The Vegetarian & Vegan Thread

[I_Want_That_One]

For those of you are a vegetarians or vegans, are your family members as well? How about close friends? I often wonder how many are going it alone so to speak.

My entire family has been vegetarian for generations (religious reasons mostly). I was raised that way but my dad left it open to me after I was old enough to make my own decisions. I myself am not religious, but I believe in vegetarianism so I chose to stay that way.

 

[misssakura]

None of my family, nor my partner's family are vegetarian. Luckily both sides are relatively adventurous with food (except for my partner's dad who does describe himself as a 'steak' man) so we don't have too much of a problem as far as cooking goes. However it's very VERY hard to avoid the cheese when we're eating with them.

 

[castingcrowns]

I'm trying to become a pesceterian as of this week (I haven't had meat since Tuesday). I haven't eaten beef or pork for about a year but I still ate chicken and fish. However my mom got mad when I told her that I wanted to quit eating chicken. She's afraid that I wont get enough protein and that I'll develop an eating disorder because I am already very thin.

Anyway based on what I've had today, do ya'll think this is enough protein?? I had oatmeal (with flaxseed, a little protein powder, rasians, walnuts), black bean vegetable soup, yougurt, peanut butter toast, cantelope, a salad (with lots of vegatables, cheese, hard boiled egg whites, chickpeas), and grapes. And of course I had dark chocolate covered cranberries, I eat them practically by the pound.. Earlier this week I also made tofu with vegetables.

Oh also does anyone have a good recipe for hummus? I've found a few online, but I'd like to know if someone has a recipe they recommend!

 

[tott]

castingcrowns, when it comes to proteins you should at least get roughly 0,8-1 g/kg body weight per day.

You don't say how much you had of everything, so it's impossible to say if it seems alright or not. I see that you had hard boiled egg whites: What about the yolks?

The white contains about half the proteins of an egg and little else, the yolk is made up of proteins, minerals, vitamins and healthy fats that are really good for you. The egg, preferably organic, is a real superfood if you eat all of it.

 

[castingcrowns]

^i've never really liked the taste and texture of hard boiled egg yolkes very much.. plus I try and avoid them because I have high cholesterol (it runs in my family). Maybe I'll have them next time though!

 

[tott]

^ Good! =)

It's really funny that eggs are still singled out as bad for cholesterol levels... Shrimps are also very high in cholesterol and are just as "bad" if you believe that cholesterol is a bad thing.

The truth is that cholesterol isn't all that bad. It is in fact healthy! It's an important building block in our bodies. Every cell needs it, it's important for hormones, the immune system and so on. We need cholesterol, it's found in generous quantities in mother's milk for instance.

Our bodies actually produce cholesterol. If we get a lot of cholesterol through our diet, the body produces less. If we get very little, the body makes more. It is very, very hard to lower cholesterol levels through diet.

 

[cosmogrl5]

Thanks everyone who answered my question. I guess a bunch of us are doing the veggie thing alone. It isn't easy, but I guess if we are willing to work through the challenge, it means we are really dedicated!

 

[castingcrowns]

It is very, very hard to lower cholesterol levels through diet.

trust me I kno! It stinks, I've had high cholesterol since I was a little kid! Now I don't eat anything that should raise my bad cholesterol levels (and I eat plenty of stuff that raises the good cholesterol), yet my doctor wants to put me on a statin. I'm only 17, which I think is too young to start statins, plus I know that they aren't good for your body!!

 

[kissmesweet]

You need protein in your diet, so what vegetables would be good? Leek?

 

[tott]

^^ Statins can have some very, very SERIOUS side effects.

High cholesterol isn't necessarily bad in itself. It might even be beneficial. Some people/families have high cholesterol levels without any health problems. If you have a high total cholesterol level, but a good level between bad/good there should be absolutely no reason to put you on this drug. What about your triglyceride levels?

