Thread: Thoughts on becoming vegetarian...

Mexican food doesn't have to include meat ... try making your own salsa at home, your own guac, your own cheese dip. "Fat free" refried beans shouldn't have any lard - but warning, regular refrieds in a can DO.
Piling up your taco shell with some veggies can be just as satisfying as having meat. One I like the sound of but haven't tried is a yam taco.

So today will be day 10 without any meat... I feel really good actually. I had had seafood still about every other day but I can definitely tell that I seem to be having less issues with feeling sluggish which I am loving I don't miss the meat much really. I did find some fantastic veggie nuggets which I had yesterday and honestly, I might keep doing this after my 14 days I told myself that I would

Alright, from a fellow Kentuckian, I can tell you that it's far less common to be vegetarian here than in some of the bigger areas. A while back, I decided to go "modified" vegetarian. I only ate red meat maybe twice a year and absolutely hate cooking any type of meat at home, so it was quite easy to substitute things like quinoa, beans, lentils and eggs for protein. Anyway, I remember when it first came up at work and I told one person I was trying to get away from eating meat, so then it spread around and various people were calling me "Earth Girl". Hmmmm. But for me, it wasn't a moral decision, it was a health decision.......so I pretty much smiled and embraced my new name. I wasn't depriving myself of meat I wanted, I didn't want it, so I didn't eat it.

On the rare occasion I crave chicken on a salad, or some chicken tenders, I have them. I found that when I craved meat, if I allowed myself to satisfy that craving, I wouldn't crave it again for a long period of time if at all. If I deprived myself, I thought about it all the time.

Other than edemame (which are a GREAT snack for work), I try to stay away from soy. I don't think it's all it's cracked up to be....and it doesn't seem to be as easily digestable as other proteins. But through things like Quinoa, Beans, Lentils, Egg you can truly get enough protein. Another good way is to replace peanut butter in your diet, with almond butter. The only ingredient should be pure unblanced roasted almonds. I make it myself with my Magic Bullet. That with a banana and some Wildflower honey.....MMM MMM good!!!

Don't worry about what others say. Truly those that make on over it alot are wishing they had the willpower to do something that good for their own bodies. With the exception of fish, I think the less meat you eat, the better you'll feel in the long run. Just gotta make sure you're getting the protein and nutrients you need.

Wow, I replied before I saw the other two pages of posts. Great thread!!! I always love new healthy vegetarian ideas. YUM, now I'm HUNGRY!!!

eggplant is aubergine isnt it?
you can make moussaka, also pies, sauces things like that!

watercress has more calcium than milk
as well as loads of other good stuff.
green leafy vegetables have lots of iron
brightly coloured ones have lots of vitamins in them.

im glad its going well for you x

I ALWAYS encourage people that feel like they shouldn't adapt some vegetarian eating styles because they feel they wouldn't fully give up meat during holidays, or occasional seafood etc... to go on and adapt the veggie lifestyle ANYWAY. Even if being not 100 percent commited.

Its not a religion. No veggie police are going to come flog you for having halibut If the best someone can do is cut meat out of their diet one day a week... they should try that. Or two days or 3 days... less is better, for your heart, blood pressure, cholesterol, your colon, and the lil critters.

Beware of meat hiding in seemingly vegetarian food products. Rennet in many cheeses and gelatin in just about anything, chicken fat based broths, lard/animal fat based shortning. You'll find some of this stuff in the least likely candidates. Breakfast cereals, candy's, cupcakes, etc... always read labels!

I became vegetarian when my father passed. I decided I want to take the best care of my body because it is the only vehicle you can travel the earth in. I have tried once in the past and ate meat by accident and this time I have stuck with it for almost a full year now. I want it so I stick with it. I feel healthier and stronger and have been working out more and trying healthier things because of it. I eat fresh fish cause its healthy and once a year I will have a small bite of ham at christmas. I like it so far. I've been happy and healthy and encourage you to try it.

Mediterranean food is a good place to start. Also Italian, Mexican and Spanish. I really love food and I'll tell you, you aren't missing much by removing the meat. It takes some creativity sometimes but I think I enjoy food more than I ever did before