<p>Calling all current vegs. I've been contemplating becoming a vegetarianism for awhile, especially since I'm making the tranisition into college soon, I figured that now was a good a time as any to consider it. Do any of you have any advice on how to start, or want to dissuade me? Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>I would never do anything so gay, but if you want to do this crazy rebellious act, follow some good ideas. </p>
<p>Don't just eat everything you currently eat and not include meat. From Lent on Fridays, I can tell you that gets old fast.</p>
<p>Eat things like peanuts and lentils that have protein in them, as you will be dog tired the first week or so of doing this until your body has adjusted. (the human body was not designed for vegetarianism)</p>
<p>Check whatever school you are going to's (word?) veg dining options. It would suck if every time you went out having nothing to eat except a burger bun.</p>
<p>Good luck and please reconsider your decision. Vegetarians are usually always sick because of the lack of protein in the diet. Lastly, do not increase your intake of cheese, not a good idea. Protein shakes can also be used for missed protein.</p>
<p>Make sure you take your vitamins! Iron deficiency and B12 deficiency can make you ridiculously tired.</p>
<p>I really like tofu, but only the "firm" or "extra-firm" kind -- it pretty much tastes like whatever sauce you put it in.</p>
<p>And to sort of modify what joev said above -- it's true that humans in an ancestral environment were not strictly vegetarians. But they also didn't get much meat either. For most primates, meat is/was an occasional luxury rather than a dietary staple, so don't think you're doing something terrible to your body by becoming a vegetarian.</p>
<p>(I guess I should say, by way of disclosure, that I'm not actually a vegetarian. But I don't really like meat, so I eat more meatless meals than meals with meat.)</p>
<p>Joev, I'm a vegetarian and I'm probably in much better shape than you.</p>
<p>Milk your diet. Eat your vegetables. I never even think about being a vegetarian because my diet seems very normal, starting with 5 bowls of Froot Loops in the morning.</p>
<p>vegetarians get really bad gas........</p>
<p>Good. I can show up to parties equipped with my own personal whoopie cushion. :)</p>
<p>I can't tell if the joev was being sarcastic or not. I'd really be interested in what makes a diet homosexual. Does it like other diets? </p>
<p>I think joev is being quite extreme. I know quite a few vegetarians, and they are among the healthiest people I know. Granted, a lot of people do find themselves unhealthy because they aren't getting what they actually need in their diet. Obviously, one is probably going to get sick if his or her vegetarian diet consists of peanut butter sandwiches and Kraft dinner.
I've been vegetarian since I was nine (my choice). If you're healthy about it, it's great and just as healthy as a meat diet. What the human body is "designed" for is questionable. We have parts in us we don't use. We don't use our tonsils, we remove our wisdom teeth, etc, and yet we still have them in our bodies. We can have this discussion, but here are a few ideas:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>First, think about why you are doing it. Vegetarianism has become kind of trendy, and a lot of people struggle with keeping up the diet because they have no actual reason for being vegetarian. If you're committed for a solid reason (a more sustainable diet, health, animal rights, or anything else), you're starting off on more solid footing.</p></li>
<li><p>Keep up your iron! Dark green, leafy vegetables, beans, etc. are good sources. If you want salad, try one with mixed field greens and spinach instead of iceberg lettuce. It's really easy to become anemic, so watch that you're getting enough iron. Also, a lot of Vitamin C is important.</p></li>
<li><p>If it's too hard to go cold turkey (no pun intended), you could try working your way in by giving up red meat first, then slowly working your way off of poultry/fish.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>-There are ways to eat the feared tofu without forking down plain, wobbly cubes of it. You can buy veggie pepperoni for pizzas, veggie ground round and TVP (textured vegetable protein) for pasta sauces, tacos, etc. </p>
<p>-You want to keep up an adequate supply of vitamin B12. You can get it in dairy or soy. If you can find a blender, you can make smoothies with soy in them if you don't like the taste. </p>
<p>-I will agree with Joe on one thing: make sure your campus can support your diet. If there are few vegetarian options in your dining halls, see if you can get a kitchen in your dorm. </p>
<p>Those are a few tips-- feel free to PM me or post again with any questions. </p>
<p>*--R</p>
<p>Since I'm a Texan, and an avid eater of red meat, I would have to say, "Your crazy!!!" But then right now I'm eating boudan suasage, and can't think of a side dish to go with it. Maybe the beef jerky I made last night. ooooh ice cream!</p>
