So... I Just Became a Vegetarian

[DarkRyter]

Start farming your food. The manliness of living off the land overcomes the lameness of not killing things.

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

Well, i've been a vegetarian for about 10 years now so i guess that gives me some knowledge.

Basically eating well as a vegetarian requires you to be a little more creative and adventurous with your food. You will live an unhealthy and unfulfilling life if you run around with meat substitutes or try looking for recipes on web sites populated by non vegetarians who go 'i made exactly the same thing without meat/add tofu and it was alright' and everyone goes 'that's a great recipe- i just added some bacon so it's delicious'. Tofu has its place, in fact it can be fantastic, but it is NOT a meat substite. After all, it has almost no taste of its own but takes up flavours well which is just about the opposite of say, bacon.

Meat substitutes and precooked meals should be avoided for health reasons except as occasionally something to bring to a bbq (or instead, try field mushrooms)

The most satisfying vegetarian food i know actually come from the middle east - lots of bean, lentil dishes that are absolutely delicious. Comining them + whole grains (i.e. eat some bread at some point in a day) gives a full balance of protein. Mediterranean, indian and african, moroccan food also has its charms.

My personal favourite recipe book is mardur jafferey's world vegetarian. The international vegetarian society has an extensive list of recipes online though, some of which are quite good, which should give you a good idea of what sort of food you like.

I actually bought a few bags of lentils the other day. Looks like I'm making a few good decisions.

I'll have to look up that book next time I make a trip to the book store. Just substituting meat would defeat my entire purpose since I don't really care about the animals.

 

[pearcinator]

meat is good for you.

I got a vegetarian friend and hes always sick cos he doesnt eat any meat.

 

[dehawaiiansupaman]

Rastafarian foods would work. Good tasting veggie meals if you can handle loads of garlic. Also there's some interesting styles in Asia of making vegetarian meals that resemble meat dishes all the way down to texture and taste (I think monks in China used it). I saw those on No Reservations so you might be able to look them up.

 

[Kiju]

Becoming a vegetarian judging by your reasons (from what I can glean) is like going skydiving because you want to feel a breeze. Vegetarians become vegetarians for a few simple, if somewhat odd, reasons (in my experience).

1) They dislike the way animals are treated, and feel that by not eating meat they'll somehow stop these people from corralling animals like that and treating them in that poor fashion. Sorry, but no, it doesn't work. For every one vegetarian, there's about ten others who don't give a crap and will eat it anyway. These people are the worst...self righteous pricks who think they're doing the right thing and ridicule anyone who doesn't think the same way they do.

2) People who want a healthier lifestyle by eating soy and other pseudo-protein products. Yes, beans, peanuts, tofu, and so on all have protein in them. But they still don't give the necessary nutrients that you can get from eating hamburger (The meat, not the meat on a bun and such). If you want to live a healthier lifestyle, eat whatever the hell you want and just freakin' exercise. It works miracles, trust me. Or switch to other, lighter meats like fish and chicken instead of pig and cow. I still say a grilled fish fillet tastes miles better than a cheeseburger.

3) People who can't eat meat due to an allergic reaction. These people, I can understand it. Some people literally can't eat meat, it makes them sick to their stomach the same way dairy products (lactose) do the same to me. I can't blame them for not eating meat, it's totally understandable.

So, yeah...my suggestions...

If you want a healthier lifestyle due to eating too much hamburger and stuff, then switch it up with some (good, not fast food) chicken, and definitely eat some non-breaded fish. I suggest Tilapia, it's delish~. And above all else. WORK IT OFF. Get off the computer, run a few miles a day, and I promise you you'll see a 'healthier lifestyle' no matter what you freakin' eat. Ecol i only occurs in under-cooked meat. So if you are paranoid about that...stop ordering fast food, and cook it yourself. It's not as hard as you think.

