Vegetarianism..

sandyyy712

I can't seem to stick to any type of diet/eating plan/lifestyle so I was thinking of giving vegetarianism a shot. What are you peoples thoughts/opinions on this?

T_X_L

Now, how "vegetarian" are you talking about here? Is it just avoiding meat, but eating eggs and/or dairy? I've heard of vegetarians who eat fish. If you go the "vegan" (pure vegetarian) route, you have to really know your nutrition, otherwise you will be missing some essential amino acids.

Lina4Lina

Actually, you wouldn't be missing any amino acids as a vegan. It is generally B-12 that is the concern because herbivores either make themselves and absorb (humans don't) or ... the other option isn't pretty but a B-12 supplement will take care of that.

You should be aware that vegetarianism isn't really a 'diet', there are plenty of high calorie foods, even in a vegan diet.

Why isn't calorie counting working for you? Is there a reason other than weight loss that you want to look at being a vegetarian?

ipag

I guess the biggest question to ask yourself is "Why do you want to become a vegetarian?" "What are your goals?" Is this because you feel the eating of animals is wrong? Is it because you want to lose weight? The only reason I ask is I don't think going veg is something that you just give a shot. It's more of a lifestyle transformation than a diet you just stick to in order to lose some weight.

13inchestogo

Just out of curiousity what are your eating habits now? What are you having issues with?

Vegetarianism is a lifestyle choice more than a diet. You seem very unsure maybe just stick to learning your portions and choosing foods that are 'clean' that wont be too drastic of a change for you. Like whole grains, raw veggies, fruits, water (lots of water!!) and if you eat meat whatever meat of your choice cooked in a healthful way! I am personally a vegetarian, and I really love just giant bowls of mixed greens, I can pig out without feeling like I consumed 300000 calories lol.

Good luck I hope you find whats right for you

Sailorwind

You should perhaps try flexitarianism first, see how you like it. I didn't even realize that's what I was doing until I went looking online for a diet I could perhaps follow. It's basically cutting way down on your meat, but not cutting it out altogether. For me it's more that meat is expensive and I'm on a budget and also that it takes too much planning, you have to take it out of the freezer the night before to thaw it and then I like it marinated for a while before cooking, I don't like planning my meals that far ahead. So basically I only eat meat when I'm at someone else's place for dinner or on the weekends when I go out to eat with my boyfriend or friends, and even then I only choose meat about half the time.

Also, although most people associate vegetarian with automatically skinny, that's not really true. My sister was vegetarian for many years, though we liked to call her a "pastatarian" because 80% of what she ate was pasta with meatless sauce or popcorn. Those foods are not beneficial to weight loss. Vegetarian does not automatically mean healthy eating habits.

MarthaLoraine

I'm vegetarian and if its the right choice for you I say join the club

ellew70

A common mistake that some new vegetarians (esp. those that don't really cook) make is to rely heavily on dairy or packaged products... which often can be more fattening, not less if you aren't really careful. It is more than a diet.. its a lifestyle commitment so I would do the research, figure out a cooking/shopping/time strategy first. It may be that you are better off reducing meat to a few times a week to start, and even then only lean cuts.

dinoskycm

I am a vegetarian as well, and I love it! I switched about two months ago, so I'm still fairly new to it as well, but honestly, I don't crave meat at all. My skin is less oily, and I just feel better about my health overall. I switched because I wanted to feel healthier, and I love veggies so it gives me more incentive to do eat them. I also find that I have more energy! I don't really have a huge issue with eating animals, but I do love the idea that I am helping to save lives by not eating them. PETA actually has a really good Vegetarian/Vegan Starter Kit that you can download for free and it has a lot of information on it. The website is....

http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/free-vegetarian-starter-kit.aspx

If you decide that vegetarianism is the right choice for you, add me and I can help you along the way. Like I said, I'm new to it too, but I love it!

vegogirl

I am a vegetarian and have been for years but I still managed to gain weight over the years
Don't take it on as a weightloss thing but as a health and lifestyle choice.
I may be over weight however I have never had a problem with cholesterol, hypertension diabetes or any other obesity related issues and I put that down to my large amount of fruit and vegetables consumed daily

sandyyy712

the main reason i wanna do it is to clean up my diet. i would only cut out meat though..and im hoping doing this could help me eat healthier overall by eliminating some of the processed crap i eat a lot

aubreykkkk

Start slow! Give up the red meat first (beef, lamb, and pork). This is the most unhealthiest meat anyway. Then, when you are ready you can eliminate the white meat (chicken and turkey). Eventually, you can move on to taking out seafood if you wish! But, there are vegetarians that still eat fish. They are called pescatarians. I would recommend you keep dairy and eggs in your diet. Also, make sure you get enough protein! Try tofu, soy, beans, and nuts in addition to dairy product and eggs to help you get enough nutrition! I recommend you take a daily multivitamin, too. Find one with iron, which you will probably be low on because meat is the main source of it.
Hope I helped!

