Ok,

While I am working my way through the "The New Becoming Vegetarian" (please don't ruin the ending!) and had a couple of questions.

I never paid a great deal of attention to what I was eating before, but now it seems that I need to pay at least *some* attention to thing like protein and B12.

So, if I am reading this correctly I can satisfy the majority of Omega-3 fatty acid requirements with 3 tablespoons of walnuts? As in I can keep a can of nuts in the kitchen and can just grab a handfull of nuts to eat with every breakfast?

Or if I didn't want to worry about this are daily vitamins considered a good source of some of these types of nutrients or are they made from animal products?

Thanks all.

for amoega 3 fats, flax seed and walnuts are good sources. taking them daily will help.

for b12, if you are vegetarian, you can get enough from eggs and dairy. If you are vegan, then you need to take a supplement. a sublingual supplement is considered best.

for protien, you can get all that you need from dairy products, eggs, nuts, seeds, beans, and grains. most vegetables and fruits contain protien as well--in minimal amounts. So, you'll be fine.

Or if I didn't want to worry about this are daily vitamins considered a good source of some of these types of nutrients or are they made from animal products?
Thanks all.
Some supplements are made with animal products and some are not. For some good animal-free ones, check out www.veganstore.com. If you're wondering about Omega 3s, most multivitamins are not a good source because Omega 3s are a type of fat, not a vitamin or mineral. I would stick with the walnut idea.

Yes its true, a handful of walnuts will cover the omega 3s (most omnivores don't even get the suggested omega 3 serving!) As others have said, you need a B12 supplement of some sort, and of course, its a good idea for everyone (omnivore or vegetarian) to take a daily multivitamin.

I thought walnuts had more omega-6, while flax seed has more omega-3? I understand most vegetarians get plenty of omega6 from other things they eat. Walnuts might be a tastier way to get omegas, though. Flax seed doesn't have much flavor- that's probably why I forget to eat a tablespoon of them some days.

Another option for Omega-3s is hemp seed/ oil.

If only I could get Omega 3's from smoking a relative of the hemp plant rather than imbibing it's seeds, then I'd be in business. Well, actually, I'd probably have a huge overload of omega 3's. ;)

for b12, if you are vegetarian, you can get enough from eggs and dairy. If you are vegan, then you need to take a supplement. a sublingual supplement is considered best.

there are also animal friendly foods that are fortified with b12. i believe silk soy milk is, and i've seen it in some fake meats. if you do take a mulitvitamin, then you won't need to worry about it, i just wanted to point out that it is in some veg foods, if not naturally.

i get my omega-3s by mixing some flax seed oil in my oatmeal. you can also get omega-3 supplements. i try to take take the veganstore.com multi with iron and calicium vitamins, but i'm not always consistent. :/

Not only do I appreciate your comments in this thread, but in all of the other ones I have been lurking around.

So glad you all decided to make a community here, just having an active forum to reference is making the transition much more managable.

Thanks for your help and keep up the good work!

So glad you all decided to make a community here, just having an active forum to reference is making the transition much more managable.

Aww...

I'm glad you like it here. :sunny: