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becoming a vegetarian
Can someone tell me where to start?
I was a vegetarian for over a year. During that time I didn't eat the right things and I don't think it had any health benefits. This time I need to do it for health reasons- staying more on the raw side. I don't know where to start.
Please help with any info. Thanks!
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Posted 9/12/12 7:30 PM  |
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Mushesgirl
Too blessed to be stressed
Member since 4/09 6691 total posts
Name:
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
First,  thank you! You are sparing animals a miserable life and death.
For me, I read Skinny B!tch. They preach veganism which at this point is too much for me but i'm inching that way, I started eating kosher cheese which doen't have animal renet in it.
But getting all your nutrients is important, not just living on pasta and veggies. I live on Amy's bean burritos. Lentils are also a big part of my diet as are garbanzos.
Check out this site:link
I know there are other ladies on here who are veg many more years than I (i think i'm going on 4 years now), and have some great advice too. All the best!
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| Posted 9/12/12 8:16 PM |
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tink23
Step by step....
Member since 6/11 1061 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Posted by Mushesgirl
First, thank you! You are sparing animals a miserable life and death.
For me, I read Skinny B!tch. They preach veganism which at this point is too much for me but i'm inching that way, I started eating kosher cheese which doen't have animal renet in it.
But getting all your nutrients is important, not just living on pasta and veggies. I live on Amy's bean burritos. Lentils are also a big part of my diet as are garbanzos.
Check out this site:link
I know there are other ladies on here who are veg many more years than I (i think i'm going on 4 years now), and have some great advice too. All the best!
Ditto on everything: especially Skinny *****. That book really helped me to become Vegan.
I eat a lot of beans, nuts, oatmeal, vegetables, quinoa, lentils, and the occasional soy "meat" products. Quinoa is especially versatile as you can use it with vegetables, in salads or soups.
I think the real key is to experiment with different foods and see what works for you. Trader Joe's is a great place to shop as they have a lot of vegetarian and vegan options on the cheap. Good luck!
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| Posted 9/13/12 9:21 AM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
I’m a vegetarian in training so take my advice with a grain of salt if you choose! LOL
I still eat fish and have had meat cheats 2x since starting this journey.. but I’m a work in progress. I’m learning as I go and I’m willing to share the roadblocks I have run into in these first few weeks if you care to know!
The things I would say to someone doing this again..
Educate yourself about your nutritional needs. How much protein does YOUR body need? It’s different for everyone. Once you know how MUCH you need.. learn to know how much is in the foods you choose. Learn about complete proteins and why they are particularly important to vegetarians. Realize that too many grains increase glycemic load – dangerous for diabetics – so choose whole grains and choose portions wisely.
Take Vitamins. A vegetarian/plant based diet can give you everything you need.. but some nutrients are harder to come by. You can get Iron from beans and spinach.. but it’s non-heme and it’s harder to absorb and therefore requires significantly higher amounts. Taking a good multivitamin with iron can help.. especially because the vitamin C in the multivitamin helps with the absorption of the non-heme iron. Yes… you can get everything without multivitamins by learning to combine food.. but I have found it’s a lot to learn and not something that comes super easily when you are still trying to get acclimated to a non-meat diet. Give yourself a break, take the vitamins.
I may be a freak about this because SO many people tell me that it’s all in my head.. but I am hungry more often and faster now. I keep a little stockpile of snacks that are more filling.. and then the things that are not quite as filling but won’t have too much of a caloric impact. For example.. I like a handful of raw almonds and a few grapes with a cheese stick for a snack.. but I know that it may fill me immediately but I’ll be hungry not too long after. So I keep some celery sticks and sliced peppers handy to munch on – they won’t spike my sugar like too many grapes could do, they don’t have the fat load that the cheese does – and they aren’t caloric like the almonds. So I can eat them all day long. I also have pickles and while they have a ton of sodium, they are fine as long as I don’t eat half a jar. And I drink a FUCKTON of water. I mean.. A LOT. Water saves me from feeling hungry all day long.
I’m enjoying the journey. I’m not saying it will last forever.. but I am hoping that I can at LEAST get to a point where our family views meat as more of a side dish than a main course.. it’s better for our health, the environment and the animals.
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| Posted 9/13/12 2:59 PM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Oh.. and a little TMI heads up because it kind of freaked me out.
