thinking about becoming a vegetarian?

[DCD08]

is anyone else on here a vegetarian?
thoughts? advice?

should i or shouldn't i?

[jessicalynn-xx]

You should absolutely do it. It's easier than it sounds and you'll feel great.

[theNatetron]

i did it last year for a few weeks and i did feel great. it was hard being at college and eating in the caf, but i did feel much healthier and you can always switch back.

[DCD08]

You should absolutely do it. It's easier than it sounds and you'll feel great.

i did it last year for a few weeks and i did feel great. it was hard being at college and eating in the caf, but i did feel much healthier and you can always switch back.

any advice?

[reckoner]

Meat is awesome. Don't do it.

[SmokieB.High]

Thinking about cutting your nuts off to?

[BryterJonah]

any advice?
Stock up on peanut butter, cereal, rice, bananas, healthy crap you can snack on. I'm a vegaquarium so I eat fish.

If you read up on the statistics, going for an all fish lifestyle is one of the most health/brain smart things you can do.
:snoopy:

[-karla]

go for it.

i used to be a vegan for over a year due to animal welfare and environmental issues, but started eating meat & dairy again when i moved back to new zealand.

being vegan/veggie in UK was no problem because there were lots of options - and generally their meat products sucked anyway.

[squee42]

Stock up on peanut butter, cereal, rice, bananas, healthy crap you can snack on. I'm a vegaquarium so I eat fish.

If you read up on the statistics, going for an all fish lifestyle is one of the most health smart things you can do.
:snoopy:



I've been a vegetarian for almost three years.

Agree with what he said. Make friends with granola, rice, nuts, pasta, fruit and vegetables, cheese, eggs, and meat substitutes (like boca or tofu).

Also, if you eat at restaurants a lot, prepare to have your selection severely cut down (depending on the type of restaurant).

Edit: As for should you or shouldn't you, that's completely in your hands. It is NOT for everyone. Some people I know could never do it, others could do it easily if they wanted to, it really depends on how much of your diet already consists of meat and if you feel up to it. If you really don't know if you should do it or not, I suggest talking to a nutritionist.

[DCD08]

Thinking about cutting your nuts off to?

i was actually gonna ask how that went for you.

[jessicalynn-xx]

any advice?

You might want to consider taking a multi-vitamin or an omega-3 supplement if you're cutting out fish. You can also get omega-3's by mixing flax into smoothies. Try to get in a variety of fruits and veggies not just salad. V8 fusion juice is a good source of both fruits and veggies and it doesn't taste like crap like regular V8. Or you could try making your own juice if that's an option for you. Protein will be your biggest concern but you can get more than enough from veggies as well as from quinoa (it's kind of like rice) or beans and lentils. Tofu and tempeh can be really good if you marinate or season them. Then there's veggie burgers, veggie dogs, etc. Some good brands are Boca Burgers, Morningstar, and Yves. They make all kinds of meatless things, sausages, turkey slices, bologna... They're usually in the produce or cheese section of the grocery store, not the meat section. And try to stick to whole grain or whole wheat breads and pastas rather than white if you can. There should be more food on your plate if you're a vegetarian, but it will probably still have less calories than it would if you were eating meat. And, of course, drink lots of water.

Why are you thinking of going vegetarian? I hope it works out for you. :)

[Knatuhlee]

I am a vegetarian, not because i love animals... I am a vegetarian because i hate plants.

[BryterJonah]

I eat the way I do because I get off on the notion of living long than a majority of my fellow peers.


:snoopy:

[trevorshmevor]

I have this friend that is vegan, and she makes it a point to always say "vegan" when naming foods. Like for example, she won't say "Oh man, I'm really hungry for some chocolate cake", she'll say "Oh man, I'm really hungry for some vegan chocolate cake". I know this really has nothing to do with the thread, and isn't even a big deal. It's just really fucking annoying. Goodnight guys, I'm going to bed.

[al.is.on]

Im a vegetarian, its easy but dont let people on a forum decide for you, do it for yourself and not just for bragging rights.

