I became a vegetarian

originally posted by: ClownFish
Unless I missed it, I didn't see anyone mention tofu.

Keep a diary (dairy diary?) and track how you feel. See if you can become sensitive enough to take a taste of something, and get an immediate impression. But also remember that change takes time.

Good luck with this and keep us posted.

I can't understand why anyone would eat tofu. That stuff tastes like crap.

Also, unless you are genetically used to it it can have side effects if eaten consistantly. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

a reply to: svetlana84

I also take the Floradix potion which is made from rusty nails with a bit of prunes and beets. Warning: not only does the potion quickly complete its task of elevating iron level, it's added bonus ( or curse ) is sudden onset of "effortless movement", often multiple and untimely. 😕

a reply to: NewzNose

what?

a reply to: kisin

Let almonds be your best friend.They help me a lot because getting sufficient calories as a veggie is hard work.I need at least 3000 kcal a day and no-one wants to eat that much cheese.

Go easy on the walnuts,they seem to make me fatter-I eat only six halves a day.

a reply to: rickymouse

I detest tofu.Tastes like someone already ate it.

It can be sneaked into food.

a reply to: Ericthedoubter

3000 kcal! im at 1500kcal! you a pro athlete?

originally posted by: Ericthedoubter
a reply to: rickymouse

I detest tofu.Tastes like someone already ate it.

It can be sneaked into food.

Just because you choose to be a vegetarian does not mean you should be punished by eating tofu.

a reply to: kisin

Floradix gives you loose bowels!!

a reply to: Ericthedoubter

LOL! Yeah, dog food!

a reply to: rickymouse

I agree, it tastes like crap. I was going for the protein factor. And yes, it's not the greatest stuff, but if prepared properly, it can add a good "mouth feel" to some recipes.

As for the genetic issue, that's true regardless of what you are eating. There are sensitivities to just about everything, especially wheat. And most of us don't know what we are sensitive to. When we had a holistic animal practice, I discovered that 100% of the animals with cancer had food allergies, even though they displayed no symptoms of them. For years I considered writing a book called, "Too sick to itch."

Everyone's different. That's partly why I suggested he see if he could develop a sensitivity to how he is responding to a single bite, etc., and keep a diary.

But you're right, it taste like crap.

a reply to: kisin

I didn't eat meat for 10 years. I still ate dairy, fish & seafood, and had been eating those soy "burgers" and soy "chicken patties." I only ate wild fish, so I wasn't guzzling down organophosphates or some of the other horrors of farm-raised fish, but eventually, I realized that I was probably consuming WAY too much mercury. I then learned that soy (especially in larger quantities) can increase estrogen levels (which, of course, can increase the risk of cancers.) I'm not saying it can't be done in a very healthy way, just saying it can't be done by me.

Ultimately, once I was back to full omnivorian glory, I've switched to only eating what I simply call "good" food. As natural as reasonable. Organic grains, fruits and vegetables, properly-raised meats (grass-fed cows, wild game, properly-raised -usually local- pig and bird.) Most importantly, I avoid processed foods. There are very few things in our kitchen which don't come from the produce section or a refrigerated section.

I feel like, from a health stand point, this is far more important than avoiding meat. Now, someone could have a well-balanced non-meat diet which provides for all needs without overloading on the wrong things (like the soy example) and also do what I'm doing above. Also, the best scenario for everyone is different. For many people with high blood pressure, cutting down sodium might be the most important thing. For obese people, perhaps reducing caloric intake. Other reasons for not eating meat - perfectly valid as well - conservation, love of animals, etc.

So, that's kind of, my experience and beliefs. For me, swearing off land-meat was (heh) cold turkey, and lasted about 10 years. That ended 8 years ago. I felt healthy then, and do now as well. I've had ideal cholesterol and blood pressure numbers, and the various other levels standard blood tests measure, for as long as I can remember. My cholesterol numbers are actually slightly better now (at age 40) than they were at age 30.

Best of luck to you in your quest, I hope it is beneficial and enjoyable for you. My words of advice:
Go easy on the soy. It has a great protein (amino acid) profile, but has it's pitfalls too.

Expand your variety of the foods you do eat - it'll make your eating more interesting, rather than less - this will help your odds of success and enjoyment as a non-meat eater.

If you do "give in" and have some meat, but want to continue as a vegetarian, it's ok - not all is lost, just go right back to it (you probably get this already having quit alcohol and nicotine.)

As for myself, my brand new Weber Genesis E-330 is arriving in 2 days and I have several bison ribeye steaks eagerly awaiting.

Congrats for not making it past the first day without resisting the urge to tell everyone.

Haha am just playing. Have been considering it myself for a while but I'd miss steaks too much.

a reply to: kisin

230lbs.I get incredible hunger pain(not pangs,pain)if I eat too little.

I was until recently a weightlifter,nothing amazing though.I work shifts in a factory and I'm a gravity mountainbiker.

I have an armband that told me I was using up 4000kcals a day-on a non-training day😃.

a reply to: rickymouse

i was also in the "tofu has no taste club" until i discovered ways to prepare it, like hot mapuh tofu, and othe ways.

Now there is smoked tofu on the market, it s a harder consistency and has a full taste, some people refer to it as the bacon of the vegans.

On the other hand you are right on the negative side:

- a lot of tofu nowadays comes from GMO Soja
- loads of phytooestrogen (the female hormone contained in soja)

a reply to: svetlana84

I'd rather eat beans, peanuts, or potatoes than tofu. I think Monsanto may have started rumors that it is good for you. They probably funded all the research that says tofu is good for you.

You cannot just look at protein, there is a lot more to food than just protein.

a reply to: kisin

I've heard that if your eating pulses (beans, lentils), you'll get more protein value if you eat whole grains with them. Beans with rice, lentils with barley..etc

Eat lots of variety of salads, veggies. Try veggies and fruits that you've never tried before, experiment.

Read labels. If you don't recognize ingredients, don't buy it.

a reply to: MagnaCarta2015

ive been considering for a long time, but ya know those hamburgers mmmm... Asian cuisine, mmmmm... tha chicken mmmmmmmm... ive tried a sorta based vegetarian diet before and i felt healthier.. went back to a non veggie diet, felt like #.. so now im doing the switch, you could say, i took a creed declaring im going veggie..

a reply to: snowspirit

i come from a nation which had bark bread on the menu..

I recommend the website www.nutritionfacts.org - has lots of info about the vegetarian diet and nutrition.

Sal

originally posted by: kisin
a reply to: snowspirit

i come from a nation which had bark bread on the menu..

That sounds strangely interesting. Not much nutrition (I googled it)
There's also bugs ending up on menus, but I'm guessing they'd be considered meats. Some bugs are getting ground up as flour.

www.canadianbusiness.com...