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Vegetarian - How Can I Do It?!


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Old 21-02-2016, 23:01
Master Ozzy
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Basically, I want to become a vegetarian. This isn't a decision that I've just suddenly come to. For a while now I've thought about it and I've watched a lot of documentaries online and researched a lot about the way animals are killed for meat and I just don't agree with it and I'm not happy to carry on eating meat. Also, from research I've done I believe that the health benefits from not eating meat are huge. I'm not just suddenly going to stop eating it, I think it's going to be a bit of a process so I'm looking for a bit of advice. Quorn is something I'm confused about...can I just eat that in replacement for meat? What actually is Quorn? I've looked it up but I can't seem to get a clear answer that makes sense. Also, what should I be eating in order to get nutrients that I won't be getting from meat? Also, I'm a bit worried as I workout and I like to stay fit and healthy...I'm concerned that by cutting out meat I'm going to loose muscle due to not consuming protein. Just as much advice as possible would be helpful from vegetarians and people who have made the switch!
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Old 22-02-2016, 01:55
stvn758
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Plenty of protein in vegetables, I have a huge bag of Soy Protein Isolate that I add to marrowfat peas, they are also are high in protein. You won't waste away cutting out meat which reminds me I must start lifting again. You won't be missing out any nutrients if you cut out meat either, that's just old wives tales now.

Quorn is derived from a fungus, sounds horrible but their sausage rolls and little savoury eggs are lovely, it's a branded product so it costs a lot more than the own-brand veggie supermarket meals.

I was the same as you, saw how they were treated and managed to cut out everything but chicken and fish. When I started there wasn't the range of meat-free products there are today, I wavered and gave up for a brief time but then cut out everything else, it's one of the few things in life I have managed to stick with - don't even eat sweets with gelatin in, it was tough finding out what that was - no more fruit pastilles or wine gums.
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Old 22-02-2016, 08:51
walterwhite
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Some of the Quorn stuff is great. My daughter is vegetarian and she eats quite a bit of it, their chicken and ham pies are superb.
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Old 22-02-2016, 10:21
barbeler
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The Quorn 'chicken and leek' pies are wonderful and you can substitute Quorn mince for beef mince in any recipe. I actually prefer the Linda McCartney veggie mince, but the prices for that brand make their products a complete no-no unless they're on special offer. Many of the McCartney products also seem to have far too much fat content for my liking. Lentils can make a good meat substitute in some recipes. If you're ever in Oxford, visit the Cathedral Vaults cafe and get some ideas from the brilliant veggie meals they produce in there.
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Old 23-02-2016, 11:37
Shrike
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I've always thought these veggy versions of meat products to be rather processed for my liking.
A good idea would be to look to cuisines that traditionally have little or no meat - Indian, Chinese and Japanese for example. Obviously you'll need to find authentic recipes rather than the versions provided for us meat-obsessed westerners
Protein can come from nuts, beans and veggies like avacado.
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Old 24-02-2016, 20:05
Roni_J
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As said Quorn is fungus based but it can affect some people quite badly and make them sick so I'd only buy one of their products to start with to make sure you aren't one of the unlucky ones, it didn't agree with me.

Soya based products can also affect some people badly so again try first before buying to much. I can't eat it in any quantity, I soon experienced the true meaning of projectile vomiting.

Hopefully you won't have such a fussy digestive system as me but if you do you still have choices beans/lentils/pulses are good for protein and make a good substitute splint red lentils make a decent bolognese type dish which can be used for shepherdess pie, lasagna, spag bol. Different beans plus veg like peppers, courgettes and aubergine make a great chilli, chickpeas are great for curry.

Not tried it but seitan (wheat protein) I've been told is really good. Choices are a lot better nowadays you might have to go to a health food shop for some of the better stuff. Probably best to cut the meat out gradually your body is used to meat protein and will need time to adjust.

Don't think my body would ever cope with a vegetarian diet I had to cut meat out for several months when on a restrictive diet to get control of my IBS and I really struggled I couldn't eat soya, Quorn or lentils/pulses/nuts in any quantity as they upset me so felt like shit most of the time I was so glad when meat started to be reintroduced and I got my energy back.
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Old 24-02-2016, 21:26
barbeler
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As I once mentioned somewhere else on this site, the main thing you need to be careful about is if you are one of those who don't easily absorb sufficient vitamin B12 from your food. B12 deficiency can have dire consequences, as it is necessary for the synthesis of hormones. Meat is far from being the only source but it is the one that most people find easiest to process. If you are one of the unlucky ones you may need to receive injections to make up for it, so ask for a check to be included next time you are due for a blood test.

I should add that although I've read vast amounts on this subject, I have yet to read an explanation of why Hindus haven't died out because of this. Perhaps somebody can explain. Perhaps they simply have a high reproduction rate to compensate for the mortalities.
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Old 25-02-2016, 09:42
moonlily
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I can't eat Quorn. So beware it could make you ill and give you a bad first experience of being vegetarian. There are hundreds of products and meals out there- Linda Maccartney meals and Realeat for example. Also buy a good vegetarian cookbook or look up some recipes on the net.

I've been a non meat eater since 1984 and there is a wealth of choice these days compared to how it was when I started out.
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Old 25-02-2016, 09:46
moonlily
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I was the same as you, saw how they were treated and managed to cut out everything but chicken and fish. When I started there wasn't the range of meat-free products there are today, I wavered and gave up for a brief time but then cut out everything else, it's one of the few things in life I have managed to stick with - don't even eat sweets with gelatin in, it was tough finding out what that was - no more fruit pastilles or wine gums.
Please try to cut out chicken too as they are treated the most appallingly of all.
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Old 25-02-2016, 19:13
belly button
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For ethical reasons I have been a vegetarian for many years. It was only the thought of the cruelty experienced by animals that kept me going in the beginning.
If I felt desperate for some fish, I would just watch a nature programme and see them in their natural habitat and that would keep me on track.

It is second nature to me now, but I have to say, most days, food isn't a pleasure anymore. I simply see it as something which keeps me alive. The things I loved to eat, such a seafood, are a distant memory to me.
Accept that nothing makes gravy like beef and get over it. You need to firmly believe that a few moments of tasty pleasure for yourself just isn't justified. If you do, you'll find that the transition is a relief. I know it was for me. I didn't realise the extent of the guilt I had when I was a meat eater until it was lifted by being a vegetarian.
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Old 26-02-2016, 09:45
walterwhite
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For ethical reasons I have been a vegetarian for many years. It was only the thought of the cruelty experienced by animals that kept me going in the beginning.
If I felt desperate for some fish, I would just watch a nature programme and see them in their natural habitat and that would keep me on track.

It is second nature to me now, but I have to say, most days, food isn't a pleasure anymore. I simply see it as something which keeps me alive. The things I loved to eat, such a seafood, are a distant memory to me.
Accept that nothing makes gravy like beef and get over it. You need to firmly believe that a few moments of tasty pleasure for yourself just isn't justified. If you do, you'll find that the transition is a relief. I know it was for me. I didn't realise the extent of the guilt I had when I was a meat eater until it was lifted by being a vegetarian.
I would love to become a vegetarian but your line about food not being a pleasure just kills it for me.
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Old 05-03-2016, 23:31
belly button
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I would love to become a vegetarian but your line about food not being a pleasure just kills it for me.
That might not be true for other vegetarians. I don't really know any well enough to talk about that side of it.

I suppose if your favourite foods are fruit and veg you will have it easier in the beginning.
Honestly, after a while, you will get used to it.
Any pangs you get pass quickly and it is worth it if it is something you would love to do. It's like a relief in a way. If its on your mind, honestly the loss of subconscious guilt makes up for the loss of taste .

