My journey to a meat-free diet begins on Tuesday.

[Cascadian]

After Labor Day, I am moving slowly towards becoming a Vegetarian. I decided about doing this earlier in the year. After a couple of health scares last year (my pancreatitis in April and cellulitis in September.) and working in a sausage casing plant which subsequently made me quit eating sausages, I just decided it was time to change my diet. It won't be easy though. 16 years ago, I tried to quit meat cold turkey (no pun intended!) but after a week, I was nibbling on a cheeseburger. I am going to just go semi-vegetarian for a few months and then by February or April, I will go full time Vegetarian. I want to do this gradually so I will get comfortable with it.

As I have said before, I am doing this to improve my health. Not because PETA got to me or anything like that. If people want to eat meat, I have no problem with it! It's all about choice! Man, I am getting boring! I quit drinking, I don't party that much anymore, and now I am about to quit meat! What the devil is next? Celibacy?

In any case, please wish me luck! This will not be easy for somebody who has been brought up in a meat and potatoes family.


John

[Critters2]

1. Good luck! Stop by the tofu ghetto if you need help!

It's true what they say..."There are two things people should never see being made--sausage and laws."

[Cascadian]

2. Thanks.

The tofu ghetto? I must have missed that one. What's that?

Thanks again.

John

[Critters2]

4. The DU Vegetarian, Vegan, and Animal Rights Group

here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=231


Lots of recipes, support and advice!

[Cascadian]

6. Thanks a bunch.

That group could definately come in handy! ;-)


John

[Roon]

3. A couple of years ago, I started to eat "clean"

I quit for a year and gained a bunch of weight. Starting tuesday, I am going to start working out and eating clean again.
http://forums.menshealth.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/295109121/m/721103321

[WolverineDG]

5. I try to eat the least amount of meat possible

I do my best to have "meatless weekends" (which sadly, I failed at this weekend), and to only have meat at one meal during the day. I also only choose organic chicken & beef (grain/grass fed, no hormones/antibiotics added), so my budget demands that I limit it to one meal a day. ;)

Good luck on your journey!

dg

[RebelOne]

7. Good luck. You can do it.

I have been meat-free for about 9 years now. I do occasionally eat seafood, though. It is so hard to give up shrimp.

[sbj405]

8. Good Luck.

Head to the library and check out a bunch of veg or semi-veg cookbooks. Pick out a few recipes a week to try. A lot of new vegs make the mistake of eating what they used to, but without the meat. There's lots of nutritious, tasty meatfree dishes.

Also, as someone mentioned, check out the VVR group here. There's an extensive recipe thread. I also like vegweb.com, fatfree.com, and recipezaar.com (search for veg), and recipesource.com

[Robeson]

9. Yea! Come visit the tofu ghetto! You won't be dissapointed!...

... http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=231

[Vidar]

10. Good luck.

[flvegan]

11. Going slowly is a good way to do this.

Congrats and good luck!

[sarge43]

12. If there are farmer's markets in your area, buy fruits and veggies

from them. Fresh produce is far more satisfying and healthy than stuff that has sat in cold storage for weeks, even months.

Take it slow and best of luck.

[graywarrior]

13. Because you're a guy, you'll need more protein so

you may find yourself craving for meat. Have white fish afew times a week and learn how to cook tofu and tempeh, good sources of protein. Add sea vegetable to the food when you cook. Have boiled or pressure cooked rice 2 or 3 times a week to push stuff through and clean you out.

You will also have to eliminate sugar as it causes problems for vegetarians. You're doing the right thing transitioning slowly into a diet change.

Nice going, dude. I've been vegetarian (more macrobiotic) for the past 30 years. I'm convinced I'd be dead of a heart attack if I hadn't changed.

[and-justice-for-all]

18. Nuts and Peanuts have plenty of protein for you..

[Cascadian]

14. Once again thanks for your ideas and support!

Today is the day. The only problem is I have 5 eggs left and a can of Beef Stew. I suppose this is where I phase that stuff out. Mostly veggie stuff come grocery day which is Friday!


John

[RebelOne]

16. You don't have to give up eggs right away

if you are only going vegetarian. Do you have a dog? Give the beef stew to him or her. That's what I did when I decided to give up meat. I had a whole pork roast in my freezer. I cooked it and fed it to my Rottie. I know she was glad I became vegetarian.

[NMMNG]

15. Good luck!

I've been a vegetarian for a year and a half now and I love it. Like you're planning to do I phased meat out slowly, though I hadn't been eating a lot of it at the time anyway. Since then I've discovered so many new and delicious foods and dishes I'd never even heard of before. Anyone who thinks vegetarianism is boring and restrictive is simply uninformed.

Hope to see you around in the Tofu Ghetto!

[and-justice-for-all]

17. Rock On...

I made the slow transition too...I did it because I have issues with Animal cruelty, and yes PETA actually got me to cease on the meat. I feel better and I lost weight rather quickly after I stopped eating red meat, they are now spraying bacteria on it for a reason I cant remeber...

Morning Star makes some good stuff, I found veggie hot dogs that taste just like meat hot dogs. I also stopped drink milk, I now drink Soy Milk made by 8th Continent and Rice Dream vanilla rice milk..YUMMY!!

I was up to about 180, I had to goto the Doc a couple of weeks ago and they weighed me and I was down to 166lbs!!!

I will admit that I do have chicken and sometimes turky, but its limited to about twice a month. There are plenty of great vegetarian options, its very very good and way the hell better for you. I also juice...Carrots and Apples, thats a viatmen shock to the system right there...