So... I Just Became a Vegetarian

[FlyAwayAutumn]

A more natural lifestyle is not to just flat out stop eating meat. From what I understand (and I don't pay attention to this kind of thing very much) people are usually vegetarians because they're "Humanitarians" so if you're not a "Humanitarian" you can still eat meat just don't eat it all the damn time and have a more balanced diet.

There I'm done talking about "Nutrition" now I feel all dirty. I'm gonna go talk about sex or some other thing.

Think of it as severing a temptation. Instead of saying, "I shouldn't eat this burger because it's not good for me." I'm actually saying, "I absolutely cannot eat any meat of any kind."

I'm not good on will power when it comes to minor things. Segregating a certain kind of food isn't enough for me since I'm so good at making exceptions that I shouldn't. Making it broad eliminates the entire spectrum, as well as creating a "forbidden" stamp for myself that others will respect and support me on.

Seems like you've got it figured out. But it seems counterintuitive to say you aren't good on willpower thus you would be able to stay away from meat altogether. Which is a move that requires a good amount of willpower.

 

[Ham_authority95]

I respect your decision and thank you for not posting any type of annoying animal rights speech.

 

[Z(ombie)fan]

... are you aware that there it is is far healthier to eat, oh my gosh, BOTH?

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/wacky-edibles/ab3f/

http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/c4e9/


two tips that might help you along...good luck

Wow... Both just blew my mind, though the bacon salt one makes me wonder how much is too much. I mean, I dunno if that will increase or decrease the temptation, you know? :/

 

[Angerwing]

I'd be wary giving up meat entirely. You'll probably end up anaemic if you don't balance it entirely. A good steak now and then isn't unhealthy, in fact it's quite the opposite. Everything in moderation (except this rule). But anyway, do what you want. You can make vegetarian lifestyles work very well if you have the commitment.

 

[Booze Zombie]

You must look after yourself, make sure everything you're eating makes up for all the stuff you're not getting from meat products anymore.

There's probably a tonne of things you could find with a quick Google search.

 

[MasterSplinter]

Buy a wide variety of tasty fruits, and try not from a supermarket, maybe you don't have "ferias" (like these:http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo24/SplinterAFG/feriasantiagochile.jpg http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo24/SplinterAFG/feria-tristan-narvaja.jpg) where you live.
But there's got to be a place to buy good, cheap, healthy fruits. When i'm hungry but it's not near any big meal time i just eat a fruit, it helps create the habit.

 

[Timbydude]

For some reason I thought "vegetarian" said "virgin", so I was preparing myself for the most interesting story of all time. I was slightly let down.

OT: I don't think I could become a vegetarian if I wanted to, but it's not a bad choice. Although, I feel that you might be missing out on certain parts of your diet (protein, iron, etc.) if you eliminate meat completely. But if you can find vegetarian alternatives or nutritional supplements or such, more power to you.

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

I'd be wary giving up meat entirely. You'll probably end up anaemic if you don't balance it entirely. A good steak now and then isn't unhealthy, in fact it's quite the opposite. Everything in moderation (except this rule). But anyway, do what you want. You can make vegetarian lifestyles work very well if you have the commitment.

I don't usually eat steak. My main food is usually processed shit that comes from the microwave. I figure the veggie way will be a good, if not necessary (duh), incentive to eat... well... better.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

I have been a vegetarian for years. My best advice:

eat Morning Star. 100% vegetarian, tastes just like the real stuff.

 

[Acier]

Try tofu, I mean I like meat, but a good tofu is nice too.

 

[atalanta]

Just a quick addition, I will not, nor will I ever, eat tofu.

Jeez, maybe this is just the whole "being Asian" thing, but what is with the tofu hate? You can make tofu taste delicious (assuming you're not completely inept in the kitchen, of course).

Anyways. If you really start missing meat, it's possible to get your burger on without raping the planet. I eat almost exclusively vegetarian when I'm at restaurants, then buy grass-fed beef or cage-free chicken for cooking.

