vegetarian meatloaf recipe nuts image
Animallove
I absolutely love animals and am debating about whether or not I should become a vegetarian. The reason I want to become a vegetarian is more so of a control issue. With all of the wars, issues with the government etc. I feel like my lifestyle is one of the few things that I have some control over. I like meat but I don't like the fact that meat without growth hormones and junk doesn't taste good as opposed to meat that does include the harmful chemicals. Also I don't like that unless I personally start my own farm that I can't know for sure how the animals are treated and if they are killed humanely. I'm worried about becoming a vegetarian because I like meat (corn beef, steak, ribs, bacon, hot dogs, meatloaf, pork chops etc.) but at the sametime I don't want to contribute to the inhuman murder of animals. Another thing is that when I brought it up to my parents they are fine with me becoming a vegetarian but they said they aren't planning on fixing any special meals for me and that if we're having meat that I will have to fix something myself for dinner. The second thing I'm worried about is staying healthy. A couple of months ago I was anemic and had to take iron supplements and I'm worried about being anemic again as most sources of iron come from meat. If I do decide to become a vegetarian how far should I take it. Should I just rule out all meat (including like chicken stock etc.?). What are the pros and cons of becoming a vegetarian? Also a friend of mine told me that eating meat puts you at higher risk for cancer...is that true? That kinda freaked me out. Then again there are always talks about people claiming almost anything is linked to cancer.
Answer
LIFE puts you at a higher risk for cancer. But some things are associated with cancer.
My sister was a vegetarian for decades, and relied on soy for her protein source (soy and quinoa are the only complete proteins .. otherwise you are eating legumes and grains together). She got thyroid cancer, and had to have her thyroid killed, and now she has to mess with adusting the level of synthroid medication (artifical thyroid hormone).
She found out a couple years after her thyroid cancer that too much soy in the diet is associated with thyroid cancer.
Pro's of vegetarianism:
1. It's cheaper
2. You get to feel proud about yourself as long as it's not arrogance)
Con's:
1. You have to understand protein sources and how to get complete protein in your diet. AND Iron sources too. This means you have to preplan all your meals, checking out the nutritional content ahead of time .. until you have it all in your head.
2. You have to like legumes (beans, lentils, etc) and be prepared for more flatulence. Cheese and eggs have protein but are not healthy to eat on a daily basis. Nuts are fattening. Soy is okay but not every day. Quinoa .. we don't know yet. Best not to rely on it every day.
Most of your protein will be legumes eaten with grains (beans and rice, peanut butter on whole wheat bread, lentils and rice, etc).
3. It takes a lot more complicated recipes to make the food tasty. It's not like you can slap a bunch of garbanzo beans on the barbecue and cook then up in 10 minutes for supper. In the case of your parents, its the difference between having to cook at all and having to do complicated meals.
LIFE puts you at a higher risk for cancer. But some things are associated with cancer.
My sister was a vegetarian for decades, and relied on soy for her protein source (soy and quinoa are the only complete proteins .. otherwise you are eating legumes and grains together). She got thyroid cancer, and had to have her thyroid killed, and now she has to mess with adusting the level of synthroid medication (artifical thyroid hormone).
She found out a couple years after her thyroid cancer that too much soy in the diet is associated with thyroid cancer.
Pro's of vegetarianism:
1. It's cheaper
2. You get to feel proud about yourself as long as it's not arrogance)
Con's:
1. You have to understand protein sources and how to get complete protein in your diet. AND Iron sources too. This means you have to preplan all your meals, checking out the nutritional content ahead of time .. until you have it all in your head.
2. You have to like legumes (beans, lentils, etc) and be prepared for more flatulence. Cheese and eggs have protein but are not healthy to eat on a daily basis. Nuts are fattening. Soy is okay but not every day. Quinoa .. we don't know yet. Best not to rely on it every day.
Most of your protein will be legumes eaten with grains (beans and rice, peanut butter on whole wheat bread, lentils and rice, etc).
3. It takes a lot more complicated recipes to make the food tasty. It's not like you can slap a bunch of garbanzo beans on the barbecue and cook then up in 10 minutes for supper. In the case of your parents, its the difference between having to cook at all and having to do complicated meals.
How do I tell my mom, I want to become a...?
AmyAddicti
Vegetarian.
I love animals, and I don't want to see them get hurt, and know that I'm eating it.
I have eaten meat all of my life, and I just don't want to anymore.
Please help me because, all we eat in my house is meat.
And I know this will be a healthier lifestyle.
Thanks!
Answer
First, you must do some research.
Your mother's primary concern will likely be your health, so be sure you can answer her questions. Have sources that demonstrate that it is perfectly possible for you to grow up strong and healthy without eating meat (or having a gallon of milk and 6 eggs a day to "make up for it").
Know the nutritional requirements for a fe/male your age and size (taking into account level of physical activity) and come up with examples of good vegetarian sources of the various nutrients. She will probably be mostly concerned about protein and iron. She might ask about B vitamins. Look it up, know how much you need and where you'll get it from.
Do some additional research so you can point out the health benefits of vegetarianism. (Not only do you want to demonstrate that it isn't dangerous to be a vegetarian, you want to show that it's actually beneficial.)
Get some recipes and cookbooks and learn how to make some stuff. You will be cooking for yourself a lot more these days. It is unfair and immature to expect your mom to start making a separate meal for you every night, so get ready for some Emeril action. (Note: yelling BAM! randomly might make your parents think you've gone off the deep end, so keep it down to a dull roar.)
If you are old enough to work, get a part-time job so you can purchase cookbooks and any special ingredients you may want (tofu, seitan, nut milk, etc). If you get an allowance or have money from birthday or holiday gifts, use some of it to invest in literature and/or exotic food. Heck, see if Mom and Dad will pay you to wash the car or mow the lawn. Use that money to buy stuff. (Being willing to invest your own time and money in a venture shows people that you're serious.)
Offer to help cook dinner once in awhile. Say everyone is having meatloaf for dinner. Say that you'll do the mashed potatoes and veggie. Make the salad as well. Make a rich mushroom gravy for everyone to use (if you make your own stock for it, it'll be extra-good). Heat yourself up a Boca burger (or whatever "central protein piece" you want) and help Mom serve. If everyone is having spaghetti with meatballs, ask Mom to buy the chunky extra-veggie sauce and set some aside for you before she adds the meatballs. Make the garlic bread and chop the onions, garlic, mushrooms, etc for her. In other words, you need to demonstrate that this is not going to create a lot of extra work for her.
Best of luck to you.
First, you must do some research.
Your mother's primary concern will likely be your health, so be sure you can answer her questions. Have sources that demonstrate that it is perfectly possible for you to grow up strong and healthy without eating meat (or having a gallon of milk and 6 eggs a day to "make up for it").
Know the nutritional requirements for a fe/male your age and size (taking into account level of physical activity) and come up with examples of good vegetarian sources of the various nutrients. She will probably be mostly concerned about protein and iron. She might ask about B vitamins. Look it up, know how much you need and where you'll get it from.
Do some additional research so you can point out the health benefits of vegetarianism. (Not only do you want to demonstrate that it isn't dangerous to be a vegetarian, you want to show that it's actually beneficial.)
Get some recipes and cookbooks and learn how to make some stuff. You will be cooking for yourself a lot more these days. It is unfair and immature to expect your mom to start making a separate meal for you every night, so get ready for some Emeril action. (Note: yelling BAM! randomly might make your parents think you've gone off the deep end, so keep it down to a dull roar.)
If you are old enough to work, get a part-time job so you can purchase cookbooks and any special ingredients you may want (tofu, seitan, nut milk, etc). If you get an allowance or have money from birthday or holiday gifts, use some of it to invest in literature and/or exotic food. Heck, see if Mom and Dad will pay you to wash the car or mow the lawn. Use that money to buy stuff. (Being willing to invest your own time and money in a venture shows people that you're serious.)
Offer to help cook dinner once in awhile. Say everyone is having meatloaf for dinner. Say that you'll do the mashed potatoes and veggie. Make the salad as well. Make a rich mushroom gravy for everyone to use (if you make your own stock for it, it'll be extra-good). Heat yourself up a Boca burger (or whatever "central protein piece" you want) and help Mom serve. If everyone is having spaghetti with meatballs, ask Mom to buy the chunky extra-veggie sauce and set some aside for you before she adds the meatballs. Make the garlic bread and chop the onions, garlic, mushrooms, etc for her. In other words, you need to demonstrate that this is not going to create a lot of extra work for her.
Best of luck to you.
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