Thinking of becoming Vegetarian

[Sienna-forever]

I'll be 25 next month, have a 3 year old DS. I have completely changed how I want to live my life since we sadly lost our DD in September 08.
I used to work 3/4 days a week as a nurse assistant. DS was due to start full time nursery. We had a very busy and draining lifestyle, and i've also had to overcome depression since losing my little girl.

So, we're making improvements! I've recently given up work and am loving being a SAHM. We took DS's name off the nursery list, and we intend to home school him. I am meditating, making more time for myself, and want to start Yoga.

And now, I'm thinking I want to become vegetarian, and generally improve my diet. But where do I start?

Can you just stop meat instantly? Or is it better to gradually introduce other alternatives, and 'wean' off meat IYKWIM? What other alternatives are best to eat? I'll look for books/info online too but thought I'd ask here for first hand experience if thats ok. I do the food shopping, and we have recently started growing our own veg in our garden. DH won't want to give up meat, and I would think DS will still eat meat too, but we can all improve our diets in any case, less junk being a priority! We're all healthy weights/sizes, we don't drive so we walk everywhere and keep fit in that respect. But I know we need to make improvements, DS LOVES fruit and veg anyway so I don't think it'll be too hard for him to accept.

[somegirl99]

Good for you for making so many positive changes in your life. I'm sure it must have been difficult dealing with such a loss.

Anyway, I don't think there is any right or wrong way to start. There shouldn't be any health issues with cutting out all meat right away, as long as you are eating a balanced diet. Sometimes people just cut out the meat and only eat things like plain pasta, bread, cereal, and salads, which is not a sustaining way to eat. If you are not used to eating lots of beans, I would recommend adding them to your diet gradually as it can take your digestive system a little while to get used to them. Socially sometimes people find it easier to make a clean break, others find it easier to replace a few meals every week and then increase that over time.

Here's a link to the Vegetarian Starter Kit, it has good advice and is also easy to follow (you can also download the whole thing as a PDF or order it as a booklet):
http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/

Good luck and keep us updated!

[jolenegreen]

HI! First of all I am so very sorry for the loss of your little one I couldnt imagine going through that and I send my best wishes to you and your family. Secondly..I am not sure about all children, But we ate ALOT of meat in our diets and I had to gradually ween them off from meat...not that they got sick or anything but just that they wanted meat ALL THE TIME! They dont want no crummy beans and salad, LOL! So I am still switching them over slowly..hubby is a meat eater and Im not changing him he says so sometimes they ask for meat I do allow it. We switched our diets to vegan due to red food coloring sensetivity and other food allergies..but if we buy local meat and the kids ask I do allow it. But this is only like 1-2 times a month. I am still allowing mostly a vegetarian diet and not strictly vegan diet yet as they were used to such other foods...II think it will fail if I switch them right over! My 2 youngest are 22 months and 10 months and they are strictly vegans/. I figure might as well start them out that way then it wont be so hard feeding them as they get older! Good luck to you and ur family!

[Sienna-forever]

Thank you so much for the Vegetarian Starter Kit, I've downloaded it
It has been a difficult journey, but its made me a much stronger person, my little girl must be sending me strength to make positive changes

I've done my first 'vegetarian' food shop today, bought no meat at all, but did buy veggie burgers/sausages and tofu. Lots of beans ( I'll add them to our diets gradually), lots of fruit/veg,salad (the veg patch is coming on well now though so hopefully get a good harvest from that soon)

I'm still planning on using milk and cheese to begin with, but would like to try almond milk.
Really looking forward to plannings lots of new meals now

[catnip]

Personally, I found it easier to do meat free days and gradually increase them because it gave me a better repertoire of foods when we finally dumped the last of the meat. I did a similar thing when quitting dairy and egg.

[bandgeek]

I gradually cut meat out of my diet, but I know people who quit eating it overnight. I think either way is fine. I think going gradual may be easier in some ways because you can play around with recipes, find out what you like, and add them to your regular meal plan. If you quit overnight, you may find yourself struggling with what to eat everyday. Maybe not though, if you already have good ideas on what to make. Nutritionally it's not an issue, if you eat a balanced diet.

One word of warning though, you may need to sub some fat back into your diet, especially if you stop eating dairy as well. I felt SO hungry all the time when my diet was suddenly very low-fat. I added a little back in and I was fine. I eat a little PB everyday and make sure to cook with a little oil. It doesn't take much to satisfy your fat needs.