Vegetarian Diet
Vegetarian Diet questions and answers
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Q: What is a good web site to find out about a healthy vegetarian diet?
I was thinking about going vegetarian, but I read somewhere in a book that I should do a little research that way I can get the balenced diet. Seeing how there are two different types of vegetarian diets, I choose the lacto-ovo lifestyle. This alows me to eat dairy products and eggs. I still am going to need more vitamins and protein, and that's why I need more websites, just to be sure I have all I need. Please no stupid answers please. Thank you.
A: First, there is a Vegetarian and Vegan sub-section under the Food section of Answers.
www.chooseveg.com
www.veganhealth.org
www.vrg.org
www.vegsource.org
www.veganoutreach.org
http://www.vegfamily.com/
Also, type in things like "calcium in a vegan diet" or, "protein in a vegan diet", etc. Even doing searches for vegan recipes might give some good results. About.com also has good information.
In terms of protein, beans and tofu are good bets. Overall, Im not worried about my protein intake, even at six months pregnant.
I hope this helps.
Q: What's the benefit of having a vegan or vegetarian diet opposed to the average americans?
I'm just curious as to how having a vegan or vegetarian diet has affected you in a positive way.Do you think others should follow a vegan/vegetarian diet?...why or why not?
A: lower cholesterol, higher energy & duration during the day, elimination of 'free radicals' and carcinogens and steroids. Also helps clear the system of pollutants and chemicals. I have definitely benefited from having a higher vegetable/fruit intake. I'm not a complete vegan (I just LOVE a good burger) but I have cut way back. Its also been beneficial to my pocketbook as I have cut back on my grocery bill by not buying as much meat.
Q: How many people take up a vegetarian diet using just the advice found in this forum?
My son's been a vegetarian for about 6 months now, but he got some books and researched the diet.
A: Your son is doing the right thing.
Twenty years ago when I went veg, the web didn't exist in the manner it does today. There is a lot of good information out here for veggies, but there is also a lot of bad information.
Learn from the books, and that will teach one to wade through the internet muck.
I tell my students it is the same for every subject they may want to research.
Q: Do they smell better on a vegetarian diet?
This is a serious question and I really want some serious answers. In your absolute honest opinion, do you think they smell better on a vegetarian diet? I feel that mine do and even though there are days that I let more, especially after eating certain things like cabbage or broccoli.
Okay, I would like to ask this then. If a food makes us let smelly ones, is that our bodies way of telling us not to eat those foods?
Michael H, there is nothing to be embarassed about when it comes to digestion. I do believe the smell can tell us a lot about our current health condition. I was actually receiving some very well thought out answers to my question. Maybe you can try and be a little more positive, seriously.
Thanks to everyone who made a positive contribution to this discussion. As far as you hatemongers go, I feel sorry for you people.
A: What.... you hear them too? the voices? what did they say? your voices are cabbage or broccoli.... mine are carrots and celery but I haven't noticed a smell.
Q: how to start a vegetarian diet for a teen?
I have been doing some search on vegetarian diet and it seems like a veg diet is a great way to because I have lots of health problems.I was wondering...What are some food some foods that have vitamin e,c and all the other things I need?What are some other things I need u think I need to know about a vegetarian diet? thanks :)
I want to know what are some foods that have vitamin e,c and other essentials you need to be a healthy person.thanks:)
A: Start by eliminating red meat. Then pork and poultry. Then fish and seafood (It should take from 6 months to 1 year).
Eat lots of different vegetables and different kinds of beand and peas (best protein source). Do not give up eggs, milk and dairy produtcs (at leas not in the near future).
Eat lots of rice and pasta. Lots of different fruits.
Try giving up fried foods and sodas, drink more water and fruit juice.
In 6 months you'll feel reborn :)
Q: How to get enough Iron in a vegetarian diet?
What's the best way to get iron in a vegetarian diet? I think I've heard that dark green leafy vegetables have it, like Kale and Spinach, but what else?
Why is Iron important and how much does one really need?
A: It's not so much the getting enough iron as it is making sure what you ingest is properly absorbed. You can take supplements, but if you're using a lot of cheese and other dairy you should know that it hinders iron absorption.
The best thing to do is eat a proper well rounded vegetarian diet. Don't go heavy on milk, cheese and eggs. Don't rely no any one source of veggie for your iron needs. Over harvesting of the land has reduced the nutrient content in many foods. Spinach used to be loaded in iron. Not it has very little.
Lentils and chickpeas are high in iron. Do you like hummus? It's a paste from chickpeas. Red bell peppers, i love these raw! Dipped in HUMMUS! yum!! Raisins are good. Molasses as well. Add it to your coffee rather than refined white sugar.
Q: Should I take extra precautions on vegetarian diet if I'm a diabetic?
