Hot topics for both consumers and webmarketers on WebmasterRadio.FM
Every Wednesday, 5PM Eastern.
Becoming Vegetarian Tips
Vegetarians Beware
Although it is relatively simple to spot animal products in a listing of ingredients, such as gelatin, lard, rennet, and animal fat, the real trick is to read every single label of every single bit of food you are thinking about buying. You should realize that animal products show up in some of the most unlikely places: fruit pies, vegetable soups, Easter candy...the list is endless. If your goal is to avoid all animal products, make it a habit to search ingredient lists before taking a bite.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Getting Friends to Understand
If you want to ease tension and help those close to you to understand and respect your choices, try to make yourself less of and "inconvenience" by bringing your own food to family get-togethers. Bring enough to share; friends can taste what you eat and these foods will seem a little less intimidating.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Understand Why You Are Changing
Clearly understand the reason(s) that you desire to change. With well defined goals and objectives, the extra effort that is sometimes required to transitions diet lifestyles will not seem difficult. Reasons to change can range from concerns about the environment, concerns about how animals raised for slaughter are raised, religious beliefs, or the desire to lead a longer, happier, disease free life. Define your own reasons to insure your success.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Transitioning
Think of some dishes you enjoy that can be easily converted to meatless versions. Try spaghetti with marinara sauce instead of meat sauce. Try vegetable lo mein the next time you order take out, instead of chicken lo mein. And order a bean burrito instead of a beef burrito at your favorite Mexican restaurant.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Being a Vegetarian is Convenient
There are a lot of people who are hesitant to go down the vegetarian road because they feel it will be inconvenient. In today's fast-paced world, it is essential that things are available quickly and with little hassle. The truth is that we all have busy lives and probably don't have time to prepare elaborate recipes on a daily basis. We are a nation consumed by fast food and prepackaged meals.
If vegetarian meals were hard to come by in everyday establishments or not readily available in supermarkets, it will be impossible for some people to eat. What most people don't realize is that easy vegetarian meals are indeed readily available. The owners and marketing staff members of large supermarkets and big restaurants would have to be fools not to acknowledge the rise in vegetarianism today. People are more health conscious and are opting to live healthier lifestyles. Here are just a few of the convenient vegetarian options that are at the consumer's fingertips:
Burger King and Subway both make veggie burgers.
Almost every fast food restaurant offers a meatless salad.
Disney World boasts of several vegetarian options in their food establishments.
Many arlines are happy to provide passengers with vegetarian meals (you need only ask).
Companies like Boca and Morningstar create delicious frozen veggie products ranging from breakfast sausages and bacon to veggie burgers and “chikin patties.”
Companies like Fantastic Foods create many delicious prepackaged vegetarian meals and easy-to-prepare mixes (available on grocery shelves and for delivery to your doorstep).
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Gas
When you first start out as a vegetarian, you may notice an increase in gas. Your body´s reaction to your change in diet is a very common and perfectly natural one. The gas is likely caused by the high fibre content in the foods you are now eating - which, by the way are great for your health. Bean-O, unfortunately, will not likely be effective, as is not designed to eliminate this type of gas, but is targeted towards the sugar that cannot be digested in some beans. Therefore, it only works after eating beans and some vegetables. Your body will adjust to the changes in your diet with time and you will be much more healthy because of it. However, if the gas is too much of a problem for you, you can try eating very slowly, chewing your food carefully and avoid swallowing any air. Activated charcoal tablets (available without a prescription) can also provide relief for you when taken before a meal.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Fat Risk
In going vegetarian, some people end up replacing one fatty protein source (red meat) with others, such as cheese and soy products. Instead, plan meals around legumes and low-fat or fat-free dairy products, adding just enough of the fattier cheeses to give them some body and flavor.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Food Diary
Keeping a food diary can help you chart your progress as you adopt a vegetarian eating style. Keep a log of what you eat for several days as you start your transition. Six month later, do this again. Compare the two, and note any changes. Do this at regular intervals to evaluate your progress and to recognize if you get stuck in a rut.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
I want to cut out a lot of the red meats
Make it poultry and fish-based, adding diary. Eat whatever vegetables you are not sensitive to. Dark green leafy veggies are the best and cheap, BTW.
Have yogurt for it's probiotics that can eventually ease your food sensitivity. Steam your fruits or microwave them. Experiment on the most delicate heating so you can stand them while preserving as much nutrients as possible.
Hope it helps,
Tanya Zilberter, PhD
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Start With Favorite Meals
Most people have favorite dishes that are already vegetarian or can be made so easily. These can be homemade meals or menu items at a restaurant. You may not even realize that they´re vegetarian. If you enjoy vegetable lasagne, stir-fried vegetables, or pasta primavera, you can begin your transition by making these meals more often. This will make your shift to a plant-based diet less intimidating.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Peer Pressure
If you are new to vegetarianism, you might begin to notice a bit of peer pressure from some longtime vegetarians who have become vegans and are pushing you along to do so also. You may get this feeling from books, or people you´ll meet. Ignore it, and compare yourself to no one but yourself. Adopting a vegetarian or partly vegetarian diet is a highly personal decision. Do what´s right for you, and move at a pace that´s comfortable for you.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Eliminating Meat
When I began my venture into the world of Vegetarian cuisine, I began in moderation. By moderately eliminating meats from your menu, your body is more likely to accept the change and not go into shock.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Do you have to eat eggs if your a vegetarion?
It depends on what kind of vegetarian you are. If you are a lacto-ovo, you can - but don't have to. If you are a vegan, you simply can not have eggs.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Educate Yourself
If you have switched to a vegetarian diet but find yourself tired and hungry or irritable, you may not be eating enough. Some people who switch overnight haven´t had time to figure out what they can eat. They end up eating only a few different types of foods, and they often don´t get enough calories or nutrients.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
When Do I Start?
You can start changing your eating habits at any time of the year. In the summer, there is the advantage of a wealth of fresh fruit and vegetables, and the tendency to eat lighter, including salads or a lunch of cheese, fruit and bread. In winter, there´s the comfort of soups, stews and baked things.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Where Do I Shop?
Find your shopping options. Success in transitioning can be closely linked to understanding the food options that are available to you. Local health food stores will usually provide a wealth of information and an understanding of available products. Ask for a tour of the store and a description of foods that you have not encountered before.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
vegetarian
This is a very complicated issue.
Vegetarians living in "rich" countries tend to have unusually good health, low rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and total mortality. ON the other hand, vegans are not healthier than their omnivorous counterparts. In fact, on average, they suffer from as many, or more medical complaints as compared to lacto-ovo vegetarians, who include daiey or eggs in their diet. With some medical problems (i.e. renal failure), a vegetarian-based diet becomes practically a nesessity, but even then certain types of vegetables, i.e. those that are oxalic acid-rich, would have to be avoided.
There are usually concerns about vitamin B12 deficiency since it doesn't have non-animal sources. Wild animals get their B12 by eating grass along with insects and worms in it, but people wash their vegetables, so how do they get this vitamin?
Some think that the friendly bacteria in the intestines produce some essential nutrients for the vegetarians, this again why vegans are in disadvantage since they don't receive probiotics with fermented milk.
As to your lifestyle, I cant imagine how becoming a vegetarian would drastically change it unless you'll have to start avoiding some parties and joining another peopl groups.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Explaining Your Position
People will want to know why you are eating meatless food. Answer in a sensitive, non-judgmental manner and remain very honest. Whether you made your transition for the sake of animals, the environment, or your own health, discuss your rationale with people. Help them to understand your motivations. Most likely, people will respect your concerns.
