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Considering becoming a vegetarian
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11-06-2011 8:46pm#1
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I made the transition at around your age so I can probable relate. Going 4 years now so along with everone else on the veg*n forum it shows that humans really don't need meat!
As for what foods to eat to replace meat, a food chart like this is good at giving a rough guide
At the beginning, fake "meats" like quorn I found were great at making the transition from meat a little easier e.g substituting chicken fillets for quorn fillets.
A little planning goes a long way though. If you work out in advance where you can get sufficent protein, iron, b12, etc. it makes things easier.
As for justifying your position to people educate yourself as much as you can on the subject to give yourself the best chance to properly explain it to people. Parents tend to be against this, usually out of worry that a vegeterian diet may leave you deficient in some nutrient or other, so try to understand their point of view, they're only trying to look out for you. However if you show them that you're in control of your diet and are remaining healthy on it their protestations should fade.
A final case is that people may say that your're simply going through a "teenage phase". Again as people become familiar with you living on a vegeterian diet, such comments will fade.
As such, it's good that your are considering the change, and I wish you the best of luck if you do
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Heya ItsAWindUp! We've had many similar posts to your in the past - perhaps you might get some useful info from some previous posts on the topic.
Thinking of turning vegetarian
Today I am turning vegetarian
How did you become a vegetarian
Becoming a vegetarian?
Easiest way to become vegetarian
Funnily enough those threads are from 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008
But all the replies are still very much valid! I hope they help you out 0 -
I made the transition at around your age so I can probable relate. Going 4 years now so along with everone else on the veg*n forum it shows that humans really don't need meat!
As for what foods to eat to replace meat, a food chart like this is good at giving a rough guide
At the beginning, fake "meats" like quorn I found were great at making the transition from meat a little easier e.g substituting chicken fillets for quorn fillets.
A little planning goes a long way though. If you work out in advance where you can get sufficent protein, iron, b12, etc. it makes things easier.
As for justifying your position to people educate yourself as much as you can on the subject to give yourself the best chance to properly explain it to people. Parents tend to be against this, usually out of worry that a vegeterian diet may leave you deficient in some nutrient or other, so try to understand their point of view, they're only trying to look out for you. However if you show them that you're in control of your diet and are remaining healthy on it their protestations should fade.
A final case is that people may say that your're simply going through a "teenage phase". Again as people become familiar with you living on a vegeterian diet, such comments will fade.
As such, it's good that your are considering the change, and I wish you the best of luck if you do
Thanks for the reply actua11:) I have actually eaten quorn before (vegetarian aunt) and liked it, so that won't be a problem.0 -
sweet-rasmus wrote: »Heya ItsAWindUp! I should have replied sooner. We've had many similar posts to your in the past - perhaps you might get some useful info from some previous posts on the topic
How did you become a vegetarian
Thinking of turning vegetarian
Today I am turning vegetarian
Easiest way to become vegetarian
Funnily enough those threads are from 2010, 2009 and 2008 But all the replies are still very much valid! I hope they help you out
Thanks:)0 -
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'Tis cool And there are plenty of foods you can cook and add to your meal where the meat would have gone. There are endless possibilities! You just have to experiment a bit and see how you go.
As mentioned fake meats are an easy substitute to get you started, as that way it's not too daunting to think of 'different' meals, and it's helpful for your parents too, so that they don't stress (and parents really do stress!) about what to cook. There are plenty of choices for fake meat in the freezer cabinet in Tesco and Dunnes, as well as a wider selection in health food stores, though they tend to be a bit pricier. I'd certainly recommend a turkey or beef (veggie) roast. Quorn do one (available in Tesco/ Dunnes, as well as Redwood (certain health food stores).
Otherwise get into your beans e.g. chickpeas, pinto beans, butter (lima) beans etc. And have a google on vegweb and other recipe sites if you have an ingredient and want some ideas as to what to cook.
And most importantly, if you have any random veggie question - ask us!0 -
sweet-rasmus wrote: »'Tis cool And there are plenty of foods you can cook and add to your meal where the meat would have gone. There are endless possibilities! You just have to experiment a bit and see how you go.
As mentioned fake meats are an easy substitute to get you started, as that way it's not too daunting to think of 'different' meals, and it's helpful for your parents too, so that they don't stress (and parents really so stress!) about what to cook. There are plenty of choices for fake meat in the freezer cabinet in Tesco and Dunnes, as well as a wider selection in health food stores, though they tend to be a bit pricier. I'd certainly recommend a turkey or beef (veggie) roast. Quorn do one (available in Tesco/ Dunnes, as well as Redwood (certain health food stores).
Otherwise get into your beans e.g. chickpeas, pinto beans, buetter (lima) beans etc. And have a google on vegweb and other recipe sites if you have an ingredient and want some ideas as to what to cook.
And most importantly, if you have any random veggie question - ask us!
Thanks a million:) There's actually a health food shop in my town, would it be worth my while popping in there and asking maybe about supplements to take that might ensure I'm getting all of my protein etc?0 -
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ItsAWindUp wrote: »Thanks a million:) There's actually a health food shop in my town, would it be worth my while popping in there and asking maybe about supplements to take that might ensure I'm getting all of my protein etc?
You don't need to worry about supplements at all. If you were turning vegan I'd say the only thing to worry about would be B12, but you aren't. Just eat a usual 'healthy balanced diet' and you shouldn't need to worry about supplements. Everything you can eat has all the nutrients you need (iron, B vitamins, etc). And protein is in everything (well, most things!). All sorts of beans (indeed your old tin of baked beans!), pasta, cous cous, etc. Just have a look at the nutrients listing of anything you buy and you will see there are amounts in most food stuffs. The beans etc will have a higher amount, and if you want an easy filling and protein filled meal, open a tin of chickpeas and put some with some pasta and sauce, or whatever your meal is. If you want to mix and match you can always freeze the rest of the beans and have a different variety the next day, or the day after, and get back to the original pack in a week or two when you want them again.
Of course, the fake meats are made of myco-protein too. You will not be in need 0 -
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Heads up on this: I was a 15 year old lad when I went veggie, and yes, I got a bit of slagging (it usually started out in the form of genuine questions that descended into farce).ItsAWindUp wrote: »Another issue is that as a 17 year old lad I'm sure I'll have a lot of justifying to do to a lot of people, something which I don't think I should have to.
Nine years on (ugh, I'm old!) and I'm still getting the same rubbish, sometimes from the same people. I learned long ago to just not bother engaging in conversations like this unless it's with people who are genuinely interested. You don't have to justify yourself to anyone: it's your body, you decide what to put in it. And it's usually a lot easier if you don't try!
Sorry if that sounded negative, it's really no big deal, just a heads up that people will be weird about it and it won't go away when you're finished being a teenager!
It can be kind of funny sometimes. Best question I ever got was: "Would you eat a baby?" That one kind of came out of left field...
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