Trying to be vegetarian

 

Last week I decided to be more like a vegetarian because I wanted to see what it was like to eat mostly fruits and veggies all day long, every day for a week. I did a little research and realized one thing, right away.  Being a vegetarian is not all about what one eats but about what one does not eat.  Does that make sense?  It's about the foods we DO NOT eat!  

Okay, okay, I get it.  Make a list and check it twice.  Eliminate animal products - meat, fish, chicken, milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt...ice cream? I have an issue with that, of course they do make soy ice cream and milk and yogurt, but eggs? Fish? Chicken?  These are all good for me or maybe they're just all good --yummy.  Either way, I wasn't prepared to give up ALL animal products and I know me, I will give it up for a day and then take three steps back like an animal whose afraid this will be his last meal.

A little more reading on the subject and I learned that there is such a thing as a Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian (LOV).  LOVs eat eggs and dairy, there is also a pescatarian and they eat fish.  OK this makes me happy.  

My experience as a LOV/pescatarian was fantastic.  I learned that....

1. I don't have to jump in with both feet, changing one meal a day is a better way

2. finding recipes in advanced makes it easier to stick to the meal plan

3. cleaning out the pantry and fridge before starting ANY new meal plan is most important

4. you can discover a million ways to cook vegetables and still please the palate

5. there's no rule saying you have to cook your vegetables

6. dark green and dark red are the best colors to look for when selecting fruits and vegetables

I also included more whole grain foods, brown rice, a lot less added sugar then usual.. I think my usual is about 3 teaspoons a day with my morning coffee.  We'll talk about eliminating the coffee altogether, but one addiction at a time please.

In my short experience I felt like I went through a detox program. The bloating, fatigue, and fuzzy brain syndrome all gone, in one week. I am looking forward to another week of trials and this will be a real trial because it's Thanksgiving week and come on, you know what is like here in the States - lots of carbs, lots of dessert, and appetizers. I will be challenging but I will give it my best shot.

Time to share the love - 

The Reluctant Vegetarian said this about the connection between food and chronic pain:

"it makes perfect sense that the food we put into our body has a direct impact on how our body performs. or, rather, how it doesn’t perform. and yet, most doctors have no clue. or would rather treat the symptom versus finding the root cause."

Visit her blog to learn more about food and pain. Imagine eating something you enjoy and eliminating pain and inflammation...what a concept!

I also visit very creative cooks like Kristen at Passion4Eating to find easy, very delicious recipes with vegetables I have never heard of before.

I think we all have food allergies in one form or another but we don't know it or fail recognize the symptoms as part of a reaction to what we eat because that would mean we'd have to give up that food and that would be terrible.  I'm learning a lot about food allergies from The Nut-Free Mom who reminded me that having food allergies is not something we do to ourselves, that there are ways to survive the holidays and that Emeril can show us how to cook a safe, nutty-free meal.  

Then there's the Lazy Vegetarian with easy, quick recipes for those of us who are too lazy busy to spend hours planning vegetarian meals.

So I don't really know what I am because all I've given up is chicken, beef and pork and anything associated with these animals but I do know that by eating more vegetables, more fruit, more whole grain, I am eating a lot less and craving a lot less of the foods that are empty and insignificant.  I focus more on foods that actually fuel my body and I try harder to be conscious of what I'm eating and why instead of simply satisfying a craving.

In the mean time I am going to rely on friends in the blog world to help me through the learning process, recipes, ideas, and support - there's so much, it can be overwhelming, but I will take it one step at a time, one meal at a time  - thinking in the now and go from there.

Have you recently changed your eating habits to vegan, vegetarian, octo, ovo or pescatarian?  What has been your experience?  Any ideas for me?  I want to hear from you and your stories.

