Advice from vegetarians needed
 

Hello everyone, nice to meet you all.

I want to switch to a vegetable based diet. I am definitely a meat eater but I am not willing to give up meat all together, right now anyway but that may change in the future. I do want to drastically reduce my meat consumption and eat more vegetables and fruit. I am not sure how to go about it. Most days during the week I only eat meat at dinner. I was thinking of starting out by going meatless one or 2 days a week. I am also not a fan of vitamin supplements, and do not want to start taking supplements for short falls in my diet. The only supplements I am willing to take are my smart pills, AKA fish oil and gingko.

I was wondering if there are any vegetarians, or the like that would be willing to give some advice on this matter

Thank you

I went vegetarian gradually by cutting meat out one meal at a time. The trick was to find good recipes that doesn't require meat. Trying to use anything as a meat-substitute in traditional meat-based meals doesn't work. You're not gonna get a veggie T-bone steak or tri-tip.

The best advice I can give is visit websites like Vegsource or Vegweb for a wealth of information.

I could type all day, but would never be able to give you all the advice I could give.

Typically, the only supplements vegetarians need when following a balanced diet is Vitamin B-12, and that is really just a concern for Vegans (like myself).

I was a vegetarian for 22 years. Three years ago during my physical, my doc noticed that my cholesterol was a little high. As an experiment, I started eating chicken and fish occasionally, and red meat maybe once a week.

My choleresterol dropped.

Last year I got back on my bike and started riding. Riding a lot of miles made my appetite go up. I rolled with what my body seemed to need (within moderation) and started eating more food... that means more eggs, more white meat and more red meat as well.

My cholesterol has continued dropping and I'm stronger than I've been since I was 24. (I'm pushing 50) While I eat plenty of fresh veggies and fruit, I think that a moderate amount of meat, especially in an athletic individual, can be a good thing.

As always, YMMV, consult a doctor, etc.

Az

Yeah, lots of omega-3 in fish...

Did you have any problems digesting meat after going many years whithout. I ask because I did not try pork until I was in my mid twenties, and everytime I eat it my guts turn inside out. It is the only meat that bothers me, but it is not really a problem because I usually avoid it.

No meat at all.
I follow an intense exercise program. So I need protein. Fish, Veggies and sometimes pasta for lunch and dinner (last two years). Breakfast is always fruit and oatmeal.
My vice is good red wine. I bike over 200 miles/week at a rate close to and above 20 MPH.
This way I lost 50 lb. out of 240 lb. (age 63)
BTW: No Beer, Fried food, Pastry, Ice Cream.
Important! You need Fiber supplement with that diet above.

I think you may find it easier just to give up meat for 3 or 4 weeks and see how that goes. If you give up anything for 4 or 6 weeks you can get over the cravings.

I highly recommend reading "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. Talks all about eating more fruits and veggies, whole grains, avoiding processed foods, etc.

Hemp seed oil (which is what my family uses) or flax seed oil are good alternatives for those interested in vegetarian friendly options.

I am too much of a meathead to give it up alltogether but I want to really cut down, I hope to become a quasi vegetarian one day, but I want to cut out meat gradually, starting with beef, I know I can easily go without beef, it is the chicken and the fish I will really miss, I do not think I can cut out eggs. I do not mind soy milk, i can easily go without milk if I use soy milk but the seafood sir fry at the local Thai place is to die for.

Do you guys consider a vegetarian as someone who does not eat animal products period, or would you loosely define a vegetarian as someone who does not eat land animals, just fish and some animal products, such as eggs and milk.

I think a good starting place for me will be to eliminate beef alltogether, then go after the other meats, but I can't see myself tottaly cutting out meat, I think a good idea may be to try to think of my diet as plant products supplemented with occasional animal products. Untill now it has been the other way round. I don't know I am confused. As the old saying a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

Let us sort this out.
Do you want to be vegetarian for health reasons OR semi religious reasons like "do not want to eat/kill a living thing."
I am happy to say I have friends in both camps.
My-selves, I am just interested in health.
My son is into the semi religious thing.
My wife is Catholic and eats anything especially meat.

So, what are you?

I want to be vegetarian for health reasons, I like meat, but I do not believe that the processing and wierd stuff they do to it makes it proper for human consumption. If I could farm my own animals and feed them real food, not vaccinated feed ect... then I would not care so much, I am a city slicker, and as it is the meat I can afford comes from the mad cow special bin.

My advice is to have fun experimenting with different recipes. Vegetarianism can make eating become much more of an enjoyable experience. Try to use foods like seitan, nutritional yeast, lentils, chickpeas....

Ok, you are understandable:
North Atlantic salmon means that it is raised in the fjords of Norway in cages but with natural nutrients as in the fjords. This is as opposed to farm raised salmon in the USA with corn. You can see and taste the difference. Best source for good salmon is Outback restaurant. BTW they have a wonderful receipt of veggies. (This is Not a commercial)
Telapia fish is also good and so is Tuna.
My wife and I are in love with Yoghourt and Soy Cheese. Bread from whole grain.

I do not eat meat because I perceive it to sit in my system way too long and who knows what it will do there. Just IMHO.

I was a vegetarian for many years, but went back to meat eating out of shear convenience due to my living situation at the time. Since then ( twenty years ago) I toyed with the idea of going back to vegetarianism but lack the mental discipline. However, I do not each much meat. If you're thinking about vegetarianism for philosophic reasons, the idea of eating dead animals will tend you away from meat. If you're doing it for health reasons, you may still have cravings for meat despite your resolve not to eat. Perhaps a gradual diminishment of meat in your diet would be a good starting point. See how you feel, what you hunger for, what satisfies you. I'm not convinced that avoiding meat for health reasons is all that beneficial. Human beings are onmnivores, so eating meat is natural. However, meat does contain a lot of chemicals that I'm sure we would be better off without. Anyway, good luck, and enjoy the experiment.

I Have Been A Vegetarian For 24 Years No Meat No Fish ,... Yogurts, Lentils Soya Veggies, Etc.....have Lots Of Energy And No Health Problems Been A Triathlete For 12 Years Doing Ironmans Etc...scott Jurek Who Won The Badwater Marathon Is Also A Vegan( No Dairy ) And He Does Fine. If You Want To Have A Healthy Vegetatian Diet And Do Cycling It Is Possable. So There Is My 2 Cents.

Start slow, thats how I did it. Most people think of being a veg. as boring, but I eat a larger variety of foods than most meat eaters. Have fun, start to eat a lot of asian foods, Japanese, thai, Indian etc and middle eastern foods. Even If ya want to eat meat, most of these dishes have meat dishes but its lean and served with graines, veggies etc and the meat doesnt dominate the dish like here in America.

Start trying things and if ya want some meat eat it. I havent had meat in 5 years and have more energy than ever.

Well my Veg Curry, rice and tofu is ready.

Fine? Seven time defending champion of the Western States 100 mile endurance run including new course record, and new record at the Badwater Marathon through Death Valley.... I'd say he's doing pretty damn well. :D

Hi - I have heard that the gradual switch is a lot easier, and a way that you are more likely to stick to it. Finally, personally, i am a believer in the blood-type diet, and recommend following its food lists, even if you are a type that should eat meat. I have been raised vegetarian, and continue to be for ethical/religious reasons, but I found that the blood type diet made me more healthier and energetic than ever in my life (even though I am supposed to eat meat - I just avoid meat.)

What is your reason for becoming vegetarian? If your reasons are health-related rather than ethical related, it maybe be more healthy for you to just cut back on quantity of meat, and eat organic only. Also, it if your reasons are purely animal-rights anti-feedlot sort of reasons, I would highly recommend continuing to eat meat, but ONLY organic - vote with your money for change.

You'll want to check out things like Boca burgers, Morningstar Farms products, which gives you some of the taste, texture, and protein of meat products without actually being meat. Also, incorporating whole-grain carbs (versus processed white) will also give you additional protein. It is easier than ever now to be a vegetarian because there are so many foods to keep variety in your diet.

No offense, but the eat right for your blood type is crap. Do some research on it. Depending on your bloodtype, the diet ranges from ok to dangerous. An excerpt from "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman regarding the blood type diet (emphasis added):

*Another bestseller, EAT RIGHT FOR YOUR TYPE, by Peter D'Adamo, teaches us that the four different blood types require four very different eating plans. He explains:

1. Type O blood people (the Hunters) are designed for a lot of meat and will hurt themselves with wheat and beans . . .

2. People with type A blood (the Cultivators) should eat a vegetarian diet, as they are biologically predisposed to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes . . .

3. Type B blood people (the Nomads) do well with a varied diet and extra dairy products . . .

4. People with type AB blood require a mixed diet, some meat, but not chicken.

*I tried hard to be fair to D'Adamo, because I know there is some evidence in the scientific literature that genetics and even blood type can predispose one to certain illnesses, such as heart attacks and some cancers, BUT HIS CLAIMS ARE SO RIDICULOUS THAT IT LEAVES ME WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO BE AMAZED THAT HE COULD ACTUALLY MAKE SUCH MIND- BOGGLING CLAIMS WITHOUT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION OR SCIENTIFIC STUDIES . . .

