Wellness

[Bird]

I just realized what might be a useful tip for you: Learn to cook some Indian food. There are lots of sites and recipes if you google "vegetarian Indian."

I can't say I actually cook Indian food, but I have made a few recipes and once you have your arsenal of spices, it's easy to pick up a new recipe. A favorite dish I make to accompany a salad is a lentil soup (or mush, whatever it turns out like) seasoned with ground coriander, ground cumin, and curry, all Laxmi brand. I use the bright yellow and orange "pulses," the little lentil-like things that I don't quite understand how to use properly, but they do provide a substantial, protein and fiber-packed addition to a meal. My own staple recipe is to saute chopped onions, add chopped tomatoes (from my garden) add the lentils and it cooks up quickly and tastily. When I use the bright yellow lentils I often stir in some baby spinach leaves at serving time. Much Indian food uses cheese, I just leave it out but of course it's your call. - Bird

[winamac1]

Most vegetarians I know do not look healthy especially if they are not getting adequate protein. I choose to eat chicken , fish and egg whites. I don't think many vegetarians combine food properly to get adequate protein. Good luck.

[QueenDanceALot]

On 4/11/2014 aprilskies said:

On 4/11/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:

On 4/10/2014 aprilskies said:

On 4/10/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:

On 4/10/2014 aprilskies said:

I dont know what I am but I am new at this too. I think I am a vegetarian/pescatarian/vegan. I "turned" a couple of months ago and I am figuring it out as I go. One thing I can really suggest if you are brand new is to figure out some meals to prepare. It does take more work to figure out some meals and to make sure you are getting enough protein, fats, etc. I am still figuring it out. I think I need to dedicate more time to my meals, it isnt as easy as throwing some chicken together with vegetables. At least for me. I, also, have limited dairy and fish. I need to take it slow and figure out what I am doing. Doing it all at once didnt work for me. But, I like this path.

I think some of the folks people mentioned here are good. I cant think of any others right now. The one thing I would say, do your research but be careful how many people you listen to fully. Every one has a different take on things and for me started to get silly. So, I listen to some folks with a grain of salt. For ex. Some are saying nuts are good, others say to avoid them. Then its not enough to eat them only, now you have to sprout them. So, it can get crazy. I dont plan on being that crazy with it. The only thing I am eliminating is meat.

For meals, I have been buying frozen veggie burgers and having them alot pasta, salads, quinoa, etc. I havent ventured in making my own burgers just yet but I have only just begun. Look online for recipes, there really are alot.

If you are eating fish and dairy you are not at all vegan. Or a vegetarian.

I know, kittylou. Kinda why I stated all three. Yes, I know it doesn't work that way but I am still trying to find my way through. I haven't had any fish since I changed what I eat but think I will have that once in awhile. But I am not sure yet. I can't bring myself to have it when it's in front of me so time will tell how this works out.

aprilskies,

Sorry if I was critical without understanding what you were saying.

It has always made me a little crazy when people tell me that they're vegetarian but they eat chicken and fish.

I've gone through stages when I ate vegetarian but I always come back to some meat, fish and poultry. I just feel better when I do. I do believe that many of us were meant to be carnivores, no matter how distasteful some people find that to be.

That's okay, Kittylouwhotoo, no offense taken. I can see where that would be annoying. I could of been more clearer as well. Yes, I agree with you. I think some people just do better with meat in their diet and need it. You shouldn't feel bad about that. I tried going vegetarian a few times before and only lasted a few days. This time I am ready to stick with it. I am still waiting to feel all the energy everyone keeps talking about though. But in all fairness, I am not exactly eating right just yet. This type of lifestyle definitely takes some planning and I find it a bit hard.

I wish you the best with it, aprilskies. I think becoming vegan or vegetarian is admirable! I do eat a mostly plant based diet, but, as I have said, I am not a vegetarian.

Sometimes I wish I could say that I was.

[BarbB]

On 4/12/2014 winamac1 said:

Most vegetarians I know do not look healthy especially if they are not getting adequate protein. I choose to eat chicken , fish and egg whites. I don't think many vegetarians combine food properly to get adequate protein. Good luck.

Most people eat way too much protein. There is protein in lots of foods vegetarians and vegans eat and there is no real need to do any special combining.

http://www.veganstreet.com/dailymeme-4-4-14.html

[sidsmom]

On 4/13/2014 BarbB said:

On 4/12/2014 winamac1 said:

Most vegetarians I know do not look healthy especially if they are not getting adequate protein. I choose to eat chicken , fish and egg whites. I don't think many vegetarians combine food properly to get adequate protein. Good luck.

Most people eat way too much protein. There is protein in lots of foods vegetarians and vegans eat and there is no real need to do any special combining.

http://www.veganstreet.com/dailymeme-4-4-14.html

I agree...it's so easy to get the required % of protein. Just one pre-washed bag of greens (16 oz, steamed) & 1/4 cup of chickpeas...boom....your 90% of your protein requirement on a 1500 calorie diet. And that's only 200-250 calories.

