Hello Everyone! Any other Vegetarians?

I'm a partial vegetarian (I eat chicken & turkey)...I know a lot of people suggest mushrooms. I don't personally eat them (yuck! i think they smell like feet too lol). I think beans (black or kidney) are pretty good...they fill me up like crazy. I make little mini pizzas and put them on that fill me up. Put some sauce on 2 halves of a whole wheat english muffin then add some garlic, basil, and oregano. Then add some beans, peppers, and low sodium cheese.

There are definitely a lot of us on here -- welcome! Happy to see another vegetarian in the ranks. I'm vegan, myself.

I'm a big fan of quinoa, so-so on tofu depending on how it's cooked, and of course legumes are high on the list.

If you're able to have gluten, these chickpea cutlets are absolutely DIVINE and are high in protein:
http://www.theppk.com/2010/11/doublebatch-chickpea-cutlets/

And this spinach linguine with edamame pesto ranks high on protein as well:
http://www.theppk.com/2009/10/edamame-pesto-a-totally-satisfying-low-fat-manifesto/

If I'm in a time crunch, there's some marinated tempeh that I like to buy, which is good on a salad, rice, quinoa, whatever! Also, Field Roast sausages (especially the smoked apple sage flavor -- yum!) are great to toss into stir fries and ton of other things.

Those are a couple of my staples. :-)

Hi there! I am also vegetarian, and have been for a year (for ethical reasons, so I don't eat fish or anything that involves the death of an animal.) I still eat dairy (without animal rennet) and eggs, though. Here are some things to keep in mind:

- Excellent sources of protein for vegetarians: quinoa, beans, lentils, non-fat greek yogurt, non-fat cottage cheese, part-skim mozarella, egg whites, nuts, seeds, flax, whey, protein, soy protein, hemp protein and as you said, tofu.
- Although you want to reduce "bad" fats, there are certain fats you need. Fat is actually essential for health and it also keeps you satiated. Excellent sources of fat: olives, avocado, nuts, seeds.
- You shouldn't go too low carb, because you need carbohydrates for fuel. I found that quinoa is amazing, because it's an excellent source of protein, but also carbs. Most your carbs (e.g. sugars) should come from vegetables, fruit, whole grains (especially whole wheat), quinoa, brown rice.
- Most vegetarians, and especially vegans have a hard time with getting proteins, vitamin B and omega 3s. If you study about healthy vegetarian lifestyle, you will be able to get all these into your diet without consuming meat.
- Take multi-vitamins, and go to the doctor regularly to have your blood tested to ensure you get the necessary nutrients.

Feel free to check out my diary. I am not dieting, instead I try to eat a balanced diet, and yes, you will see girl scout cookies in there. They key is moderation and portion control.

Welcome! I'm not a veggie but my husband is so, as a result, the whole family tends not to eat much meat. The veggie options are often better value, calorie-wise, like the quorn and vegetable casserole we're having this evening. I'll give you my spinach and butternut squash lasagne recipe - really yummy!

Hi I am a fellow veggy and have only just started this week. It is great, its really helping me stay focused.

So you can take your richousness and anger and look there for all the horrible wrong in your life...

This last one actually made me laugh, so we're good. I suppose you mean righteousness, in which case you're wrong - and that goes for anger too, and I'm pleased to let you know there is nothing horribly wrong in my life.

Indeed, you have a lot of good and correct advice for any vegetarian, but so do many people who are not vegetarians in any way. My only point was in terms of definition. Ask anyone who is 100% vegetarian (I am not a vegan) if they would say you are vegetarian, and I would be curious to how many would say you are, that's all. It's just that it gets people confused about what a vegetarian is, and then those of us who never open exceptions are seen as 'extremists' and 'dine out poopers'. I don't know what you mean about being a 'spiritual vegetarian' either. If you mean I do it for religious purposes, you're wrong. I am a vegetarian because I feel better this way, I feel healthier. Besides, I think your friend was totally right - eating things which once had eyes is just not cool.

I personally find it quite easy to eat out. I don't know where you live, but in London (I guess the UK) restaurants are demanded by law to have two vegetarian options - that said, most have a couple more - so I'm sorry to hear you struggle with it.

As for protein, iron and calcium, if that is the reason why you have the broth, there are many supplements which can do the job and you can avoid all the animal fat. Vegan cod liver oil tablets are great.

I hope we're understood now, and I apologize if I started the subject too harshly, but 12 years of stupid avoidable questions just make you want things to be clearer. Peace.

I am a vegetarain, and have been for over 30 years and have never regretted it - there is so much choice these days, where as 30 years ago it was a struggle !!!!

I do not eat anything with eyes or a heart (unless you include Lettuce lol) so NO FISH, CHICKEN ect for me, and nothing with any animal by products.

I wouldnt change it for the world )