JephaMooi

7 year vegetarian here! I suggest eliminating all land meats and to stick with fish once or twice a week.
RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!!
Know what your body needs, know what the foods contain, then balance it out to fit your taste buds.
Don't forget, if you don't like something that is "good for you", take at least ONE bite. Learn to love it, your body will love you!

shirley_beans

As others have mentioned, being a vegetarian doesn't automatically guarantee weight loss. Many vegetarians rely too much on pasta and fake meat products, such as Morning star Farms. This leads to unhealthy levels of sodium and potential overconsumption of carbohydrates. That being said, there are MANY benefits. When my brother in law made the switch, he lost 30 lb. over the course of a year. Since going vegetarian 3 months ago, I've lost 3 lb. This weight loss is not fast or dramatic, BUT slow change is the kind that sticks. Not to mention the increased energy I feel etc.

For me, the lifestyle choice had just as much to do with morality as it did for concern over climate change and nutrition. You go veg for one reason and stay for so many more.

Some here have recommended going gradually, but I've tried this many times in my life and always failed. Going cold turkey was the only way that worked for me. Try out different ways and see what works for you.

Illona88

I've heard of vegetarians who eat fish.

Those are pescetarians, not vegetarians.

Illona88

Vegetarianism doesn't equal weight loss.

You can still have french fries, chips, candy etc.

You can combine it with healthy eating.

shelbyfrootcake

I became pescetarian because a lot of the cr*p I ate revolved around meat, so I cut the meat out. There was no ethical stance behind it and I did lose 10lb, then last 18lb are requiring far more effort though mostly because I got lax and starting eating veggie friendly crap too much. I can't see myself going back to meat eating for a long time, if ever, as I now find the idea of eating meat quite grotesque (only for me though - I'll still happily prepare and cook it in abundance for everyone else to enjoy).

shelbyfrootcake

Don't forget, if you don't like something that is "good for you", take at least ONE bite. Learn to love it, your body will love you!

I so wish I could get my partner to take that mentality on board!!

hookandy

My other half is technically a pescatarian (Veggie who eats fish!!) So we dont eat a lot of meat. Although she does not dictate it is easier to eat 1 meal than to prepare 2. This means that I eat a lot less meat than perhaps I would. The other side is that when we do buy meat we tend to buy locally sourced meat. Yes this costs more, but it is not as often. "Happy Clappy Meat" as she likes to call it.

Taken as a whole I eat a lot less meat, eat more fish and the meat that I do eat is good quality. Ticks all the boxes for a cleaner diet.

Personally I could never cut out meat, but cutting down does mean that when I have a steak I really enjoy it!

The longer I am on this site the more I realise that there is no definative right or wrong it is only what works for you that matters. If switching to Veggie or Pesc works for the OP then it is right for them.

hookandy

Don't forget, if you don't like something that is "good for you", take at least ONE bite. Learn to love it, your body will love you!

I so wish I could get my partner to take that mentality on board!!

Or my kids!!

cally69

I have a real bug bear with people who call themselves vegetarians and eat fish. If you eat fish you are not a vegetarian, you are a pescatarian or a meat reducer. I've been vegetarian for over twenty years and still find restaurants that think if you are vegetarian you can choose from the fish menu. No I can't, I'm vegetarian!! Rant over.

wiggywompus

Loose the "diet" thought and think healthy eating should put you in a different frame of mind. Also maybe learn about foods. I don't eat meat not because I am vegetarian I just no longer want to. Look at what you want to eat and then how to make it into your daily food intake keeping in mind calories and portion size and ensure right nutrients. I find diet plans cater for masses not my preferences so I never stick to them because I do not want to eat what they say. By putting together my own plan I stay with it.

Good luck and success what ever you choose.

JephaMooi

Don't forget, if you don't like something that is "good for you", take at least ONE bite. Learn to love it, your body will love you!

I so wish I could get my partner to take that mentality on board!!

Or my kids!!

My daughter now eats salmon, prunes, oatmeal, and ready for this one.....ASKS for raw broccoli!!!

JennetteMac

I have a real bug bear with people who call themselves vegetarians and eat fish. If you eat fish you are not a vegetarian, you are a pescatarian or a meat reducer. I've been vegetarian for over twenty years and still find restaurants that think if you are vegetarian you can choose from the fish menu. No I can't, I'm vegetarian!! Rant over.

