Iamhappy Posted October 18, 2003 Posted October 18, 2003 I've been thinking of becoming a vegetarian for a while now. I feel bad that a living thing has to die so that I might live. I'm thinking of not eating anything that has a face - actually anything that might be a member of the animal kingdom. How difficult is it to get the necessary nutrients from plants and minerals? I like tofu, but is that really enough to meet my protein requirements? If there are any vegetarians or nutritionists/dieticians out there can you please help? Also is it hard to stay a vegetarian? Thank you.
Patty Posted October 18, 2003 Posted October 18, 2003 Hi.Im a vegetarian.Its not that hard to be a vegetarian,once your used to it.Once you see that food can taste just as good as those foods with meat in it,you wont miss the meat.The only way to get used to eating vegetarian is to start one by one,trying different vegetarian food and seeing what you like.For me I started out by eating vegi burgers. Patty
niko1999 Posted October 18, 2003 Posted October 18, 2003 Yeah, there really are some great alternatives to meat. I have been almost completley vegetarian for about 2 months now(broke down two nights in a row, and had wendy's hamburgers, I COULDNT HELP IT!!!!, and I will eat chicken, usually processed, things like chiken fingers and stuff, becuase I dont like the feeling of chewing meat). But yeh, once you get used to it, its easy. Plus, it is SO much better for you. If you dont eat chicken or fish for protein, then there are things like veggie burgers and such, which have protein in them, almost as much as real meat. Good luck
Author Iamhappy Posted October 18, 2003 Author Posted October 18, 2003 Thank you both so much for replying. I need to ask some more questions though (sorry ). Are there any books I should be reading up on before I go full-fledged into this? Is vegetarian food really tasty? How can I make sure I'm getting the proper nutrients? Sorry for the bother, but I really do appreciate your help. Thank you.
Ryan Posted October 18, 2003 Posted October 18, 2003 Plus, it is SO much better for you. I'd love to hear the arguments for this.
moimeme Posted October 18, 2003 Posted October 18, 2003 My dad, who was a 'throw-the-steak-in-the-pan, fry-everything' kinda guy took up vegetarianism when he met my stepmom. The food he made was out of this world delicious, and both rarely got sick. It is because he was such a fabulous cook and because his meals were so wonderful I didn't even notice that meat was missing that I became a food-lover and avid cook, myself. I hardly ever eat meat now and I feel great. In fact, now I feel quite sluggish after eating someting meaty. It doesn't mean I avoid meat, but I don't need it. Yes, you have to read a good book or two to make sure you get enough protein and iron and B vitamins but this is more of an issue for vegans than for vegetarians.
Metal Steve Posted October 18, 2003 Posted October 18, 2003 I've been a vegetarian since 1992. The food all depends on how good a cook you are. You can make some really good veggie dishes. Going out to eat can kinda be a pain sometimes but you get used to it and learn there are just certain places you won't be able to go. Red meat can lead to heart disease and colon cancer as well as a high risk of food borne illness.
Metal Steve Posted October 18, 2003 Posted October 18, 2003 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/09/030930055440.htm
Author Iamhappy Posted October 18, 2003 Author Posted October 18, 2003 Thank you all for replying. My only problem now is that I'm a horrible cook. I don't really know my way around the kitchen that much. I would appreciate any book recommendations that would address the issue of my not being so handy in the kitchen, health and nutrition and vegetarian recipes. Thanks again.
aquaria127 Posted October 18, 2003 Posted October 18, 2003 regarding nutrients, vitamins and minerals and what-not. for example, you can get calcium from vegetables, but if you cook them too long, they lose most nutrients. I have heard people say that eating meat and meat products can cause all kinds of ills, but I dont believe that. well unless we're talking about hot dogs or lunchables meat, which are really gross and should never have been invented. imho. there are vegetarians I know of who eat seafood, cheese, not to mention there's foods out there like bread, candy, veggie burgers, desserts, that are made with eggs, milk, butter, and "things that have a face"- You'll have to be disciplined in making sure you're not eating them. because you'll probably want a lot of variety to begin your new eating plan, you should expect to pay more than you do now. shall we move on to organic, and non-gmo food.....
