I am about to become a vegeterian. What do you recommend?!
I am about to become a vegeterian. What do you recommend?
My family and I have decided to become vegeterians after seeing some very sadenning clips of how they treat those poor animals. I would really appreciate if vegeterians themselves answered this question: What are some non-expensive foods that both young kids and adults would eat(I have a 6 year old brother and a 12 year old sister)?
I'd really appreciate it if you would tell me where I can find these items. Thanks a lot for anyone who contributes:)
Answers:
You can adapt almost any recipe that you currently like and make it meatless.
There are many fake meat products out there that are a great substitute for meat in recipes. Veggie burgers, crumbles (ground meat substitute), veggie hot dogs, veggie ribs, veggie chik and beef strips, veggie deli slices, veggie nuggets, etc. You can even find them in your local grocery store. They usually have a high salt content so watch that if you have high blood pressure, etc. Sometimes these can be expensive - but they can help make the transition easier.
If you are out and about - two of my favorite places are subway and burger king. Subway has a veggie patty (ask for it - it's not always on the menu board) or you can get an all vegetable sub. Burger King has a veggie patty burger. Many pizza places have veggie pizzas too! Check online at major restaurants - they usually have nutrition guides that can tell you what's in their food.
Go to the library with the family and get some vegetarian cookbooks and search through them for something new to try.
As always - when shopping check the labels. You'd be surprised how many animal products like chicken broth are hiding in things that look vegetarian.
My kids like:
PB&J Sandwiches (actually any nut butter)
Eggsalad (if you are going to eat eggs/dairy)
carrot/veggie sticks and dip
fruit - oranges, apples, bananas, grapes, raisins,
fruit salads/medleys
oatmeal and other cereals
olives, sunflower/pumpkin seeds, granola, pickles
Lays classic chips and veggie burgers
veggie hot dogs rolled in biscuit dough (pigs in a blanket)
raviolis made with cheese and spinach and not meat
bagels
yogurt (either regular or soy)
hummus (which sometimes tastes like tuna)
anything with pasta - mac & cheese
vegetable/corn/bean soups and biscuits
fruit smoothies
pancakes/waffles
bean salads
mashed potatoes and garbanzo beans
refried bean tacos (instead of beef meat inside)
stir fry made with fake chik meat strips
homemade pizza
muffins - some mixes have lard (animal fat) in them - but you can make these at home
eggplant parmesian
LOTS of asian and indian meals
and more....
Source(s):
me - still learning new recipes too!
Good for you and your family! My 12 year old daughter and I are happy veggies. Be prepared to get ridiculed and teased about it, but pay absolutely no attention to small minded people who are threatened by it. That said, being a veg head is easy. Just avoid meat, fish, and poultry. Add in beans, legumes, pulses, whole grains such as quinoa (pronounced KEEN WA) and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Try things you have never tried, such as rutabega fries, lentils, bean and cheese taco's, arapas, rice pilaf, pasta with vegetarian sauces, cous cous, etc. We have fun fondue parties using spagetti or alfredo sauce with steamed potatoes, brocolli, garlic bread, mozzerella cheese, etc to dunk in the sauce. Even my daughter non veg friends like fondue. Here is an important fact that many people do not realize-meat is NASTY, not just for the cruelty to animals. Let your family know that animals raised for food are fed an unnatural diet of grains and the ground up brains and organs of other dead animals, usually sick ones. Most animals carry diseases and are given antibiotics, growth hormones, and steroids. All of that, disease and all ends up in the meat. After slaughter, the meat is "sanitized" with bleach and peroxide. Realizing THAT, is what made the transition easier for us. We simply never touched the stuff again. You wouldn't eat a beautiful horse, would you? Of course not, so why a cow, its the same thing. Would you eat a parrot? No, so why a chicken. Hope that helps get you in a good mindframe, sweetie. Good luck to all of you. If you need more info, feel free to email me. My 12 year old might be of some help for things too
I became a vegetarian a year ago, and really it wasn't as hard as I first thought. In place of ground beef I use Boca meatless grounds (this is found in Walmart supercenters or any major grocery store). Instead of chicken I use Quorn brand chik'n tenders... it's the closest thing to real chicken. I can only find this at my local health store, chech their site. They also make great meatless nuggets! Great for your siblings. Mainly, cook with a lot more veggies then you did before, experiment!