*Over 95 percent of Americans develop atherosclerotic heart disease or cancer, not just the type As. We are ALL susceptible to the nutritional inadequacy present in our diet. In spite of the fact that those with type O blood are a touch more resistant to certain cancers and coronary thrombosis, they still need to eat less animal food and more fruits and vegetables if they hope to obtain a long, disease-free life. ENCOURAGING ANIMAL-PRODUCT CONSUMPTION IN ANY BLOOD GROUP IS DETRIMENTAL TO THEIR LONG-TERM HEALTH.

*ALL OF US, OF EVERY BLOOD TYPE, WILL DEVELOP ATHEROSCLEROSIS -- AND MOST OF US WILL DIE OF IT -- IF WE EAT THE AMERICAN DIET. AND YOUR RISK OF A PREMATURE CARDIAC DEATH MIGHT BE EVEN GREATER IF YOU FOLLOW THE DIETS RECOMMENDED BY D'ADAMO FOR TYPE O AND TYPE B.

*When considering all the genetic risk factors together, we must conclude that environmental influences on atherosclerosis are much stronger than the genetic ones . . . Cholesterol levels, body weight, smoking, physical activity, food choices, and blood pressure have been shown to have a much stronger influence on disease risk than blood grouping.

*D'Adamo's book mixes some interesting factual information about blood types with a whole lot of far-fetched assertions that have no basis in fact. Most of them are just plain wrong . . . One could go on and on explaining his errors and omissions, but the main point is that the book is too inaccurate to take seriously, and despite the real relationship of certain blood types and genetic risks, we all need to minimize our risk of heart attack and cancer by eating the most nutritionally dense and phytochemically strong diet as possible. D'Adamo's dietary recommendations are simply not based on solid science.

*What is truly astonishing is that D'Adamo's book, without scientific support or even scientific plausibility, can become a bestseller. The popularity of his book hammers home the point that Americans are totally confused and misinformed about nutrition.

MOST WEIGHT LOSS PLANS ARE A WASTE OF YOUR MONEY

*What is wrong with every single commercial weight-loss program? THEY ARE ALL TOO HIGH IN FAT AND TOO LOW IN FIBER, because they cater to the American love affair with rich, high-fat foods.

*Weight Watchers' brand foods contain 24 percent of calories from fat. Lean Cuisine contains 25 percent of calories from fat. The Jenny Craig program requires the purchase of packaged meals with entrée's such as cheese soufflé and Salisbury steak, meals that are almost as bad as what most Americans eat at home. These commercial diet plans, since they are not very low in fat, must restrict portion sizes to offer 'low calorie' meals. These 'skimpy' portions represent an obsolete approach with a dismal tract record.

*It is merely a matter of time before those trying to keep their portions small increase the amount of food they are eating. The amount of fiber is insufficient, and the nutrient density of the diet is poor. These diets restrict calories, but because the food choices and meal plans are so calorie-dense, the dieters must eat tiny portions in order to lose weight.

*These choices don't satisfy our desire to eat, and we wind up craving food and becoming frustrated. When dieters can't stand eating thimble-size portions anymore and finally eat until satisfied, they put weight on with a vengeance. You may be able to hold your breath under water for a short period, but when you resurface you will be hungry for air and will be forced to speed up your respiratory rate. In a similar manner, if you cannot eat small portions forever, it just isn't likely to work for long.

*You can't eat out of boxes and consume powdered drinks forever, either. If you do lose some weight, you will always gain it back. Instead, permanent changes in your eating habits must be made. Learning new recipes and adopting different ways of eating that you can live with will maintain your weight loss and protect your health for the rest of your life.

Not really. But it seems that fat is a bigger problem than the actual meat. I got pretty sick to my stomach eating some food that had lard in it. But later when I went back to eating meat, my first meal was a lean hamburger. No problems.

Az

Its funny that everyone knows of someone or is someone who tried the(insert major diet plan here) and failed or rebounded and yet the continue to sign up for them time and time again. :rolleyes:

Thanks for your help, but your version of research seems to be surfing the internet for something you like and glomming on to it. In the future, I recommend you try to consider facts and evaluate them for their validity, rather than taking a rant of a critic who only himself has glommed on to a few out of context facts and passes them as gospel.

This is exactly the problem with a lot proponents of the vegetarian diet, who think that one thing fits everyone. It is so much more complicaticated than a single absolute way.

You may want to check out the book: Recipes for a Small Planet. it has a good introduction on how to ensure protein into your meat-free diet. there are some great recipies in there as well. it is an "old" book: came out in 1973, but the information is still pertinent. They, also, recommend gradually changing your diet so that you get used to it. Have fun exploring new foods! cheers!