Becoming a Vegetarian

ashleyconleche

I think boredom has definitely been creeping up, so excellent idea! I don't really care for any of the grocery store meat substitutes (and I'm really not looking to eat super processed foods anyway), so my diet is full of beans and nuts and veggies...it gets old. I love, love, love to cook, so recipes are always welcome!

janejellyroll

pinaycoco wrote: »

ashleyconleche wrote: »

One more thing...do you all take B12 supplements? It wasn't really somethong that crossed my mind, but absolutely makes sense.

On vitamin B12, I just take a normal vitamin supplement. Pregnancy supplements also seem to have all the stuff you need.

Actually, I'm not sure how useful supplements are in general - I went 20 years without and never noticed anything - but they probably don't hurt either.

For vegans, supplementing B12 (or eating fortified foods) is essential. It isn't naturally found in any plant foods.

janejellyroll

ashleyconleche wrote: »

I think boredom has definitely been creeping up, so excellent idea! I don't really care for any of the grocery store meat substitutes (and I'm really not looking to eat super processed foods anyway), so my diet is full of beans and nuts and veggies...it gets old. I love, love, love to cook, so recipes are always welcome!

Not sure how you define "super processed" but why not try tofu and tempeh if you're bored with beans? Or you could make your own seitan -- that way you could avoid whatever it is you don't like about pre-purchased meat substitutes (unless you consider flour too processed).

DanyellMcGinnis

I haven't eaten meat since August of 1993. When I first became a vegetarian, I was a teenager and paid not the least bit of attention to protein, B12, etc. I was fine. Unless you eat an extremely limited diet of the same few things every day, you are probably not going to have issues with these things. I still don't track macros. I have no desire to become a vegan.

It is possible to have high cholesterol as a vegetarian because I did at one time. I switched from refined grains to whole grains and have maintained excellent cholesterol ever since (my problem was mostly with triglycerides, though). It is also possible to have high blood pressure as a vegetarian. In my case, that appears to be genetic as I am at the low end of the healthy BMI range and am generally quite active (my current diary is not a good reflection of that as I had surgery a few weeks ago and can't do strenuous exercise yet). I have been both overweight and a healthy weight as a vegetarian so it is definitely not a cure-all for weight and related issues. (I gave up meat because I thought eating animals was gross, perhaps not the standard response to the question but it has worked for me for 24 years.)

A good cookbook for the transition is How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman. It is a bit heavy on the dairy, but many of the recipes in there actually sound good and can be made with easy-to-find ingredients. Another one you might check out is Mediterranean Harvest by Martha Rose Shulman.

saintor1

I have been a nutritionfacts.org follower (youtube channel) for years. The MD behind it is a strong vegan advocate. I can say that I lowered my dairy/meat intake by 75%. But I also think that those fans are wrong regarding the fat intake - some vegan doctors don't even want you to consume any oil.

So if it is possible, my food inspiration is 50% vegan - 50% Keto. I guess that's like saying being 50% pregnant... lol.

rainbow198

I'm heading towards year 2 of being completely meat-free! I do eat eggs and very little dairy.

I just stopped eating meat out the blue. Was never a big on meat. Just ate it because it was there and that's what I grew up on.

I haven't gotten bored. I get a lot of inspiration from my great MFP friends that post delicious veggie recipes, from other foodie websites and there are a lot of veggie/vegan recipe books out there now.

I go to my local library check them out and purchase the ones I enjoy. I also put my own spin on recipes and use my own spices and seasonings.

My diet has never been as diverse, flavorful and colorful as it is now! I'm so happy I went this route.

Aint2Proud2Meg

I've been a vegetarian for about 5 years now. If anyone (herbivore or omnivore!) would like you can add me. I keep my diary open and am happy to share recipes.
You do not need to supplement with B12 if you're vegetarian. At least it's unlikely. You probably do if you go vegan (it is certainly important!) But I never HAD to because I was getting it from other sources.