Going vegetarian!

[auburnmare5]

I have finally made a desicion, to go vegetarian all the way!
For about a year, I have been eating less meat, and I made the decision to go vegetarian.
Is it hard at first to go without meat?
My mom is also asking about how to replace the protien in meat with other things?
Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!

[Tserisa]

Congratulations! And good for you!

It's not usually very hard. After a few months, cravings you might have will be way less, and they usually disappear altogether eventually. I gave up meat more than a dozen years ago, and I don't even remember the taste of meat so I certainly don't crave it. I never really had huge cravings. I do remember that I was sad I couldn't have clam chowder any more, but it turns out that the part I liked about the clam chowder wasn't the clams anyway (heck, the texture used to gross me out, even before I became a vegetarian), and potato chowder was just as good! So sometimes it's just about finding things like that that will work for your cravings and substitute things you really love.

The truth is -- and this can be hard to convince people who've been indoctrinated on the Department of Agriculture's diet plan -- you will get enough protein even if you don't try. Almost every American eats FAR more protein than they need. You also do not need to worry about matching proteins if you are eating a varied diet including legumes and whole grains.

I can provide tons of books by doctors and athletes to corroborate this if you don't think your mom will believe you when you tell her. But it's true, protein is not one of the things vegetarians -- or even vegans -- are missing.

If you absolutely can't convince her, protein is one of the absolutely easiest things to get in your diet. Did you know broccoli has more protein per calorie than steak? Eat some beans, eat some whole grains, and if you want, you can even get meat substitutes and have pure protein at every meal -- fake deli meats, grounds, sausages and burgers. Other protein sources include tempeh, seitan, and, of course, tofu.

The American Diatetic Association says, "Plant sources of protein alone can provide adequate amounts of the essential and nonessential amino adds, assuming that dietary protein sources from plants are reasonably varied and that caloric intake is sufficient to meet energy needs."

The Mayo Clinic says, "No matter what your age or situation, a well-planned vegetarian diet can meet your nutritional needs."

The only reason adding extra protein to the diet is touted is if it *replaces junk food* -- refined grains, sugar, and the like. Some protein is necessary of course, and it's more important for people who work out hard, as it rebuilds muscles that have been broken down by exercise, but too much can be damaging for people who aren't healthy, such as people suffering from kidney problems or Diabetes.

But really, like with everyone else, protein is not what you should be worried about. A German study found that vegans were deficient in a few nutrients. However, they found that omnivores were deficient in all those PLUS some others -- seven in total! So vegetarians are much better off getting all the nutrients they need from their diet.

A healthy diet is a healthy diet. If you are a vegetarian who lives off french fries and ice cream, you will not be healthy and you will not get all the nutrients you need.

Remember, the so called "healthy eating pyramid" was designed by the Agricultural Department of the United States -- not the health department. Not to be all conspiracy-theory about it, but it was designed by people who have a motive to promote their products, including meat and dairy. Since then better, more accurate pyramids have been designed by people who are actually dieticians writing from a healthy living point of view. And they all say to limit meat consumption.

[5guinea5pig5]

Congratulations! It's really hard at first but I just kept thinking of all those animals I'm going to save.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

Congratulations! I had a VERY hard time at first. Everyday was a struggle because I enjoyed ham sandwiches and orange chicken and all kinds of meat things. It is also hard to get used to the inconvenience. But both of these things go away with time.

Good luck!

[auburnmare5]

I have almost given in twice.
I thought about the promise I kept to myself and I said no.
By the way, I am looking for ideas for meat free dishes.
What are your favorites?

[Tserisa]

You may try visiting some vegetarian websites when you feel like you want to break your promise, or come and post here! It gets easier, I promise.

all-creatures.org: Working for a Peaceful World for Humans, Animals, and the Environment
Vegan Outreach -- Ending Cruelty to Animals
http://www.vegansociety.com/
Farm Sanctuary | Watkins Glen, NY
Vegetarian restaurants guide and directory of natural health food stores by HappyCow
GoVeg.com: Vegetarian and Vegan Information
Vegetarian Women - Vegetarian Mothers Baby Children Pregnancy Recipes Auction Forum Cookbooks

Hang in there. Think of the critters.

