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I'm a meat lover for many years now which I think causes my obesity and right now i would like to change my diet, i want to become a vegetarian. Does anyone have vegetarian recipes that i can try?
posted
I know nothing about being a vegetarian, especially since I see there are so many different versions (some people eat dairy, some don't, some eat chicken /fish.....)
Personally, I wouldn't do such a dramatic change but would ease into it. If you think meat is your problem, have it only a few times a week, replace it with something else (that chicken and fish come to mind). See if you see a change. YOu may not have to give it up completely.
Posts: 235 | From: Long Island, NY | Registered: May 2004
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posted
I have found that I attached a lot of my idenity on the foods and beverages that I liked or did not like. You may not be the same, but the way you worded your post leads me to think that my suggestions my at least be applicable if you modify them to work for you...
Make a list of your favorite foods and beverages. Make it in bullet note form, or write a paragraoh explaining why you like them - whichever comes comfortably to you.
It is hard for the human mind to fully think of more than one thing at a time, so by writing it out, you can have more insight and see patterns, etc than you would be able to if just thinking.
After you write out your list (HERE is my, for example) take a long look at it. What trends do you see? Which foods have become part of your personality? Do you have strong memories attached to any of them ("this is the meal my mom made on my birthday every year" "my ex and I used to eat this while watching movies" etc)? Are any comfort foods to you... eaten at times of stress or pleasure... what type of foods are they?
If you are looking to change the way that you eat, the list would be my first suggestion.
After examination of your list, and even writing about it if that helps you process, share your list with someone else (or on here). By sharing, I do not mean show it to someone else. I mean explain it to someone else, food by food. You will be suprised to see how much additional information will come up when you do, and also a feeling of freedom afterwards. This is an important step...
Consider your list, and apply against it a goal and a process. What exactly is your goal? To loose weigh? To eat more healthy? To have more energy? You goal is a projections of what you want to achieve, do not yet think of practicality. You may even wish to write it out.
Then, decide on how you want to start. All you have control over right now is the start, so do not yet fret over the how to reach the goal or how you will miss these foods if you never have them again. Eat one day at a time - as it will aid the mental transition... rmember, the way that we eat is based in how we think and feel. So, make a plan to start.
Pick a few things on your list. Modify them to be low carb and include more vegitables than meat. For instance, if your list includes KFC, try baked chicken prepaired with butter, lemmon, almonds, and garlic, a small serving of red potatos (put two in a pot of boiling water, skins on, then pull them out of the water once soft and mash them up with a touch of milk, butter, and pepper)... coleslaw is easy to make, and you can add some carrots, the tops of broccli shredded up, etc to add veggies into the meal. Anyway, pick the side orders you like, and emulate them with healthier eating. Focus on white, skinless meat being no more than 1/4th of the meal, instead of all of it, half of it, or a third.
Like soda? Try mineral water with some fruit jucie mixed in, served ice cold.
Consider trying something new every week, too. If you are a person that gains interest and comfort from a schedual, make one day a week where you try something new. A cumquat.. spagettie squash... curry... something that is healthy and low-carb that you have not yet tried.
Try not to fall on the low-carb version of foods that are not part of healthy eating. Focus more on a change in how you eat, but do it one day at a time, and have fun with it. Make the food tast great, and have excitement with each meal. Prepairing each meal can be a lot of fun, and it is easier to eat healthy if you are not eating out, eating on the go, or very hungry. Speaking of very hungry... Always have veggie and fruit snacks with you. Carrots with real peanut butter, nuts (try lemmon juice and garlic instead of salting them),etc... Never get hungry, but never eat until you feel very full.
If after some time you find that you have interest in becoming a vegitarian, I wish you luck and strength! I am one, and I love it... but I would not suggest it as a diet or as a rash decision for weight loss... you will not have the drive to support the change of lifestyle and may end up turning yourself off to eating meals rich in vegitarian foods. Try a slow transition to eating healthy and being concious of your body and food-based emotions.
Posts: 4 | From: Portland, Oregon | Registered: Feb 2006
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