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Flirting with Vegetarianism

I can't even believe that I'm even thinking about it because I love nothing more than a blue cheese burger.

But I saw something on Oprah about Alicia Silverstone's book and she looked so great.  Lean and glowy (sounded dumb, but whatevs).  The health benefits supposedly include more energy, clearer skin and weight loss - all things I need.

So I'm thinking about leaning into it, slowly switching out the bad and replacing with whole, organic, meatless, etc.

Any thoughts?

Re: Flirting with Vegetarianism

  • Meat is really not a great food for us.  While it does provide many nutrients it is just difficult for the body to deal with.  If you can find other foods that provide all the vitiams and minerals found in food it is so much better for you.  I am not veggie but I really want to be as soon as I am done BFing the mister wont go for it through.
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  • Sure-go for it!

    One thing I heard about organic... if it has a skin to it-like a banana-that you wouldn't eat-you can save your $ and get regular. 

    Another thing you might want to look into is the Clean Eating stuff.  It's along the same lines, but you can have meats-just lean cuts of it.  The woman who started that looks great!   Although it's called a 'diet', I wouldn't think of it as such... Here's a thing that links what foods you can have or are recommended...  http://www.eatcleandiet.com/uploaded_files/downloads/ecd_grocery_list.pdf

    There are a few gals on H&F that have their own eating clean blogs, too, if you decide you want to go this route.  I've made some meals with this, but got lazy lately...

    GL with whatever you do!

  • I say go for it!

    I'm not a vegetarian, but over the past year or so I've moved slowly in that direction.  I think the best way to try it out would be to phase into it...phase out foods that are only so-so for you and so on.  I cut out red meat months ago, and can count the number of times on 1 hand the bites of it I've had since.  That's not to say there probably won't be a time when I crave a good burger, and will probably have it, but red meat isn't something I want as part of my normal diet.  I am perfectly happy living off of whole grains, veggies, fruit, dairy, eggs, and seafood--this to me incorporates everything I like to eat and everything that satisfies me.  Like Lori mentioned, I also follow clean eating.  I try to eat foods in the most natural form/simplest form possible, and have cut out all processed foods and chemical ingredients.  That has made such a difference in my overall health--my skin is better (still not without problem, but better), I rarely have tummy troubles, and I just feel healthier all around.  

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  • I'm all for vegetarianism not only for the health benefits but also because it is so much cheaper!  AND it is better for the environment.  I will never fully "commit" to being a veg. because I do love the occasional steak or burger (I always try for the free range or grass fed beef) but in the end I do feel that being veg. (or almost veg.) a better way of life for one personally as well as for the world as a whole. 
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  • I think it's a great idea! When I did the weight loss challenge at work, I cut down to eating meat at most 2 times a week, and usually only ate it once a week. With that an eating mostly whole wheat instead of white starches, I lost 12 pounds in 6 weeks.

    Humans aren't really designed to eat meat anyway. It was way back when it was hunted for and people were burning the energy from it. Now, it's not necessary unless you have a very labor intensive life and workout a lot.

    Good luck with it! I had trouble at first, but you learn to cook around it.

  • I'm a vegetarian, and I love it. (Well, I eat fish, but I'm not a true vegetarian ... a pescetarian).

    PROS:
    I'm skinner
    My wallet is fatter (veggie food costs less)
    I have more energy
    I am EXTREMELY "regular" (Sorry if TMI ... but I never get constipated or anything of that nature)

    CONS:

    It takes self-restraint
    Have to be very cautious about getting all your vitamins
    Requires more creativity/planning for a healthy dinner ... can't just heat up a piece of chicken

     

    I say give it a whirl for a month and see if you like it!

  • I would recommend reading "In Defense of Food". I think that might point you in the right direction.
  • I felt my best when I lived on a no-meat (only seafood) diet.  I should/could go back but D wouldn't like it too much.  I've cut out almost all red meat and usually opt for chicken if I can have a choice. 

    Will J be on board with you for this or are you going solo?  That could cause a hiccup of planning and is something to think about but I definatley think you should go for it.

  • I was a lacto-ovo veg (ate dairy and eggs) for about four years.  LIke others said, it takes a lot of planning and dedication.  I don't remember feeling any different (of course I was still eating dairy), and I was a lot thinner, but I was also in my early 20's Stick out tongue  I think that Alicia Silverstone is actually vegan though which is a whole other ball game, I can't even imagine the dedication that takes!
  • In answer to the last part of your question, those changes are pretty easy to make, and doing them one at a time will make things easier on you.  We have made the move to only making brown rice, whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread.  I almost never cook red meat (I use ground turkey for spaghetti, tacos etc).  I think that Smart Dogs are super yummy hot dog replacements, but I can't do the tofu equivalent of ground meat.  It just isn't right. 
  • Kudos to all vegetarians! I think I could do it if DH would get on board, but it's a struggle just to get him to eat veggies as sides, let alone cut out meat all together.

    My vegetarian college roommate actually got very sick and her doctor told her she needed to add chicken/fish back into her diet. Definitely definitely make sure you take vitamins and get protein in you somehow!

  • imageKarrey31:

    I felt my best when I lived on a no-meat (only seafood) diet.  I should/could go back but D wouldn't like it too much.  I've cut out almost all red meat and usually opt for chicken if I can have a choice. 

    Will J be on board with you for this or are you going solo?  That could cause a hiccup of planning and is something to think about but I definatley think you should go for it.

    Very important point. 

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  • J doesn't eat anything that doesn't microwave or come with fries.  He's on his own, unless he wants to join me.
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