Becoming a Vegatarian or "Pescetarian"

[hotmodelchiq]

Ive been lacto-ovo for about 4 years!!! I have sooooo much energy!!! and I just feel better about myself... I don't believe in eating animal flesh and people always say seafood isn't meat but if its animal flesh its meat! Its easier now because more restaurants cater to vegetarians not only that but the food tastes better. In the beginning you'll miss whatever your favorite "meat food" is for me it was cheeseburgers but after the first 2 weeks It became easier. As you change your diet your body's food desires will change. I used to hate yogurt, rice cakes and other healthy foods but now I LOVE THEM!!! Just be careful when it comes to eating pre-packaged veggie food like grillers and veggie "meats" because that stuff is HIGH in sodium.

 

[sofabean]

i became a vegetarian cold turkey twice. i did it because i didn't want to eat meat anymore. i wasn't super picky about it though (like i didn't mind eating stuff that touched meat as long as it was cooked or stewed in it). anyway, i lost tons of weight which i don't know is necessarily healthy. you should definitely take vitamins especially b12 and b6 to make up for the protein you're missing from meat unless you eat a ton load of tofu or soy.

 

[stacylynne]

I was a vegan when I was younger. I just never liked the taste of meat nor did I like thought of animals suffering for our benefit.
But I did it w/o research & ended up in the hopital.

Now, i'm a pescetarian. It's much better for me. I hate the thought of eating meat (yuck). I won't wear fur or buy any products that test on animals. Every little bit we do helps.
Being pescetarian is right for me. I think it's wonderful ur going to a nutritionist to work with you. It's not difficult @ all. Good luck & keep me posted on how you feel

 

[TheDiesel]

Wow, a lot of the posts in this thread have really helped me. I've been struggling to find a diet that would fit my needs. And I'm not much of a meat eater, and I really am looking forward to this. I already eat veggie burgers and meat substitutes, so that part will be easy. I do agree that chicken will be the hardest. BUT it'll be better for me.

 

[blindpassion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDiesel Wow, a lot of the posts in this thread have really helped me. I've been struggling to find a diet that would fit my needs. And I'm not much of a meat eater, and I really am looking forward to this. I already eat veggie burgers and meat substitutes, so that part will be easy. I do agree that chicken will be the hardest. BUT it'll be better for me.

awee congrats! thats fantastic

im into my 8th month of not eating any meat or chicken, only fish, and I wouldn't go back for a second. It was the best decision Ive ever made for myself

 

[TheDiesel]

I do have a question.. Are there any good websites that have listings of foods on them? Some research sites? I'm on day 2 and so far so good. I just want to make sure I'm following everything correctly.

 

[boudoirblonde]

I've been a veggie since Jan 1 08 (new yrs resolution!)
I LOVE IT

At first I had breakouts on my face, but thats normal for any drastic diet change, but now my skin is better than ever

I love my skin!
I've lost 4kg. (8.8lbs I think?) anyway, my BMI is still a little high, so its not like I couldnt do without it!
I hardly miss meat at all. i only miss the hugely over processed things that hardly seem like meat at all (like meatballs, or chicken nuggets) but its not like a craving or anything major
I feel happier just knowing that no animals suffered for my eating habits. Honesty, why should an animal die just because I want something that (supposedly) tastes good? As soon as I got that into my head, I knew there was no turning back!

My reasons:
1. I wanted to eat healthier/eat more veggies (this was the no.1 reason that I first considering the switch)
2. The poor animals

as soon as I became aware of all the cruelty and factory farms I just couldnt contribute to that any longer!
3. THE ENVIRONMENT! Beef farming alone makes a bigger impact on the environment than all the motor vehicles! THATS INSANE!!

Oh, and most people I think believe that people who "never really liked meat" usually become veggies. Nope, I used to love meat, I would always order steak at restaurants, I thought vegetarians were CRAZY, I'd hardly ever had veggie food in my life, etc etc. But I made the switch, and Im never looking back

 

[frankenstain]

I've been vegetarian for about 10 years or so maybe longer. I didn't do it to "save the animals" or anything like that. I've just never been crazy about meat. Even when I ate meat as a young kid I wouldn't eat very much of it. I mean I wouldn't choose it. I just don't like the taste, smell or idea of it. For me going to the grocery and seeing dead cow legs everywhere is kind of surreal and gross. I don't know if that makes any sense. Maybe I'm just a natural vegetarian. Its not a struggle for me. As for health benefits I'm not sure. Personally I'm really overweight but I don't think thats because of what I eat (I don't overeat at all) I think it has more to do with no exercise and the medicine I'm on.