Ryan Posted October 18, 2003 Posted October 18, 2003 Several previous studies have linked ingestion of red meat to cancer and heart disease, and possibly to some disorders involving inflammation. However, that research has primarily focused on the role of red-meat saturated fats and on products that arise from cooking. Saturated fat has never been shown to cause any disease, thus making this null. Neu5Gc occurs naturally in lamb, pork and beef, the so-called "red meats". Pork has never been "red meat." said that although it is unlikely that the ingestion of Neu5Gc alone would be primarily responsible for any specific disease How about that? The authors cautioned that a causal relationship between Neu5Gc expression in human tissues with any human disease would be premature and scientifically speculative at best. You really should read your articles before you post them.
moimeme Posted October 18, 2003 Posted October 18, 2003 My only problem now is that I'm a horrible cook. I don't really know my way around the kitchen that much. Get a cookbook. Follow the instructions. It is not rocket science. If you really want, take a cooking course or watch one of the zillion cooking shows on TV. My dad went from 'throw everything into the frying pan' to souffles and mousses just by following the directions. Go to your local bookstore and read through some recipes in a vegetarian cookbook. See if they have ingredients you like. See how long it takes to make each recipe. Generaly, less ingredients make for quicker easier recipe. Vegetarian Times has a good one Vegetarian Times Complete Cookbook. Reader's Digest often has very good cookbooks. I've got one called Eat Well, Stay Well that is excellent.
Author Iamhappy Posted October 19, 2003 Author Posted October 19, 2003 Just picked up Cooking for Dummies. They have a whole chapter on knives. A whole chapter. Weird. Kind of made of think of the ex. I've been thinking about getting him a Christmas present. I was going to get him a knife to replace the one he stuck in my back. That and a swift kick to the nuts. But how do I get UPS to deliver that package? Seriously though, this cooking thing and being a vegetarian thing is more difficult than I thought. I'm really going to have to do a whole heck of a lot of research into this.
Dreamrunner Posted October 26, 2003 Posted October 26, 2003 Alot of the people I know that turned into "hard-core" vegans all seem somewhat sickly. For this reason veganism always seemed somewhat unhealty to me. Of course, so does the Atkins diet. Red meat can lead to heart disease and colon cancer as well as a high risk of food borne illness Everything these days leads to heart disease and/or cancer. Coca Cola can lead to cancer if taken in excess. Hell, I can't even be out in the sun since it leads to cancer. I don't understand how eating balanced meals with everything in moderation became the least healty diet these days. I tried being vegetarian for two weeks because my ex was one, and the entire time, there was no sense of satisfaction after meals. I could never get full and was snacking constantly. I think I ended up gaining weight. And I had to give it up because I was always feeling weak and tired. Besides, if God didn't want us eating animals, he wouldn't have made them so tasty That and a swift kick to the nuts. But how do I get UPS to deliver that package? Ever think of a singing telegram? Those guys will do anything for an extra $20
Holly Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 You owe it to yourself to check out some books on vegetarianism and educate yourself on the possible benefits as well as the potential shortfalls of such a diet. There are differing degrees of vegetarianism. Some will eat eggs and fish, but no meat or chicken, for example. Vegans exclude all animal products from their diet. As a 5th year student in nutritional science and dietetics, the option of vegetarianism has come up often in lectures. Here are simple guidelines I've learned for a planning a balanced vegetarian diet: *Base diet on whole grains, vegetables, and fruits *Include moderate amounts of beans and nuts/seeds daily *Combine legumes with grains or nuts/seeds at meals to provide "complete" protein *Choose vegetable fats, such as olive and canola oil and use in moderation: Don't avoid all fatty foods *Include foods rich in calcium (tofu, broccoli, calcium-enriched products, some soy) *Include a good source of Vitamin B12 daily--B12 may be deficient in a vegetarian diet without supplementation or specially fortified foods *Consume enough food to maintain an ideal weight *Include a good source of Vitamin D daily--needed for calcium absorption (fortified margarine, sunshine, or supplement) Try visiting the American Dietetic Association website at http://www.eatright.org If these guidelines sound like too much trouble, think twice about attempting vegetarianism. To do it correctly you really need to be informed. If you need any further information, you may contact me as well!
