if it would be ok with you to go all-the-way vegan.

hi, I'm not a vegetarian, but recently i read 7 tips for vegetarian health in a website, maybe these tips useful for you: 1. Eat a dark green vegetable (broccoli, spinach, kale, collard green) at leat three time a week 2. take a vitamin that contains B7 or nutritional yeast 3. increase drinking water 4. eat at least one piece of raw of fruit or a handful of raw vegetables everyday 5. reduce your refined sugar intake 6. keep your favorite salad dressing on hand 7. eat rainbow, i mean eat fruit or vegetable that have different color, like red tomato, yellow bananas, purple cabage i think vegetarian is good, but i not interested in becoming vegetarian...because i still love meat :)

I'm a Vegetarian for about two years now. During that time I've learned a bit more about what I need (to eat) and what I have to avoid (if I really don't want to eat stuff that contains ingredients for which animals have to be killed). stuff that you definitely need, including but not limited to (besides what has already been said): essential amino acids: soybeans are said to be a good source for all e.a.a. as you can read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soybean (paragraph nutrition) Dietary minerals http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary_mineral of which I personally experienced a lack of Zinc and Iron (these elements are important for skin and blood formation) as I did not ingest enough of them. Still haven't done a blood test which is highly recommended for Veggies... I think that I also experienced a lack of iondine at some point but I'm not sure here. Anyway, it's another important one, too. what to avoid: gelatine! That stuff is really in a lot of products like in many sweets, some cream tarts, many yoghourts ... you name it. Best thing to do is taking a look at the ingredients of each product which are usually shown on its packaging. Then there are some ingredients which CAN be vegetable but don't need to be, e.g. rennet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rennet I bet that I still eat stuff that contains animal ingredients of some sort. It's almost impossible to find out if a supermarket product is 100% vegetable nowadays. It's sad but it's true... But I have to say that I feel really good now both physically and mentally. Haven't been ill for a long time now. I think that I was frequently ill in the past and my blood pressure is optimal now. Milk and eggs are ok for me. Cheers

Hi Lil, Well, I really don't know too much about being a vegetarian, other than I love vegies, lol! I have a tiny suggestion for you that may help solve some of the problems. You can do a "search" and here's what I would put in so you get the page. Try putting in "vegetarian Cleveland Clinic" and it will give you answers to your questions. The Cleveland Clinic is one of the most highly respected hospitals in the world, so I would think their advice is worthy. You can also try putting that in with other top notch hospitals if you know what I mean, such as the Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins, etc. They will also tell you about your B12 and how you need it, and the different types of vegetarian diets. They might possibly have recipes too, or other links to different websites that will help you out so you get the correct information. Just some food for thought, haha, no pun intended.

Since you are used to eating meat you may want to jump off slowly. Like cut out all red meats and eat only chicken and fish. Then try to make meals a few times a week without meat using beans, cheese and other protien options instead. (i love mac n cheese!) Then it won't be so far to just dump the other meat. I just went vegetarian again too. Started Sunday and I am already feeling better although it takes a couple of weeks to really feel the full impact.

Hi dear, In my observation anything with a nominal proportion is acceptable to our body. People eat all kind of foods from long time and for some reason some of the people are totally against non veg food due to certain religious concept or something like. Veg is preferably good but having non veg is not at all harm our our digestive systems. But it should be properly cooked and make sure on hygienic qualities. Also, heavy food and up-normal food habit may cause consequences. But moderate and an appropriate food nature make no major issues to our body or system. I am a non vegetarian and stopped eating all kind of non veg food for 6 years as a challenge. I completed the term of 6 years successfully and doesn't feel any difference in those period. I just ignored - that is all. Once I started eating of non veg again, didn't feel any change also. But it is all upto us, what to eat. But always think everything is good - if it is on a advisable basis. Thank-s