Question for any Vegetarians out here...

[RoxStar]

Hi all. I am newly a vegetarian! I have made the switch for mainly health reasons and had some questions. I know I should probably post to a board that is about vegetarianism or nutrition or something but I have truly appreciated the feed back from LS and like the people around here...

 

ANYWAY...

 

1 - how long have you been a vegetarian?

2 - what about cheese and dairy - do you eat any of those?

3 - what if you dont really care for soy cheese or soy milk?

4 - where do you get your protien from?

5 - what health benefits have you seen from being a vegetarian?

6 - any hints or tips?

 

I know a pescatarian eats fish and is technically not a vegetarian - what is the difference between vegan and lacto - ovo? Are lacto - ovo considered vegetarians?

 

Also since I am chunky I obviously want to lose weight but can someone tell me how vegetarians end up over weight? I know that sounds like a crazy question but I was visiting another message board and there were several vegetarians there that weighed 200 + (mostly women too) or so and were trying to lose 50 lbs.

 

I am very inquisitive so please share.

 

I am eating no meat at all - I dont care for fish so I will likely not eat that either. I have been a vegetarian for a week. I have been eating lots of salad and vegetables. My skin is already seeming to clear up a little bit too. Please advise! Thanks!

 

I AM 100% COMMITTED TO BEING A VEGETARIAN!

[tattoomytoe]

i was a vegitarian for 5 + years, but not anymore.

 

i lost weight initially, but i caution you, there is a whole lotta junk out there with no meat in it. so after a few months i gained back some weight, then i stopped eating junk food too, and cut out a lot of processed things.

 

beans are a good source of protien, but mix then with some rice for a complete protien, which is better. also peanut butter, almond butter......

 

i did drink milk, but i really do not like cheese, but i ate yogurt. i do not like plain eggs, but i would eat thing s with eggs in them.

 

being vegitarian, for me, was not eating any meats. do what you want, it is your choice, there are many different types of vegitarians.

 

also, i used tio have these dreams where i was eating a whopper...then i would wake up and actually think i did! the dreams were soo real!

[Matilda]

1 - how long have you been a vegetarian?

 

I've been a pescatarian for over 20 years.

 

2 - what about cheese and dairy - do you eat any of those?

 

yes

 

3 - what if you dont really care for soy cheese or soy milk?

 

There are other kinds of milk as well that you can try. Rice milk, almond milk, there is also a milk made from potatoes. But, you decide if you want to eat dairy or not, if it bothers you then don't eat it, if it doesn't then do. If you made the switch strictly for health reasons, and not for philosophical reasons, then I don't see any reason why you shouldn't continue eating low fat dairy products.

 

4 - where do you get your protien from?

 

By combining beans(legumes), grains, and also dairy if you if you choose to eat it. Nuts are also a good source of protein, in moderation though if you are trying to lose weight.

 

5 - what health benefits have you seen from being a vegetarian?

 

I don't really think there are any specific health benefits just from being a vegetarian. Like tattoomytoe said you can eat just as much junk as a vegetarian as you can when eating meat. You still need to make healthy food choices. I think it does help me maintain my weight somewhat, but you have to remember that cookies, cakes, etc. are certainly still available as a vegetarian. And sometimes, you have even worse choices, health wise, at a restaurant than you would if you ate meat. For example, you'd be better off eating grilled chicken, than a vegetarian meal that has a ton of full fat cheese.

 

6 - any hints or tips?

 

Just remember that there will be a lot of situations where there will be little or no vegetarian food available, work and family functions for example. So either bring your own, or learn to be a little flexible.

[snarky]

I swear I posted a nice long response to this before but it didn't show up....so if this shows up twice, I apologize!

 

To answer your questions:

 

1. I was a vegetarian for 5+ years (ages 18-23ish)

2. When I was veggie I DID eat dairy products and eggs, but no fish, chicken, red meat, etc

3. Experiment with other types of non-dairy milk such as rice or almond. You might also want to try the flavored Silk soymilks - the mocha, chai, and chocolate milks are SO yummy!! It might be a good way to ease into drinking soy milk!

