I'm thinking of becoming a vegetarian..I have some questions!?

Question

I want to become a vegetarian because all the animal cruelty. Besides that, I heard it will help with maintaining a good, thin figure, and nice skin.

So I know I have to avoid chicken, beef, pork, all meats... but what about fish? And I mean salmon in particular, because my optometrist said that I should be getting enough Omega-3s in my diet. Could I have it in moderation?

And where would I get all the nutrients that meats/fish contain? Whhat foods?

Answer 1

I have been a vegetarian for the past 22 years and i'm now 28...

I don't eat any fish, chicken or eggs. i know that other vegetarians do though! I never eat anything that's been fried in animal fats, only eat vegetarian cheese.

You have to be aware of products that contain hidden animal content like jelly sweet's harribo and thing's like that as they contain gelatin or bovine.

As for the figure this is not necessarily true, neither is the skin...

To make sure you have a healthy diet eat plenty of green veg and pulses. you can take supplements like iron tablets or multi vitamins. this replaces what you loose through not eating meat...

Eating fish or chicken is a personal decision, i decide not to as i don't think i could eat anything that has been living.. I don't have anything against anyone who does though as my husband and son are both meat eaters, it's my personal choice not to.

There are many vegetarian products on the market and there is now a wide food range to choose from compared to say 8 years ago.

Hope this has helped

Answer 2

As others have said, if you eat fish you will not be considered a vegetarian, and there is also an awful lot of cruelty that goes on in fish farming as well, though it is not as obvious as the barbaric cruelty involved in meat farming.



This is a link to the "going veggie" part of The Vegetarian Society of the UK, which is the oldest vegetarian society in the world.

http://www.vegsoc.org/newveg/fft/index.html

Here you will find TONS of useful information to help point you in the right direction (you do not have to be a member to use it). You will find information on what vegetarians do eat, how to get your nutrients that you would normally get from meat/fish, what is classed as a portion and lots more information. The site is very well laid out and easy to understand...have fun exploring it.



This is also a very useful part of the site...

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/foodfacts.html



And this is a link about fish...

http://www.vegsoc.org/fish/facts1.html



BTW, I am in no way saying that you should not eat fish, that is your choice and giving up meat is a step in the right direction. You may decide at some point in the future to give up fish, but that is for you to decide and no one else.

Answer 3

If you eat fish you will not be a vegetarian. Vegetarians do not eat meat, and fish is meat no matter how you slice it.



If you continue to eat eggs and dairy (which are vegetarian but not vegan) then you won't have to worry about it. If you do choose to stop eating eggs or dairy, you can still get omegas from hemp milk, flaxseed, and flax oil.



If you eat a balanced diet, you will get all the nutrients you need from fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts, and beans.

Answer 4

If you want to continue to eat fish and no other meats, you would be considered a Pescatarian.



You can easily get your nutritional needs from vitamins, soy products and protein is available to you through a wide variety of foods like eggs and beans, etc.



Good luck!

Answer 5

Not necessarily about the thin figure. Vegetarians have to be super careful about getting enough protein, and not too many carbs. I know lots of vegetarians that gain weight going veg. because they eat too many bread products and do not get enough protein. Vegetarians have to create complete proteins in their meals because they are not eating meat anymore. This can be done by eating beans and rice, tofu things like that. Fish is still a meat, but it is up to you if you want to eat it.

Also something to think about is going organic if you are worried about animal cruelty.Horizon is a great brand for dairy products because they treat their animals very nicely.

Answer 6

Vegetarians do not eat dead animals.

Fish are dead animals.

Vegetarians do not (ever) eat fish.



Omega 3s are found in flax seed and flax seed oil, without the mercury contamination.

Answer 7

well if you do decide to not eat fish, then take vitamins that have omega 3

Answer 8

Fish isn't considered meat, so yes you can still eat your fish, and salmon is healthy for you! And congrats on becoming a veggie, try nuts and peanut butter, and when i mean nuts not the salted roasted packenged peanuts, but like raw almonds they are very good. Eat lots of spinach, and if you still need more, you can get vitamins for vegetarians, i have whey protein and calcium, also because i'm lactose intolerant! But yea, thats pretty much good oh and veggie burgers ecspecially amys veggie burgers delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!mmmmmmmm

Answer 9

Your diet is entirely up to you. If you want to keep eating fish, you're entitled to.



Anyone that says otherwise is either a zealot or is trying to justify their own diet.

Answer 10

It is a good idea to quit eating meat and become a vegetarian. Make sure you eat alots of green vegetable. You can start with this following recipe. You can also have Oatmeal, Vegetable soups, etc.



Try this following recipe. It is called Palak Paneer ( Spinach with Cottage Cheese) It is healthy, full of nutritions and has mouth watering taste. I prefer to use fresh spinach vs canned spinach for this. I hope you like it.



Ingredients

4 bunches spinach (Palak)

panir (made from 1 litre milk) --You can use Tofu instead.

2 tablespoons butter

2 medium onions

1 1/2 tablespoons dhaniya powder (corriander powder)

1 1/2 tablespoons red chili powder

1/2 teaspoon jeera powder (powdered cumin seeds)

10 cashews

2 teaspoons poppy seeds

2 tomatoes

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 cup curds

salt

1 teaspoon sugar

cinnamon

clove

black pepper

Directions

1Cut paneer into cubes.

2Set aside.

3Wash and chop palak finely.

4Cut onions into small pieces.

5Cut tomatoes into 2 inch cubes.

6Heat a little butter.

7Fry palak till it shrinks.

8Allow to cool.

9Grind to a smooth paste.

10Grind cashews and poppy seeds together to a smooth paste.

11Fry all the spices in little ghee and then powder.

12Heat rest of the butter with little oil and fry onions till crisp and golden.

13Add dhania powder, jeera powder(cumin powder), chilli powder and then tomatoes.

14Stir for a minute.

15Add whipped curds.

16Cook on reduced flame till oil floats on top.

17Add salt, sugar, ground palak leaves, turmeric powder and cook for a few minutes.

18Mix cashew-poppy paste and pour just enough water required for the gravy.

19Cook on medium flame till gravy becomes thick.

20Add paneer pieces.

21Remove from heat.

22Sprinkle garam masala powder.

23Serve hot with finely cut onions and lime.





Another Dish:



Aloo Gobi Masala

--Cauliflower and potato cooked in spicy sauce



Ingredients:



Cauliflower 1/2 kg.

Potato ( medium size) 2

Onions finely chopped 1

Tomato finely chopped 1

Green peas 1/2 cup

Ginger paste 1/2 tsp.

Garlic paste 1/2 tsp.

Thinly sliced Green Chilli 2

Cumin powder (Roasted) 1 tsp.

Red chilli powder 1 tsp.

Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp.

Garam masala powder 1 tsp.

Coriander powder 1/2 tsp.

Vegetable oil 3 tbsp.

Salt to taste

Chopped green coriander leaves for garnishing



Method:



1. Cut cauliflower and potato into medium sized cubes and thoroughly wash it.

2. Heat oil in a frying pan / kadai. Add green chilli, ginger garlic and stir for few seconds.

3. Add chopped onions and fry over medium heat until light golden brown. Add chopped tomato and green peas. Cook until tender.

4. Add red chilli powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, dry coriander powder, garam masala and salt. Mix well.

5. Add cauliflower and potato and stir. Saute for 5 minutes. Cover the pan / kadhai and cook over medium heat until tender. Ocassionally stir it to prevent sticking to the bottom.



Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.