How do I become a vegetarian without harming my health?

I want to be vegetarian and be nurished at the same time If you are a vegie or know somebody who is, please inform me on how I can be a vegetarian and not be under-nurished.How do I become a vegetarian without harming my health?
This website, run by the Mayo Clinic and has a copy of the vegetarian food pyramid on it. Use it when planing your meals.

Vegetarian diet: How to get the best nutrition

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vegetar鈥?/a>
It's not giving up meat that will harm your health, but just eating unhealthy things in general. You can be a healthy vegetarian who eats lots of nutrient rich fruits, vegetables, and grains (make sure you get sufficient protein from beans, nuts, and soy products)... or you can be an unhealthy vegetarian who lives off of french fries and cheese pizza. Your body does not need meat in order to be healthy, just the benefits that COME from meat - protein. : )How do I become a vegetarian without harming my health?
I am not a vegetarian, but i am a pescetarian, which means that i avoid meat with the exception of fish. I am only 15 so I eat fish because my parents eat all types of meat and think i need protein. Im waiting for college to switch to being vegetarian or vegan. I eat a lot of morning star veggie burgers and chicken which have protein and just eat a lot of green vegetables. taking vitamins with iron is probably a good idea escpcially if you are a girl. If your worried about protein though i suggest eating fish at first as a transistion to vegetarianism. Dont call yourself a vegetarain if you do this because it makes vegetarians mad. I have to explain to people that i am not a vegetarian all the time. I have actually gained weight since becoming a pescetarian, though i am still skinny i think. ( 5 ft 8 and 115 pounds. Hope I helped!
Did you know that most omnivores are undernourished? Most Americans eat too much protein and processed food and only 20% of Americans eat the recommended 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day. Most people are lacking vitamin C, A, folic acid, magnesium and more. Vegetarians, on the other hand, are not lacking protein no matter what uneducated people tell you. Protein is in every food, and if you're getting enough calories and it's not junk food you're fine.



Eat fruits and veggies. Eat whole grains instead of white bread, brown rice instead of white. Eat beans, nuts, seeds (an ounce of sesame seeds has as much calcium as a glass of milk.) Eat real food, not precessed junk. And you'll be healthier then you are now as an omnivore.How do I become a vegetarian without harming my health?
It's easy to be vegetarian and healthy. Meat is not a magical food by any means. Check out the vegetarian food pyramid and than look up recipes. It's easy.



The person above me is slightly confused. Vegetarians have no issue with protein. It's even in veggies. The best sources are whole grain foods, beans, lentils and nuts.
Ok, so there are two types of vegetarians:

cheese-and-junk vegetarians

and healthy vegetarians

Too many people replace the meat with dairy and processed foods.

You should replace them with fruits/veggies/lentils/nuts.

The only vitamins that van be issues are Vitamin B12 and iron (especially if you're female and have your period). You can buy fortified bread/cereal at the store, or just a multivitamin will do it. Protein is not an issue as long as you eat a balanced diet- balanced=many different amino acids=complete proteins.

Here is the vegetarian food pyramid, as a rough guide:

http://ale1980italy.files.wordpress.com/鈥?/a>

Congrats on your choice and good luck!



To everyone who said we are meant to digest meat (I'm sure there are some), we are not. They may have pointed out we have canines. Horses have canines. Canines are not meant exclusovely for flesh. We have long intestinal tracts (carnivores have short ones so decaying meat can get through asap). Our culture, our hedonistic lifestyle, and the ease of factory farming, have led us to consume excessive amounts of meat.
Harming your health? Becoming veg'n is about the healthiest thing you can do for yourself! :-)



Look for online resources like a guide to vegan eating or "new vegetarian". There are literally thousands (maybe millions) of online resources to help newbie vegetarians.



Good luck!
Most vegetarians are kinda hefty! Not skin and bones. They tend to supplement their diets with cheese and french fries. Even potatoe chips. Check out goveg.com. They have a free vegetarian starter kit that can help you with planning a proper vegetarian diet.



Oh, and I'm gonna have to contradict the lady above. The human body was not meant to digest meat. WE don't have canines, we have long intestines, and we have colon issues due to the fact that the american diet consumes way too much meat. Check out your biology. We are herbivores, not omnivores, but culture has lead us into eating meat. Primates are primarily vegetarian, but when there is no edible vegetation around, they will eat flesh. So did our ancestors. Thanks to factory farming, meat has become an every day part of our diet, but is not necessarily healthy for you.
as long as you keep an eye on YOUR own health and body, you wil learn the things it needs

if your female, iron is soemthing you may need to keep an eye on as you loose it every month

other than that a multi vitamin and some flaxseed oils and you shoudl be ok
For the full low down, go to a doctor or registered dietitian. I'm assuming you have some sort of condition that requires you to follow a strict diet? I mean, how else could going veg be a threat to your health?
Most vegetarians aren't under-nurished and it is usually better for them and they live longer than meat-eaters.
do it a bit at a time while you learn about the nutritional aspects.
Be a vegan.
I have been veg for my whole life and im plenty healthy. being veg is more healthy than eating meat
Try to eat from all your food groups. With out eating meat you don't get any protein which means you need to get it form somewhere else.





Meat substitutes. There is a whole new world of veggie meals you never knew. Have your veggie burgers, soy crumbles, and all your favorite food without the meat. There are restaurants which specialize in meat substitutes so make sure you spot the one nearest you for a take out.



Go with low-fat dairy foods. Compared to high fat cheese you used to love, these low-fat milk, yogurt, string cheese, ricotta or cottage cheese can be as mouthwatering and at the same time, way healthier. These are rich in calcium and protein so use these for your sandwiches.



Fish. Tuna, sardines, salmon鈥?Fish is always a great source of protein and fish doesn鈥檛 pack lots of fat unlike beef and pork. If your get yours from the can, make sure to opt for the brine variety instead of the one soaked in oil. That way you cut more fat out.



Go nuts with nuts and say yes to beans. Whether in a resto or in your own home, go for black beans or lentil soup for your side dish, Dress your salads with black, kidney, or garbanzo beans. You can have bean burritos, bean tacos, or bean taco salads as an entr茅e. Sprinkle chopped nuts or cooked veggies or fruits to add flavor to your favorite breakfast cereal. Nuts are good food as snacks too.
if you are worried about harming your health then being a vegetarian is wrong for you... you will definitely harm yourself by being a vegetarian.. because we are meat eaters by design and to change that is just wrong and bad for your health