Suggestions

[crazybikinchic]

I am having a problem with meat. I can not stand to look at it, especially the fat, or prepare it in any fashion, etc. It just grosses me out. DH and I have been discussing it and think that my body is telling me something and that I should start trying a semi-vegetarian diet. I am concerned about eating a balanced diet by doing this. Do any of you have suggestions about a book that I should get to help me with this? This is totally new to me and I want to make sure that I get what I need. Any help is appreciated.

[Zen]

Have you done any internet research?
This is a start-
http://weightloss.about.com/library/.../aa071100a.htm

[badger]

I can fully sympathize, I'm turned off by meat most of the time.

Although I'm not a full time vegetarian, I consider myself "mostly-veg". This book was really helpful when I was thinking about becoming veg (I lasted 6 months before an overwhelming craving for tuna salad, something I don't even like, made me fall off the wagon)

I notice that a newer version has come out.

The books are written by dietitians and they have great recipes to get things going.

There are tons of websites, articles, books, and I'm sure forums, to support you through this path.

Good luck!

[ehirsch83]

I don't have a book but I understand! I just started eating meat again 2 months ago after 5 months of no meat. My reason for not eating meat was the same as yours, my body was having a hard time with it- I didn't want it, it didn't taste good, I couldn't stand to look at it,etc. Then one day all of a sudden I wanted it again!. I do not have a book or website to give, but I will tell how I got more protein.
I added beans to my diet! All different types-cannolini, black beans, kidney beans, lentils,garbonzo,etc. I would have to say that a big chunk of my protein came from the bean family!

I also learned that while I don't like tofu, I love tempeh. Quinoa is also great!

So play around and see what works for you.

[Karma007]

Hey! I'm a vegetarian (nearly vegan) and am terrible with links,
but check out:

vegweb
vegetarian resource group (vrg)
peta (I know some of them are nuts, but they have some great info)

As a veg, I eat much better than I did as an omni. It has not interefered with my performance, and I feel great.

[msincredible]

I am vegan, have been for several years, and really like the book Becoming Vegan. It is all about nutrition, by the same authors as the Becoming Vegetarian book.

[kjay]

msncredible, I'm so happy to see another here from FC!

[msincredible]

msncredible, I'm so happy to see another here from FC!

Is that where you're from too?

Have to warn you though, I'm moving soon (to Loma Mar).

[kjay]

Yes, I live in Foster City. Darn, wish you weren't moving. First time I've ever known another bicyclist from here. I wish you well in your move, though.

[derailed]

When I was vegetarian, I found it simplest to adopt a cuisine which was based in the foods I wanted to eat. I had to choose between Chinese, Modern Veg, and Indian. I chose Chinese because I liked the basic foods it relies on.

Eat well, and enjoy!

[crazybikinchic]

I am so glad that there are others out there that have done the same thing. I thought I was going crazy. Thank you so much.

[cylegoddess]

meat is yuckky!
Drink protein shakes. Youll be right! and yes, pick a cusine- I love Indian and lots of their regional cooking is meatless( and yummy!)

[divingbiker]

Why would anyone ever pick just one type of ethnic food????? One of the joys of being vegan is that there are so many ethnic options that are not meat-based!

You've already gotten good web resources about going vegetarian. If you eat a balanced diet, and don't become a coke and potato chip vegetarian, you'll be fine. The book that changed my life is Diet for a New America by John Robbins; it's doesn't have recipes, but goes into detail about the beef, poultry, dairy, etc industries.

[derailed]

Why would anyone ever pick just one type of ethnic food????? One of the joys of being vegan is that there are so many ethnic options that are not meat-based!

Divingbiker, I did so because I had a very limited pantry, kitchen, and understanding. I needed to keep it as simple as possible, and not overwhelm myself with all kinds of things that were new to me at once. Sometimes too much new information at once is as bad as not enough.

[shootingstar]

Article is not surprising on results of vegan diet vs. diet just limited to carbs and portion control for diabetics.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...andHealth/home

I realize that for meat eaters of fine dining that to have some fat in beef, pork dish gives it "taste" or a special richness I suppose.

But I've always had problems when seeing meat marbled with fat. I grew up on a diet where we obsessively cut off the fat before cooking.

As for 1 type of ethnic choice for going vegetarian or more strictly vegan...sometimes it's better to start with a few base dishes and build from there. I've only begun in the last 15 years to naturally cook without recipe in front of me, non-Asian vegetarian dishes. My tendency when I cook from my head and no measurement of ingredients, is to cook Asian vegetarian dishes. I would know how to use some Asian herbs and spices in a more harmonious natural fashion and create things out of my head.

My partner very naturally concocts all sorts of interesting salads and blended soups using root vegetables. Whereas I would be leaning on recipes to still understand when and how to use majoram, tarragon, bay leaf, etc. I think I understand only when to use fresh thyme and basil.

The other day, he told me he didn't feel comfortable doing a decent, creative stir fry for my birthday because he just didn't feel comfortable. I was a little surprised since we've been cooking together underneath the same roof for several years. But then it's not surprising.

It's too constricting for the palate to just limit oneself when being vegetarian for many years...to limit to 1 type of cuisine.

and oh, I will continue to always eat a bit of meat..but for past 10 years it has been low-fat and small amounts.