I've been eating a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet for a couple months, but have been having issues with being lethargic and tired and feel really hungry an hour after I eat. I'm pretty careful about getting enough protein, so I'm wondering if it is related to the fact that I'm a diabetic? Anyone else a diabetic and a vegetarian?
A: http://www.pcrm.org/health/diabetes/index.html
http://www.pcrm.org/health/prevmed/diabetes.html
http://www.pcrm.org/health/prevmed/index.html
Q: What is the best way to get small children on a vegetarian diet?
I have a 6 year old who loves chicken and 5 year old who only likes mac n cheese and a 2 year old who eats everything. I started Jan. 1st on a vegetarian diet and my husband started 2 weeks ago. We decided that meats are really bad and want our children to go vegetarain too. Any ideas on how to do this and make it fun and tastey would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
A: Oh, goodness, litmama, please don't listen to anyone who tells you meat is necessary for children's growth. It's not meat, but PROTEIN, that is essential for growing kids, and protein can come from non-meat sources. I have been vegetarian for three years and I envy those young people who parents have been vegetarian and who raised them from childhood to be vegetarian, too.
There are many websites which can help you start your family on a vegetarian diet, which is the healthiest, most compassionate, most environment-friendly decision you've made. VegFamily.com is one of them. I think there is also a website called VegetarianBaby.com for children under 3.
Congratulations on making this decision. I hope that you stick to your vegetarian diet, not just for your health, but for that of the environment, too.
Q: Has anyone heard of feeding a dog a vegetarian diet to make him more docile?
I've heard of a vegetarian diet for dogs with allergies or G.I. problems, but to make him less aggressive.
Seems it would just malnurouish him?
BTW. I'm not asking for any traing tips, this is just a dietary question.
A: Yes, the best way to get rid of the problems you mentioned is to change the dogs diet but not the way you have asked. Often just getting rid of the commercial dog food with its inappropritate and poor quality ingredients will fix these issues.
Dogs are carnivores - they need raw carcasses not fruit, vegetables and grains. Feed your dog a species appropriate diet of RAW meat, edible bones, offal/organs and a few table scraps.
Do your research into a raw diet for your dog and you will never feed commercial food again. This link is to a feeding guide produced by Dr Tom Lonsdale - a vet with many years of experience and research into the damage caused by commercial diets.
**Raw meat has nothing to do with aggression. This is an old wives tale whose time is well and truly over!!.
Q: Is it possible to become a bodybuilder while on a VEGETARIAN diet?
I'm a lacto-vegetarian, so i'll be able to consume milk and whey/casein shakes aswell as combine various nuts/lentils together to make more complete sources of protein.
Are their any other trainers who have done well on a vegetarian diet?
A: Yes. I am a vegetarian and you just have to make sure you get all the nutrients that you need. Easy on the milk though, especially cheese since it is loaded in saturated fat. Nuts and lentils as well as pasta are key, and peanut butter..all organic, has more nutrients than meat.
Make sure you balance it out with fruit though so all the energy you want can be absorbed
Q: Where can I learn about having a vegetarian diet?
I am a 25 year old guy, into bodybuilding but would like to switch to a vegetarian diet without affecting my build nor my ability to enjoy sporty activities and going to the gym to workout.
I have been a meat eater all my life, and have decided to switch to a vegetarian diet.
Where can I find information on such diet, advice, recommendation, etc..?
Thank you!
A: meat is still good, give meat another chance
Q: How much pasta is too much pasta in a vegetarian diet?
So I just became a vegetarian a month ago,and I love pasta,but I dont want to eat to much and have an unbalenced diet(Also i'm not talking about eating a huge plate of pasta dripping in oil)
So how many days a week should I limit myself to having pasta?
A: i love pasta too, i eat it all the time =)
try mixing it up, maybe have ravioli one day, fettucine the next, etc. i think one serving a day is fine as long as it's not too big and you get plenty of fruits and vegetables (and dairy if you eat it) to balance it out.
Q: How to gain muscle on a vegetarian diet?
I'm at quite a low weight currently and after two years of being vegetarian i've noticed a significant drop in my muscle mass.
I'm quite small, but what there is of me is only fat.
What could i add to my diet to help me gain muscle easier?
Or, what exercises would be best?
A: Building muscle with vegetable protein is often overlooked. Many people wrongly assume that all vegetables consist only of carbohydrates. This is not the case and there are many vegetables that are high in protein.
The majority of plant foods contain protein and peas, beans, lentils and soya are the more popular examples. Because the popularity of vegetable protein has increased there is now a range of pea protein supplements in powdered form. These supplements are ideal for use with soups, cereals or smoothies or adding to other meals.
Training – If you want bigger than normal muscles you must provide stimulus to them in the forum of regular workouts. This is best performed by a systematic scientific training regimen.