[UrWorstNitemare]

1st: I need some help with what to do. I just started being a vegetarian and already my mom flipped out and started talking about how i'm going to be really unhealthy and that animals are here for humans to eat. I really don't believe that and want to be vegetarian but my family is putting pressure on me to eat meat again.<br><br>
2nd: My friend just started being veg. and both of us are feeling hungry all the time, and we are eating just fine. Is that normal for when you barely become veg???<br><br><br><br>
I think thats all I have to ask for right now but I need some answers!!<br><br><br><br><br><br>
Thanks<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/broccoli.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":bobo:">

 

[codemonkey]

To start off, I LOVE your avatar!<br><br><br><br>
On talking to your mom about being vegetarian, show her this: <a href="http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy_933_ENU_HTML.htm" target="_blank">http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg...3_ENU_HTML.htm</a><br><br><br><br>
It's the American Dietetic Association's position paper on vegetarian diets. It explains why animal products are absolutely not necessary in a healthy diet. As long as you're getting adequate amounts of protien, carbs and fat from a variety of sources, you'll be fine. It takes just as much if not more effort to eat a healthy omni diet as it does to eat a healthy vegetarian diet. Make sure you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and beans and grains. Just like with any diet, keep junk-food to a minimum.<br><br><br><br>
Now as far as being hungry all the time, make sure you're eating enough. A vegetarian diet typically has fewer calories than an omni diet even if you're eating the same volume of food (which is nice for those of us trying to lose weight.) Either you can eat larger meals or you can snack more between meals, whichever is easier for you. You can also include more high calorie foods like avocado and peanut butter and bananas and such. Just make sure you're eating enough to feel satisfied and keep yourself at a healthy weight (sudden drastic weightloss will almost certainly convince your mom that your change in diet was a bad idea.)

 

[UrWorstNitemare]

Ohh thanks! ^_^ But I have another question. Do you need to take vitamins? I heard that if you are veg. and you don't take vitamins you will get really sick. Is that true??

 

[codemonkey]

I personally think EVERYONE should take vitamins just as a backup. If you're not eating dairy or eggs than you need a B12 supplement (it's in any multivitamin.) Other than B12, there isn't a single vitamin or mineral in meat that can't be found in plants. Just eat your veggies and you'll be fine.

 

[UrWorstNitemare]

Alrighty thank ya much! I'm hoping I won't give up easily and stay a veg. Because I did hear that you can be somewhat healthier and lose weight being a veg. ^_^

 

[ketivnilloc]

I went through the hungry stage too, and your body will adapt to the sudden change in diet, and you won't feel as hungry.

 

[UrWorstNitemare]

how long will it take to adapt??? Well, usually?

 

[Carwere15]

Actually the sotmilks on the market usually have B12 but miltivitamins are a good idea for anyone. Just make sure you get <i>vegetarian</i> multivitamins you'd be suprised at what they can squeeze animal products into!

 

[MJZ]

I have recently became vegan and my first to days i felt hungry most of the time but that was gone quickly<br><br><br><br><br><br>
If your vegitarian you have little to worry about just eat a wide variety of food (dont eat the same simple salad every day)<br><br><br><br>
If your vegan like me you need to be a bit more careful esspecially with b 12 but a simple multivitamin will be enough

 

[froggythefrog]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>UrWorstNitemare</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
how long will it take to adapt??? Well, usually?</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Hmmmm...... good question. I can't give you a timeframe, but I can give you a little advice. Everyone is different, but when I feel hungry, I often make sure I incorporate tofu into what I am eating. This is just an example. It depends on what your body is wanting, but I actually find tofu to be filling and satisfying.

 

[Seb_0810]

When I stopped eating meat I noticed a few "withdrawal" symptoms as my body adapted to the diet change.<br><br><br><br>
- The most prominent symptom for me was a restless bowel. Excessive gas and frequent (3-5 times a day) pooping may happen because the colon adapts to digesting plant-only food.<br><br><br><br>
- Malaise: This happens as the body de-toxifies from the various toxins found in meat. It was mild and periodic.<br><br><br><br>
- Hunger: Yes, you may become hungry at times. If you are hungry try to satisfy your appetite with protein-rich food such as bread, beans, or soy.<br><br><br><br>
It lasted about two weeks for me and it shouldn't be too unpleasant.<br><br><br><br>
If you have cravings for meat, veggie meats should satisfy your craving.<br><br><br><br>
As with your mother, the only reason she is worried about you getting vitamins is because she cares about your health. Show her the statement about veganism by the American Diebetic Association. If she is not convinced, try to go to the doctor. He will make sure you are getting your nutrients and convince your mother that a vegetarian diet is healthy.<br><br><br><br>
Good luck going veg! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":up:">

