going vegetarian in 2013

KombuchaCat

I've been vegan for 2 years, vegetarian for about 5 years before that. It's not as hard as everyone seems to think it is. You have to look at it as a happy thing that is fullfilling not drudgery. Eat healthy, lots of variety, take a good multiviamin and you'll be fine. Friend me if you would like another veg friend.

rml_16

Take a good multiviamin and you'll be fine.

Check the ingredients first to make sure it doesn't have gelatin. Most do.

bionicrooster

Meat is loaded with saturated fat and a lot of cholesterol. Our body produces enough cholesterol in the liver, therefore we do not need more of it. That is part of why our bodies are designed to be herbivores. When you consume a lot of animal protein (you get way too much protein this way) and you get what is called hypercalciuria which excretes calcium out of your body to regulate the acidity, which is caused from the sulfur meat contains. Generally speaking, meat & dairy both clog your arteries and THAT is the main cause of heart disease today. Not just that it clogs your arteries, but in combination of not eating enough fruits and vegetables (which unclogs your arteries) can be fatal to your health. If you dropped all dairy from your diet, limit yourself to 4oz of meat per day and eat 4 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables, you would be in a much healthier state (especially if you have illnesses/diseases) -- Meat is bad for you, and all dairy & eggs are even worse.

Not to interrupt a very good thread, but this post is loaded with miss information. Our bodies are designed to be omnivores. And meat, like most things, is not bad for you in the correct amounts.

rml_16

Meat is loaded with saturated fat and a lot of cholesterol. Our body produces enough cholesterol in the liver, therefore we do not need more of it. That is part of why our bodies are designed to be herbivores. When you consume a lot of animal protein (you get way too much protein this way) and you get what is called hypercalciuria which excretes calcium out of your body to regulate the acidity, which is caused from the sulfur meat contains. Generally speaking, meat & dairy both clog your arteries and THAT is the main cause of heart disease today. Not just that it clogs your arteries, but in combination of not eating enough fruits and vegetables (which unclogs your arteries) can be fatal to your health. If you dropped all dairy from your diet, limit yourself to 4oz of meat per day and eat 4 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables, you would be in a much healthier state (especially if you have illnesses/diseases) -- Meat is bad for you, and all dairy & eggs are even worse.

Not to interrupt a very good thread, but this post is loaded with miss information. Our bodies are designed to be omnivores. And meat, like most things, is not bad for you in the correct amounts.

I agree (and I'm a veg). I just had no idea how to even begin addressing this post so I ignored it.

Taem2

Wow, that equates to a whole lot of dead people.....Hmm

No dear, that equates to unhealthy people.

:noway:

quotes Sarauk2sf:

"With regard to the listeria recalls. How does a couple of recalls of salads relate to there not being a healthy lacto ovo vegetarian? I don't eat cobb salad, or any salad with eggs in it, so I must be ok then. Its a little silly - there have been recalls of spinach before."

Sept. 22, 2010
More than half a billion eggs were recalled because of salmonella-related illnesses, and the FDA traced the outbreak to Hillandale and Wright County Egg. Several health and safety violations were later found at the farms.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-nations-food-recalls-anger-pain-and-death/2010/10/21/gIQAev734K_gallery.html#photo=7

So, companies can't prepare eggs, no matter how "easy it is to prepare" it and they've been doing it for years. Evidently, half a billion eggs got through that crack...

quoting her again.
"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16340654?

"dietary recommendations aimed at restricting egg consumption should not be generalized to include all individuals. We need to acknowledge that diverse healthy populations experience no risk in developing coronary heart disease by increasing their intake of cholesterol but, in contrast, they may have multiple beneficial effects by the inclusion of eggs in their regular diet."

I have shown previously that eggs have the second highest amount of cholesterol. Cholesterol being produced by our bodies and unless your body can't produce it, we are fine without eating dietary cholesterol, no matter what benefits it gives to healthy people. The article doesn't define healthy people, but I am going to presume that it means people with normal levels of cholesterol. So, to paraphrase, her quote, If you are healthy, you can risk your cholesterol levels getting higher (increase your risk of stroke or CHD) so you can gain some benefits. So, by your own evidence, these researchers admit that egg consumption should only be allowed for "healthy" people and here is what they fail to include, because egg consumption will raise your cholesterol.