Ryan Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 *Include a good source of Vitamin D daily--needed for calcium absorption (fortified margarine, sunshine, or supplement) I cringe at promoting any hydrogenated oil products...margarine being the one in mention here. A little here and there isn't going to kill you, but it should be generally avoided. Vegetable oils are fine, but one must be wary of how prevalent hydrogenation is in products today.
moimeme Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 Do you guys not have fortified milk? All our milk has added vitamin D. Plus, we have at least one brand of completely non-hydrogenated marg. Should I set up an export biz?
Holly Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 Ryan: You're right about the partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils. Trans-fatty acids act biochemically much the same as saturated fatty acids, do they not? I understand you're a proponent of animal-based fats, such as butter, so you may not see it that way... I agree with your assertion that hydrogenation lurks in many foods common to our convenient food supply. This is why we all need to cut down on the refined stuff and get back to whole foods and nutritionally balanced meals! That, to me, could include real butter and some of the saturated fat sources that have been touted as negative by the major medical establishments, although I'm particularly implying hearty, whole-grain pastas and breads, broiling, baking or otherwise preparing food in heart-healthful ways, using more fresh vegetables, lean meats, fish, olive oil, nuts....I could go on and on. Moimeme: We do have milk fortified with vitamins A and D. I omitted milk as a source of vitamin D in error. However, vegans do not include dairy, so I suppose my guidelines concur with the strictest of vegetarian diets.
Ryan Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 Trans-fatty acids act biochemically much the same as saturated fatty acids, do they not? I understand you're a proponent of animal-based fats, such as butter, so you may not see it that way... Trans fats act similar to the cis bond versions....but not sufficiently enough to properly serve in cell membranes. I'm not specifically a proponent of animal fats; I just don't target saturated fat or cholesterol as scapegoats.
cindy0039 Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 Originally posted by moimeme Do you guys not have fortified milk? All our milk has added vitamin D. Plus, we have at least one brand of completely non-hydrogenated marg. Should I set up an export biz? Yes, we have fortified milk. I drink a fat-free milk because it only has 80 calories, plus I like the taste better. It is fortified with Vitamins A & D. One serving has 25% of the daily requirement of Vitamin D. I just had a glass. Mmm. And yes, we also have non-hydrogenated margarine. Just gotta know what you're looking for at the grocery store. You could export me some of that maple syrup though.
Holly Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 Trans-fats and saturated fats alike have been shown to raise blood cholesterol levels. I heard that in addition to raising overall serum cholesterol levels, trans-fats tend to lower the level good HDL cholesterol. So the switch from using animal fats to margarines and hydrogenated oils appears to have been less than advantageous (from a nutrition standpoint).
Holly Posted October 28, 2003 Posted October 28, 2003 That said, most people aren't planning to stop using butter or margarine, so pick your pleasure. I guess the damage and risk to health is a function of the frequency and quantity of use.
Ryan Posted October 29, 2003 Posted October 29, 2003 Trans-fats and saturated fats alike have been shown to raise blood cholesterol levels. I heard that in addition to raising overall serum cholesterol levels, trans-fats tend to lower the level good HDL cholesterol. What trans-fat molecules end up doing is weaking cell membranes such that more cholesterol is absorbed from the blood to solidify the membranes. This is why hydrogenated polyunsaturated oils initially seemed beneficial....they caused blood cholesterol levels to DROP. Ultimately, it caused the liver to produce more cholesterol to compensate...albeit never successfully. Of course, this all begs the question as to whether or not blood cholesterol is an indication of anything.
Heidi2 Posted October 29, 2003 Posted October 29, 2003 You say:Is it difficult to be a vegetarian? I feel: This all depends on how much effort you in fact want to emark upon. Are you seriously in the mode of converting your diet into such aquirances? Or do you still feel the desire to have that piece of meat or just a small dish of icecream (depending on the make of course). If you answered yes to both ++ many others than you are on the right track. However, if you answered no to either, or are still in incognito of the actuality of your own body, than you should still do more contemplation of what's best for you. GOOD LUCK!!!
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