 

[UrWorstNitemare]

Ok I just got back from *Not really eating it* dinner. My parents made burritos and made meat 'separate' from the beans. I was mad because in the beans there was meat hidden in it, and I noticed my parents glancing at me through the meal. It makes me mad because I don't think they are taking me seriously. They think it is just a 'phase' or something. My parents keep telling me that it is really unhealthy and that I shouldn't do it. Today they gave me this HUGE lecture about it while driving to the store and almost made me stop but I haven't yet. I'm hoping I won't let them get to me. -__- I don't know if my mom will go to the doctor for me. Because as I said, She thinks its a phase.<br><br><br><br><br><br>
P.S. I think they might warm up to the idea, though because at the store they said to get all the veggies I need for the while.

 

[Seb_0810]

My parents were very stubborn when I first went veg. If your parents think it is a "phase", then show them you are serious about it. Suggest a compromise. I agreed with my parents that I can stay veg if I give up the computer for a month. After four days I began to go through computer withdrawal ( yes, I have a computer addiction) so my parents decided I was serious and gave me the computer back early. I hope that works. If not, then the only solution is time- if you have been veg for a while, your parents should dismiss it as a "phase". I hope you succeed in convincing your parents to let you be veg! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[MJZ]

I think if you just stick with it and dont eat any meat they will give up after awhile simple as that for me just dont give in 1 day and eat a peice of meat it will just give them ammo

 

[Carwere15]

I know how you feel. My parents thought I would last a week when I made the announcement which was a year and a half ago.

 

[rabid_child]

What is an example of a daily menu for you? Vegetables etc... are not as calorie denses as meat and you want to make sure you are eating enough.

 

[Tesseract]

I know someone else here said they reached a health compromise with her parents where the parents agreed to let her be vegetarian for I think three or maybe six months. If at the end of that time, she was showing any ill effects, she agreed to go back to eating meat. At the end of the trial period, she was as healthy as ever, as she's been a vegetarian ever since. Her parents couldn't really object.<br><br><br><br>
In theory, if you eat a balanced, varied diet rich in lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes, you wouldn't need a multivitamin, but we all have times when we don't eat as well as we ought to. That's true for everyone, regardless of whether they eat meat. So a multi-vitamin is a good idea as a backup.<br><br><br><br>
There are couple of specific supplements that are a good idea for vegetarians (well, they're probably a good idea for everyone, as well), and they are omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12. Most multi-vitamins will have B12 already in them. One of the best veggie sources of omega-3 fatty acids is flax seeds or flax oil. Canola oil, walnuts, and some other nuts and seeds are also good sources.<br><br><br><br>
There's no need to be hungry. There are plenty of vegetarian foods that will fill you up and stick to your ribs. Potatoes, beans, vegetarian chili, whole grain breads, soy products, all come to mind.<br><br><br><br>
I also strongly suggest that you get yourself down to your local libray if you can and look up books on vegetarianism and vegetarian cooking. Browsing a few cookbooks should give you some meal ideas<br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=50249" target="_blank">The Tip of the Day Thread</a>

 

[codemonkey]

You might want to volunteer to help cook dinner. That way you can be sure they're not sneaking meat (or broth) into your food and you can make sure you're getting something adequate. If the only thing you can eat at mealtimes is salad then, you definitely won't be getting the nutrients you need. Unfortunately with all the protein hype going around right now most people think meat is some kind of wonder-food (which is total BS, ask any dietician.)

 

[Annlouise]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Carwere15</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I know how you feel. My parents thought I would last a week when I made the announcement which was a year and a half ago.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br><br><br>
I had a similar reaction from my mom last week. Our family got together for Sunday dinner. She'd made a pork roast, and perhaps thought I wasn't eating it to tick her off somehow. I'd asked her if she could make some grilled vegetables, but probably wasn't clear about what I meant. I'd brought some GardenBurgers to grill, which she looked at like they were radioactive.<br><br>
Then my brother asked me (jokingly) if I was going to become a communist.<br><br>
But man oh man did that roast smell good.<br><br><br><br>
My husband's been more understanding - he thinks if it's what I really want to do, that's fine with him. But we've had enough struggles with his diabetes, so I don't feel it's fair to push my choice on him in this area.

 

[troub]

Alot of our families were like that. Hopefully they will get used to the idea. Just keep reminding yourself why your doing it. Animals. Health. Environment. Whatever the reason.