Quoting rml_16
"Check the ingredients first to make sure it doesn't have gelatin. Most do."

This was her response to multi-vitamins containing gelatin, an animal by-product.

You know what else is an animal by-product? Eggs, and dairy. So, rml, you don't mind telling people to raise their cholesterol levels but, heavens to Betsy, don't eat that multi-vitamin because it contains gelatin! Something OBVIOUSLY much worse that cholesterol.

Most vegetarians and vegans go this route for health or because they are against the cruel treatment done to animals. Male chickens, for egg companies, cannot lay eggs, so they are killed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN5H9audCRQ

So, there is no good reason to eat eggs. But you say to watch out for gelatin in multi-vitamins? Excuse me, I think your sensibilities are miss-aligned. Please, do not call yourself a (whatever)-vegetarian. Just call yourself a picky animal by-product eater.

Going for my run!

rml_16

Quoting rml_16
"Check the ingredients first to make sure it doesn't have gelatin. Most do."

This was her response to multi-vitamins containing gelatin, an animal by-product.

You know what else is an animal by-product? Eggs, and dairy. So, rml, you don't mind telling people to raise their cholesterol levels but, heavens to Betsy, don't eat that multi-vitamin because it contains gelatin! Something OBVIOUSLY much worse that cholesterol.

I eat eggs daily. My cholesterol is fine. It was high and it went down without medical intervention. Again, I eat eggs every day. I was healthy when I ate steak and hamburgers and I'm healthy now that I don't. I also eat cheese and yogurt almost daily.

In order to make gelatin, one must actually kill an animal. No animal dies in order for me to eat an egg. I am vegetarian not for health reasons, but because I don't want to eat dead animals, which is the reason stated by the OP. Therefore, my advice was accurate and appropriate.

You don't know what you're talking about. Also, cholesterol alone is not necessarily an indicator of bad health. You also have to look at blood pressure and triglyceride levels. Maybe educate yourself in full before spouting off nonsense.

Sarauk2sf

quotes Sarauk2sf:

"With regard to the listeria recalls. How does a couple of recalls of salads relate to there not being a healthy lacto ovo vegetarian? I don't eat cobb salad, or any salad with eggs in it, so I must be ok then. Its a little silly - there have been recalls of spinach before."

Sept. 22, 2010
More than half a billion eggs were recalled because of salmonella-related illnesses, and the FDA traced the outbreak to Hillandale and Wright County Egg. Several health and safety violations were later found at the farms.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-nations-food-recalls-anger-pain-and-death/2010/10/21/gIQAev734K_gallery.html#photo=7

So, companies can't prepare eggs, no matter how "easy it is to prepare" it and they've been doing it for years. Evidently, half a billion eggs got through that crack...

quoting her again.
"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16340654?

"dietary recommendations aimed at restricting egg consumption should not be generalized to include all individuals. We need to acknowledge that diverse healthy populations experience no risk in developing coronary heart disease by increasing their intake of cholesterol but, in contrast, they may have multiple beneficial effects by the inclusion of eggs in their regular diet."

I have shown previously that eggs have the second highest amount of cholesterol. Cholesterol being produced by our bodies and unless your body can't produce it, we are fine without eating dietary cholesterol, no matter what benefits it gives to healthy people. The article doesn't define healthy people, but I am going to presume that it means people with normal levels of cholesterol. So, to paraphrase, her quote, If you are healthy, you can risk your cholesterol levels getting higher (increase your risk of stroke or CHD) so you can gain some benefits. So, by your own evidence, these researchers admit that egg consumption should only be allowed for "healthy" people and here is what they fail to include, because egg consumption will raise your cholesterol.

*sigh*

There are recalls on a lot of things - remember the e. coli ones for spinach?

Also, re cholesterol - you do realize that there are two types?

You obviously did not actually go into the study, but if you insist on re-hashing this, here is the body of the text:

"The lack of connection between heart disease and egg intake could partially be explained by the fact that dietary cholesterol increases the concentrations of both circulating LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in those individuals who experience an increase in plasma cholesterol following egg consumption (hyperresponders). It is also important to note that 70% of the population experiences a mild increase or no alterations in plasma cholesterol concentrations when challenged with high amounts of dietary cholesterol (hyporesponders). Egg intake has been shown to promote the formation of large LDL, in addition to shifting individuals from the LDL pattern B to pattern A, which is less atherogenic. Eggs are also good sources of antioxidants known to protect the eye; therefore, increased plasma concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin in individuals consuming eggs are also of interest, especially in those populations susceptible to developing macular degeneration and eye cataracts."

As with anything, at the individual level, if someone has risk factors they need to be more careful with what they eat. I am not sure how you got 'eggs are unhealthy' from this.

See this also:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11023005

"For over 25 years eggs have been the icon for the fat, cholesterol and caloric excesses in the American diet, and the message to limit eggs to lower heart disease risk has been widely circulated. The "dietary cholesterol equals blood cholesterol" view is a standard of dietary recommendations, yet few consider whether the evidence justifies such restrictions. Over 50 years of cholesterol-feeding studies show that dietary cholesterol does have a small effect on plasma cholesterol concentrations. The 167 cholesterol feeding studies in over 3,500 subjects in the literature indicate that a 100 mg change in dietary cholesterol changes plasma total cholesterol by 2.2 mg/dL. Today we recognize that dietary effects on plasma cholesterol must be viewed from effects on the atherogenic LDL cholesterol as well as anti-atherogenic HDL cholesterol since the ratio of LDL:HDL cholesterol is a major determinant of heart disease risk. Cholesterol feeding studies demonstrate that dietary cholesterol increases both LDL and HDL cholesterol with little change in the LDL:HDL ratio. Addition of 100 mg cholesterol per day to the diet increases total cholesterol with a 1.9 mg/dL increase in LDL cholesterol and a 0.4 mg/dL increase in HDL cholesterol. On average, the LDL:HDL ratio change per 100 mg/day change in dietary cholesterol is from 2.60 to 2.61, which would be predicted to have little effect on heart disease risk. These data help explain the epidemiological studies showing that dietary cholesterol is not related to coronary heart disease incidence or mortality across or within populations."

and here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11023006

"Serum cholesterol has been established as a modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease. Experimental feeding studies show that saturated fat and cholesterol increase serum cholesterol levels; thus, dietary recommendations for lowering the risk of heart disease proscribe the intake of both substances. Recommendations have also included limits on the intake of eggs because of their high cholesterol content. In free-living populations, diet reflects a pattern of associated choices. Increases in one food may lead to changes in the consumption of other foods that may modulate disease risk. Epidemiologic data are helpful in assessing the importance of foods and nutrients in the context in which they are actually consumed. We review epidemiologic data relating dietary cholesterol and eggs to coronary disease risk. Cholesterol intake was associated with a modest increase in the risk of coronary events. The true magnitude of the association is difficult to estimate because most studies fail to account for potential confounding by other features of the diet. When a full-range of confounding factors was considered, the association between cholesterol intake and heart disease risk was small (6% increase in risk for 200mg/1,000kcal/day difference in cholesterol intake). Several studies have examined egg intake and its relationship with coronary outcomes. All but one failed to consider the role of other potentially confounding dietary factors. When dietary confounders were considered, no association was seen between egg consumption at levels up to 1 + egg per day and the risk of coronary heart disease in non-diabetic men and women."

and this:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7124663

"The Framingham Study has investigated the effect of host and environmental factors on the development of coronary heart disease since 1949. Serum cholesterol level was determined to the one of the risk factors for coronary heart disease. The nutrient intake, in a subsample of the study population, was determined in 1957. A review of this material has permitted an estimate of egg consumption on each of 912 subjects. The serum cholesterol distribution curves of the subjects according to tertile of egg intake were almost identical, and no relationship between egg intake and coronary heart disease incidence was found. It is concluded that within the range of egg intake of this population differences in egg consumption were unrelated to blood cholesterol level or to coronary heart disease incidence."

Taem2

[

In order to make gelatin, one must actually kill an animal. No animal dies in order for me to eat an egg. I am vegetarian not for health reasons, but because I don't want to eat dead animals, which is the reason stated by the OP. Therefore, my advice was accurate and appropriate.

I guess you didn't want to see that in order to get female chickens, the male baby chick is killed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN5H9audCRQ

So, yes, you are killing animals for eggs.

rml_16

[

In order to make gelatin, one must actually kill an animal. No animal dies in order for me to eat an egg. I am vegetarian not for health reasons, but because I don't want to eat dead animals, which is the reason stated by the OP. Therefore, my advice was accurate and appropriate.