In terms of making not totally bland and boring vegetarian food, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Indian cuisine are good places to start. In a lot of Korean and Chinese dishes meat is the main thing the way it is in European food, but rather one of many ingredients, so it's pretty easy to modify a recipe. Also, you can often replace the meat with tofu :V (seriously, hie thee to a Chinese restaurant and try deep fried tofu with some appropriately spicy sauce. You'll thank me for it later).

I don't know what your kitchen skillz are, but Cook Food [http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781604860733-0] has some cooking tips and tricks in the front and bunch of vegan recipes in the back, with a little bit of politics here and there. Other than that, places like Whole Foods have recipe finders that you can search a squajillion different ways, or just try Google.

ETA: Oh, and make sure you get enough iron. Eat lots of dark leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens.

 

[tscook]

Steer away from soy, unless you want to become effeminate (isoflavones imitate estrogen).

Considering all humans create estrogen, you don't have anything to worry about. Eating enough soy products to change you philologically is more or less impossible.

Also, tofu is delicious when you take the time to figure out how to cook it. Seitan and tempeh are also good alternatives. I became a vegetarian when I saw 25 cent tofu at an asian grocer and realized how much meat actually costs. Shortly afterwards I realized how little I actually liked meat in the first place (stringy texture of muscle fibers, the smell, etc). I will still eat meat if it is given to me, but I don't buy it.

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

-snip-

I eat only meat, a nice steak for dinner, some small chicken fingers for lunch, leftovers for breakfast and I exercise every day. I am at a healthy 154 LBS right now, I was overweight however thanks to running for 30 minutes everyday and 3 seconds of pure sprinting I have lost weight rapidly.

What I am trying to get at is don't become a vegan, Meat is > veggies Just exercise more and you will lose the weight.

A more natural lifestyle is not to just flat out stop eating meat. From what I understand (and I don't pay attention to this kind of thing very much) people are usually vegetarians because they're "Humanitarians" so if you're not a "Humanitarian" you can still eat meat just don't eat it all the damn time and have a more balanced diet.

There I'm done talking about "Nutrition" now I feel all dirty. I'm gonna go talk about sex or some other thing.

Think of it as severing a temptation. Instead of saying, "I shouldn't eat this burger because it's not good for me." I'm actually saying, "I absolutely cannot eat any meat of any kind."

I'm not good on will power when it comes to minor things. Segregating a certain kind of food isn't enough for me since I'm so good at making exceptions that I shouldn't. Making it broad eliminates the entire spectrum, as well as creating a "forbidden" stamp for myself that others will respect and support me on.

Seems like you've got it figured out. But it seems counterintuitive to say you aren't good on willpower thus you would be able to stay away from meat altogether. Which is a move that requires a good amount of willpower.

I know this is rather ironic, but I don't have much discipline. Exercise? Those damn Atkins diets that my mum loves? I'm miserable when I do "healthy" things. I do love fruits and vegetables, but like I said, they only represent an optional side meal to me that can easily be replaced with anything else. Making them core is my ultimate plan. I just plain don't get enough vegetables. I just can't get into the right mindset since I have meat as my main course.

I can live without meat. I just have adapt myself. Those little facts about the meatpacking industry are some of the most unappetizing thing I've ever seen. Keeping those in mind about how much I'm sparing myself (ugh) I think I can do good with this.

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

Those videos are actually of places that got shut down. Becoming a Vegetarian is bad for you too, as you need meat as much as you do plants. Just get some self-control, as you've lost all my respect.

Eh, if I can do without my beloved Five Guys, I can do without your respect. Who are you again?

 

[tscook]

Also, to everyone saying being a vegetarian is "bad for you", it isn't any worse than any other diet if you're not considerate about what you eat. Re: Protein and iron you can balance that with quinoa (a delicious South American grain) and dark leafy greens. Also, while meats are an easy source of protein any balanced diet contains all the proteins necessary.

edit: dropped a word