Your plumbing works faster when you are doing vegetarian for a while. My kids were pooping like crazy the 2nd week! And the color is different and much lighter. NOT that we look at our poop or anything... 
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| Posted 9/13/12 3:03 PM |
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MrsA1012
love my little girl !
Member since 9/10 5777 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Posted by rojerono
Oh.. and a little TMI heads up because it kind of freaked me out.
Your plumbing works faster when you are doing vegetarian for a while. My kids were pooping like crazy the 2nd week! And the color is different and much lighter. NOT that we look at our poop or anything...
Lol, this is definitely true.
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| Posted 9/14/12 10:56 AM |
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Thank you. Great information! I'm going to give it a try.
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| Posted 9/14/12 12:55 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
I've been a vegetarian for 15 years.
i think the most important thing is to really be adventurous about food and try new things. You can definitely try vegetarian versions of your favorites, but it's not healthy to subsist on veggie burgers and processed foods. You'll be a lot happier (And healthier) if you start learning to cook plant-based meals. I do enjoy making things with veggie crumbles, veggie bacon, etc, but that should really be a SMALL part of your diet.
It's an easy trap to fall into to have a vegetarian diet and subsist on french fries and bread, so you need to really work at it.
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| Posted 9/14/12 2:10 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
if you want to be a vegetarian for health reasons- you should really be vegan- dairy is not good for you
I am vegan- I eat only whole foods- I don't eat soy or soy products- soy is really not good for you
I don't eat gluten- again- as my doctor said (a wellness doc) eating gluten and soy puts the breaks on being vegan
I am vegan for health reasons 100%-
it's not hard if you are truely committed- I see the results in my blood work- I am type 1 diabetic and my numbers were so good after 9 weeks of eating this way my endo said I didn't have to come back till January- every 4 months instead of every 3
I watched Food inc, forks over knifes and fat sick and nearly dead- those were enough plus my own research to make me become vegan and not look back at all
ETA- I am much less hungry and have very few cravings-
Message edited 9/14/2012 3:05:44 PM.
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| Posted 9/14/12 2:44 PM |
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PearlJamChick
No one sings like you anymore.
Member since 7/10 9264 total posts
Name:
Petticoated Swashbuckler
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
That's awesome!
I've been vegetarian for 20 years. It's not difficult once you get used to the changes! 
I feel like this is a nice introductory guide to becoming a vegetarian: HappyCow
I would also check out this book: How to Cook Everything Vegetarian - hands down, it's my favorite vegetarian cookbook. It focuses much more on using fruit, vegetables, grains, cheeses, etc. than the use of soy products/mock meats.
I also agree with the PP who suggested taking a multivitamin :)
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| Posted 9/14/12 2:49 PM |
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Mushesgirl
Too blessed to be stressed
Member since 4/09 6691 total posts
Name:
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Posted by Beth
if you want to be a vegetarian for health reasons- you should really be vegan- dairy is not good for you
I am vegan- I eat only whole foods- I don't eat soy or soy products- soy is really not good for you
I don't eat gluten- again- as my doctor said (a wellness doc) eating gluten and soy puts the breaks on being vegan
I am vegan for health reasons 100%-
it's not hard if you are truely committed- I see the results in my blood work- I am type 1 diabetic and my numbers were so good after 9 weeks of eating this way my endo said I didn't have to come back till January- every 4 months instead of every 3
I watched Food inc, forks over knifes and fat sick and nearly dead- those were enough plus my own research to make me become vegan and not look back at all
ETA- I am much less hungry and have very few cravings-
Beth thank you for adding the piece about soy!!! I also do not eat soy, which is no easy feat considering manufacturers shove it into every gd thing on the market
And i totally forgot about those movies, i've seen them all as well. I'm trying my darndest to get dh to get off meat but it aint happening. At least for now
Way to go on the bloodwork! Its a shame more of this isnt getting out into the mainstream. People would have so many less lifestyle related illnesses. Chronic diseases are choking the healthcare system
To the op: i do most of my shopping at Trader Joes. You can also seek out health food grocery stores that have a variety of things to choose from.
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| Posted 9/14/12 3:24 PM |
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jerrysgirl
I love my hot dog!!
Member since 6/06 5357 total posts
Name:
E & J
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
I am curious about this. would anyone be willing to post what their daily meals are?
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| Posted 9/14/12 6:46 PM |
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Mushesgirl
Too blessed to be stressed
Member since 4/09 6691 total posts
Name:
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
I'll go!
Oatmeal (not instant!) And a bananna
Salad with beets, garbanzos, spinach, mushrooms, onions, olives, tabouleh, dried cranberries, some pineapple slices
Granola snack
Falafel and humus for dinner with grilled veggies
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| Posted 9/14/12 8:37 PM |
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piggymel
LIF Zygote
Member since 12/10 29 total posts
Name:
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Breakfast: Multigrain cheerios with almond milk and a banana
Lunch: Falafel and hummus in a pita
Dinner: General Tso's Tofu with brown rice and veggies
I eat lots of eggplant, zucchini, tempeh, tofu, etc
Message edited 9/14/2012 8:42:18 PM.
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| Posted 9/14/12 8:41 PM |
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jerseychick
LIF Adult
Member since 4/09 3923 total posts
Name:
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
breakfast: usually cereal, oatmeal or a bagel, sometimes with a smoothie
lunch: hummus sandwich, pb & j (or almond butter, or sunflower seed butter), bean salad & crackers, quinoa salad
dinner: chili, soups, salads, pasta, pizza, tofu occasionally (I don't avoid soy; I think the biggest problem with it is how it is grown and processed, so I go with organic tofu).
Also I don't think you really need to worry about combining proteins to make a "complete protein" The last 2 books I have read say that the amino acids just kind of hang out in your body for a day or 2 and wait for the complementary amino acid, so as long as you are eating a sufficient number of calories and a well balanced diet, you should have no problem getting all the protein you need.
Good luck!
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| Posted 9/14/12 9:35 PM |
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PearlJamChick
No one sings like you anymore.
Member since 7/10 9264 total posts
Name:
Petticoated Swashbuckler
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Posted by jerrysgirl
I am curious about this. would anyone be willing to post what their daily meals are?
Here's a sample of things I eat regularly:
Breakfast:
Steelcut oats with almonds and honey
Oatmeal soaked in soy or almond milk in the fridge...mix in nuts, cinnamon and/or fresh or dried fruit
Greek yogurt and a banana
Omelette with lots of veggies
Lunch:
Salad...green, Asian- or Mexican-inspired, fruit and greens, sometimes just a lot of cut up veggies and no greens + beans
Soup, always broth-based, usually with a chunk of crusty bread
Sandwich...pita with hummus, stuffed with veggies. Or peanut butter and jelly. Or cheese and veggies on rye or whole wheat.
Pasta salad
Leftovers from the prior night's dinner
Dinner:
Pasta with a variation of the following: tomato sauce/eggplant/roasted peppers/pesto/garlic and oil/sauteed veggies/cheese
Stuffed portabello caps
Homemade veggie burgers
Stir-fried veggies and tofu
Stuffed peppers
Curries
Soup
Chili
Vegetable pot pie
Veggie fajitas/burritos/tacos
Rice and beans
That's just some things off the top of my head...HTH!
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| Posted 9/14/12 10:16 PM |
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MrsA1012
love my little girl !
Member since 9/10 5777 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Breakfast :
-organic whole wheat cheerios with coconut
Milk and cut up blueberries or raspberries with --an apple
-a balance bar when I am in a hurry
Lunch :
- Low fat dairy Mac and cheese or vegan Mac and cheese
- A big salad with a variety of vegetables and shredded cheese
- hummus and avocado sandwich
- vegetable soup
- roasted potatoes and roasted broccoli
Dinner:
- tofu with brown rice and veggies
- veggie burger with a salad or roasted eggie
- veggie hot dog with a salad or a roasted veggie
- whole wheat pasta with vegetables
- whole wheat burrito with brown rice/ black beans/ cheese
- low fat baked pasta casseroles with vegetables
- roasted chick peas with spinach
- lentil and bean soups
Snacks:
-apples
-blueberries
- a handful of nuts
- guacamole and pretzel thins
- grapes
- sliced strawberries
- think thin balance bar ( low in sugar)
- a slice of cheese
- an avocado
- blueberries
- plums
Eta: congrats on taking this step! You are doing a wonderful thing for your health, for the planet and for the tortured animals !
Message edited 9/14/2012 10:53:25 PM.
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| Posted 9/14/12 10:51 PM |
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MrsA1012
love my little girl !
Member since 9/10 5777 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
A couple of other things:
I think that organic, non gMo verified soy products are okay in moderation, Also, a great way to get food ideas is to spend some time walking through a Trader Joe's, Whole foods , or Fairway. All 3 have a great selection of vegetarian items. Good luck !
Message edited 9/14/2012 11:05:20 PM.
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| Posted 9/14/12 11:04 PM |
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Thank you all. The menu idea are so helpful. 
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| Posted 9/16/12 1:18 PM |
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OverTheMoon
LIF Infant
Member since 8/12 80 total posts
Name:
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
PINTEREST!!!!!!
I find new amazing-looking vegan/vegetarian pins every day! Just search for some veggie pins or boards, start following the pinners who post a lot of things you like, and you'll have awesome new recipes popping up all the time.
Also, check out the veggie restaurants near you. I didn't read all of this thread, so I'm not sure where you're located but there are several really great places on the island & in the city. FM me if you'd like a few recommendations.
For grocery shopping - I buy a lot of stuff at Stop & Shop - some are better than others, but the good ones have a ton of vegetarian options. For whatever I can't find there, and for all fresh fruits & veggies, I go to Whole Foods.
And do NOT be afraid! Like you, I wasn't eating great when I first went veggie. The thought of learning to prepare tofu and weird-sounding things like seitan and tempeh really turned me off. But once I tried, I realized how great and easy they can be. I love cooking that stuff now.
Most important - supplements! Unless you really study up and make sure you are getting all of your nutrients every single day, you should seriously consider supplementing. And you REALLY must take a B12 every day. I go for days sometimes forgetting my vitamins & supplements and WHAT a difference it makes!! As long as you're eating good foods and getting the nutrients you need, you'll feel great!
Good luck, feel free to FM me any time for info! :)
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| Posted 9/16/12 2:10 PM |
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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)
Member since 7/08 19084 total posts
Name:
Jib
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Wow I love these ideas!! We have recently become "meat-free" in the house. I saw an Oprah special about where your meat comes from. After that, I decided to only cook vegetarian dishes (and fish) at home.
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| Posted 9/16/12 6:49 PM |
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MrsA1012
love my little girl !
Member since 9/10 5777 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Posted by PennyCat
Wow I love these ideas!! We have recently become "meat-free" in the house. I saw an Oprah special about where your meat comes from. After that, I decided to only cook vegetarian dishes (and fish) at home.
That's great !
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| Posted 9/17/12 9:26 AM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
I am vegan - this is a typical day for me
breakfast- rockin wellness shake with almond milk
lunch- I tend to have to eat on the go- so I have a few go-to spot- if I am I am the office I go to feelsgood cafe in saint james
I will get either an edgy burger- a gluten free veggie burger over salad
or one of the vegan gluten free specials they have
snack- an apple
dinner- one of my veggie creations- usually some type of all veggie "lasgna"- I post pics on FB if you are not my friend- friend me- Beth Lowe
or a soy free, gluten free, quiona veggie burger with my lastest obcession
trader joe's brocoli slaw, with avacado, ginger gluten free organic dressing (whole foods sells it) and some almonds
once you get into the swing of it- and see the results- you will never want to go back- I feel amazing- tons of enegery, I don't drink caffine, I sleep like a rock, it took about 8 weeks to really start feeling the full benefits
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| Posted 9/17/12 11:05 AM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: becoming a vegetarian
Posted by Beautifulgirls
Can someone tell me where to start?
I was a vegetarian for over a year. During that time I didn't eat the right things and I don't think it had any health benefits. This time I need to do it for health reasons- staying more on the raw side. I don't know where to start.
Please help with any info. Thanks!
I think you got a lot of good tips here. I would try to eat the minimally processed types of veg foods. So, fruits, veggies and whole grains, nuts and beans too.
I know a lot of vegetarians who chose this diet for more religious and/or animal rights reasons. They are the ones who do it the "wrong" and unhealthy way (including my mother). Way too much cheese, pasta, rice, french fries, chips, sweets, etc. I also know people who eat too much soy (everything that would be meat is replaced by soy products). You have to like fruits and VEGETABLES to be a vegetarian and you can't eat fish!
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| Posted 9/17/12 5:45 PM |
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