Well, I was considering going veggie!

I actually want to be a vegetarian as I've seen the conditions the animals are bred in and I think it's horrible. I know by being vegetarian I probably won't make a difference, but I'd feel a lot happier knowing I'm not contributing as greatly. Also, I know with things about eggs and how they're still cruel to animals. I know that, but I think by going veggie I'd feel a lot better about myself.

As my girlfriend is a vegetarian, we always have quorn in the house and use this as a delicious meat alternative. In fact, I've started using it in my cooking as opposed to normal meat in things like lasagne - it tastes so much better, is cheaper and is better for me!

Well, I'm just worried about my diet. Hopefully it'd be okay as I'll make sure I get the protein and what not but I'm still a bit unsure about that.

What are your thoughts on it? What do you think I should do?

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If you're happy with it, then I don't see why not. People say it's healthier for you, but you can't be too sure of that.

Well, to be honest, only do it if you are sure it's the right decision.

Only you can decide whether or not you want to be a vegetarian, if your heart is truly into it then you may aswel give it a go, but if you are only doing this because you want to please your girlfriend, or because she always hassles you about it, then I would advise that you do not. It's your life and your decision, what you eat shouldn't be her decision.

as long as your happy with it then that is fine. Ive been vegetarian my entire life and have no health problems relating to not eating meat. Quorn, Linda McCartney, Cauldron and other various vegi meat alternatives should supply you with enough protien to make a balanced diet. Other than that, you can add beans and pulses to your food such as Kidney Beans and Lentils.

It does sound boring saying it like that, but i make one hell of a lentil curry, and everyone i know loves it, even the most hardened meat eaters :P.

But it all comes down to your own personal choice. As with the egg's side of things, if you feel bad then go for free range, or organic free ranged as they generaly have huge area's to roam and in my opinion come out a lot better than battery egg's. If you need any other info then please feel free to drop me a pm or hit me up on msn.

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I'm pretty sure that you'll be a lot healthier with real meat. Processed stuff is not good for you. I'd just cut back, I wouldn't completely stop eating meat.

Aww thanks for the great help guys still not 100% sure but I think I might give it a shot.

And it's not to please my girlfriend! Not at all. she's not too bothered about my eating habits, as long as I'm happy! Thanks a lot for the help

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Vouches: http://sythe.org/showthread.php?p=9805603#post9805603

No problem m8, if u ever need any recepies let me know :P... got some good ones as well as very cheap and easy ones to make, but would be fit for a king :P

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Haha, I've got a few recipe books but I'll be sure to ask you for some recipes some time, I'm sure they'll be great thanks again

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Vouches: http://sythe.org/showthread.php?p=9805603#post9805603

I really want to draw out the "We are Animals in an Animal kingom" speech, but tbh it wouldn't justify how animals are being treated..

If your sure about it, go for it, might make you feel better, but eating right is also important and does affect your mind.

But, why don't you just try it for a while? If it feels better and works for you, continue and if not, just stop.

Im sure trying it for 2 months wouldnt hurt

You shouldn't do it. First you shouldn't worry about the animal cruelty part. It's natural for animals to eat other animals. Humans have been doing it for longer then we have reference to.

Getting adaquete protien from not eating meat is extremly difficult. Unless you want to eat nuts or protien shakes all day you wont get enough protien.

If you ever plan to run, work out, or do any other physical activity getting protien is just not practical.

I was a lacto-tarian for a month, and it actually was surprising easy to do, but I stopped when I realized it didn't make sense.

If you want to be healthier stay away from red meat. They have more fat and have carcinigans. Also eat leaner meats.

For your consideration

Its not an bad idea. Being a vegetarian is healthier and will reduce the chance of a lot of cancers and other health problems.

Also eating veggies+fruits more often will give you much more antioxidants. The only drawback is when your mouth waters for meat, i LOVE meat so i cant be a vegetarian

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If you're up to a life full of mostly sub par food, constant malnutrition, and an dependency on supplements, it's OK. Vegetarianism is a serious choice to make, and a committed lifestyle. If it's what you really want, and you have more reason than "I LUV QOURN, N ITZ CHEEP" then I think you can do it. The way produce animals are treated IS a good reason, but will you care about it long enough to stick to your resolution? Your attention span will be tested by every day commuting, and you could find yourself slipping when you least expect it. Foods you didn't even expect are made with animal biproducts... I can't remember if vegetarianism includes occlusion of dairy, but that's a LOT of things you now can't eat....

Anyway, if you're resolute, then I would respect your decision. If you're just trying it out for the experience, it's not worth it.

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Exactly HOW vegetarian are you going to be?

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waitwat? There's only one way to be vegetarian, unless you're talking about vegan (which is absolutely NO animal bi-products, no matter what it is or where it came from)

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No no; there are a few types actually
Some vegans just don't eat meat, but eat fish and eggs.
And the other way around, a combination of those few... etc

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As a vegan of three years, I can tell you that it's tricky, but you can do it in a healthy way.

First off, as was mentioned, avoid processed food. Those packaged frozen meat substitutes may be convenient, but they're generally loaded with carbs and sodium, and on a lower than usual diet of protein (and as a vegetarian, it will be regardless of how much you focus on it), making sure that your carb intake isn't excessive is hugely important. You said you like cooking, so make use of that. The best thing you can do is learn to use fresh produce as often as possible. There are lots of natural substitutes for protein that aren't manufactured.

There's beans, all sorts of grains like quinoa, and protein-rich vegetables like avocado's (which are also high in fat though).

Overall it's manageable and can be done in a healthy way.

You shouldn't really be asking for judgment here, only do it if it is truly what you believe in, or what you want to do. Posting here is just asking other people to justify your choice, which should be entirely up to you.

I wish you luck in avoiding meat because if you've had it your whole life, it would certainly be difficult to give up. But if you are strong minded, you can do it, pretty much the same as giving up anything (soda, the internet, drugs - you know, all that good stuff). The best way would be to not buy any meat products at all, keep them out of sight and you won't have a choice either way even if you are craving for them.

Well, here's my take....

Genesis 9:2** And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.

So, it's not wrong to eat meat by any means... In fact, God gave us animals and plants both purely for our own use. He made us above them. Take out of that what you will

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Oh, interesting, I guess it doesn't make sense to say there's only ONE way to be something, haha

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Well, I'm hopefully starting on Monday. I'm going to try for a week and just see what it's like; I'm going to try calculate my nutrition to see if I get the right amount of protein too, as that's the biggest problem I've foreseen with it.

I do have substantial reasons for vegetarianism, don't worry, and hopefully it'll work out. I'll just see how I feel after a week. It might be a struggle, but I think it'd be worth it.

Also, I wouldn't eat meat and fish. This includes all the products with beef gellatine and the likes in them. Eggs I will eat, as I don't feel too bad about eating free-range eggs.

Thanks for all your opinions guys, really giving me food for thought.

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