My favorite recipes? Oh there are so many it's impossible to come up with a few favorites. There are thousands upon thousands on the net, and you know what you like better than we would, so you can do a search "vegetarian recipe _type of meal_" or whatever. What specifically are you looking for?

[auburnmare5]

Anything really. Maybe something in a recipe will inspire me, I love to cook.

[Smudgetoffee]

Just watch out for sweets with cochineal/gelatine in them

[auburnmare5]

I also had a question. Are egg whites considered meat?
I know the yolks would be but my friend who is a vegetarian said it is okay to eat the whites of the egg.
What are other foods/beverages that you can't have because of animal by products?
Thanks.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

Egg whites and egg yolks are NOT meat. They are animal products so if you are considering veganism they would not be an appropriate choice, but fine for a lacto-ovo vegetarian.

I might not take everything your friend says about vegetarianism as truth if she is telling you that egg yolks are meat. Eggs that we eat are unfertilized- they would not become chickens if left alone.

[ali's_pigs123]

OK. I was not sure.
Now my mom is trying to tell me fish is not meat.
I think it is because it is from an animal that was once alive.
This post was supposed to be under the name auburnmare5, but my sister forgot to log out and I forgot to check whose account I was on. Oooopppps!

[Tserisa]

Fish is DEFINITELY meat. Fish also feel pain. I wrote about why eating seafood should be avoided in another thread.

Vegetarian -- no meat at all. No food that caused an animal to die. No fish, no chicken, turkey or other poultry, no red meat, no pork. No other meat -- cuy (that's guinea pig), rabbit, duck, deer, elk, etc. etc. etc.

No broth or stock made from meat (chicken stock, beef broth, bonito [dried fish], etc.).

Also vegetarians try to avoid all other products that caused animals to die. No gelatin(e) (made from bones and tissues, found in Jell-O and marshmallows), no lard/suet/tallow (animal fat), no cochineal or carmine (made from crushed insects), no rennet/pepsin (found in many cheeses, made from calf or pig or other animal's stomach, usually not listed as an ingredient, or listed as "enzymes"; plant-based enzymes are not distinguishable in the ingredients list so you must call the company and ask which they use), aspic (a kind of gelatin like product made from meat), no fur, no leather, no down (feathers pulled off usually dead birds), no caviar/roe (fish eggs, but unlike chickens, the fish is killed to harvest them), no chitin (from crab shells), no shellac (from bugs), no isinglass (made from fish swim bladders, in some beers and wines), no keratin (from animal hooves, horns and hair), no fish scales (found in some cosmetics), no musk (from the glands of deer, etc.). Vegetarians may avoid regular silk (worms are boiled alive to harvest it) but may buy "peace silk" (made without killing the worms).

Vegetarians generally do eat eggs, milk, and honey. Vegetarian generally means "lacto-ovo vegetarian". Some may give up one or another. Lacto-vegetarians eat dairy products but not eggs. Ovo-vegetarians eat eggs but not dairy.

Vegan -- No animal products at all. None of the things vegetarians avoid, and more. No meat, no eggs, no dairy.

In addition to the things vegetarians avoid, vegans must also avoid products like whey, lactose and casein (all made from milk), honey and beeswax and royal jelly (from bees), lanolin (from sheep hair). Also no silk, wool, alpaca, angora, mohair, cashmere, etc. They also purchase sugar that wasn't processed with bone char.

These are NOT complete lists.

And, expect to make some mistakes until you get used to reading ingredients. You'll get really fast at it. Also, no one is perfect. We only aim to be as careful as we can. And it's not about personal purity -- it's about saving lives and eliminating suffering.

