You didn’t mention if you were going to continue eating dairy and eggs or if you were going to become a vegan, a person who doesn’t consume ANY animal products. I found this source (http://www.vegsoc.org/info/increase.html) to have some very helpful information about keeping weight on as a vegetarian. Good luck and write back to let me know how you’re doing!

For vegitarians and carnivores alike
try morningstar products some you will like others not so much.
use crumbles to substitute hampburgers. the bacon is gross, and so are the links get the patties, veg grillers, buffalo tufu nuggets, and itlain veg sausage links

To Mr Pitchfork — The reason milk and dairy is a no-no is because bovines are kept pregnant to produce milk, and they and their multiple calves (they get bred several times) are slaughtered when the milk production is not as high as the industry standards prefer.

Eggs are an issue because even so-called “free range eggs” come from chickens in crowded buildings, living in their own excrement and then slaughtered for food purposes (ground for animal food/meal or for human consumption).

Either way, some object to the overall treatment of these animals during their production lives, or the fact that they are kept to produce food for humans at all.

Good luck!

You are very strong and very brave to take the step of vegetarianism. I can say that because I’ve tried more than once myself and it’s not easy. Unfortunately, I still had an egg sandwich this morning. But I will try again soon, I promise.

To Mr Pitchfork, please read up on factory farming. Cows and chickens suffer greatly to give you that milk and eggs, unless you are extremely careful about who you buy from. But I’m not here to be a hypocrite. I, too, didn’t know at one time how much animals had to suffer so I could have my meat and dairy.

It would be so much easier to be vegetarian if people around us didn’t tempt us with their sizzling steak and rotisserie chicken smells on Restaurant Row. And commercials on tv or ads on billboards…all of them are so tempting and I am so weak.

I look forward to the day when policy prevents the consumption of meat, but even sooner I look forward to the day when policy prevents cruelty to animals. Vegetarianism will never be in the majority until humanity accepts responsibility for and empathizes with animals’ suffering.

Respect for animals is the first step. And children are our future. So as long as we prioritize teaching our children to love all creatures, I think the future will change for the better. Do you know the types of people kids can grow up to be when they’re not taught to respect all life? Psychopaths. It’s in EVERYONE’s best interest to make sure children learn empathy and compassion.

Vegetarianism does not equate with weight loss – it is easy to substitute filling meat products with fried foods or creamy ones – that aren’t really every day foods! If you want to lose weight or become healthy, there is no reason why you can’t eat meat, chicken or fish. Portion size, cooking methods, fresh produce and exercise solve that problem. Going vegetarian is an entirely different issue.

I eat very fresh food, a variety of vegies, fruit, pulses, beans etc. (no tofu – can’t stand the stuff!) and have always been healthy and energetic. There are plenty of wonderful recipes around that you can incorporate into your holiday festivities – no reason why you can’t make a wonderful veggie dish to accompany all the others (watch – the meat eaters will probably eat most of it! Make sure you get served first!). It takes a bit of effort to make different meals etc. at the beginning (I started doing that when I was 8 years old and my mother refused to make a separate vegetarian dinner – fair enough!) but it soon becomes habit.

If you can’t go vegetarian, look into the types of meats or fish you are eating. I have met numerous people that will only eat one or two types of fish and one type of meat because it is sustainable farmed and humanely killed, and is local – not my personal preference – but I think it is also a moral approach to take.

Glad to hear you’re not a milk basher, even though I drink almond milk, I do occasionally have cheese.

It’s a challenge, especially with the holidays coming up. What do vegetarians do around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and puh-leeze do not suggest Tofurky!

Also, no gelatin and no marshmallows. Gelatin and marshmallows are cows. And watch out for certain food colorings, which are made of bugs. I can’t remember which are.

Also also, going /vegan/ isn’t necessary. It doesn’t harm cows to milk them, and it’s impossible to hurt eggs because they’re not alive.