Stay Well,

Comments

[Dr. J]

I support your foray into vegetarian eating. Personally, I eat mostly vegan :-) I do eat some seafood, but otherwise vegan, no dairy(that's liquid sugar and fat), and no eggs(that's chicken). Labels are not that important, nor is being totally anything, like vegan, unless it's a political thing, which for me it is not. I think eating meat, etc, or not is a choice. There is nothing evil about it, although I do feel it's healthier to minimize it, and I don't like the way we treat animals raised to feed us. There must be kinder ways.

[Kristen]

I am excited to see that vegetarianism can cure my "fuzzy brain syndrome". It never occurred to me that meat could be causing my psychological issues ;-)

Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog and the nice things you said about about me above!!!

I agree with Dr. J -- the way we treat animals raised to feed us is despicable. I for one only buy animals from locals whom I know raised them with love, like a pet. I do not buy meat at the grocery store.

I like your blog :)

[reluctant veggie]

looks like you are off to a great start. and starting at a point that is right for you. everyone's body and nutritional needs are different.

i definitely agree that it's easier to make changes gradually and allow yourself to get used to them. it's really hard (and stressful!) to cut everything out right away. and will likely just lead to relapse and guilt...

keep doing your research, reaching out to your blogging compadres, and enjoying the process! hope it continues to be good for you. :)

[Topsy-Techie]

Hey stranger! I dropped in at just the right post it would seem...my oldest son became a veg last Thanksgiving, and I am always looking for good info on this lifestyle choice. I was excited to hear about the Reluctant Vegetarian, too! Heading over there next... Oh, we are in Week 7 of the latest blog writing course! If you get a chance, drop in on a couple of the newbie bloggers and give them some encouragement and let them know about your experience with the course! You can find an updated list on the latest post at the blog: http://blogwritingcourse.com/ So glad to see your blog is still going strong!!! Kudos!!

[Terie]

Hey Dr. J... I agree with you on the whole poor treatment of animals comment. Heart braking. Thank you for your support. This has been a trying week for me but doing OK so far, with a few missed steps with some meals. However, it has been easy as I was never a big meat eater so taking everything but the meat wasn't very difficult for me.

[Terie]

Hey topsy, it's been a while. I'll be happy to visit the new bloggers soon to be alumni, how fun. I remember when I started playing with this idea, can't believe it's been over 18 months already. I sometimes wish my kids would venture into the veggie world, for now I'm just happy they eat any veggies and fruits so I wont complain much. Thanks for stopping in.

[Evita]

Hi SpinDiva

This is fanastic! I have to say I am so happy for you, as the benefits are incredible and you see that yourself right away.

About the labels, try not to worry yourself with those too much. Sometimes I find they stress people out more than they need to. Start making changes with what feels right. If you give up ALL animal products, than technically you are a vegan - and while I do recommend this for optimal health, one can still attain quite great health for the long run by eating some animal foods occasionally.

The things is to cut out processed food as much as possible, it doesn't matter here if it is animal or plant based. Then just go with what you are comfortable with at first, as you already know yourself by what you wrote, anything forced does not last.

You really never want to feel like you are depriving yourself. I find that the more people learn about animal products, the less they desire eating them.

So congrats on the great health changes and all the best with continued success :)

P.S. If you want an excellent movie to learn about our health and animal products, that is very science based, beautiful, logical and nothing "PETA-ish" then I recommend for you to check out "A Delicate Balance" - it is amazing what we know today where health and nutrition is concerned....but for too many, it is still a too inconvenient truth. It is amazing what happens when we find out that what we thought was so good tasting, isn't good for us at all.

The movie can be watched on their site, pay per view of $4.95
http://www.adelicatebalance.com.au/

[Fitness Surfer]

Love love love this post. I've been thinking about switching to Vegan for just the health benefits alone. I know my body would thank me.

[Terie]

FS - funny thing is that when I say I'm "a vegan, vegetarian, etc." I get weird looks from people like why would you give up anything. Well, I haven't really given up anything major, just meats and other things not good for me. I eat more natural, green and raw these days and that is most definitely good for the body and mind. Good Luck.