I guess you didn't want to see that in order to get female chickens, the male baby chick is killed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN5H9audCRQ

So, yes, you are killing animals for eggs.

You mean you have to sacrifice a male chicken in order for a female chicken to exist? because that is what you just said.

Taem2

*sigh*

There are recalls on a lot of things - remember the e. coli ones for spinach?

Spinach doesn't poop on itself.

The argument, if you didn't realize, is that food preparation is not as good as you or others here might like it to be. Over half a billion eggs recalled, hard-boiled egg salads found with disease. If you bothered looking past that slide, you would see the owner of one of the egg companies had to testify.

Sept. 22, 2010

Austin "Jack" DeCoster, the owner of Wright County Egg, told members of a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee that he was "horrified" to learn that his products might have been the cause of the salmonella-related illnesses. His farm had long lacked sophisticated technology to combat the contamination, but he said that his company's methods had evolved and that it was using modern techniques before the salmonella outbreak. During the hearing, photos of conditions on the farm were shown: dead and live mice, mounds of manure and dead chickens in a heap.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-nations-food-recalls-anger-pain-and-death/2010/10/21/gIQAev734K_gallery.html#photo=8

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11023005

"For over 25 years eggs have been the icon for the fat, cholesterol and caloric excesses in the American diet, and the message to limit eggs to lower heart disease risk has been widely circulated. The "dietary cholesterol equals blood cholesterol" view is a standard of dietary recommendations, yet few consider whether the evidence justifies such restrictions. Over 50 years of cholesterol-feeding studies show that dietary cholesterol does have a small effect on plasma cholesterol concentrations. The 167 cholesterol feeding studies in over 3,500 subjects in the literature indicate that a 100 mg change in dietary cholesterol changes plasma total cholesterol by 2.2 mg/dL. Today we recognize that dietary effects on plasma cholesterol must be viewed from effects on the atherogenic LDL cholesterol as well as anti-atherogenic HDL cholesterol since the ratio of LDL:HDL cholesterol is a major determinant of heart disease risk. Cholesterol feeding studies demonstrate that dietary cholesterol increases both LDL and HDL cholesterol with little change in the LDL:HDL ratio. Addition of 100 mg cholesterol per day to the diet increases total cholesterol with a 1.9 mg/dL increase in LDL cholesterol and a 0.4 mg/dL increase in HDL cholesterol. On average, the LDL:HDL ratio change per 100 mg/day change in dietary cholesterol is from 2.60 to 2.61, which would be predicted to have little effect on heart disease risk. These data help explain the epidemiological studies showing that dietary cholesterol is not related to coronary heart disease incidence or mortality across or within populations."
[\quote]

This study was from McNamara DJ.

Source: Egg Nutrition Center, Washington, DC 20036, USA. enc@enc-online.org

Oh, an egg promoting institution, how interesting.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11023006

"Serum cholesterol has been established as a modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease. Experimental feeding studies show that saturated fat and cholesterol increase serum cholesterol levels; thus, dietary recommendations for lowering the risk of heart disease proscribe the intake of both substances. Recommendations have also included limits on the intake of eggs because of their high cholesterol content. In free-living populations, diet reflects a pattern of associated choices. Increases in one food may lead to changes in the consumption of other foods that may modulate disease risk. Epidemiologic data are helpful in assessing the importance of foods and nutrients in the context in which they are actually consumed. We review epidemiologic data relating dietary cholesterol and eggs to coronary disease risk. Cholesterol intake was associated with a modest increase in the risk of coronary events. The true magnitude of the association is difficult to estimate because most studies fail to account for potential confounding by other features of the diet. When a full-range of confounding factors was considered, the association between cholesterol intake and heart disease risk was small (6% increase in risk for 200mg/1,000kcal/day difference in cholesterol intake). Several studies have examined egg intake and its relationship with coronary outcomes. All but one failed to consider the role of other potentially confounding dietary factors. When dietary confounders were considered, no association was seen between egg consumption at levels up to 1 + egg per day and the risk of coronary heart disease in non-diabetic men and women."
[\quote]

Did you read that seriously? You are agreeing with me there. While there are factors that raise or cholesterol levels, eggs is still proven to be one of those factors that raise them. Thanks for agreeing with me.

Here, I'll quote it again: Recommendations have also included limits on the intake of eggs because of their high cholesterol content.

Going back to my first statement that eggs is not healthy, lots of things are not healthy. I even clarified it when someone said oh look, eggs kill people by saying that wasn't accurate I said, it was unhealthy. Your evidence, shows that to be the case. I never said eating eggs will kill you. So, thanks for agreeing with me.

katy_trail

my daughter (7) has expressed moral objection to eating meat and sometimes claims to be vegetarian for that meal or day.
I'm trying not to make a big deal about it, but she needs to be eating other protein like eggs or beans that meal.
and I've told her this and she has to be more careful about eating healthy.
she likes almost any fruit or veggie and many other healthy foods, but she also still likes to eat meat sometimes too.
I suspected she would feel this way. she is very like my youngest sister in personality and body type.
(she doesn't see her aunt often, she isn't copying her)
But my parents made it a big deal that she had to eat meat and it became a battle making her control over food issues worse.
so I want to avoid that.

Sarauk2sf

*sigh*

There are recalls on a lot of things - remember the e. coli ones for spinach?

Spinach doesn't poop on itself.

The argument, if you didn't realize, is that food preparation is not as good as you or others here might like it to be. Over half a billion eggs recalled, hard-boiled egg salads found with disease. If you bothered looking past that slide, you would see the owner of one of the egg companies had to testify.

Sept. 22, 2010

Austin "Jack" DeCoster, the owner of Wright County Egg, told members of a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee that he was "horrified" to learn that his products might have been the cause of the salmonella-related illnesses. His farm had long lacked sophisticated technology to combat the contamination, but he said that his company's methods had evolved and that it was using modern techniques before the salmonella outbreak. During the hearing, photos of conditions on the farm were shown: dead and live mice, mounds of manure and dead chickens in a heap.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-nations-food-recalls-anger-pain-and-death/2010/10/21/gIQAev734K_gallery.html#photo=8

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11023005

"For over 25 years eggs have been the icon for the fat, cholesterol and caloric excesses in the American diet, and the message to limit eggs to lower heart disease risk has been widely circulated. The "dietary cholesterol equals blood cholesterol" view is a standard of dietary recommendations, yet few consider whether the evidence justifies such restrictions. Over 50 years of cholesterol-feeding studies show that dietary cholesterol does have a small effect on plasma cholesterol concentrations. The 167 cholesterol feeding studies in over 3,500 subjects in the literature indicate that a 100 mg change in dietary cholesterol changes plasma total cholesterol by 2.2 mg/dL. Today we recognize that dietary effects on plasma cholesterol must be viewed from effects on the atherogenic LDL cholesterol as well as anti-atherogenic HDL cholesterol since the ratio of LDL:HDL cholesterol is a major determinant of heart disease risk. Cholesterol feeding studies demonstrate that dietary cholesterol increases both LDL and HDL cholesterol with little change in the LDL:HDL ratio. Addition of 100 mg cholesterol per day to the diet increases total cholesterol with a 1.9 mg/dL increase in LDL cholesterol and a 0.4 mg/dL increase in HDL cholesterol. On average, the LDL:HDL ratio change per 100 mg/day change in dietary cholesterol is from 2.60 to 2.61, which would be predicted to have little effect on heart disease risk. These data help explain the epidemiological studies showing that dietary cholesterol is not related to coronary heart disease incidence or mortality across or within populations."
[\quote]

This study was from McNamara DJ.

Source: Egg Nutrition Center, Washington, DC 20036, USA. enc@enc-online.org

Oh, an egg promoting institution, how interesting.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11023006