<p>Vegetarian is a Native American word for "man who can't hunt."</p>
<p>erm, well, i guess i'm one of the only vegetarians to reply yet. college is a great time to make the switch-- afterall, it's all about trying new things, and if it doesn't work out for you, then at least you tried!</p>
<p>personally, i wasn't tired or lethargic when i made the switch. i still eat fish from time to time, but veggie burgers, tofu, and beans are great for protein. like someone else mentioned, check out the veg options at your school. i know at mine, they have vegan and veg options at every meal in addition to a great salad bar, so it was actually easier to eat veg at school than home.</p>
<p>you only need about a deck of cards' worth of protein every day; i tend to stick with that rule and still work out for 1-2 hours a day, 6 days a week or so. i've not gotten any sicker or more lethargic than before i was a vegetarian, either; but then again, everyone adjusts differently. i also love veggies and salads (good luck if you're not a fan), but like another poster said, it's REALLY important to take a multivitamin. i give blood regularly and never had a problem with my iron levels, but for one reason or another i stopped taking a vitamin for a month or two and just barely made the cutoff for acceptable iron levels this time. </p>
<p>overall, just do your research and eat what your body craves. there are a lot of options out there-- hopefully your school has some good options for you!</p>
<p>Thanks for the great starting info. I realize how trendy it's become and it's quite surprising. I've been considering it for a few years now, but have never had the confidence to immerse myself in the lifestyle. Do you remember your experiences in trying to wean yourself of meat (I'm assuming it was quite awhile ago)? I have also already checked with my college, and they do indeed have a vegetarian option. No valid questions come to mind right now, but I'll get to PMing you when I start. I'm sure the questions will start flowing then.</p>
<p>Portrait, I agree with the "easier at school vs. home" thing. That's one of the reasons why I think college would be a good time to start. Thanks go to you as well for the advice.</p>
<p>I know a great protein shake if you decide to become a vegetarian.
You take a blender, add some coffee, about 3-5 cups, or whatever.
Then add some milk, about the same as coffee. The add two or three raw eggs, a bunch of sugar and a little bit of vanilla. Then liquify it, or whatever your machine can do. Then drink up. I had one this morning they're great.
If you don't like coffee you can add bananas instead.</p>
<p>Oh, wait, can vegetarians eat eggs? What about drinking milk?</p>
<p>IF you still enjoy eating meat, then there is no point to stop eating it.</p>
<p>also, i forgot to mention:</p>
<p>depending on how much meat or protein you're eating now, you might get more hungry than usual in between meals after you make "the switch". some vegetarians compensate with really carb-y snacks (crackers, bread, etc) and end up gaining a lot of weight... it's a lot safer to reach for fruit or veggies or low-fat dairy (yogurt, cottage cheese), as they tend to fill you up a lot better for wayyy fewer calories.</p>
<p>I became a vegetarian seven years ago, and I have been a vegan for about two months. As long as you are aware of what you eat, you should be able to get enough of everything through vitamins, veggies, soy, beans, nuts, milk, and eggs. I found it easiest just to stop eating meat all at once, but you can get great info on how to transition into vegetarianism from many animal rights organizations. Go to <a href="http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/%5B/url%5D">http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/</a> to see Compassion Over Killing's vegetarian starter guide.</p>
<p>jeezus, this title....contemplating...i was about to say oh god, not another suicide...vegetarianism...melodrama, nice title though
i like meat so i won't spam up this thread, just had to get that out</p>
<p>eat salad</p>
<p>One word: why?</p>
<p>when i was younger and found out that meat was actually muscle, it just really grossed me out, as i couldn't really imagine eating my mom's leg or something.</p>
<p>meat just doesn't do anything for me. <em>shrug</em></p>
<p>i wanted to add one thing, now that i have read some of yall's posts (btw im more of a "mollibatmit," prefer to eat meatless, but have the occasional meat)..i forgot wha ti was gonna say ...hopeless loser</p>
<p>Mavin, I'm not sure if you were asking to OP or just asking all vegetarians in general. I became a vegetarian when I found out what is in hot dogs. I just thought that eating dead animals was gross. By seventh grade, though, I had learned more about the cruelties in the meat industry. People often become vegetarians or vegans for health reasons, because they are against animal cruelty, to help the environment, or because meat just does not appeal to them.</p>