4. Mostly soy products and eggs

5. For me, I don't think there were any health benefits. I had a healthy diet before going veggie (didn't eat much red meat, etc), and if anything, after going veggie my diet became LESS healthy because I was eating a lot of empty calories. I started eating cold-water fish, hormone-free chicken and the occaisonal bison burger (which are delicious and very good for you) again about two years ago and lost ten pounds without even trying (10 lbs is a lot for me).

 

Vegetarianism just didn't work well for my body/lifestyle. I'm sure there are healthy ways to do it, but I just didn't have the time or energy to put into the research. I have found that I am at my lowest weight and feel my best when I follow a more "paleo" diet approach, eating loads of lean meat and fresh fruits and veggies and nuts, and as little processed foods as possible. I am an ultra-distance athlete, so that might have something to do with why the veggie thing didn't work for me - after 5 years my body just seemed to be CRAVING chicken!!

 

There are a lot of overweight vegetarians because a lot of the food that is used to replace meat has a LOT of fat. Sure salads are good for you (provided they contain more than iceberg lettuce which is basically just water), but salad dressings can contain LOADS of fat. Cheese has a lot of fat. I found myself eating a lot of pasta and bread - way too many "bad" carbs!

 

Good luck!!

[moimeme]

My dad and stepmom were vegetarians for 20+ years. They definitely ate eggs, cheese, and dairy. I agree that you can get really delicious soy milk. Try the different flavours. Protein came for them from cheese, nuts, and eggs mainly. Not sure if they ate beans and legumes that much but certainly they are also good sources. I don't know if it was because of being vegetarian, but they were very healthy people - both only got really sick their last couple of years. I am gradually making changes in my own diet to emulate theirs since they seemed to thrive on a veggie-filled diet.

 

But it took a lot of work. Dad said he made sure they had at least 7 veggies and fruits every day. He made veggie soups often. He had a heap of recipies and spent a goodly amount of time creating delicious veggie dishes.

 

As for fatness, my dad had a pot for a few years but lost it again and was in very good shape. My stepmom was a big lady, though. They certainly never gave up sweets or goodies - my dad made killer chocolate mousse!

 

Check out vegetarian websites and books; it can be done but you have to be sure you get all your nutrients. As an aside, I'm not a complete veg (though some might say otherwise LOL) but I rarely eat meat for dinner. I'll maybe have low-fat ham or chicken lunch meat for lunches. I try to get enough veggies (that's the bit I'm working on still) and feel great. I am going to get my iron tested soon to make sure I'm getting enough - that may be something you'll have to watch out for since it's harder to get enough iron from a veg diet.

 

Oh and a couple of studies just released yesterday linked higher consumption of meat with colon and rectal cancers!

[elanor923478]

first of all, congragulations on becoming a vegetarian! we welcome you, you'll like it here

 

And now to answer all of those questions. I'm 17 and I've been a pescatarian for a year and half now & it's the best thing I've ever done.

 

To answer your question on weight loss. When I first started I weighed 140lbs and I gradually dropped down to 130lbs over about a half year without really trying to. I'm 5'10 so when my weight dropped to 128lbs some people started telling me I was too skinny so I've been eating more good fatty foods like avocado and peanut butter to maintain my 130lb weight. I don't eat much fatty foods like butter or fries because I just dont like greasy food so I think cutting out meat out my diet may have removed most of my fat comsumption and led to the weight loss (kind of like the opposite to attkins(if cutting out carbs works, y wouldn't cutting out fat?)). But anyway, I'm not saying it will lead to weight loss, that's just what happened to me.

 

The hardest thing you'll have to go through is unthoughtful peoples rude comments on your decision to be vegetarian. I can think of 100's of rude and insulting comments I've had to face "but that's why god put animals on this earth, you'll so go back to eating meat, you won't get enough protein, you're going to become anemic," what's even worse is it will take awhile before people start taking it seriously and remembering (my grandma still offers me beef gulash). But eventually people will start to respect you for it. I was worried that I might miss meat but I honestly have only grown more and more disgusted be it. I do eat fish occasionally, about once a month, usually at restaurants because I can only eat so many veggie burgers in one lifetime. I only eat eggs if they're in something like muffins simply because I don't like them on their own & I do comsume milk.

 

If you do choose to eat eggs & milk as I did I must warn you of a few hidden no-no ingredients. Rennet, found in some cheese(check the ingredients) is stomack from a baby cow and Geletin, found in Jello, and some yogurt & gummy type candy is the water from boiled animal bones and hooves so always make sure to check the ingredients so you can avoid these. These are easily avoidable, pectin(from fruit) or Agar-Ager can be used instead of Gelatin and other plant derived enzymes can be used instead of Rennet. Hopefully If we all boycott products with these ingredients they'll get the message and use the friendlier alternatives. Watch for lard (animal fat) in pie shells or shortbreak cookies & animal stock(like OXO chicken stock) in what may seem to be all veggie soups or pasta sauces. Never be afraid to ask, whether eating at a friends house or a restarant, just think about what you may be contaminating your stomach with otherwise.

 

Now to the soy products, I'd recommend them, So-Good chocolate soy milk is delicous to me, & you can get imitation lunch meat & burgers in case you do get a meat craving. I eat tofu dogs because that's easy for my mom to make for me(i have omnivore parents) . But don't just replace all the meat you were eating with these products because you'll be much better off replacing them with beans, legumes, tofu ect. Don't worry about you're protein intake, carnivores consume 300% of the protein that they actually need. As long as you eat whole grain carbs, nuts, and legumes you'll be getting more then you actually need as well.

 

Just be strong, this is a silent protest that you get to make against animal cruelty, you will be making a much bigger difference than you can ever imagine. This is something you get to to for yourself, to be a better person, & unknowingly influence those around you to make the same choices. Here's a few facts to remember

1. The average American omnnivore comsumes 80 animals a year

2. Vegetarian live on average 6-10years longer that omnivores.

3. Vegetarians have a lower risk of Cancer, Heart Disease, and Diabetes.

4. The Canadian food guide recommends only 2-3 servings of meat or alternatives a day. examples are one egg, 30ml of peanut butter, half a cup of tofu, or half a cup of beans.

5. Pigs are ranked 1st for animal intelligence, ahead of monkeys, dogs, or cats.

 

So good luck, I wish you all the best

[SixthSt.Girl]

My question is: is it hard to gain/maintain weight on a vegetarian diet for someone who is underweight? I have seen a couple of posters comment that they lost weight or wished to lose on this regimin. I'm slightly underweight, and would like to gain a few pounds or at least maintain my current weight. My aunt is vegetarian and is very skinny - I don't mind being skinny if I look healthy. I wish to be vegetarian because of animal rights issues - I hear too many sad stories of animals being abused and/or neglected at these farms. I grew up in the country and have relatives who farm, but these farms are not the norm anymore.

[HotCaliGirl]

Originally posted by SixthSt.Girl

My question is: is it hard to gain/maintain weight on a vegetarian diet for someone who is underweight?

I've been a vegetarian for 15 years. I am a little underweight but if I eat a lot and exercise less, I can eventually gain a couple of pounds that stay temporarily.

 

I think the same would be the case on a meat diet - depends on if you over eat and make poor food choices as far as gaining weight is concerned, in my opinion, which can be found in both meat and non-meat products.

 

The only difference I find in not eating meat is that I have less animal hormones and toxins from the stuff they shoot up animals with, and my intestines and colon doesn't have meat rotting in them so less poison circulating in my system.

 

I don't think it makes a difference on weight though - I eat dairy - butter, ice cream, pizza... as well as nuts and other fatty foods.

[BigB]

I've been a vegetarian for my whole life.

 

Hasn't stopped me from being overweight. It' all depends on what you eat.

 

I hit 340lbs at the max, I'm now down to about 290lbs. I'm hoping to get to 260-270lb range.

[HotCaliGirl]

Originally posted by BigB

I've been a vegetarian for my whole life.

 

Hasn't stopped me from being overweight. It' all depends on what you eat.

 

I hit 340lbs at the max, I'm now down to about 290lbs. I'm hoping to get to 260-270lb range.

Good luck on losing the weight. That's great that you've already lost quite a bit. People have this misconception that vegetarians are thin. It's not like Cheetos and pizza are not vegetarian!

 

It all depends on how much someone eats and the food choices they make...a little bit of chicken or beef doesn't equal a 20 pound gain. You can lose weight on a meat diet too.

 

It's just that there are those vegetarians who are extremely health conscious with their diet and flaunt their vegetarianism, so a lot of people end up associating vegetarians as these lean vegetable eaters, when in reality many vegetarians eat fries, Oreos, potato chips and all the other good stuff...

[BigB]

Originally posted by HotCaliGirl

Good luck on losing the weight. That's great that you've already lost quite a bit. People have this misconception that vegetarians are thin. It's not like Cheetos and pizza are not vegetarian!

 

It all depends on how much someone eats and the food choices they make...a little bit of chicken or beef doesn't equal a 20 pound gain. You can lose weight on a meat diet too.

 

It's just that there are those vegetarians who are extremely health conscious with their diet and flaunt their vegetarianism, so a lot of people end up associating vegetarians as these lean vegetable eaters, when in reality many vegetarians eat fries, Oreos, potato chips and all the other good stuff...

 

yep, for some of us, depending on our body types, I think it's easier to gain weight on a vegetarian diet. IE: I'm a big linebacker sized dude, and it's easy for me to over-eat carbs and sugar, and not get enough protein.

[SixthSt.Girl]

Thank you guys for the info. I went to the grocery this morning and picked up cheese ravioli, veggie burgers, mac&cheese, etc (I'm going to continue to eat dairy products, at least for the meanwhile). I also bought some junky stuff in case I start losing. I don't think it will be a big adjustment because I don't eat much meat as it is, though when I do, it's usually fattening things such as hot dogs and bacon. I guess I can keep my protein up with eggs and nuts, tho I'm not big on eggs and may 86 those as well... Soy milk is a good source of protein, right? I'm not sure about it - it's expensive, and I'm not sure I'd like it. My grandma is trying to lose weight and bought some, but she didn't like it.

[HotCaliGirl]

I don't like soy products either...my body doesn't react too well to soy and I don't see any health benefits from it personally and even think I get worse affects when I have any.

[alphamale]

Originally posted by RoxStar

I AM 100% COMMITTED TO BEING A VEGETARIAN!

 

i will not even date a vegetarian or vegan woman. i refuse to. most of the ones i've met are strange and I think personally that it is unhelathy and un-natural to be a vegeratrian.

[seahorse]

Alphamale's siggy

Each year approximately 250,000 American husbands are physically attacked and beaten by their wives.

 

...and when I read some of the stuff he spouts I can understand why!! Only kidding sweetie.

 

Vegetarianism, fish eating, whatever. I haven't eaten any other meat apart from seafood/fish etc for at least 11 years and I'm perfectly healthy. I eat loads of veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, peas, beans, veggie cheeses, milk, free range eggs etc. I also eat some junk food as most people do from time to time. Back here in the Uk a few years back we had the BSE scare, mad cow disease, call it what you will. I stopped buying beef for the family then. Eventually, although I continued to buy other meats for my hubby and boys, I stopped eating lamb then pork then chicken etc. It was a gradual goodbye to meat on my part. I saw some of the ways that food is raised here in the Uk for the meat market and I just thought, "no thanks." I can honestly say I don't miss it apart from one thing - the smell of bacon cooking always gets me going.

 

As for weight, I'm about half a stone over what is considered "normal" for my height, but I feel comfortable in a UK size 12, so I'm not going to deprive myself to be a stick insect.

[moimeme]

I went to the grocery this morning and picked up cheese ravioli, veggie burgers, mac&cheese, etc

 

What about fruit & veg?

[SixthSt.Girl]

Originally posted by moimeme

 

 

What about fruit & veg?

 

I also bought strawberries, and I already had applesauce and canned vegetables at home. I mainly wanted to buy main course foods, so I won't be tempted to eat convenience meats like hot dogs or lunch meat. I tried to give it all away, but nobody wants it, so I'll have to toss it. I honestly haven't been tempted at all in the past two days. It was a recent article about KFC that has kept me from wanting meat, esp. fast food. I know that kind of stuff is common, but it's the graphic reminders that made me go cold turkey (no pun intended). I don't know if it's just a temporary thing, but this choice has already made me feel better physically and morally. I don't like fruits and veggies, much either, though, so it will be a challenge to eat enough and stay healthy. I am trying - Community Market sells great side salads, so I'll be stocking up on those. I guess I'm more of a junkatarian than a vegetarian.

[ReluctantRomeo]

Originally posted by BigB

yep, for some of us, depending on our body types, I think it's easier to gain weight on a vegetarian diet. IE: I'm a big linebacker sized dude, and it's easy for me to over-eat carbs and sugar, and not get enough protein.

 

Exactly. Vegetarian diets are potentially just as healthy as omnivorous ones, but you have to think more about what you eat. As already noted, most junk foods are vegetarian. And an additional point: the lower protein in many vegetarian diets makes you eat more - protein is one of the main keys the stomach uses to assess how full it is.

[ReluctantRomeo]

Originally posted by SixthSt.Girl

I don't know if it's just a temporary thing, but this choice has already made me feel better physically and morally.

 

Fine. Provided you don't impose this on the rest of us, sweetie.

 

I don't like fruits and veggies, much either, though, so it will be a challenge to eat enough and stay healthy. I guess I'm more of a junkatarian than a vegetarian.

 

I'm predicting you'll gain at least 20lb in the next year or two

[SixthSt.Girl]

"Fine. Provided you don't impose this on the rest of us, sweetie."

 

Ok... I can put a meat muzzle on you, if you want, lol! My choice shouldn't bother anyone else, unless they choose to make it a problem - that's their problem. My mom doesn't like it since my grandpa owned a meat market for most of his life, but she can't understand, or doesn't want to. That's her problem. I think she's just worried about my health.

 

 

"I'm predicting you'll gain at least 20lb in the next year or two :p"

 

I HOPE so - I'm 5'2 and 100 lbs. I'd like to be 105, but probably not until I'm older and my metabolism slows down, no matter what I eat.

[blind_otter]

Originally posted by snarky

Vegetarianism just didn't work well for my body/lifestyle.

 

Me too!

 

I was an ovo-lacto vegetarian for about a year when I was in college, then I was a total vegan and ate no animal products whatsoever for about 6 months, and at that time I also stopped eating wheat gluten (so, no bread or cakes or muffins), and nightshade family plants (tomatoes, green red and yellow peppers) as those can create food allergies.

 

I became obsessed with my diet. I couldn't eat out at restaurants unless they were vegan, I was compulsive about my diet and it negatively impacted my life. Then, I became pregnant for the first time and ALL I craved was meat, so I stopped being a vegan/vegetarian and went back to meat. I felt really healthy when I was vegan, because I didn't eat any processed foods/drinks, and I cooked. It was time consuming, though, I had to take a few hours every weekend to plan my meals out for the week, and I spent HUNDREDS of dollars at whole foods stores.

 

Make sure to take vitamin and mineral supplements. All the veggie people I know have horrid diets mainly based in junk food and carbohydrates. And yes, it is possible to be a fat vegetarian. I know three off the top of my head in my social circle.

[blind_otter]

Originally posted by SixthSt.Girl

I tried to give it all away, but nobody wants it, so I'll have to toss it. I honestly haven't been tempted at all in the past two days. It was a recent article about KFC that has kept me from wanting meat, esp. fast food. I know that kind of stuff is common, but it's the graphic reminders that made me go cold turkey (no pun intended). I don't know if it's just a temporary thing, but this choice has already made me feel better physically and morally. I don't like fruits and veggies, much either, though, so it will be a challenge to eat enough and stay healthy. I am trying - Community Market sells great side salads, so I'll be stocking up on those. I guess I'm more of a junkatarian than a vegetarian.