"Serum cholesterol has been established as a modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease. Experimental feeding studies show that saturated fat and cholesterol increase serum cholesterol levels; thus, dietary recommendations for lowering the risk of heart disease proscribe the intake of both substances. Recommendations have also included limits on the intake of eggs because of their high cholesterol content. In free-living populations, diet reflects a pattern of associated choices. Increases in one food may lead to changes in the consumption of other foods that may modulate disease risk. Epidemiologic data are helpful in assessing the importance of foods and nutrients in the context in which they are actually consumed. We review epidemiologic data relating dietary cholesterol and eggs to coronary disease risk. Cholesterol intake was associated with a modest increase in the risk of coronary events. The true magnitude of the association is difficult to estimate because most studies fail to account for potential confounding by other features of the diet. When a full-range of confounding factors was considered, the association between cholesterol intake and heart disease risk was small (6% increase in risk for 200mg/1,000kcal/day difference in cholesterol intake). Several studies have examined egg intake and its relationship with coronary outcomes. All but one failed to consider the role of other potentially confounding dietary factors. When dietary confounders were considered, no association was seen between egg consumption at levels up to 1 + egg per day and the risk of coronary heart disease in non-diabetic men and women."
[\quote]

Did you read that seriously? You are agreeing with me there. While there are factors that raise or cholesterol levels, eggs is still proven to be one of those factors that raise them. Thanks for agreeing with me.

Here, I'll quote it again: Recommendations have also included limits on the intake of eggs because of their high cholesterol content.

Going back to my first statement that eggs is not healthy, lots of things are not healthy. I even clarified it when someone said oh look, eggs kill people by saying that wasn't accurate I said, it was unhealthy. Your evidence, shows that to be the case. I never said eating eggs will kill you. So, thanks for agreeing with me.

I did not agree with you - stop trying to be cute - it is not. Neither is picking ONE study of the many I provided to attempt to make a patronizing statement about who sponsored it. You made the statement that lacto-ovo vegetarians cannot be healthy. You have done absolutely nothing do prove that. Simple as that.

I am not going to continue to derail this thread anymore with trying to bring you back to the point at hand or to discuss every little point you chose to cherry pick or interpret from a bias slant from the studies or even actually try to work out what you are saying above as the picking and choosing of your quoting is really hard to follow. I think this thread is derailed enough already and enough debate has already happened so people can make their own decisions as to whether eating eggs is fine for them.

ETA: No idea how to fix these quotes

Taem2

[

In order to make gelatin, one must actually kill an animal. No animal dies in order for me to eat an egg. I am vegetarian not for health reasons, but because I don't want to eat dead animals, which is the reason stated by the OP. Therefore, my advice was accurate and appropriate.

I guess you didn't want to see that in order to get female chickens, the male baby chick is killed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN5H9audCRQ

So, yes, you are killing animals for eggs.

You mean you have to sacrifice a male chicken in order for a female chicken to exist? because that is what you just said.

Yes, the egg companies won't even sell the male baby chicks because there is no profit, they just kill them and throw the baby chicks away.

Here is another video, by the vegetarian society of Hawaii, a presentation dealing with eggs and dairy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyjOPzKc4vA

NeverGivesUp

Just found out about cheese, that most is made with an enzyme from a baby cow or pig's stomach. I have been a pescetarian since I was 10 years old. I am sooo grossed out and so sad because I love cheese. It is hard to find vegetarian anything where I live, especially cheese. I can't possibly eat it now that I know what is in it and how it is made. It is something calles rennet, and should be listed in the ingrediants. Most rennat is animal based boohooo. I wish I knew this 30 years ago. I have been sooo bothered by this since I found it out a couple days ago. blach.

sapphireswi

vegetarian since birth . . . and have always loved it :flowerforyou:

syrklc

I am vegetarian and have been for 25 years.. I got lazy over the years and was eating too much pasta, pizza and sweets. I am not vegan and I also include seafood in my diet once a week. You really have to work hard to plan healthy meals. I found Amy's frozen vegetarian meals and they are amazing and low calorie.

Angie1366

If you want to go veggie - then do it. As long as you don't tut and start lecturing your friends when they dig into a nice juicy steak I am sure they won't lecture you about your eating habits.

And I am saying that because I have 2 veggie friends... One who just gets on with it - and another who lays on the old "eugh.. how can you eat that - it was living and breathing.. eugh eugh..."

I do not see the latter very often any more...

By the way did you know beer is filtered using a byproduct from fish?

CharlieGumkeb

Many things contain animal byproduct. These include plastic bags, tires, certain types of glue, toothpaste, fireworks, fabric softener, shampoo/conditioner, and more. I would really recomend looking into "Vegan" options of these products. I'm also going vegetarian this year, but am weaning myself off of meat. Only eating it 3 days a week for now, and then when I feel ready to move on, I will. Does anyone have tips/tricks for going vegetarian?

mochablend

My friend's niece became vegetarian after viewing a documentary... Except she only eats French fries and macaroni & cheese... Yikes! Not very healthy, I'm afraid. But really, anybody can have a unhealthy diet if they are not careful. I am vegetarian but now that I work crazy hours I noticed that there's way too much carbs in my diet, so I need to be more careful.

mochablend

It is true about beer, but also wine because it uses gelatin... That would only concern a vegan who refuses any animal product like honey and such. Vegetarians are rarely that strict.

There are vegan wines though because some people like me are allergic to meat and we want a good time, too!

_VoV

If you want to go veggie - then do it. As long as you don't tut and start lecturing your friends when they dig into a nice juicy steak I am sure they won't lecture you about your eating habits.

And I am saying that because I have 2 veggie friends... One who just gets on with it - and another who lays on the old "eugh.. how can you eat that - it was living and breathing.. eugh eugh..."

I do not see the latter very often any more...

By the way did you know beer is filtered using a byproduct from fish?

My long-time meat-eating friends always order vegetarian food when we are eating together. I have never asked anyone to do that, and rarely talk about my vegetarianism or philosophy that shapes it. They do it out of respect for me. I'm glad I have friends like this.

daffodilsoup

If you want to go veggie - then do it. As long as you don't tut and start lecturing your friends when they dig into a nice juicy steak I am sure they won't lecture you about your eating habits.

And I am saying that because I have 2 veggie friends... One who just gets on with it - and another who lays on the old "eugh.. how can you eat that - it was living and breathing.. eugh eugh..."

I do not see the latter very often any more...

By the way did you know beer is filtered using a byproduct from fish?

Some beers - and wines! - but not all. www.barnivore.com is a great resource for those who wish to imbibe compassionately. Yours truly enjoys Blue Moon and Shock Top on a regular basis

LE193

Definitely go for it! Been veggie for nearly 11 years and it's so easy I don't even think about it, the only thing thats difficult is how some people seem to object and criticise. Best of luck!

AsrarHussain

I need to build muscle need protein and vegetables dont contain enough i need to eat MEAT

daffodilsoup

I need to build muscle need protein and vegetables dont contain enough i need to eat MEAT

Seitan actually has a protein-to-calorie ratio similar to skinless chicken breast.

rml_16

[

In order to make gelatin, one must actually kill an animal. No animal dies in order for me to eat an egg. I am vegetarian not for health reasons, but because I don't want to eat dead animals, which is the reason stated by the OP. Therefore, my advice was accurate and appropriate.

I guess you didn't want to see that in order to get female chickens, the male baby chick is killed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN5H9audCRQ

So, yes, you are killing animals for eggs.

You mean you have to sacrifice a male chicken in order for a female chicken to exist? because that is what you just said.

Yes, the egg companies won't even sell the male baby chicks because there is no profit, they just kill them and throw the baby chicks away.

Here is another video, by the vegetarian society of Hawaii, a presentation dealing with eggs and dairy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyjOPzKc4vA

But it is not necessary to kill a chicken (male or female) to produce an egg. That may be the practice of factory farms, but the process of laying an egg does not include the death of any animal.

Don't eat eggs if you don't want to eat eggs. That is your business. But claiming that eating eggs makes people unhealthy or insisting that an animal died in order for an egg to exist (not the case. An egg can exist without an animal's death) makes you look ridiculous.

rml_16

Just found out about cheese, that most is made with an enzyme from a baby cow or pig's stomach.

Not in the US.

Most of the bigger cheese companies don't use animal byproducts, rather a vegetable based alternative; and the gourmet cheeses will say if they do right on the label.

Sarauk2sf

I need to build muscle need protein and vegetables dont contain enough i need to eat MEAT

Heard of whey protein?

RAQUELINATOVAR

I am going to try it. I am ready for this. May eat a little meat for dinner till i know if i can do this.

daffodilsoup

I am going to try it. I am ready for this. May eat a little meat for dinner till i know if i can do this.

The "Meatless Monday" concept is great for people interested in transitioning to a meat-free diet. Pick one (or two, or three) days out of the week that are "meatless". Even if you aren't interested in pursuing a vegetarian lifestyle, it can incorporate variety into your weekly meals, and staples like lentils and beans tend to cost less than meat.