Vegetarian

I went slowly. First, I eliminated pork. Then, red meat. Eventually, I elminated all meat (I think it took a year or two?). Now, I've eliminated all animal products from my diet. No eggs, no dairy, no honey.

It wasn't terribly hard, for me, but it really agrees with me. The hardest part was being so young. I was only 15 when I switched over, and I had to relearn to make meals. I didn't have a job, yet, so I had to figure it out with what was available. I probably wasn't very healthy, at first. Now, I eat a crazy huge variety of foods, and do very well.

I've been a vegetarian since I was 12.  For me it was really easy because I didn't really like meat to begin with.  I also had a friend who's whole family was vegetarian, so I learned to eat a lot of the things they did.  The part I am having trouble with right now is eliminating dairy and eggs...it seems like everything is made with it. 

bacon = yummy

Don't do it!  [sm=devil.gif]

First I eliminated red meat, chicken and then the fish....transition time about 3 months.
 
I was privileged to see some really gross videos of how meat ends up on ones plate........which completely turned my stomach....enough so to say goodbye forever.

I was about 13. Meat really started grossing me out; I started to realize what it was that I was actually eating. I felt bad for the animals. Then one night I was eating some ham, and I saw this big vein going though the middle of it. That was it. I couldn't eat meat anymore.

I, too, have often considered becoming a vegetarian. 80% of the time, when meat is placed in front of me, I psych myself out about where it came from, and the thought of finishing my meal turns my stomach.
 
If it weren't for enjoying the occasional chicken nugget or filet mignon, I really think I could do it!!

When i was a kid i thought that all vegetarians were skinny, i was wrong, i didnt realize that they still eat chocolate, pizza and chips haha []

Ive been a vegetarian since I was 11. At first, I eliminated meat but still ate fish. Now I don't eat any meat. I think it is much healthier for humans to be vegetarians. But the main reason I do it is becuase I absolutely will not allow an animal to give up its life for me when there are plenty of other foods to eat.

ORIGINAL: keedokes

bacon = yummy

Don't do it!  [sm=devil.gif]

If cows weren't meant to be eaten, they wouldnt fit so nicely on a bun.  [sm=devil.gif]
 
I have no really good advice as I dont really have a balanced diet WITH meat, nevermind knowing how to do it without.  During the times I didn't eat meat, I found it most satisfying to make multi-ingredient things.  Things like burritos, casseroles, chef's salads, lasagnas.  Omitting or subbing the meats less noticeable that way.

I haven't eaten meat in many years.  I don't miss it at all.  My mom told me even as a child it was very hard for her to get me to eat meat. I never really liked it. And, as I got older it started giving me health issues.  I feel much, much better without it.
 
If you search the internet for veggie websites there are tons of great sites with recipes and info on how you should be eating. 
 
I've been letting myself go for awhile, not supplementing, eating all the wrong things.
 
I've just recently started to get back on track and take a vitamin and a calcium supplement.  I'm trying to add more protein to my diet, beans, veggie burgers, I do eat cheese as long as it's not made with animal, I do use milk in cereal and coffee but that's about it.  I like green veggies and use them daily. 
 
If your not used to a lot of veggies in your diet, ease into that slowly too.
 
Lori
 
 

Having gleefully ripped apart my share of chicken carcasses, I'm afraid I can be of no help on this subject. []

I am a vegetarian. I don't eat meat and I eat minimal eggs and dairy products. 

For the record, I love the taste of meat.  I love burgers and steak and barbecued chicken.  Not eating meat was a decision that wasn't easy for me, but I don't find that I miss it that much.  When I go to a BBQ I always bring some great salads and some huge portobello mushrooms.  I cook up a mushroom cap, add guacamole and the regular hamburger toppings (tomato, lettuce, onions, etc), and my omni friends often prefer my "burgers" to theirs.

Not all vegetarians are healthy.  Neither are all omnis.  I think that either one can be healthy, provided that they eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and good fats.  I know some nutrition-conscious omnis (like my mom!) who are much healthier than vegetarians who eat nothing but fake meats and junk food.  That said, I DO believe that a well-balanced vegetarian diet is generally healthier than a diet rich in animal protein and fat.

It's actually pretty easy to cut out meat, provided you have access to a good grocery store.  The main concern that I have is getting enough calcium (not an issue if you eat dairy...unless, of course, you take into consideration the fact that animal protein may leach more calcium than it provides).  I eat leafy greens, take calcium supplements and drink OJ fortified with calcium and vitamin D.  I'm not sure about whether or not I'm getting enough iron...but to be honest, I don't know if I got enough iron before, either!  I take a daily multivitamin (which I also took when I was omni) and a probiotic supplement (since I'm no longer eating yogourt).

There used to be a myth that to get complete proteins as a vegetarian you had to combine foods (like rice and beans) in meals.  This isn't true...the foods can be combined throughout the whole day.  EVERYTHING has protein in it.  Calorie for calorie, vegetables actually have more protein than meat...the problem is that vegetables are much lower calorie, so it would be near impossible to eat as much salad (calorie-wise) as steak.   I don't like fake meats (yuck!) and I'm not a tofu fan, so to get enough protein, I eat dense foods:
- lots of whole grains (quinoa, barley, brown rice, oatmeal, etc)
- beans  (I make chili or soup)
- edamame (I started eating these this year.  They're soybeans in shells...you can buy them in the frozen section of the grocery store.  Heat them up in the microwave, add a bit of salt and then pop the beans out with your teeth.  They're DELICIOUS and I actually crave them more than chips!)
- nuts and seeds - walnuts every morning, as well as other nuts, seeds and nut butters throughout the day
- TVP  This is the only fake meat-like product that I use.  It's soy-based and dehydrated and when it's cooked, it has pretty much the texture of ground beef.  I use it in pasta and chili.

I can recommend a few sites to help:

[linkhttp://www.veggieboards.com]www.veggieboards.com[/link] is an excellent vegetarian/vegan message board

[linkhttp://www.meetyourmeat.org]www.meetyourmeat.org[/link] is a really horrifying video about slaughterhouses.  Yes, it is very biased and I'm sure that it only shows the worst of the worst, but it was a major part of my decision to stop eating meat.  Anyway, it's pretty graphic.  I had to keep hugging my dog throughout the entire thing.

A really interesting book is The Food Revolution, by John Robbins.

Thank you for all the replies, they're very helpful.