 

DON'T THROW IT AWAY!!! Give the food to a local homeless shelter, Ronald McDonald House, or DV shelter!!!!!!!!

 

I am reading "Fast Food Nation" right now and I am never.eating.fastfood.again.

[SixthSt.Girl]

[color=blue]I've been a pescatarian for over 20 years.[/color]

 

 

 

[color=green]Vegetarianism, fish eating, whatever. I haven't eaten any other meat apart from seafood/fish etc for at least 11 years and I'm perfectly healthy.[/color]

 

[color=orange]I was an ovo-lacto vegetarian for about a year when I was in college, then I was a total vegan and ate no animal products whatsoever for about 6 months[/color]

 

So, are fish/seafood eaters, dairy/egg consumers considered to be in different catagories under "vegetarian," or are they not considered to be straight-up vegetarians? Maybe sub-vegetarians?? I have been avoiding all of the above except milk and some cheese products for the past few days. I'm not sure if cheese balls and this generic cheese pizza have any real cheese product at all, though. I am looking to add some variety to my diet - I am not big on seafood, but I like crab cakes occasionally. I usually don't eat the store bought imitation crab ones - anyone know offhand what imitation crab even is? Aye... I'm gonna have to dig up some vegetarian recipes somewhere. I really am not craving meat at all, surprisingly. It's just hard to find many foods, especially convenience foods, that don't contain any meat! Even my cheese ravioli had some meat in the sauce (I did scrape it off!). I have lost a few pounds, which isn't good - I didn't realize how much fast food I was eating before. Now it's french fries and milkshakes as my options, so I have to explore the food world outside of Burger King.

[SixthSt.Girl]

[color=darkblue]DON'T THROW IT AWAY!!! Give the food to a local homeless shelter, Ronald McDonald House, or DV shelter!!!!!!!![/color]

 

I didn't think of that, though I think it's spoilt by now - I still have some weiners left, though! They can have those.

[seahorse]

Originally posted by SixthSt.Girl

[color=blue]I've been a pescatarian for over 20 years.[/color]

 

 

 

[color=green]Vegetarianism, fish eating, whatever. I haven't eaten any other meat apart from seafood/fish etc for at least 11 years and I'm perfectly healthy.[/color]

 

[color=orange]I was an ovo-lacto vegetarian for about a year when I was in college, then I was a total vegan and ate no animal products whatsoever for about 6 months[/color]

 

So, are fish/seafood eaters, dairy/egg consumers considered to be in different catagories under "vegetarian," or are they not considered to be straight-up vegetarians? Maybe sub-vegetarians?? I have been avoiding all of the above except milk and some cheese products for the past few days. I'm not sure if cheese balls and this generic cheese pizza have any real cheese product at all, though. I am looking to add some variety to my diet - I am not big on seafood, but I like crab cakes occasionally. I usually don't eat the store bought imitation crab ones - anyone know offhand what imitation crab even is? Aye... I'm gonna have to dig up some vegetarian recipes somewhere. I really am not craving meat at all, surprisingly. It's just hard to find many foods, especially convenience foods, that don't contain any meat! Even my cheese ravioli had some meat in the sauce (I did scrape it off!). I have lost a few pounds, which isn't good - I didn't realize how much fast food I was eating before. Now it's french fries and milkshakes as my options, so I have to explore the food world outside of Burger King.

 

Lol, I call myself a Vegaquarian, but that's just me. My ex says I'm not a vegetarian, (which I've never claimed to be) because I eat fish/seafood so I've opted for that name.

I eat eggs (free range from my friend's farm, I pick them out myself from "her girls'" nests). I buy organic milk and vegetarian cheeses. I examine labels carefully when buying processed products. Many cakes etc that use egg products use battery hen eggs, and many dessert products use gelatine/pork gelatine as thickeners!!!

 

I NEVER preach or make a big deal out of not eating meat to my friends or colleagues. Their food choices are theirs, just as mine are mine. I buy, prepare and cook meat for my kids as they like it. Tolerance is all.