[LamarVannoy]

Agree with what he said. Make friends with granola, rice, nuts, pasta, fruit and vegetables, cheese, eggs, and meat substitutes (like boca or tofu).
Good advice. I was an idiot when I was a veggie, I didnt eat right and I got really really sick.
Listen to this guy, he knows what hes talking about.

[BryterJonah]

And don't make a big thing about it because in truth nobody gives, or should give a shit but you.

[MyNameIsRoss]

do what you what. i've been vegetarian for 4 years, was vegan for 3.

[And Hours Pass]

I have this friend that is vegan, and she makes it a point to always say "vegan" when naming foods. Like for example, she won't say "Oh man, I'm really hungry for some chocolate cake", she'll say "Oh man, I'm really hungry for some vegan chocolate cake". I know this really has nothing to do with the thread, and isn't even a big deal. It's just really fucking annoying. Goodnight guys, I'm going to bed.

I had a friend who did that with gluten-free stuff. My lord was that irritating. I totally feel you.

[Reaver]

are you a pussy? meat is healthy and has an awesome protein/carbohydrate ratio, which means it's great for building up muscles. also, it satiates better than bread/noodles/rice/potatoes.
and on top of everything, it tastes delicious! why would anyone that down?

[Macbeth.]

one word: STEAK.

[warstory]

Can't you decide for yourself?
I don't eat meat often because honestly I don't have the time to mess with it. :/ but I love meat
and wish I had time to make/eat more of it

[Wake Up]

Don't do it. It sounds good in thought, but the execution is so much harder than you could imagine.

[atticus18244fss]

No. Meat is the only food that counts.

[Debut_Fin]

You won't.

http://organizations.bloomu.edu/douglass/Images/Mentors/Deanna%20Johnson/bacon.jpg

[jmo182]

i was vegetarian for about a year. my lifestyle didn't change at all. bean burrito, triple layer nachos, cheesy potatoes from taco bell. =]

[zbrmike79]

it isn't that hard to not eat meat - it's actually really easy - i say go for it, your body will feel a lot better

i still eat fish though - so i guess i'm not a full veggie - but if you're down with eating lots of veggies, fruits, nuts, pasta, granola, tofu, boca blahblahblah whatever everyone else mentioned - just do it.

plus - at taco bell you can substitue beans for any meat on the menu - just a heads up on that.

[onelastdisaster]

Stock up on peanut butter, cereal, rice, bananas, healthy crap you can snack on. I'm a vegaquarium so I eat fish.


*Pescatarian (http://vegetarian.about.com/od/glossary/g/Pescatarian.htm)

I've been a vegetarian for about a year and a half (pescatarian, or as this guy says, vegaquarium, for the first half of that time). I strongly recommend it, it will make you feel great. But I agree with what everybody else is saying about getting to like certain kinds of foods. And the Morning Star vegetarian foods are actually amazing. They have veggie chicken tenders that are seriously delicious. Some of those products can be kind of pricey, but they're nice to have every once in awhile.
It's been tough for me at school with the nasty caf food, usually I'm a salad fiend but it's really difficult to eat their salad all the time because it's gross. Most just stick with pastas and breads which is not good if you don't want to gain 3,000 pounds (unless you have a freakishly fast metabolism).
Also make sure you get the right vitamin supplements and still get protein in your diet. I like tofu, personally.

I say, go for it. It's one of the best decisions I've made in my life. But as someone else said, do it for yourself, not just so you can say you are.

[tottivillarossi]

Only gayfish are veggies.

[atarirockstar]

any advice?

Get used to fools making feminine/homosexual jokes at you all the time. 4 years later, and I still get called "gay" or whatever because I choose not to eat meat. And then there's the really original kids who think it's funny to show you pictures of bacon or say "steak" because they think it'll make you want to eat it or something. And you get crap whenever PETA does anything stupid. But on the bright side, most girls tend to think it's hot.

Not sure if you're into sports or whatever, but I had a lot of people tell me that I'd get slower/weaker when I stopped eating meat. I didn't. I was an all-state sprinter the next two years and ran in college, so they can suck it.

Definitely do it for yourself though. Or the animals. Not for anyone else.

[MyNameIsRoss]

are you a pussy? meat is healthy and has an awesome protein/carbohydrate ratio, which means it's great for building up muscles. also, it satiates better than bread/noodles/rice/potatoes.
and on top of everything, it tastes delicious! why would anyone that down?

you're an idiot.

[Reaver]

you're an idiot.
very constructive, dude. :appl:

[COTA]

I've been a vegetarian for close to 6 years and it's really not that hard with all the fake-meat products out there. I never really ate a lot of meat anyway so it wasn't that hard to switch.

[shit stroll]

eat a lot of avocados. they're high in good fat fat content, versatile, and have a great meaty texture.

very constructive, dude. :appl:

not as constructive as calling someone a pussy amirite?

[bladerdude360]

I wouldn't.

[Reaver]

not as constructive as calling someone a pussy amirite?
when you can read, you should know that the guy is thinking about becoming a vegeterian, not that he already made up his mind.
I merely stated my opinion, there really is no need for all the vegetarians in here to go frenzy about it.

[shimmyshakes]

I was extremely easy to cut meat out of my diet, because 1) I never really liked the taste of meat and 2) my family has never eaten much red meat. My advice would be to try new foods. I don't do the boca/tofu/soy thing but there's so many other healthy things that I never even knew existed. Also, I have to take an iron supplement or else I become extremely sick and tired, but I know people that are able to go be veg without it. You become so much more aware of what vitamins and things needed in your body and really start to pay closer attention to your diet.

[llwilliamsll]

My question is your motives. Why are you thinking about switching to a vegetarian diet? Also, it can be easy to follow it and not eat healthy. You need to make sure you have substitutes for nutrients you would get from things like meat. If you're going to do it, make sure to keep it healthy and not rely on just substitute meat products, etc.

[inthemidst]

Do you have a reason to do this beyond health concerns? Are you considering it for political reasons?

I personally couldn't do it. I love meat too much, but that's certainly admirable though.

[deFobbed14yrs]

indian foot ftw. some naan and dal and panner mukni. oh so good.

[*Ro']

You should absolutely do it. It's easier than it sounds and you'll feel great.

Exactly.

[BryterJonah]

*Pescatarian (http://vegetarian.about.com/od/glossary/g/Pescatarian.htm)
My term's cuter.

:snoopy:

[limepomegranate]

indian foot ftw. some naan and dal and panner mukni. oh so good.
Foot? I know what you mean though mmmm naan.

[Reaver]

I was extremely easy to cut meat out of my diet, because 1) I never really liked the taste of meat and 2) my family has never eaten much red meat. My advice would be to try new foods. I don't do the boca/tofu/soy thing but there's so many other healthy things that I never even knew existed. Also, I have to take an iron supplement or else I become extremely sick and tired, but I know people that are able to go be veg without it. You become so much more aware of what vitamins and things needed in your body and really start to pay closer attention to your diet.
veg sounds a lot like vag. just wanted to point that out.

[deFobbed14yrs]

Foot? I know what you mean though mmmm naan.

my bad, lol. yes Indian food. my people have been vegetarian for 2000 years, so it has to be working

[broaddplease]

Mmhmm, I like vegaquarium better than pescatarian.

I've been a vegetarian/kind of vegan all my life because thats how my mama raised me. Therefore, I dont know if its hard to switch. But I do know theres tons of great meatless food. Like pizza, which is all I eat.

[<*)))><]

I couldn't go veggi for very long because the second I see a burger I'm going to punch Ronald McDonald in the knee. Although I love celery, but hate the taste.

[h23eather]

try it for 30 days. then see if its for you.

I've been a vegan for two years. My favorite part is trying all the new food that you otherwise would skip because of the staples of your meat filled diet.

[onelastdisaster]

My term's cuter.

:snoopy:


true

[shimmyshakes]

veg sounds a lot like vag. just wanted to point that out.
I was thinking the same thing as I typed it.

[Spewk]

Do it.
Honestly, it's so easy and you feel so much better about everything.

[DCD08]

i just wanna do it cuz i wanna eat better and ultimately have a healthier lifestyle. i'm not planning on this being permanent and i know i could technically eat better without cutting out meat but something tells me this would be good for me.
i also wanna lose a little weight and i heard it helps lol.

i know i'd have to find other ways of getting some nutrients such as protein. i take multivitamins and stuff.

and i'm not doing this for political reasons, peta, protest, anything like that lol.

[h23eather]

i just wanna do it cuz i wanna eat better and ultimately have a healthier lifestyle. i'm not planning on this being permanent and i know i could technically eat better without cutting out meat but something tells me this would be good for me.
i also wanna lose a little weight and i heard it helps lol.

i know i'd have to find other ways of getting some nutrients such as protein. i take multivitamins and stuff.

and i'm not doing this for political reasons, peta, protest, anything like that lol.


I didnt lose weight when I became a vegetarian.

However, once i became a vegan the pounds dropped off without even trying.

[ericsrad]

You should not take meat entirely out of your diet. Unless you take supplements, you are gonna miss out on certain vitamins and nutrients. Maybe cut down on it a little.

[Broclee]

I have this friend that is vegan, and she makes it a point to always say "vegan" when naming foods. Like for example, she won't say "Oh man, I'm really hungry for some chocolate cake", she'll say "Oh man, I'm really hungry for some vegan chocolate cake". I know this really has nothing to do with the thread, and isn't even a big deal. It's just really fucking annoying. Goodnight guys, I'm going to bed.

I have a friend who does this. Or he makes a point when we go out to make a huge ordeal out of most of the menu not being vegan friendly. I get particularly irritated when the phrase "I can't" comes into play, as well. It's a choice you make, and if you're going to make it, then don't bitch about it.

And don't make a big thing about it because in truth nobody gives, or should give a shit but you.

This is also true. I only ever bring it up when I'm asked, and most people don't even care enough to do that.

[TheHays]

even carrots scream when you rip them from the ground


/don't do it

[Zieb]

Do it! As a fellow Minnesotan Vegetarian and one who lives in the Twin Cities too I can recommend some great places to eat and where to shop. If you have any questions about it feel free to ask me.

But really if you want to get a LOT of free advice about Vegetarianism in person, well this place is Vegan, but much of a Vegan lifestyle is the same as being Vegetarian. I suggest you hit up the Ecopolitan on Lyndale. http://www.ecopolitan.com (http://www.ecopolitan.com/) This place will also show you that even Vegan food can be delicious.

[atainder]

is anyone else on here a vegetarian?
thoughts? advice?

should i or shouldn't i?

Do it. Eat lots of beans.

[FTSKayluhh]

im a vegetarian !

[Broclee]

im a vegetarian !
Great contribution.

[DCD08]

Do it! As a fellow Minnesotan Vegetarian and one who lives in the Twin Cities too I can recommend some great places to eat and where to shop. If you have any questions about it feel free to ask me.

But really if you want to get a LOT of free advice about Vegetarianism in person, well this place is Vegan, but much of a Vegan lifestyle is the same as being Vegetarian. I suggest you hit up the Ecopolitan on Lyndale. http://www.ecopolitan.com (http://www.ecopolitan.com/) This place will also show you that even Vegan food can be delicious.

thanks tons =]

[ActionActionFan]

don't

/thread

[Broclee]

don't

/thread
You can't really /thread your own post.

[trevorshmevor]

I have a friend who does this. Or he makes a point when we go out to make a huge ordeal out of most of the menu not being vegan friendly. I get particularly irritated when the phrase "I can't" comes into play, as well. It's a choice you make, and if you're going to make it, then don't bitch about it.

100% agreed. Whenever she says that, I just shake my head and say "You mean you don't want to". I also have an ongoing joke with her about the "Vegan Gods" and how the food she complains that she can't eat is the forbidden fruit. It's a pretty stupid joke, but I think it's funny and it irritates her, so it evens things out.

[x togepi x]

honestly, having to deal with dumb people's inane comments/jokes about your diet is much harder than not eating meat. i thought it was insanely easy to stop. but yeah, definitely research what exactly you'll eat and plan that shit out for a bit before you do it. everyone i've ever known who couldn't pull it off failed because they didn't think about what they'd eat.

also don't beat yourself up if you slip up and end up getting a burger or something because freaking out about messing being vegetarian up only makes it harder. this probably won't happen though because you'll be surprised how little you want to eat meat after you get into the swing of things.

and like already mentioned, don't rely too much on fake meat because that shit isn't necessarily healthy all the time either.

[Zieb]

100% agreed. Whenever she says that, I just shake my head and say "You mean you don't want to". I also have an ongoing joke with her about the "Vegan Gods" and how the food she complains that she can't eat is the forbidden fruit. It's a pretty stupid joke, but I think it's funny and it irritates her, so it evens things out.

I find it quite funny that this is the opposite for me. I am a vegetarian and never complain when I go out. However my sister will constantly ask what I can and cannot eat. If there is anything on the menu I can eat or if I can eat X or Y food and not Z food. I keep having to remind her that I can eat whatever I want and not to worry about it. It's as if by being a vegetarian I am restricted by some vegetarian god from having the ability to pick up a hamburger and put it in my mouth... sooo irritating!

[FTSKayluhh]

Great contribution.
thanks. it was deep, right?

[Broclee]

I find it quite funny that this is the opposite for me. I am a vegetarian and never complain when I go out. However my sister will constantly ask what I can and cannot eat. If there is anything on the menu I can eat or if I can eat X or Y food and not Z food. I keep having to remind her that I can eat whatever I want and not to worry about it. It's as if by being a vegetarian I am restricted by some vegetarian god from having the ability to pick up a hamburger and put it in my mouth... sooo irritating!
I feel that. My family (and some friends) try to make deciding where to go out about me, and I'm just like, "Guys, I don't really care." I mean, if all else fails, a garden salad is still delicious.

[DCD08]

honestly, having to deal with dumb people's inane comments/jokes about your diet is much harder than not eating meat. i thought it was insanely easy to stop. but yeah, definitely research what exactly you'll eat and plan that shit out for a bit before you do it. everyone i've ever known who couldn't pull it off failed because they didn't think about what they'd eat.

also don't beat yourself up if you slip up and end up getting a burger or something because freaking out about messing being vegetarian up only makes it harder. this probably won't happen though because you'll be surprised how little you want to eat meat after you get into the swing of things.

and like already mentioned, don't rely too much on fake meat because that shit isn't necessarily healthy all the time either.

good advice. i'm making a grocery list right now.


thanks for all the advice everyone =]

[trevorshmevor]

I find it quite funny that this is the opposite for me. I am a vegetarian and never complain when I go out. However my sister will constantly ask what I can and cannot eat. If there is anything on the menu I can eat or if I can eat X or Y food and not Z food. I keep having to remind her that I can eat whatever I want and not to worry about it. It's as if by being a vegetarian I am restricted by some vegetarian god from having the ability to pick up a hamburger and put it in my mouth... sooo irritating!

Well, I gotta hand it to you, Andy. You're officially my favorite herbivore! I know you can't hear it, but I'm giving you a round of applause. And no, I'm not being sarcastic haha.

[mena]

I've been vegetarian for 3 years now. It definitely gets easier with time and you learn how to make vegetarian food choices without even thinking about it.

One piece of advice I have is don't stop eating meat altogether at once. Start with beef first, then pork, and just gradually progress.

[lauren1234]

I've been a vegetarian since the second half of ninth grade. At first it was hard and it took a while to transition in to but don't let that stop you. There are so many options out there like fake chicken patties, fake ribletss, soy/veggie burgers, fake breakfast sausage, so on and so on. The options are endless and they taste good. Just try it out for a little while and see how you like it. If you slip up at first don't give up, it usually happens to most people. Sometimes the comments people make are not nice and some people might nag you about why you decided to stop eating meat, which does get quite annoying. I will say that I have never felt healthier than I have the past couple of years.

[Dystroxia]

i did it last year for a few weeks and i did feel great. it was hard being at college and eating in the caf, but i did feel much healthier and you can always switch back.

IMO switching back would be harder

[Dystroxia]

Oh and btw I support anyone who is a vegetarian, but I am not one myself.

I <3 chicken too much to give up meat.

[kieza]

Been a Vegetarian most of my life, the idea of eating meat now just doesn't appeal to me whatsoever, I can't stand the smell of meat in supermarket when I go near meat counters etc. I do eat fish though.