Hello everyone.

I've been considering vegetarianism for a bit now. I cant even explain why. I dont have a logical reasoning for it. In any case, I wanted to find out as much about it as I could. I know there is vegeration and vegan, but what other 'labels' are there. How do you ensure you are getting all the nutriets you should have? Did anyone notice any helath changes (bad or good) when switching? Is it better to go into it cold turkey, or gradually cut meat out of my diet

Im looking forward to meeting you all and learning about this as much as possible and I think you in advance for being understanding about my lack of knowledge on the subject area

Hello everyone.

I've been considering vegetarianism for a bit now. I cant even explain why. I dont have a logical reasoning for it. In any case, I wanted to find out as much about it as I could. I know there is vegeration and vegan, but what other 'labels' are there. How do you ensure you are getting all the nutriets you should have? Did anyone notice any helath changes (bad or good) when switching? Is it better to go into it cold turkey, or gradually cut meat out of my diet

Im looking forward to meeting you all and learning about this as much as possible and I think you in advance for being understanding about my lack of knowledge on the subject area

There's also Lacto/ovo and Lacto Vegetarians. While Vegans will not consume ANY product that comes from an animal, Lacto vegetarians will consume dairy, and Lacto/Ovo will eat Dairy and egg products.

Welcome to VB! :hi:

I recommend you start with this thread: http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=47062&page=3

Thanks vivian. I dont particularly like milk and if I was living on my own now, could easily cut out dairy. The problem is that I still live with my family to save money, and it would be harder to do this with them using dairy to make things.

Another thing is my family. I dont think they would respond very well to my announcing vegetarianism, which is why I am also trying to research it alot so i can show them I am making an informed decision. I am considering starting it for Lent, which doesnt come till march 1st though I believe, but at least then I will have reasoning for it in their eyes. What do you all think about gradually lowering my meat consumption until that point and then cutting it out completely then?

It took me a while to taper off once I made the decision. This was back in 1997 so I didn't have VB or even a computer at home for info and support, but once I was "officially" a vegetarian, I never looked back. You just get into the kitchen and learn your way around. There are tons of awesome recipes here on VB. The best thing to do is play around and learn some basic recipes. Surprise your family by offering to cook a meal for them perhaps once a week or 2 or three times a month (there are plenty of dishes which are veg or veg-friendly anyway, such as pasta with a nonmeat sauce; just set some sauce aside for yourself and add meat to it for the rest of the family, if they insist on meat in the sauce). By the time Lent rolls around, you'll be comfortable in the kitchen, familiar with some vegetarian dishes, and they'll probably figure out what's going on when you tell them you're giving up meat for Lent and maybe even after that... Good luck!

"The Food Revolution" by John Robbins is a compelling read, and a good overview of all the reasons why a plant-based diet is superior ethically, health-wise, and environmentally.

Robbins is actually the son of the Robbins in Baskin Robbins Ice Cream, and has given up his claim to the company fortune because he feels so strongly about promoting a plant-based diet.

There are many great stats, quotes, and bits of evidence in that book that you can use to inform yourself, and to show your family it's a sound, beneficial move on your part.

What worked for me was a gradual transition. I started by cutting out pork, beef, and other red meat (which I never ate much of to begin with.) After making that adjustment, I cut out poultry. The last to go was fish. I wouldn't recommend jumping right into veganism. I personally think that changes are more likely to stick when made gradually. There are many great resources available to help you find the information you need, from books, to videos, to magazines, to the internet. Good luck, and feel free to ask any questions you have along the way!

People go vegetarian in different ways. Some stop eating meat literally overnight (I did), but others do it gradually by cutting out certain kind sof meat, or by reducing the amount they eat. do whatver feels right to you.

There are lots of threads in the Health forum about positive health effects people have noticed, but I'll just say I was plagued by frequent migraines when I ate meat, and they have all but vanished. Also, I feel comfortably full after meals without feeling overstuffed, bloated, and icky.

Amy, thanks for plugging the Goin' Veg Club! There's lots of tips, support, and other newbies posting there.

How do you ensure you are getting all the nutriets you should have?

first, by understanding the basics of vegetarian or vegan nutrition and then applying it. But, the largest key is variety in the diet. Also, staying away from junk foods. there are lots of vegetarian junk foods!

Did anyone notice any helath changes (bad or good) when switching?

Yes, when i started vegetarianism/veganism, it was great. i lost weight and one of my on-going health problems completely healed on it's own, without medication. I was vegan for a while, but had to move back into vegetarianism (ovo-lacto) for health reasons.

Is it better to go into it cold turkey, or gradually cut meat out of my diet?

this is entirely up to you. there's no 'right' way to do it and likely no 'easy' way--just whatever works for you.

First of all, in reference to your question about should you go veggie cold turkey or cut back gradually, I say its up to you. If your like me and LOVE meat, you should cut back gradually. Today is my first officiAL DAY, and Im craving meat right now lol, anyways You can quit cold turkey, if you want. Just try each one, and see if you like it its gonna be hard the first couple of weeks. Since you don't like milk, try chocolate soymilk its awsome! and tummy:yes: theres also vanilla. Anyway Hope I helped.

ps: Just for a piece of info, Dont ever breath the smell of Hot dogs in the morning. especially after youv had meat out of your system for 24 hours. its gross my mom was making a fried hot dog sandwhich this morning for breakfast and it was gross. Made me naseause:spew:

I feel comfortably full after meals without feeling overstuffed, bloated, and icky.

