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DonnaJoe708
Hello
Member since 5/05 4002 total posts
Name:
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Vegetarians...
I'm not sure if this is the correct board or not, but here goes...
I've been doing a lot of research on vegetarianism (sp?) lately and I'm considering making the switch for many reasons. Was it an easy transition for you? How do you ensure that you're still getting enough nutrients?
Any help would be appreciated!
TIA
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Posted 7/31/07 4:28 PM  |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Vegetarians...
I've been a vegetarian, well, really, pescatarian (No meat, but I do eat fish) for about 4 years now.
For me it was a very easy transition because I never liked meat to begin with. It always turned my stomach. For hubby it was a little more difficult, but eventually you just lose the taste for it all together.
You do have to be extra mindful of getting enough iron and protein, but there are a variety of sources. We eat fish at least 3 times a week, which takes care of protein. I also make sure I eat a leafy green salad everyday for lunch, so I'm getting iron.
We also eat lots of beans (during the winter, bean stew is the yummiest), tofu, lots of soy products (I like morningstar, but prefer Trader Joes products). You can also get a significant amount of protein from dairy - like yogurt, and cheese, if you're going the vegetarian, not the vegan route.
I have two suggestions - go out and buy a few vegetarian recipe books - that will help you in making the transition. Second, consider joining a farm co-op. We started doing that two years ago and it provides such a rich source of fresh, healthy veggies and fruits. It forces us to cook veggies every night for dinner. I bought a seasonal cookbook to follow the goodies they give us throughout the seasons.
The pluses - you'll lose weight and maintain it for years to come, you'll *feel* healthier, and have more energy and will find you're less sick. Minuses - a vegetarian lifestyle can get VERY boring VERY quickly. We find ourselves making the same things over and over, and at every restaurant I'm always limited to just one or two options on the menu. It can get tedious.
Good luck!
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| Posted 7/31/07 4:54 PM |
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DonnaJoe708
Hello
Member since 5/05 4002 total posts
Name:
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Re: Vegetarians...
Posted by Bxgell2
I've been a vegetarian, well, really, pescatarian (No meat, but I do eat fish) for about 4 years now.
For me it was a very easy transition because I never liked meat to begin with. It always turned my stomach. For hubby it was a little more difficult, but eventually you just lose the taste for it all together.
You do have to be extra mindful of getting enough iron and protein, but there are a variety of sources. We eat fish at least 3 times a week, which takes care of protein. I also make sure I eat a leafy green salad everyday for lunch, so I'm getting iron.
We also eat lots of beans (during the winter, bean stew is the yummiest), tofu, lots of soy products (I like morningstar, but prefer Trader Joes products). You can also get a significant amount of protein from dairy - like yogurt, and cheese, if you're going the vegetarian, not the vegan route.
I have two suggestions - go out and buy a few vegetarian recipe books - that will help you in making the transition. Second, consider joining a farm co-op. We started doing that two years ago and it provides such a rich source of fresh, healthy veggies and fruits. It forces us to cook veggies every night for dinner. I bought a seasonal cookbook to follow the goodies they give us throughout the seasons.
The pluses - you'll lose weight and maintain it for years to come, you'll *feel* healthier, and have more energy and will find you're less sick. Minuses - a vegetarian lifestyle can get VERY boring VERY quickly. We find ourselves making the same things over and over, and at every restaurant I'm always limited to just one or two options on the menu. It can get tedious.
Good luck!
Thank you so much!
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| Posted 7/31/07 4:55 PM |
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Jesaroo
is not the girl you knew
Member since 5/05 14266 total posts
Name:
Jes
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Re: Vegetarians...
i've only been veggie for about a year and a half this time.
i too am technically pescatarian. (sp?)
its probably easiest to first cut out red meat, then poultry.
once in a very blue moon i will cravemeat, because i LOVE the taste, but i dont succumb.
i dont do it for health reasons. in fact, its worse for me because i do not eat any vegetables except for corn.
i take a multivitamin with alot of iron.
i eat alot alot alot of meat substitutes.
its very surprinsingly easy to go without meat. this is the day and age where you can get nearly any type of fake meat. (bbq riblets, chicken, etc)
in the end the soy is really good for you. but dont overdose on soy. too much isnt good.
good luck!
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| Posted 7/31/07 6:33 PM |
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Whamtastic
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 997 total posts
Name:
Big Fat Baby with a Blackberry
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Re: Vegetarians...
Posted by DonnaJoe708
I'm not sure if this is the correct board or not, but here goes...
I've been doing a lot of research on vegetarianism (sp?) lately and I'm considering making the switch for many reasons. Was it an easy transition for you? How do you ensure that you're still getting enough nutrients?
Any help would be appreciated!
TIA
I had a pretty easy transition. I never really ate pork products, cut out red meat, 6 months later cut out poultry and fish. A few years later, I went vegan. I suggest cutting out one thing at a time, if going cold turkey (pardon the phrase) seems like too much of a change at once.
As for proper nutrition - it's just the same as any other way of eating - you have to pay attention to what you're eating. Everyone worries about protein, but in my experience you don't need nearly as much protein as people think and if you eat nuts and beans you won't have any problem getting enough. The main thing is to be smart about what you eat - don't eat french fries all the time, eat lots of fruit and veggies, seeds, nuts and beans.
As the other posters suggested, get cookbooks! A few I highly recommend are the Sarah Kramer & Tanya Barnard books, as well as Real Food Daily and Vegan Lunch Box.
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| Posted 7/31/07 8:04 PM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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Re: Vegetarians...
Posted by Whamtastic
if going cold turkey
You KILL me!!! 
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| Posted 7/31/07 8:25 PM |
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Whamtastic
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 997 total posts
Name:
Big Fat Baby with a Blackberry
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Re: Vegetarians...
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by Whamtastic
if going cold turkey
You KILL me!!!
Comedy gold.
 
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| Posted 7/31/07 8:30 PM |
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TheLorax
LOVE
Member since 2/06 5581 total posts
Name:
Suzanne / SuzBride
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Re: Vegetarians...
I have been vegetarian since I was 13 - about 13 years. I did it gradually - first cutting out red meat, then poultry and then fish over about a 3 month period. I was vegan for 4 years, but am back to vegetarian. It really wasn't that hard of a transition and I don't miss meat at all. THere are meat substitues (veggie dogs, fakin bacon, etc) to help if you are having a craving for the taste. Just be sure not to become a carb and cheese-otarian (ie live on pasta, potatotes, cheese and carbs) - a balanced diet with leafy greens is key.
Good luck! 
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| Posted 7/31/07 8:39 PM |
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randella
Love my little man
Member since 8/05 16290 total posts
Name:
Randi
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Re: Vegetarians...
I have been a vegetarian for about 12 years...
I eat dairy, but recently self-diagnosed myself with lactose intolerance-- so, I have switched to soy milk and cheese-- but continue to eat eggs.
The best advice is to make sure you are eating balanced meals. There are so many protein substitutes out there these days.
I would start by planning your meals out and trying things you like-- once you know what foods you can have in your repartiore, it will be easier to figure out what to eat more naturally.
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| Posted 7/31/07 10:15 PM |
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DonnaJoe708
Hello
Member since 5/05 4002 total posts
Name:
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Re: Vegetarians...
Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the advice!
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| Posted 8/1/07 8:40 AM |
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itslaurie
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/06 509 total posts
Name:
Laurie
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Re: Vegetarians...
Message edited 8/1/2007 2:18:57 PM.
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| Posted 8/1/07 9:36 AM |
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