My Food

Veg Head - A Story of Vegetarianism

As an eight year vegetarian, the questions I get asked most are "why?" and "how do you not eat meat?" People become vegetarian for many reasons. Some people do it for their health while others are concerned about the treatment of animals. I can honestly say I do not miss meat, and being an animal lover, I feel like less of a hypocrite when I do not contribute to their slaughter. For me, it was easy. I just stopped. For most people, it is something they do in stages.

http://www.vegcooking.com/vegcooking.asp has some tips for burgeoning vegetarians.

Becoming a vegetarian is a big change for anyone. First, you need to know what a vegetarian is, what your options are and where you feel comfortable in this new dietary scope. The strictest vegetarian is a 'vegan' or someone who eats no animal products. This means scouring food labels for any added animal ingredients. Sometimes, a vegetable soup will contain beef broth.

There are many options for vegan's if you just take time to look. http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/

The lacto vegetarian will eat dairy products, so you will still be able to eat items like cheese and yogurt. Cheese pizza and many Mexican dishes are still enjoyed by the lacto vegetarian. Ovo-lacto vegetarians eat eggs and dairy and have the least restrictive of the vegetarian diets. Maybe instead of packing a ham and cheese sandwich, you might choose to pack egg salad or a pesto mozzarella wrap.

Thanks to a wealth of products and resources, making the change to vegetarianism is easier now than ever before. Being a vegan, some of my favorite products are Ener-G egg replacer and Silk soymilk. One of the best things about supermarkets is that many vegetarian items that were once hard to find can be bought just about anywhere. From blocks of tofu to frozen vegetarian meals, even the vegetarian on the go can find something healthy to eat. Amy's frozen meals are a great choice for a quick and delicious lunch or dinner. If you enjoy cooking at home, one of my favorite web sites, www.vegweb.com, is full of tasty recipes for new and more adventurous vegetarians.

Maintaining a well balanced diet is important for everyone. Vegetarians have to pay attention to their diets to make sure they are getting protein and calcium. Tofu is a great source of protein. Many Morningstar and Bocca products are good options as well. Broccoli, beans and whole grains provide calcium and fiber. Healthy fats are easy to come by in the plant world. Olive oil, nuts and avocados provide heart healthy fats if used in moderation.

Remember that vegetarianism is not about giving up the foods you love. Discovering healthy options will only add to the flavor of your life.