Ditto

32 years ago I left home and stopped eating meat, which I had never enjoyed. Back then it was very definitely an option for weirdos... apparantly, and eating out was a nightmare. Still can be, admittedly, but so many nore options now.

JephaMooi

I have a real bug bear with people who call themselves vegetarians and eat fish. If you eat fish you are not a vegetarian, you are a pescatarian or a meat reducer. I've been vegetarian for over twenty years and still find restaurants that think if you are vegetarian you can choose from the fish menu. No I can't, I'm vegetarian!! Rant over.

Ditto

32 years ago I left home and stopped eating meat, which I had never enjoyed. Back then it was very definitely an option for weirdos... apparantly, and eating out was a nightmare. Still can be, admittedly, but so many nore options now.

I third that!!!

SpikeLangenderfer

I'm not a scientist. But here is a true fact. I knew three vegetarians in my life. Two died at age 38, and the other died at age 43.
I know I won't risk it.

stephvaile

I have a real bug bear with people who call themselves vegetarians and eat fish. If you eat fish you are not a vegetarian, you are a pescatarian or a meat reducer. I've been vegetarian for over twenty years and still find restaurants that think if you are vegetarian you can choose from the fish menu. No I can't, I'm vegetarian!! Rant over.

same here iv been vegetarian 27 years it does bug me too my friend always claims shes vegetarian but she eats fish all the time i try to avoid the conversation now as we always end up arguing lmao:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

jtinker2010

Since I started a mostly vegan, I have lost inches, improved my performance by 15% (weight lifting, workouts ,etc)...I started with the beachbody ultimate reset. It would be a good way to start as it teaches you about the nutrition you need. Really the whole deal about protein is garbage. Most people eat WAY TOO MUCH protein. You really just need to supplement your B12 and D since those apparently come only from animal products.

I occasionally eat fish and eggs. I am not a fanatic, but I feel so much better. However, one caveat....You can eat as much crap as a vegan as you can any other diet. Cookies are vegetarian so is cake! To be successful, you still have to be conscious about your eating....no flour ,no sugar, no dairy, only good carbs like veggies....etc etc

Good luck

katymcd81

I'm not a scientist. But here is a true fact. I knew three vegetarians in my life. Two died at age 38, and the other died at age 43.
I know I won't risk it.

What did they die *of*? Was it even relevant to them being veggie? DId they eat a proper, healthy diet, or did they subsist off junk, minus meat? (btw, I *am* a scientist )

I've been veggie for nearly 20 years (I'm 31), and for the first ten years or so I really did have a dreadful diet. Pasta and chocolate, mainly. I was a skinny little thing until a change in lifestyle meant I was no longer exercising nearly as much as I had been, and the weight started piling on. It would have done even if I'd still been an omnivore...it was nothing to do with vegetarianism, I just had a crappy diet. Going veggie will not automatically make your diet any better or worse than it is now. You have to work at that and research to make sure you are not missing anything or going overboard with other things.

Now my diet is much improved (don't look at today's diary, I'm having a 'lazy' day!) and I feel miles better for it. My main challenges at the moment are getting enough protein, and getting a consistent intake of fruit and veg - some days I feel great and can eat loads, some days my IBS won't let me eat any because I feel so bloated and sore.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that done well, going veggie can benefit your health, but cutting out meat does not automatically make this happen. You just need to find something that works for you, whether that's a set of rules devised by someone else, or something you have worked out yourself.

kurting81

You eating as a "healthy" vegetarian would be great for both your body and mind. This means incorporating more fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and less processed foods into your diets. I have been a vegan for going on two years now, after my wife and I did research on this particular diet. My wife who has a MS in nutrition and is a registered dietician has really been helpful with this diet. I am a cancer survivor who was giving a 50% chance to live one year and I'm healthier than ever five years later. From the research my wife and I have done being a vegan is the healthiest way to live however you can still be a very healthy vegetarian as long as you learn how to do it correctly. It's all about incorporating more foods with higher nutrients for the majority of your diet. If you are really curious about this diet check out nutritionfacts.org and Dr. Furhman's book "Eat to Live". Good luck on your quest to eat healthier. You can definitely do it if you set your mind to it!!

Lina4Lina

I'm not a scientist. But here is a true fact. I knew three vegetarians in my life. Two died at age 38, and the other died at age 43.
I know I won't risk it.

Maybe you should go talk to the millions of vegetarians in India and China along with others across the world.