I have my own chickens and the fresh eggs are glorious . If you have space grow your own veg or get an allotment, you can get specialness in your food that way
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Old 06-03-2016, 10:47
walterwhite
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That might not be true for other vegetarians. I don't really know any well enough to talk about that side of it.

I suppose if your favourite foods are fruit and veg you will have it easier in the beginning.
Honestly, after a while, you will get used to it.
Any pangs you get pass quickly and it is worth it if it is something you would love to do. It's like a relief in a way. If its on your mind, honestly the loss of subconscious guilt makes up for the loss of taste .

I have my own chickens and the fresh eggs are glorious . If you have space grow your own veg or get an allotment, you can get specialness in your food that way
No you're ok, I live to eat, however much I feel it's cruel.
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Old 06-03-2016, 10:57
belly button
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No you're ok, I live to eat, however much I feel it's cruel.

Fair do's and each to their own. My husband couldn't live without meat although he feels the same as you
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Old 06-03-2016, 11:32
stud u like
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Vegetarianism is easy, Read some blogs and watch some videos on "Youtube" and "Videojug"

Buy some black salt to create the taste of egg.
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Old 06-03-2016, 11:40
walterwhite
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Vegetarianism is easy, Read some blogs and watch some videos on "Youtube" and "Videojug"

Buy some black salt to create the taste of egg.
Vegetarians can eat eggs.
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Old 09-03-2016, 11:15
Victoria Sponge
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Ozzy do you like Indian food?
There are many many fantastic Indian veggie recipes, many Indian people are vegetarians and a lot of them manage to have a nutritious diet.
One of my favourite veggie recipes is 'channa massala', ie chickpea curry. I use this recipe from YouTube and it is absolutely delicious, and remember chickpeas are a good source of protein:

http://youtu.be/XiDMmrRcvOQ
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Old 09-03-2016, 20:57
barbeler
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Ozzy do you like Indian food?
There are many many fantastic Indian veggie recipes, many Indian people are vegetarians and a lot of them manage to have a nutritious diet.
Sorry to keep banging on about this, but do consider having an occasional check on your Vitamin B12 levels. Although most people (I think) can easily absorb all of this vitamin from various sources other than meat, some can't and the personal consequences really can be quite disastrous.
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Old 12-03-2016, 17:32
stud u like
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Vegetarians can eat eggs.
I don't.
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Old 12-03-2016, 17:38
2shy2007
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It is really simple these days , there are alternatives for just about everything, when I went veggie 40 years ago it was a struggle, all we had was sosmix and burger mix with a bit of tofu thrown in, go into your local Holland and Barrett or look in the veggie aisles of your supermarket, it is there in abundance, even if you ignore the Quorn, which makes me feel queasy( I am vegan, have been for 20 years and they have just introduced 2 products)

Frys and v bites are great for alternatives.
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Old 13-03-2016, 09:25
walterwhite
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I wasn't implying that all vegetarians eat eggs, but thanks for your thoughtful input anyway.
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Old 16-03-2016, 18:02
turnsmith
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It takes a bit of time to adjust to being vegetarian, good luck
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Old 19-03-2016, 16:42
brangdon
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I just tried some Quorn mince in a chilli. Three meals. The first one was OK, but nothing really good about it. By the second one, the lack of texture really got to me. I like my mince meat to be ground quite coarsely, but this was just a slurry. I'll probably eat the third meal tonight, because I don't like to throw food out, but I won't be doing this again.

If you are going to make a vegetarian meal I think you should embrace it, and use vegetables that look like vegetables. Using faux-meat doesn't fool anyone, and is just a tacit admission that meat is best really.
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Old 20-03-2016, 11:07
Inkblot
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I just tried some Quorn mince in a chilli. Three meals. The first one was OK, but nothing really good about it. By the second one, the lack of texture really got to me. I like my mince meat to be ground quite coarsely, but this was just a slurry. I'll probably eat the third meal tonight, because I don't like to throw food out, but I won't be doing this again.