I think you should def. see another doctor and get a second opinion! Statins should be a last resort, especially for a young person!

 

[kuba01]

I've realised that since I went Vegetarian, my skin has gone a little more whiter. Is this a normal thing for vegetarians or am I not getting the proper nutrition?

 

[castingcrowns]

Yeah, last year my doctor wanted to put me on statins and my mom said no. Since then I've been eating lots of fiber and such to lower the bad. I don't know what my triglyceride levels were.. but I think I had a high ratio of good to bad cholesterol like you said. I have to go back this summer.. and I REFUSE to take medication..

 

[tott]

^ Just don't refuse medication as a matter of principle!

If you really need it, take it! Do make sure to get a second opinion if you are in doubt.

 

[misssakura]

I never used to count my protein when I ate meat so I see no reason to now that I don't. Main reason is that I eat MORE than I did when I ate meat...if you're really worried about protein, try spirulina! I used to drink a full cup of apple juice with a hearty serving of spirulina mixed in. The flavour isn't that bad actually (it tastes best with apple juice, never drink it with water unless you have a habit of drinking pond water...ick)

Anyway Spirulina is really great for you, it boosts energy levels and helps back up your diet. I might get back into drinking it actually

 

[TheKiwi]

Since we're talking about protein here, I wanted to list some vegetarian foods that are good sources of protein:

- chickpeas
- lentils
- soy milk
- beans
- boiled egg
- tempeh
- tofu
- sea vegetables
- miso
- nuts (almonds, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, etc)
- seeds (sunflower, flaxseed, pumpkin, sesame)

 

[laisla]

[FONT=&quot]this thread is too big to read the whole way through so Im sure something similar has been asked/answed before so sorry but anyway...

Ive been a vegetarian for about 9 months. Im worried Im not getting all the protein and vitamins that I need. Ive had constant tension headaches for a while, I never have any energy and my skin looks really tired and dull. I am certain this is down to my diet. I just seem to stick to the same food but Im limited in what I can/will eat. I hate meat substitutes like quorn [I hate the meaty texture.] Ive forced myself to eat fish [although Im not comfortable wth it] the rest of my diet is made up of vegetables, fruit, pasta, rice, and bread. In the last week Ive tried to drink more milk and have some eggs but I really have to make a concerted effort. Its difficult because I am the only person in my family that doesnt eat meat and my mum has to buy things seperately for me which costs lots of £££. I know I need to sort my diet out but in the mean time is there any vitamin supplements I can take to help me along? [/FONT]

 

[cestmagique]

^I would definitely recommend seeing a dietitian. With all the misinformation out there it's difficult to know how to get proper nutrition, especially when cutting out meat and dairy. Dietitians can help you determine what your diet is lacking and what the underlying cause of your symptoms is. As for vitamins, I don't think it hurts anyone to take a multivitamin daily along with a calcium supplement. Just make sure you're not getting astronomical amounts of each vitamin and mineral; in other words don't go above the recommended daily allowance.

 

[Organic]

It is very, very hard to lower cholesterol levels through diet.

um...no it's not.

i had high cholesterol as a child, i'm talking 8, 9, 10.


i've been veg for 9 years now and my cholesterol is perfectly normal now.

 

[seanutbutter]

For those of you are a vegetarians or vegans, are your family members as well? How about close friends? I often wonder how many are going it alone so to speak.

I personally know no vegetarians aside from myself. It's rather difficult being one when everyone around you eats meat. I'm going to a family barbecue today and have to bring my own food because no one offered to make a compromise for me.

I suppose I have it a bit easier than others because my family seldom eats meals together; if I want to have a veggie burger and my brother wants chicken, it's fine. I know plenty of other families who choose one thing for dinner for everyone to eat.

 

[cestmagique]

^same with me. I don't know a single vegetarian, but this is Texas so... I buy my own groceries and cook for myself, so no one in my family bothers me too much about it, although it does make them uncomfortable.