Check out:
http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/...
for great ideas for the kids lunch boxes.
Here's some sites that have good vegetarian recipes:
http://vegweb.com/index.php?phpsessid=19... ***(my favorite)***
http://www.vegcooking.com/mealtyped.asp...
http://www.randomgirl.com/recipes.html#t...
Well i am 14 and i became vegy a few months ago...i do still eat fish at the mo, but i can help...
if you all like the taste of meat, then buy quirn products. These taste like meat, but they are made from milk protein, vegy, etc.
Alos, just make sure you eat lots of eggs, nuts, seeds, cheese, and baked beans to keep up your protein.
It is easy, and you can have all the pasta and rice dishes you had before, just sub meat with mushrooms, or peppers, or cheese!
There are vegy options everywhere, and being vegy has really widenedthe foods i eat. Buy some vegy cook books, you can make chive omelette stir fry, jackets, vegy lasagne, etc ect
have fun and remember you are doing this for good!
ps i think it is lovely that all of you are doing it, i am the only one in my family who doesnt eat meat :(
dry fruits, lentils,chickpea,almond,walnut... ? dont know are they expensive in your country but keep these in your diet till you know how to be a vegetarian. everything will be okey and soo good .just dont be hungry. read so much and you will love the new tastes. best of luck. you are on right way
I recommend you don't become a vegerterian.As long as you don't kill and eat animals that are endangered of extinction you should be good.So just eat the food I eat like chicken,steak,bacon,ribs,and basic food like that. No lions,tigers,wolves or cougars you know exotic animals.
Tofu might be a good way to start. It's cheap and you can use it very similarly to chicken. You can use it in stir frys and casseroles, all sorts of things! Tofu doesn't have a taste really, it just soaks up the flavor of the stuff around it so you are in charge of making it taste good. :o)
There are a lot of brands that make yummy 'fake meat' type foods. Check around in all of your local grocery stores for their vegetarian section. Only one of the grocery stores in my town of about 60,000 has a really good section. But all stores will sell basic things like tofu.
A yummy way to start, like say for dinner tonight, is to make soft tacos with re-fried beans. Just check the label to make sure the beans are vegetarian because mostly they are cooked with animal fat. Amy's brand is the best!
Our local health food store has a brand called Worthington that grocery stores don't sell. They make a lot of yummy fake meat products. My favorite is Leanies. My dad, who isn't a vegetarian, even likes Leanies better than real hot dogs. Another fave of mine is the Turkey Loaf (I think that's what it's called, it doesn't have turkey in it though.) It's about $10 but it goes a long way and when you compare it to the price of a turkey or a steak it's not bad at all. You bake the turkey loaf (it's the size of a meatloaf) then slice it up and can serve it with potatoes and vegetables and even veg. gravy if you wish.
Have omelets for lunch and dinner if you want! Make homemade pizzas! There is even meatless pepperoni you can buy.
Good luck!
Better idea: get rid of the TV and continue to enjoy lean meat and chicken and fish in moderation. Much, much better for you.
I really suggest getting a book and check out all the recipes online. You can find most items in your regular supermarket.
the first place to start is a book store
buy a good vegetarian cookbook
not only will you find recipes---but great advice and tips on shopping
Pasta, rice, I particularly like coucous and you can add nuts to it, top it with yougurt.
Also bean burgers are easily made, just buy a can of beans, rinse them off very well or you can buy them dry and cook them, then mash them up and add finely chopped onion, bell pepper and tomatoes. combine with a fork or your hands and form into patties and brown on each side in a skillet with canola oil. Top with lettuce, sliced tomatoe and your favorite sauce. and enjoy.
Also vegetarian lasagna is great to make and pizza.
http://www.oprah.com/foodhome/food/recip...
Here is a link to a great lasagna recipe.