Vegetarians

[Linda86]

Originally Posted by Lemongrass

The mass production of meat, tends to lend to much animal cruelty. I don't believe that animals should not be consumed period, but that even when they are to be consumed they should be taken care of while they live.

I agree with this. I became a vegetarian 4 years ago because I believe we live in a society where people live to eat & not eat to live. Today, eating is like a sport & all we want is more, more, more. There is mass production & overgrazing when it is not necessary for survival. I understand some animals are bred so that we may eat them but that doesn't mean those animals shouldn't be given a comfortable life just because they're going to die. Actually, those animals should be given a wonderful life BECAUSE they are going to die & provide us with food.

I don't eat any meat, including sea life. I don't like milk, so I drink "alternative" milk (soy, coconut, almond, etc). I think tofu is delish mmMmmM

[MasterOfDeath]

I'm a vegetarian. I haven't eaten a piece of meat for almost two years now. I believe all life is sacred and I don't believe in eating meat just because it tastes good. IMO, it's not right to do things you know are wrong because it brings you pleasure.

[Starling]

I only eat free range meat and responsibly sourced fish, which means I'm mostly vegetarian, since I can't afford it very often!

Beware of soy, make very sure that you're buying soy from sustainable sources, because vast bits of nature are disappearing because of people's love for soy. People have started cutting down forests to grow soy instead of cattle.

I like broccoli, but the prettiest veg is Romaine cauliflower (it doesn't half make the house smell when you cook it, though, much worse than ordinary cauli, peeeeeeeeeeew).

[Melaszka]

Originally Posted by Starling

Beware of soy, make very sure that you're buying soy from sustainable sources, because vast bits of nature are disappearing because of people's love for soy. People have started cutting down forests to grow soy instead of cattle.

Like a lot of vegans, I'm probably guilty as charged. However, in my defence, it's hard to avoid soya, whatever you eat - they use it in animal feed and in all sorts of processed food (not just vegetarian meat substitutes), so I don't think veegtarians are more guilty of contributing to the deforestation than meat-eaters. Good point, though. Do you have any information on how to ensure soya is from sustainable sources?

[ILuvDarkMarks]

When it comes to soy, I try to buy it in unprocessed forms: tofu, tempeh, soymilk, and edamame. This is least harmful to the body and to the environment, I'm sure.

I've been pescetarian for over a year now, and am currently transitioning to vegan (with an exception for fish). It disgusts me how animals are raised and given GH. It's affecting the environment and the body and as a future RD, I want to raise awareness about this. I have no problem with people eating meat, but it needs to be organic!

[improvkari]

I am a pescetarian (I eat salmon once in a while) but I am thinking of starting to eat poultry again for more protein/energy options. Any suggestions? I'm a little nervous, having not eaten meat (other than fish) in 6 or 7 years...

[Abbsalah]

Hi, fellow veggies! I've been a vegetarian for 8 years now and I love it! Vegetables are just the best! I'm not a huge fan of most dairy products either, but I wouldn't go fully vegan because I just love yogurt too much to give it up. (Greek yogurt and honey, anyone?)

Does anyone have any suggestions for nutritious salads? (I hate going to buy a salad and finding it's just iceberg lettuce, croutons and ranch dressing. Blegh.)

My favorite salads have:

-Dark greens (arugula, kale, spinach are key)
-quinoa
-mushrooms (bonus points if they're roasted)
-cherry tomatoes
-a bit of corn
-broccoli
-maybe a bit of mozzarella if I'm feeling indulgent
-balsamic vinegar/olive oil

Mmm I'm getting hungry just thinking about it...

[ILuvDarkMarks]

I love adding beans to my salad, particularly chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), kidney beans, and black beans. Lentils are awesome too- search "Snobby Joes" from Veganomicon for a really delicious recipe! I often add tofu, radishes, roasted or raw asparagus, shredded zucchini, alfalfa sprouts, sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, dried cranberries (no sugar added), or avocado. (Not all at the same time but for variety).

Happy eating

[Melaszka]

Guys, can you please steer clear of asking for or giving health advice or nutritional advice? It's fine to say something very general, like "Has anyone got any healthy meal ideas?" or "I like eating fruit as a nice healthy dessert", but telling people what nutrients they should be consuming more of or asking what you need to eat for a balanced diet etc is against the rules.

[sleazy4weasley]

I eat seafood still, because it is so darn tasty. I love crab but other than that, I haven't had pork since I was about 10, beef for about 4 years, and poultry for a year.
My all time favorite veggie is PARSNIPS! I could eat them for every meal!
I also eat a lot of tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, spinach, carrots, and broccoli

WOO GO VEGGIES

[Bressen]

Well i am a vegetarian and love to eat vegetables. i know that vegetable has so many benefits and we can live healthy life with eating vegetable. Vegetables are low calories food which is good for fitness.

[Spew Member]

Hello everyone. I've been a vegetarian for almost 20 years, since a friend dared me to stop eating meat in junior high. I don't think that was the reaction she was expecting. I've been a vegan for 8 years. Mostly for health reasons. My parents are vegan and my husband is vegetarian. We're raising our son vegan, which has been an issue with some family members, but most of them are extremely supportive so we feel very fortunate to have their support.

I also think we're fortunate because we live in an area with a lot of great vegetarian restaurants. We try not to eat out too often, but it's nice to know we can have a nice treat every once in a while. We just got back from a trip to San Francisco and went to this amazing vegan bakery called Cinnaholic.

http://www.cinnaholic-berkeley.com/

You order a cinnamon roll and have about 20 different options for frosting, and then you pick a topping to go on that. I had the cookie dough cinnamon roll. It made my taste buds dance with joy!

I've posted some vegan recipes and links on my blog (link below). Feel free to check it out.

[Michealleo]

YEs i am vegetarian too because of some health issues . But still i can't eat brocoli because it always made my stomach gassy and uncomfortable . i wana know if someone has same health issues ? please share with me . Thanks

[HPitty23]

So, am I the odd vegetarian who doesn't like veggies all that much? I prefer fruits much, much more. And I can't eat tofu at all; I had a bad experience with it once, and whenever I try to eat it now, I think I'm eating a sponge. Weird, but true. I also can't stand salads, but that's mainly because I dislike dressing so very much (if you couldn't tell, I'm quite the picky eater!). And I'm close to being a vegan, but it's extremely hard for me to give up cheese. I love it sooo much! So, I buy organic cheese, and I always makes sure it doesn't have rennet in it. I recently have developed a love for Greek yogurt as well, after finally finding a brand that doesn't contain any gelatin in it. Oh, and it's been just about a year and a half since I made the switch to being a veggie.

[MasterOfDeath]

Originally Posted by HPitty23

So, am I the odd vegetarian who doesn't like veggies all that much? I prefer fruits much, much more. And I can't eat tofu at all; I had a bad experience with it once, and whenever I try to eat it now, I think I'm eating a sponge. Weird, but true. I also can't stand salads, but that's mainly because I dislike dressing so very much (if you couldn't tell, I'm quite the picky eater!). And I'm close to being a vegan, but it's extremely hard for me to give up cheese. I love it sooo much! So, I buy organic cheese, and I always makes sure it doesn't have rennet in it. I recently have developed a love for Greek yogurt as well, after finally finding a brand that doesn't contain any gelatin in it. Oh, and it's been just about a year and a half since I made the switch to being a veggie.

You're not alone! I'm a vegetarian and I don't like most vegetables...I don't mind eating them in soup or rice or in a Burger King Veggie burger but I prefer fruits. Apples, bananas, grapes, etc.

[HPitty23]

Originally Posted by MasterOfDeath

You're not alone! I'm a vegetarian and I don't like most vegetables...I don't mind eating them in soup or rice or in a Burger King Veggie burger but I prefer fruits. Apples, bananas, grapes, etc.

Yes, I'm the same way. And the Burger King veggie burgers are surprisingly good, in my opinion. I have to admit I never thought a fast food restaurant could do a veggie burger justice, but BK did.

[Quickquill]

Originally Posted by LumosPatronus

brocoli? did someone say brocoli?

'' I hate Broccoli, I think it totally sucks, Why is it not meat ? ''

You and one of our presidents! Personally I love broccoli. But to each his own. I wouldn't eat tomatoes or olives for years when I was growing up. I wouldn't touch anything that had tomato sauce on it. Needless to say, I wouldn't eat pizza. On the other hand I love most vegetables, so I wasn't really deprived. One of my favorites is curly dwarf parsley. I'd always eat the parsley off the platters in restaurants. I couldn't understand why people always left it.

