[Potty Diva]

On eating vegetarian without having to eat Tempeh or other unmeat products?

We have been doing pretty great these past two weeks on vegetarian meals. Last time I went vegetarian it was very difficult because Mark refused, now he is willing. We also made the mistake of going cold turkey, so now we have one meal with a small amount of meat in it per week. The nwe'll wean off that.

So far non of the meals I have prepared call for artificial meats. I make sure to use a wide variety of ingredients including legumes and darg green leafy veggies.

Can we do this?

And, although we haven't had any this week, most likely will have some ingredients with meat by products. I hope to wean off these as well, but am not going to try the cold turkey thing like last time. I didn't even eat store bought refried beans because of the lard in them. Of course now I make my own refried beans- YUMM!!

Oh heck, and the most important thing...I've lost ten pounds! But, ,I'malso walking a mile a day.

 

[Mothernature]

You can totally get away with it. I can't stand those meat substitutes. We didn't go vegetarian to eat wanna-be meat. If I wanted something that tasted like meat, I'd eat meat. It sounds like you've got the right idea. Take a look at a good protein combining chart to make sure you're getting complete proteins. I know, protein isn't the biggie, but that's the first thing carnivores ask about. You also want to make sure to cook using a cast iron skillet a few times a week to make sure you're getting adequate iron (you can also get iron from dark green leafy veggies.)\

My dh and I were vegetarian after we got married and did quite well with it. Then I started reading and came across the Weston A. Price foundation and Sally Fallon books and decided we needed to reintroduce meat into our diets. We didn't feel as good and we were more irritable than we were as vegetarians so we have gone back. We too still have the occasional salmon because it is difficult to make a transition like that abruptly, but I already feel much better. I try to make a special point to vary the grains we eat and not to rely too heavily on wheat. I also choose whole grains and brown rice over their more processed counterparts. My whole family has benefitted from the change. I don't know why I had to mess with something that was working, but the arguments Sally Fallon and Weston Price make are pretty compelling at first. Just to let you know, after a year of eating the Nourishing Traditions diet I ended up with the first cavity I'd had in 8 years! So, although the arguments are compelling, not every diet works for every family. I do still buy into the raw milk thing though. It makes since with all the modern milk alergies that the processing would make it less digestable.

I've gotten way OT here. I just wanted to say that yes, you can do it without the meat substitutes, quite flavorfully too.

 

[redsmama]

I've been a vegetarian for twenty years (since I was 16). Back then, there were no real meat substitutes and everything had lard in it. I ate alot of ethnic foods, things like falafels and hummus, beans and rice, burritos, chili, vegetable and bean curries, asian foods, italian and american stuff like peanut butter, homemade veggie and tofu burgers (kind of like meat substitutes), and lots and lots of good ole southern vegetable dishes (w/o ham hocks).

After years of no meat, I have and do eat meat substitutes and enjoy the convenience they offer. I don't think they "taste" like meat despite what the packaging says. They certainly have much less fat. My only concern about them is that they are processed. I read the ingredients, though, and buy the ones that are the least processed--and there is a quite a difference among brands. They have become part of my diet without regret. I mean, the soy sausage or bacon is so great on a homemade biscuit and, in my experience there is not a tasty homemade non-soy substitute. And, the soy burgers hold together so nicely on the grill, create memories for me reminiscint of childhood barbecues, and allow me to eat and share something at a barbecue party which similar to my meat-eating friends. After all, eating is and should be a social experience.

I also read the anti-soy thread and agree the person who posted to say something like, "have you ever thought about who has financially sponsored the anti-soy research and the role the dairy/meat industry might have in the supposed unbiased research?" I checked out one of the anti-soy links in that thread, and to no surprise there was an add for steaks right next to the anti-soy article. I am not saying soy is a perfect food for everyone, but IMO the anti-soy reasearch which recommends that adults do not eat soy, is not credible.

I don't think the elimination of meat substitutes is the key. The key is not to rely on meat substitutes and to experience the wide-range of vegetarian meals out there.

 

[Quirky]

It's totally doable. There's no need to eat fake meat products unless you want to. I happen to love them - veggie burgers, veggie breakfast sausages, tofu, tempeh, seitan - bring it on! But I did just fine without the fake meats for years.

Although I do want to distinguish between fake meat products like Boca burgers and traditional foods like tofu, tempeh, and seitan. The former are a lot more processed than the latter, and also more expensive. What are your reasons for wanting to avoid them?

I think your strategy of eating a lot of veggies, legumes, etc. is right on. You really cannot overdo the veggies (as long as you're eating a balanced diet that includes whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats like olive oil). I buy vegetarian refried beans to have around for quick meals, and I'll bet no one could tell the difference in a blind taste test between the veggie and lard-filled refried beans.

And way to go on the weight loss! That's awesome!

I think you're going about it in exactly the right way - a healthy diet plus exercise, nothing faddish or extreme. Make changes you can live with for the rest of your life!