If you're worried about B12? Add 2Tablespoons (only 2!) & you'll get all of your protein/b12 for the day...and you haven't reached 300 calories. Plug your foods into CRON-o-meter or Fitday....you'll be surprised that every food has almost every micro-nutrient...adds up during the day. Don't have to add chicken or steak @ dinner to meet those requirements. All that meat is acidic...and that's where aches & pains arrive.

[aprilskies]

On 4/12/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:

On 4/11/2014 aprilskies said:

On 4/11/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:

On 4/10/2014 aprilskies said:

On 4/10/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:

On 4/10/2014 aprilskies said:

I dont know what I am but I am new at this too. I think I am a vegetarian/pescatarian/vegan. I "turned" a couple of months ago and I am figuring it out as I go. One thing I can really suggest if you are brand new is to figure out some meals to prepare. It does take more work to figure out some meals and to make sure you are getting enough protein, fats, etc. I am still figuring it out. I think I need to dedicate more time to my meals, it isnt as easy as throwing some chicken together with vegetables. At least for me. I, also, have limited dairy and fish. I need to take it slow and figure out what I am doing. Doing it all at once didnt work for me. But, I like this path.

I think some of the folks people mentioned here are good. I cant think of any others right now. The one thing I would say, do your research but be careful how many people you listen to fully. Every one has a different take on things and for me started to get silly. So, I listen to some folks with a grain of salt. For ex. Some are saying nuts are good, others say to avoid them. Then its not enough to eat them only, now you have to sprout them. So, it can get crazy. I dont plan on being that crazy with it. The only thing I am eliminating is meat.

For meals, I have been buying frozen veggie burgers and having them alot pasta, salads, quinoa, etc. I havent ventured in making my own burgers just yet but I have only just begun. Look online for recipes, there really are alot.

If you are eating fish and dairy you are not at all vegan. Or a vegetarian.

I know, kittylou. Kinda why I stated all three. Yes, I know it doesn't work that way but I am still trying to find my way through. I haven't had any fish since I changed what I eat but think I will have that once in awhile. But I am not sure yet. I can't bring myself to have it when it's in front of me so time will tell how this works out.

aprilskies,

Sorry if I was critical without understanding what you were saying.

It has always made me a little crazy when people tell me that they're vegetarian but they eat chicken and fish.

I've gone through stages when I ate vegetarian but I always come back to some meat, fish and poultry. I just feel better when I do. I do believe that many of us were meant to be carnivores, no matter how distasteful some people find that to be.

That's okay, Kittylouwhotoo, no offense taken. I can see where that would be annoying. I could of been more clearer as well. Yes, I agree with you. I think some people just do better with meat in their diet and need it. You shouldn't feel bad about that. I tried going vegetarian a few times before and only lasted a few days. This time I am ready to stick with it. I am still waiting to feel all the energy everyone keeps talking about though. But in all fairness, I am not exactly eating right just yet. This type of lifestyle definitely takes some planning and I find it a bit hard.

I wish you the best with it, aprilskies. I think becoming vegan or vegetarian is admirable! I do eat a mostly plant based diet, but, as I have said, I am not a vegetarian.

Sometimes I wish I could say that I was.

Thank you. It sounds like your footprint is still small so that is a very good thing. At the end of the day, that is what I am looking to achieve as well.

[aprilskies]

On 4/13/2014 sidsmom said:

On 4/13/2014 BarbB said:

On 4/12/2014 winamac1 said:

Most vegetarians I know do not look healthy especially if they are not getting adequate protein. I choose to eat chicken , fish and egg whites. I don't think many vegetarians combine food properly to get adequate protein. Good luck.

Most people eat way too much protein. There is protein in lots of foods vegetarians and vegans eat and there is no real need to do any special combining.

http://www.veganstreet.com/dailymeme-4-4-14.html

I agree...it's so easy to get the required % of protein. Just one pre-washed bag of greens (16 oz, steamed) & 1/4 cup of chickpeas...boom....your 90% of your protein requirement on a 1500 calorie diet. And that's only 200-250 calories.

If you're worried about B12? Add 2Tablespoons (only 2!) & you'll get all of your protein/b12 for the day...and you haven't reached 300 calories. Plug your foods into CRON-o-meter or Fitday....you'll be surprised that every food has almost every micro-nutrient...adds up during the day. Don't have to add chicken or steak @ dinner to meet those requirements. All that meat is acidic...and that's where aches & pains arrive.

I agree. I think people are eating too much protein. ...and it is so easy to get. Even lentils pack a big punch and quinoa is a complete protein so, it's harder to think about but not hard to achieve without meat.