Originally Posted by Abbsalah

Hi, fellow veggies! I've been a vegetarian for 8 years now and I love it! Vegetables are just the best! I'm not a huge fan of most dairy products either, but I wouldn't go fully vegan because I just love yogurt too much to give it up. (Greek yogurt and honey, anyone?)

Does anyone have any suggestions for nutritious salads? (I hate going to buy a salad and finding it's just iceberg lettuce, croutons and ranch dressing. Blegh.)

My favorite salads have:

-Dark greens (arugula, kale, spinach are key)
-quinoa
-mushrooms (bonus points if they're roasted)
-cherry tomatoes
-a bit of corn
-broccoli
-maybe a bit of mozzarella if I'm feeling indulgent
-balsamic vinegar/olive oil

Mmm I'm getting hungry just thinking about it...

I think you've got the right idea about salads. Have you ever put carrots or parsley or radish in your salads? Grated raw turnip is good too if it's fresh and mild. Have you tried Cole Slaw or other cabbage based salads? Try throwing in raw shelled sunflower seeds or other nuts. Sprouts are good too, if a bit unwieldy. A bit of chopped dill is nice for a change too. Oh yeah. Did i forget cucumbers? And celery?
What about chopped green onions, sliced fresh champignon mushrooms, cooked chickpeas (also good mashed and thinned with a little sesame paste also known as Houmous and Tehina) I love salads. The more different vegetables included the better. I visited a Persian family once, and they had a platter of fresh washed spearmint (unadorned) for a salad.

[No_Name]

I'm not a vegetarian, but I tend to avoid large quantities of meat (and a lot of dairy/egg products too), because I don't like them and they sometimes upset my stomach. That means I eat mostly vegetarian (sometimes even vegan), the only meat I really like is salami (preferrably baked crispy) but only in very small quantities. I don't like most meat-replacing products because they taste too simular to the real thing, but I do like Quorn, it's like chicken, but without the thing that makes it unpleasant to eat. Ugh, chicken *shudder*, the actual reason I avoid meat now is because my father once overcooked a chicken (a bad quality chicken, too) making it all soft and soupy, and a few days later I had some Kentucky and it was even worse. So, no meat for me.

[Goddess_Clio]

Originally Posted by Linda86

I agree with this. I became a vegetarian 4 years ago because I believe we live in a society where people live to eat & not eat to live. Today, eating is like a sport & all we want is more, more, more. There is mass production & overgrazing when it is not necessary for survival.

You do know, though, that becoming a vegetarian won't stop mass production and overgrazing, right? Every day a baby who will be future over-eater is born to take your place...

Yeah. Not a vegetarian, no plans to become a vegetarian. I love me New York Strip but I understand why a lot of people choose to go vegetarian and I know a lot of vegetarians and vegans.

What I don't understand are vegans who refuse to eat animal products that don't require the animal to die based on the argument that its animal cruelty and they don't want to see animals die. Milk doesn't require cows to die. Yogurt is just milk with a bacteria introduced. Eggs are simply... unfertizlized eggs. If a rooster never comes along to fertilize the chicken then the egg will never ever become a chicken so technically nothing dies. That's the only argument I don't really get.

I love veggies though. When I was growing up and my mom asked for dinner idea my sister and I would often ask for just cut up fruits and veggies. Yum My lunches at work often consist of cut up cucumbers, carrot slices and an apple (partly because I'm lazy but partly because I'm obsessed with cucumbers right now). My new favorite thing is mashed cauliflower because I don't like mashed potatoes.

[Melaszka]

Originally Posted by Goddess_Clio

What I don't understand are vegans who refuse to eat animal products that don't require the animal to die based on the argument that its animal cruelty and they don't want to see animals die. Milk doesn't require cows to die. Yogurt is just milk with a bacteria introduced. Eggs are simply... unfertizlized eggs. If a rooster never comes along to fertilize the chicken then the egg will never ever become a chicken so technically nothing dies. That's the only argument I don't really get.

Can't speak for all vegans, but for me there are two main issues:

(1) The conditions the animals are kept in. A dairy cow may not die to give us milk and a chicken may not die to give us an egg, but if it's kept in cramped, insanitary conditions, I don't want to be a party to its suffering.

(2) In dairy and egg farming, animals are still slaughtered when they become surplus to requirements. In dairy farming, in particular, male calves are often slaughtered soon after birth, because (for obvious reasons) they are useless to the dairy industry. So, while eating eggs and drinking milk may not directly involve an animal dying, there's often an indirect link.