Any Vegetarians out there?

[JRHawk2003]

I am getting ready to take the plunge. I have wanted to for a long time for a variety of reasons.

How did you transition to it? Did you just stop eating meat? Did you just work it out of your diet more slowly?

 

[Thomas_Barnes]

I just stopped and I got some tips on Twitter from peta. I know they kill animals and I questioned them on that but they gave me ideas and helped me stop being one that is causing animals to get killed and treated bad.

 

[ANYCHawk]

 

[hawkeye54545]

Vegetarians- scum of the earth

 

[stillh8unlv]

I would attempt it, but I just love eating rabbit too much

 

[Wahawk56]

I've wanted to, but I love meat and ice cream.

 

[SSG T]

I just stopped. For me the key was to not try to replace it, meaning, I didn't eat veggie burgers or make things that normally contain meat by replacing it with faux meat. I just found some recipes that were designed to not have meat in them and started there. Since then, I've added things back in, like black beans in my tacos.

And no, I don't miss it. In fact, the last time I was around bacon being cooked, the smell turned my stomach.


For the record, I did it for health reasons and honestly have few ethical objections against raising livestock, outside of the large scale confinements. And those have more to do with the environmental impact. And for you hunters, go ahead, no issues with that either, just kill your quarry quickly.

 

[JRHawk2003]

You know, I don't care if you eat meat. Your decision. Why is it some people need to chime in on others being vegetarian?

Thanks SSG and Thomas

 

[Derekd3408]

I just stopped and I got some tips on Twitter from peta. I know they kill animals and I questioned them on that but they gave me ideas and helped me stop being one that is causing animals to get killed and treated bad.

I'll double up my meat intake to make up for you. Your welcome.

 

[Derekd3408]

I just stopped. For me the key was to not try to replace it, meaning, I didn't eat veggie burgers or make things that normally contain meat by replacing it with faux meat. I just found some recipes that were designed to not have meat in them and started there. Since then, I've added things back in, like black beans in my tacos.

And no, I don't miss it. In fact, the last time I was around bacon being cooked, the smell turned my stomach.


For the record, I did it for health reasons and honestly have few ethical objections against raising livestock, outside of the large scale confinements. And those have more to do with the environmental impact. And for you hunters, go ahead, no issues with that either, just kill your quarry quickly.

I honestly don't know how you do it. I have meat in almost every meal I eat, I'd say around 90%. I wouldn't be able to go to a restaurant or BBQ without craving meat. I couldn't live without steak, I know that much.

 

[ANYCHawk]

And no, I don't miss it. In fact, the last time I was around bacon being cooked, the smell turned my stomach.

A Cubs fan who doesn't eat Bacon....HOW HAVE YOU NOT OFFED YOURSELF YET?!

 

[poophawk]

I am getting ready to take the plunge. I have wanted to for a long time for a variety of reasons.

How did you transition to it? Did you just stop eating meat? Did you just work it out of your diet more slowly?

I've been a vegetarian the last 5 years. My sister is a vegan so much more strict (and expensive) but I've used her as a reference. So many different websites w recipes and all that. I replaced meat in a lot of meals w tofu/veggie burgers.... stuff like that. Hyvee has a lot of great replacements.

 

[ParkerHawk]

I'm trying to cut back to just wild fish and free range eggs

 

[N_fuego]

OP, have you considered becoming a weekday vegetarian? Apparently you get most of the health benefits, and can still eat meet on the weekends. Here's a passage from the book of the same name:

A vegetarian diet can markedly improve your health and fitness, but what if you still love munching into a juicy burger every now and again? Graham Hill has a powerful and simple solution: become a weekday vegetarian. Eat no meat from Monday through Friday. During the weekends, you're back to being a carnivore. Hill, who founded the eco-blog treehugger.com, has expanded the popular short talk he gave at TED 2010 with a life-changing digital book that explores the personal, economic, and societal benefits of moving meat out of your diet. Don't fear that vegetarian dishes all taste like sawdust. Hill includes great-tasting veggie...

 

[JRHawk2003]

THanks fuego...interesting idea. I don't eat a lot of red meat already. Mostly chicken and bacon at this point. I have had veggie burgers for years. I think its psychological to some extent. I am not going full vegan. I will still eat eggs and cheese. I never liked fish anyway.

 

[fredjr82]

 

[ichawkeye]

Textured Vegetable Protein is a very good replacement for meals that require ground meat.

When my wife and I transitioned, we used TVP often, because it allowed us to prepare our typical meals while we expanded our knowledge of vegetarian meal options.

Another good option is black bean or edamome noodles, which are protein rich, and allows you to make Italian dishes.

The " Vegetarian Times" is a worthwhile magazine for meal ideas too.

Peanut butter, cheese/dairy, beans, soybean/tofu, mushrooms, nuts, eggs are all rich in protein, and your body captures it more efficiently, so don't feel like you need to fully replace your levels of meat protein intake.