Beautiful Disaster

I am interesting in becoming a vegetarian. Why? I've never enjoyed meat....but have always forced myself to eat it due to my need for protein, especially as someone who is hypoglycemic. I only eat red meat probably 3-5times a year and stick to chicken and tuna mostly. Lately, I've found myself bored with my diet, not eating like I should, and gaining some pounds as a result. I've also quit smoking lately, which I'm sure will add some lbs, but is also inspiring me to live a healthier life.

So....I'm ready to make the move, to broaden my horizons and live a meat free lifestyle. I will not be giving up eggs and milk though. I'm writing to seek some ideas and suggestions from some of you veteran vegetarians. I have trouble knowing how to start.....what to buy at the grocery on my first vegetarian grocery trip. I've tried to do this before and end up having no idea what to get, or what to cook. Please offer some suggestions to help me get a good start at this lifestyle.

Thanks all!

WildChild

Why not move into it gradually? I was a vegetarian for quite a few years and my kids spent their "formative" years as vegetarians, my daughter returned to it about 3 years ago. Start with buying more organic foods, when they are affordable and available. Increase your consumption of whole grains and veggies and start learning to prepare them in more exciting ways. Avoid BGH like the plague - which it is. To speak bluntly, I find, many of the stuff for the old 60s veggies such as the Moosewood Cookbook, just plain strange. But to each their own.

Check out Vegetarian Times magazine, they come up with some great recipes and offer a lot of practical info on converting old favorites. Start educating yourself and reducing your meat consumption in a healthy way. BTW many vegetarians eat terrible diets. Just not eating meat doesn't do it .

Beautiful Disaster

What is BGH? I think you're right, I need to do some researching....and try to move into this gradually. I'm tired of getting so incredibly bloated right before my "monthly visitor" when I know it's largely an effect of too many carbs, too much junk.....etc. And you're right again, meat is not always the culprit, for me especially considering I don't eat a lot of it. I just don't enjoy meat, and figure I might as well replace it with other things like beans, legumes, etc.

Thanks for the advice. And I hope you're doing wonderfully!!

WildChild

BGH is bovine growth hormone. Unless labeled otherwise you can assume that any dairy or beef products purchased in the USA are loaded with it, along with antibiotics. BGH is at least contributory if not THE cause of the earlier onset of menstration in girls (it edging toward 9 yrs old and even younger!) It utilizes your body's hormone receptors so that your own hormones have no place to go, it may have an effect on negative menopausal symptoms and all those premenstrual issues so many women suffer from.

Hopeless Dork

I think your decision is an awesome one BD. I am a vegetarian and there is a whole world of food that you can enjoy that doesn't involve meat and for things that feels that just don't feel right without meat, there are many many meat substitutes that have the texture , look and feel and even tastes of many meats like : hamburger meat, meatballs, turkey, sausage, bacon, chickenbreast, hotdogs, chicken nuggets, chicken patties, italian sausage, lunch meats, steak strips etc. Plus tofu and tempeh are perfect meat substitutes!

Make sure that you are still getting plenty of protein and iron , and if you are still menstruating make sure to get your iron check after being a vegetarian for a while to see whether or not you may need a vitamin with an iron suppliment or not if your diet is low in iron.

Tips to get by in a meaty world: If you go to a bbq this summer.. bring your own artificial meat , if you forget to do so... have the chef warm you up some hamburger buns with a slice of cheese in the center and dress it up with all the condiments. Enjoy the meatless side dishes as well

Fast food, same thing - there are so many options that don't have meat.

As vegetarian today you can have the taste of just about anything with those meat substitutes I've mentioned.

I personally enjoy lots of asian food, italian dishes either made meatless or with substitute meat, grilled veggies, indian food (many veggie dishes to choose from) whole grain breads, cheeses, fresh cut fruits, rice, beans.

I am not a vegan, so I still consume dairy - but choose soy options when possible (like milk) other than cheese!

Always ask if at a restaurant if they use meat in their soup bases or lard in their cooking and look for ingredients on things you buy, you'd be surprised what they throw meat bases or geletin into.

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Defintion of Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein

Beautiful Disaster

All very interesting info. Well, I made a grocery trip last night, bought several bags of different types of beans....oats....some jewish artichoke pasta, acai juice, lots of veggies, wasabi peas and beans, spirilina, organic milk etc.

Edemame is something decently high in protein that I'm going to start eating again, and Quinoa which I burnt myself out on a while back.

Anyone have any spirilina recipes?

sourpuss

What form is your spirulina in? If it's a powder, I just mix it with a little juice and down it really fast because it does not taste good.

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Beautiful Disaster

It's in powder form. I'm hearin from others that it's pretty gross. Gonna have to mix it up with stuff.

sourpuss

I mix mine with juice and just shoot it real fast.
I have noticed a difference since I've been taking it though. I feel good throughout the day, energy wise.

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Beautiful Disaster

I'm excited to start trying it. I need more energy, more muscle, less bloating, etc etc. I'm looking to really get myself healthy both physically and mentally. If I have to drink algae to help acquire that, then darn it, I'll do it!!!