 

[KikiB]

Pretty much right after I turned 13, I began the slow, gradual journey towards vegetarianism. I first cut out all red meats, then a year later pork (I did absolutely no research). During my junior year was when I cut chicken out-so I was a pescetarian then. And I mean big-I was eating a LOT of seafood, sometimes almost daily during the summer. Then about 6 months ago was the last time that I had seafood. I just quit cold-turkey because eating fish made me stink (even after showering) and well, fish+body stank=

. I avoid leather whenever possible and have consciously tried to do so since I was 16. I also try to avoid animal ingredients in my body products-beeswax I tolerate more since it is from honey (I know, it's not vegan friendly, but I haven't gone vegan). But some of the hand soaps my store has have gelatin in them which is a HUGE no-no. The main reason why I went veg was because of graphic images of animal destruction that were on the evening news my 7th grade year-that and there were a couple of girls I had classes with who classified themselves as vegetarians. I couldn't stand eating something so cute...I love animals (I'm not a PETA type, but animals are cute).

My best advice to anybody considering it is to do the proper research, so that you can figure out not only what you can and cannot eat, but also recipes, vitamins you should take, and so forth. It's a lot easier in this day and age to go veg, because of the sheer amount of options out there, but still sometimes I don't have a whole ton. I work in a mall and we luckily have a Subway, but I can find a vegetarian-friendly (not always the healthiest though...) in almost any place.

 

[SmileyfacedPen]

I've been a vegetarian since I was 11, and I will be vegan before the end of August... I just need to find a vegan cheese that actually melts! I became one because I feel it's hypocritical to love animals and then support harming them, but I certainly don't look down on people who eat meat... I have respect for other people as long as they are respecting me as well.

If you're into cookbooks, I seriously recommend Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero. Sure, you may not be vegan, but unless you have an allergy or a SERIOUS aversion to certain foods (for example, I will not eat bananas. I simply will not.

) you can eat anything in there! The recipes have indicators on them saying if all the ingredients can be found at a regular grocery store, or are gluten-free, take less than 45 minutes, and things like that. It's a MASSIVE book, and I think there really is something in there that everyone can like, even if it's not one of the more complicated recipes.

 

[Hilly]

I have been a Pescetarian for almost a month now. It is pretty hard! Meat is everywhere and in every convinience meal around (other than just eating carbs). I think it's making me think outside the box so I don't starve to death or die of carb overload lol.
I don't eat meats because it mentally freaks me out. I will be cooking, and all of a sudden the image of "this was a living, breathing on land animal not too long ago" grosses me out. lol. i have issues. I don't feel bad for fish tho. LOL. WHo knows...

 

[blindpassion]

Good for you hilly! I've been a pescetarian for over a year now

best decision I ever made!

 

[Hilly]

Do you ever crave meat? I havent eaten beef or pork in over a year- but chicken and turkey were the only things I ate. Now it's down to fish lol.
I still cook meats for my husband. I don't care if he eats it.
What are some of the benefits you have experienced?

 

[spacegirl2007]

ive been pescatarian for three years.
the only meat i ever crave is a cheeseburger. i never liked steak or pork, i used to eat a lot of chicken but i dont get cravings for it at all. i dont eat any meat or byproducts (like chicken stock, gelatin, etc.)
i cant really speak to the health benefits though i believe there are many. ive also done other things that have helped to clear up my skin and overall health besides just cutting out meat, but i feel and look (imo) better than ever.

 

[blindpassion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilly Do you ever crave meat? I havent eaten beef or pork in over a year- but chicken and turkey were the only things I ate. Now it's down to fish lol. I still cook meats for my husband. I don't care if he eats it. What are some of the benefits you have experienced?

Do I ever crave meat? Never. Sometimes I craved fried foods, since theres not much of that once you give up chicken, but then I just grab some fish and chips and my craving is done!

I feel a lot healthier, I eat a lot better, I have much more energy, my whole body seems to be functioning the way it should be.

Its important that you replace meat with lots of veggies, beans, fish, a balanced diet... theres no point in becoming a pescetarian if you're going to eat spaghetti everynight haha, you know what I mean? Look up lots of vegetarian recipes (vegetarian chilli, vegetarian sloppy joes, quesadillas, etc) and lots of fish recipes, and you'll be on your way. You will feel much better after every meal knowing you've eaten healthy.

Try allrecipes.com, they have a great vegetarian section.