[guineapigluver1]

Tserisa basically covered it, but I'd like to add a thing or two. I honestly don't know why people say fish isn't meat. It's an animal, so it's meat. Second, a lot of people think vegetarians just don't eat meat, but there is a lot more to it then that. Nothing that is derived from an animal (which includes seafood). Meaning nothing with gelatin or anything else Tserisa listed, although it is fine for vegetarians to wear leather, fur and silk I don't wear any of them though, because I hate the feel of all of them and I can't stand the thought of what it was before you would be wearing it. You also don't use products tested on animals, meaning shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, mousse, hair spray, body wash, lotions, creams, facial cleansers and the list could go on. I wanted to use vegan products that are all natural but they are so expensive, so now I'm starting to get stuff to make everything I use (as well as for the rest of my family, including hand soap, the only thing we will be buying eventually will be dish washing soap, dishwasher detergent, toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, and laundry detergent, all of which will be vegan), it'll be fun for me to make and there aren't all those chemicals and preservatives.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

Originally Posted by guineapigluver1

Tserisa basically covered it, but I'd like to add a thing or two. I honestly don't know why people say fish isn't meat. It's an animal, so it's meat. Second, a lot of people think vegetarians just don't eat meat, but there is a lot more to it then that. Nothing that is derived from an animal (which includes seafood). Meaning nothing with gelatin or anything else Tserisa listed, although it is fine for vegetarians to wear leather, fur and silk I don't wear any of them though, because I hate the feel of all of them and I can't stand the thought of what it was before you would be wearing it. You also don't use products tested on animals, meaning shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, mousse, hair spray, body wash, lotions, creams, facial cleansers and the list could go on. I wanted to use vegan products that are all natural but they are so expensive, so now I'm starting to get stuff to make everything I use (as well as for the rest of my family, including hand soap, the only thing we will be buying eventually will be dish washing soap, dishwasher detergent, toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, and laundry detergent, all of which will be vegan), it'll be fun for me to make and there aren't all those chemicals and preservatives.

That's not true. Vegetarians abstain from SLAUGHTER by-products, not animal products in general. Milk, as an example, is acceptable to vegetarians because although it is derived from an animal, it is not a slaughter by-product.

[ali's_pigs123]

Ok. Wow, I didn't even think of some of those products that Tserisa mentioned. Thank You for the information.

[Tserisa]

I forgot to mention, vegans also try to abstain from products that were produced using animal testing.

[auburnmare5]

I had yet another question. What about leather riding equipment? Like saddle, and bridles? Do I have to not use those too? I don't have my own horse so, I am not sure if I have the choice?

[AnimalHouse36]

It's hard for the first month or so then it's like a second nature!

As for the saddle and bridle, I'm sure they have some saddle's that are vegan. But, if you already have them, I owuld keep them until you get there use. Most people keep their old non vegan items like wallets and wool socks, they just refrain from buying more.


[edit] Also, if you eat fish your not a vegatarian but a petsicarian (sp?) .

[guineapigluver1]

Originally Posted by PiggieMamaKelly

That's not true. Vegetarians abstain from SLAUGHTER by-products, not animal products in general. Milk, as an example, is acceptable to vegetarians because although it is derived from an animal, it is not a slaughter by-product.

Sorry, that's what I meant.
As for bridles and saddles, there are vegan ones, but if you don't have your own horse I wouldn't worry about it. It's if you got your own horse I would try to get vegan ones.

[Tserisa]

There are vegetarian saddles and bridles. Wintec is one of the most popular manufacturers. Basically look for "synthetic". Also, most endurance tack is synthetic rather than leather because it is lighter, and thus the horse has less to carry on long rides.

DO keep in mind your horse's comfort though and make sure the saddle FITS. Some synthetic I've encountered have been uneven. Even a slight difference could hurt the horse.

When people keep their non-vegan items from before they went vegan, they sometimes jokingly call them "pre-gan". Heh. I have an angora hat and scarf that I was given as a gift, for example. (Angora is bunny "wool" -- it is vegetarian but not vegan.) One reason to keep pre-gan stuff rather than get rid of them is because discarding perfectly good stuff and buying more things encourages the consumerist culture (which is not good for animals, the environment or society).Some veg*ns (vegetarians/vegans) choose to donate their non-veg items.

I have a personal conundrum. Someone gave me a used leather jacket. I was not present to be able to say, "Thanks but no thanks, I'm vegan," so I kind of got stuck with it. Now what? I shoved it in the back of my broom closet. I can't bear the thought of throwing it away, wasting the sacrifice that cow made. I CERTAINLY will not sell it, profitting from its death. But I'm not sure I want to donate it to a place like Goodwill because then I am just perpetuating someone's desire to dress themself up in animal skins and putting it back into circulation. So for now, it languishes in my closet until I can decide what to do with it.