Hey I'm michael, aka Michael! I am a new vegetarian, about a week.... well I was wondering if anyone can teach me the basics? I have to be able to eat eggs and dairy and occasional OCCASIONAL fish (all of the above parent's fault). I have been living off buttered noodles and Boca burgers and that's not good. Any advice? BTW I have to buy like 70% of my "special" food... my parent's are unsupportive...

Thanks!

--Renneme

Welcome! There are tons and tons of things you can eat, no need to live off buttered noodles and Boca!

If you want some examples of easy foods you probably have around your house..
Pitas stuffed with lots of veggies and maybe some tasty hummus!
Bagels with cream cheese or peanut butter
Veggie soups (check for beef/chicken stock)
Veggie chili
Veggie tacos (try to find TVP - texturized vegetable protein. Its dirt cheap and can be flavored many ways - I love it in my tacos!)
Veggie stirfrys
Baked potatos (with brocoli and cheese!)
Veggie pizza!

Some basics you need to know - complete proteins! It is possible to get everything you need from a veg diet but sometimes you have to combine foods to get proteins. Try this site http://www.bodyforlife2.com/incompletprotein.htm for examples.

Check out this site for easy recipies anda link to a monster list of vegan items are your local grocery store. http://www.peta2.com/STUFF/s-recipe.asp

Best of luck and let me know how it goes :) Hopefully soon your parents will let you eat what you want to and be more supportive

Welcome to VB! :hi: and congrats on the switch to a vegetarian (well, semi-vegetarian) diet! You will find this link very useful: http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showpost.php?p=934947&postcount=1

:hi: I'll be happy to help if I can. :)

First of all, can you cook? I don't mean fancy 50-course meals, I'm talking can you boil water, can you sautee veggies... how functional are you in the kitchen?

The other question is what do your parents keep on hand? Do they have frozen veggies, fresh produce, grains, beans (either dried or canned), fruit or spices? And what kind of oil do they keep around?

And finally, what special food are you buying or having to buy? Why do you need it?

Congrats on going veg and you shouldn't have to live off boca burgers and buttered noodles. There are toooooo many good things in the veg world for you to do that.

Hi Renneme, welcome. :)

You don't need special food to be veg. You just need a bit of creativity at first -- it is hard to get out of that "tri-section meal" rut (meat, veg, carbo)... we tend to eat foods that combine protein, veg, and carbs and you don't need special foods at all...

we might have...

tofu & diced veg, stir fried w/soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, served on rice
indian chickpea curry on basmati rice with steamed veg
bowtie pasta with pasta sauce, steamed veg, and a salad
veg soup with crusty bread
veg jambalaya with salad
veg gumbo with rice & salad
green lentils & rice with stuffed vine leaves (I buy these, I don't make em!!) and cucumber/tomato salad

etc etc... I really recommend changing your thinking just a little bit, and getting away from the habit of using meat replacements to continue eating the same foods, and try making different types of meals if you can. It is actually cheaper once you stop buying expensive faux meat products :) Unless you're like me and you are addicted to buying cookbooks :lol:

Also, check out www.vegweb.com -- tons of recipes on there. I usually go for the ones that are top rated (no less than 4 stars) and they're always quite tasty. :lick:

Thanks so much everyone! I couldn't ask for a more supportive group of people! ^_^ I've tried some other places where they're like "Pfft. You eat fish. You shouldn't do that! YOU ARE NOT A VEGETARIAN! I on the other hand am a vegan and am better than you..." basically.... O_o

I usually have vegetable oil for oil
Fruits: apples, bananas, canned peaches, canned pears
Veggies: frozen beans, carrots, asparagus, lettuce, etc.
Other: Instant rice, instant noodles, and that's about it...
And a lot of different spices, my mom used to be a chef in a restaurant so she's a great cook, *I* on the other hand can't cook at all basically.

I also have another question. I work at burger king. I've never cooked before, I'm usually on cash register but sometimes I expedite. I've only gone (partial (fish)) veggie about a week and a half ago but the smell makes me sick. And how will I handle that when I'm eventually put in the back for training?

Thanks SO much!

--Renneme

I also have another question. I work at burger king. I've never cooked before, I'm usually on cash register but sometimes I expedite. I've only gone (partial (fish)) veggie about a week and a half ago but the smell makes me sick. And how will I handle that when I'm eventually put in the back for training?


I can help you out with this. I used to work at a hospital where I had to prepare meat and I currently work at Popeyes Chicken. It might not be the most pleasant thing at first, but you'll get used to it. I assume you won't work at BK forever, so therefore you'll appriciate when you don't have to work there anymore. Fast food isn't the most pleasant job, but it's work.

Soy protein is equivelent to animal protein, all 9 essential amino acids, important to remember, so get some tempeh :)
Dark green leafy vegetables make a healthy salad, just needs some tasty dressing.
Fruits, fruits, and more fruits, best stuff on Earth, walnuts for omega-3, oatmeal for breakfast.
I'd say just throw up on the food at BK and mow lawns for the summer.

I also have another question. I work at burger king. I've never cooked before, I'm usually on cash register but sometimes I expedite. I've only gone (partial (fish)) veggie about a week and a half ago but the smell makes me sick. And how will I handle that when I'm eventually put in the back for training?


--Renneme

Don't let it get to you. I'm sure all you will have to do is cook the meat, which is really no big deal. You will get used to the smell (it can't be that different from out the front?). I really wouldn't let it worry you, I'm a chef, so I find it hard sometimes too, I'm sure you'll be fine though :)