vegetarian questions!

strongissexy1

So I'm working on becoming a vegetarian mainly for health reason but I'm also trying to avoid a lot of processed foods so things like tofu, and veggies burgers/ simulated meats (im in love with veggie patch chick'n nuggets and yves veggie ground round) that all come packaged are processed correct? But are they as unhealthy as their meat alternatives?
All of them have a shelf life and its not very lenghty which leads me to believe they aren't jam packed full of perservatives. someone please enlighten me.

dayzeerock

I like to think of anything in a package as processed, and as something to avoid or use sparingly. I will use mock substitutes and tofu on occasion, but I would much prefer to make my own veggie burgers and "mock meats" instead. I would say that veg meat subs are slightly healthier than the meat alternatives, only because they don't have the hormones and antibiotics in them that come from the over-drugged animal, but that's really the only difference. Still are loaded with preservatives and processed food products though.

ilikejam33

One thing you have to remember is that anything that is not meat, has been processed to look/taste like meat. I think you will find that the Yves and other product like them are much more processed than local repsponsibly grown chicken, fish, and meat.

Also its not only the calories and fat that count when we say "Healthy", humans were never meant to have this much processed food, its everywhere you look.

What you need to consider is what percentage of the time are you consuming processed foods. I know as I was a veggie for 10 years that it hard to find tasty meat alternatives, and the Yves stuff is yummy, so maybe by making changes in other areas you can enjoy eating these items still.

For example having only one processed item a meal/day.....if you lower in other areas than you can ensure you have everything in moderation.

Good Luck

driventotheend

I don't like to see tofu lumped in with mock meats. Tofu is a traditional food and it has a very short ingredients list, and I think it is very healthy. The mock meats tend to be made from either isolated soy protein or wheat gluten, plus additional flavorings, so I agree that those should be eaten sparingly. I just don't feel the need to limit my tofu. (That said, I probably eat it 2-3 times/week).

I try to get most of my protein from legumes, nuts, and whole grains, rather than trying to replace the meat. But I also don't think it is necessary to get obsessive over it. Meat substitutes can be quick and easy, and also help out in a lot of social situation like summer BBQs. If I want a storebought veggie burger, I'll have a storebought veggie burger.

strongissexy1

thanks everyone!

maddymama

I don't like to see tofu lumped in with mock meats. Tofu is a traditional food and it has a very short ingredients list, and I think it is very healthy. The mock meats tend to be made from either isolated soy protein or wheat gluten, plus additional flavorings, so I agree that those should be eaten sparingly. I just don't feel the need to limit my tofu. (That said, I probably eat it 2-3 times/week).

I try to get most of my protein from legumes, nuts, and whole grains, rather than trying to replace the meat. But I also don't think it is necessary to get obsessive over it. Meat substitutes can be quick and easy, and also help out in a lot of social situation like summer BBQs. If I want a storebought veggie burger, I'll have a storebought veggie burger.

Ditto- my words exactly......

laurstarks

i think as long as you're sticking with organic/all natural meat substitutes in moderation rather than stuff loaded with chemicals (such as morningstar products), you're fine.

i like these dr. praeger veggie burgers. they're all natural and you can see/taste the veggies, unlike many fake burgers. http://www.drpraegers.com/California-Veggie-Burgers-P127C51.aspx#