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

As somebody who has been a vegetarian for over a year (healthy, athletic, best shape of my life, etc), I guess I should give some advice:
First and foremost, congrats! It's an admirable choice, as long as it is your own. Just remember to not rub it into people's faces, as that tends to piss them off.
Second, take vitamin supplements. It is possible to get enough iron from beans, but it's a bit challenging to balance your diet.
Third, don't believe this crap about needing meat in your diet. Plant proteins are no different from animal proteins, and you only need 8 amino acids from those anyway (assuming you're no longer a toddler). Beans/tofu/cottage cheese are your friend here
Fourth, give tofu a shot. I can't expect you to love it, but it is extremely versatile if you know how to cook with it. Plus it's nutritious and all that...
Fifth, being a vegetarian does not mean automatic fitness. Get some exercise...

Thank you. Hopefully, more people will read this before acting like they know so much about proper nutrition. Seems like you know your way around the bend more than most of the meat zealots around here.

Also, I can't expect I'll go a full year without having tried tofu at least once. I just need to get over the idea of it.

 

[Just_A_Glitch]

But in all seriousness, congrats to you, I guess. I couldn't go without meat, despite whatever health risks I may get from eating too much of it. Plus, the protein you get from meat will make you healthier. Vegetarians are some of the most unhealthy looking people I've ever seen. Best of luck with this.

 

[NoblePhilistineFox]

well, as long as you arent basing your vegitarianism based on the videos, and are only using it to help you, then I still respect you.
Ive met vegitarians who base thier whole choice on blatent lies and horrible photoshop(even I could do that, and I use paint.net)at least your using your facts from a reliable source.

 

[Anticitizen_Two]

I feel like I should be a vegetarian, but at the same time it's just too hard to give up meat.

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

Rastafarian foods would work. Good tasting veggie meals if you can handle loads of garlic. Also there's some interesting styles in Asia of making vegetarian meals that resemble meat dishes all the way down to texture and taste (I think monks in China used it). I saw those on No Reservations so you might be able to look them up.

Heh, I looove garlic. I'll look it up. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Toar]

Meat is unhealthy, no doubt, but I don't really want to live too badly right now, so bring on a heart attack. Otherwise, I'm doing the world no good at all. Just sitting on my fat, ugly American ass and absorbing snack food and breathing the air of someone who is vastly more important. Damn, now I'm depressed again...

 

[MegaManOfNumbers]

Wait, I'm confused now, is eating meat healthy for you?

 

[Zenn3k]

For every animal you don't eat, I'm gonna eat 3

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

If this is to lose weight, go for it for a few months. If this is to be healthier.....
All the Vegans/Vegetarians I have known have all been pale, weak, and under weight. All around unhealthy. Not to say all are, just those I have known personally. I guess my advice is to start taking what ever vitamins people who don't eat meat need to take. Ask a doctor tho just in case.

You know what "Movie Bob" looks like? That's me without the beard and glasses.

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

For every animal you don't eat, I'm gonna eat 3

Heh, haven't heard that one from 90% of my friends.

 

[neilsaccount]

eating meat is part of a healthy lifestyle, the meat your describing is fast food meat, but properly prepared meat(not burgers or hotdogs)gives you proper proteins and minerals. Just make it lean, properly cooked (to remove any e-coli) and garnished with organic veggies (not pre-frozen) dark leafy greens as well as multiple other different colour combinations like red and yellow sweet peppers. Maybe make it a stirfry, but you dont have to swear off meat altogether if you enjoy it

 

[Bato]

Well, you want to be healthy.. Have you seen a vegetarian? They kinda look constantly sick.

 

[health-bar]

you don't need to completely abolish meat from your diet to become healthy.
just eat more veggies. opt for the healthier choices at restaurants, or just don't eat out much.

hell, take a walk, ride a bike, join a sport. you aren't going to magically get healthy just by staying away from fatty foods. no matter what some smug professor says.

don't look at any videos and think of what you are eating is wrong. all the videos show extremes, and never an average or unbiased view.

and if you really want to give yourself a break, just make up a rule, like only one big meat meal a month or something.

 

[dehawaiiansupaman]

Rastafarian foods would work. Good tasting veggie meals if you can handle loads of garlic. Also there's some interesting styles in Asia of making vegetarian meals that resemble meat dishes all the way down to texture and taste (I think monks in China used it). I saw those on No Reservations so you might be able to look them up.

Heh, I looove garlic. I'll look it up. Thanks for the tip.

Hey no problem. Glad my addiction to that show paid off.