If you are going to make a vegetarian meal I think you should embrace it, and use vegetables that look like vegetables. Using faux-meat doesn't fool anyone, and is just a tacit admission that meat is best really.
I'm on the fence here - I like meat-free burgers but I can live without Quorn fake meat. In fact a large, flat mushroom makes a great filling for a burger bun, either on its own or with grilled or fried halloumi slices, and it doesn't look or taste like meat.

It might be worth trying the supermarkets' own-brand meat-free mince instead of the Quorn stuff. I've used it in chilli, and also in enchiladas, and the texture seems OK to me.
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Old 20-03-2016, 11:43
Cally's mum
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I've been a vegetarian for over 30 years. I am now bordering on veganism (I won't touch eggs, because I know what the chicken industry does to the male newborn chicks - they grind them alive, hundreds at a time, because they only want the female chicks ...to lay eggs. So I refuse to contribute to the industry in any way shape or form and that includes not buying anything containing eggs).

I buy my bread from a local community bakery (because I know exactly what goes into it) The vast majority of my meals are rice-based. (curries - from scratch; none of this curry powder or paste or sauces. I use curry leaves, cumin, mustard seeds, fresh chillies etc - risottos, vegan paella etc). I make lots of vegetable-based soups and actually for Xmas dinner made my own nut roast (3rd attempt 3rd year from third different recipe and preferred this version to all the others!), my own vegan gravy (which was utterly delicious!), vegan Yorkshire puddings, vegan Xmas pudding (which was utterly scrumptious!) etc etc. Boy, the table was groaning under the weight of all the food.

I love cooking. I recognise that others don't. It's therefore easier for me to be a vegetarian (near-vegan). But my rule of thumb is to buy everything fresh (vegetables most of all). I don't eat anything out of a packet because I don't recognise most of the 'ingredients' on the side and if I don't understand what something is and can't even pronounce half of them I am not putting that in my body!

Buy some vegetarian cookbooks. Invest in some staples for the kitchen cupboard (rice, pasta - although my pasta is actually rice-based as well, as we have the most amazing independent health food shop locally that sells fresh veg, vegan and vegetarian food, and supplements and loads of other goodies - herbs and spices, lentils, dried beans et al). Then you have everything you need.

It's so much easier to be a vegetarian and vegan these days. There is such a wide choice of stuff available. There are far more vegetarian and vegan restaurants around (I have reviewed two of them on Trip Advisor!). And the food is delicious, filling and has all the nutrients you need,

I am almost 60 and still going strong after 30 years of no meat whatsoever. I have my health, I can be quite energetic when I choose (I am naturally lazy though, so I do have to fight that! ) and can still run for the bus and train when I have to with absolutely no problem.

These days of course I don't buy leather shoes, boots, handbags (I never did buy leather coats as I don't like them). I try to live my life without contributing in any way, shape or form to the animal industry which pervades the planet. I know this isn't for everyone. But I see what goes on; my close friend is evangelical about veganism and about animal rights. I usually have between 20-30 posts from her a day on FB all about various crimes against animals, and petitions to sign to stop abuses of various descriptions. Mind, I also share those as I subscribe to the same FB pages she does and have the petitions come up in my emails so share those as well.

I wish you luck. You're doing it for the right reasons. And really, it's not so hard to become a vegetarian. Vegetarians can eat eggs (not all do); cheese, take milk (another industry that is rife with abuse. Keeping the cows pregnant to induce milk and then disposing of the baby calves - and seeing a calf torn from its mother is heartbreaking. Those mothers feel pain, they feel loss; that is their child that is being ripped from them to be killed).

Sorry, I did not say I WASN'T evangelical about this! I am.

But honestly, investing in some decent vegetarian cookbooks is a real start (and they don't have to be expensive!). That's how I did it. Then in time you can adapt your own recipes. I also have loads of vegan recipe books now. And they're even easier. My vegan paella dish and curries come from them. And they are gorgeous.
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