That's usually the case for me too, but it is totally possible to get overstuffed on vegan food. Today I came home from work REALLY hungry (I work in food service and we don't get a lunch break at the "normal" time). I had some brown-rice and bean soup. I was so hungry that I ate too fast for my body's "Hey I'm Full" signals to get through till I had overdone it a bit.

...it is totally possible to get overstuffed on vegan food.
Yeah, I've done it a few times, on bean soup, beans and rice, or a cheesy meal. But it used to be a regular occurrence. Now it's every once in a blue moon.

God I'm the perfect example of a vegan binger. :)

My biggest advice is to grab a calender, and mark your days. "Beef-free!" one day, "Mammal-free" one day, "Animal-free!" one day, and if you want to plan this far ahead, "Cruelty-free!" for the day you go completely vegan. ^_^ And of course remember that EVERYBODY has setbecks, whether with meat, gelatin, dairy, whatever. EVERYBODY screws up and eats something they shouldn't, purposefully or not. The important thing is to jump back on with a vengeance, say "That is not what I want to be doing," and keep on trucking. After a year or so of any habit it will be so second nature that you won't have to think about it at all anymore!

Educate yourself as much as you can on ethics and nutrition. I believe this is the most important thing to a successful lifestyle change.

Good luck! I'm here 24/7 if you need me. :)

My husband and I went cold turkey together, never looked back. After a week, we wondered why we hadn't done it sooner! We've been vegetarian (minimally lacto-ovo) for several years now, and my husband has never looked better... he lost 30 lbs (combination of diet and exercise) and we both feel great. Really I think his vegetarianism makes him even sexier.... ;-)

hi soccerella-

Do it in whichever way makes sense to you. Some people taper off.
I actually went from omnivore to vegan overnight, "cold turkey". I never had any problems.

Getting nutrients won't be any harder than it was before. In fact, I find that with a plant based diet it's much easier to get lots of vitamins. :)

A book I have that has a lot of great nutrition info is "Becoming Vegan", but there are tons of other books out there as well as information online. Just google "vegan nutrition" or "vegetarian nutrition".

Many organizations will send you a free veg starter kit. They include: peta.org (goveg.com) mercyforanimals.org veganoutreach.com

Best of luck to you!

I went cold tofurky as well. It was probably easier for me as I live on my own so I just gave away the meat to a friend and never had to look at it since.
Again a few weeks later I gave up eggs and dairy completely.
But I am an all-or-nothing person, so I could never give up anything in stages. Decide what you think will work best for you.

I agree with Aloe Vera's recommendation of "Becoming Vegan" By Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina. It is great for showing you how to be healthy on a vegan diet. I believe that the two authors also a book called "Becoming Vegetarian" but I have never read that one.

As for the "reasons" for going veg*n? That is for you to decide, but education is always beneficial. Someone recommended "Food Revolution" by John Robbins. It is an amazing book and has opened a lot of eyes. It is the first book that I read when I decided that I was no longer going to eat meat.

Of course there are tons of free resources on the internet.

Good luck!

Did anyone notice any helath changes (bad or good) when switching?

I've been vegetarian my entire life. I just went vegan in November. Believe it or not just the simple act of cutting dairy and eggs out of my diet has had a great effect on me.

My fingernails are growing in fast, strong and healthy. I feel more alert. I noticed my eye color brighten (to a shine I had as a youth), and my breasts feel like they are growing again (I'm not a spring chic either).

bad: maybe it's just detoxification....but I'm a little gasier :sealed: I hope this one goes away soon. :o

Good luck to you and remember you have "google" the search link on Veggieboards as well as us VBers for help and support.

I'm slowly cutting out meat. It's doing really slowwwwwwwwwwww. Haha. I still like meat. I don't hate it. I just think that it can be unhealthy for ya. I think a veggie diet is healthier for you. I live with my mom, and and sister. So i'm trying to do this veggie thing. It's hard. I think that when me and my sister move out and live together, it will be so much easier. She even said that she is gonna be a vegetarian too when we move out becasue she knows it's important to me. She doesn't want it to be hard for me. So, we both are gonna do it. Thank God. :D


So I have cut out beef and pork. Next i'm gonna cut up chicken and turkey and so on and so on. You can do it like that hunny. :) Ummm, it's hard ok. :cry: When I move out, it will be easier. Ok bye. :)


Monika

UPDATE: Okay, so I guess the dairy detox takes up to 3 1/2 months.

The one problem I was having since becoming vegan is over now.
(no more gas. Thank Goodness.)

I made delicious sandwhiches last night for dinner.

Pumpernickle bread
Vegenaise (grapeseed)
kale
lettuce
tomatoes
green peppers
alfalfa sprouts
little garlic powder
fresh ground pepper

yummy. I couldn't stick with just one. Had to have 2. :lick: