I know that when I eat meat, I too feel full and very sluggish.  However, I am not quite ready to give up a steak every once in awhile.  Let me ask you what type of vegetarian are you planning to become?  Are you going to eat fish, become a vegan or just no red meat.  The extent to which you decide to take it is yours.  Just know that it is a mental decision as well as a nutritional one.  Your lifestyle will change and you need to be patient if this is something you want to venture into.  My good friend is a vegetarian.  I will try and have her post a comment to help you out.

I have a history of going all out or not doing it at all so I would say that I would cut out all meat, fish, etc.  and then once accustomed to that I would most likely look into veganism.   I just need to know that my body will be okay with it.   I have also been very curious of the raw food movement.   Thank you for your comment and I would love to any tips from your friend as well.

http://www.lime.com/health/video/3229/veganism. This video at LIME discusses the ins & outs of veganism.  You may find it helpful in making your decision.  I tried the raw food movement for a month or so and found it very limiting.  I did feel light on my feet, but felt very deprived.  It is a very labor intensive lifestyle with regards to the preparation of food (tasteful food that is). If you want to eat a variety of food, you must buy the equipment that enables you to make it according to the raw restrictions.  You may want to take it slow and really think about what you are cabable of commiting to long term.  Let me know what you think about the video.

I've been mostly vegetarian (I couldn't quite give up the sushi now and then) for about 8 years now and it is definitely worth it. I feel good and not deprived, since I find that I eat far more of a variety now than I ever did when it was so easy to just choose the meat option. If you are already a fan of fruits and vegetables that will help, because it is very easy to be a vegetarian and eat all grilled cheese sandwiches or something and miss out on the vegetables. The issue is being sure you are getting all the vitamins and amino acids that you usually get from meat, because if you don't pay attention you will start to feel terrible and not know why. I would recommend doing research and figuring out what sorts of foods (or at least supplements) you'll need to substitute so that you are getting balanced nutrients. The glossary entry on Lime for Vegetarian has good resources from the web and books as well. 

When you mention meat, are you talking just about red meat or white as well?  What side effects did you have when you didn't get enough of the vitamins you needed?  I think that appies even if you aren't a vegetatrian.  It is always hard to maintain a well balanced diet especially when the guidlines keep changing.

Thank you guys for all the great info and suggestions.  It is so nice to have a place to go to talk to nice people who are willing to help. 

I agree about the sushi that will be hard to cut out but considering there really are so many different types of meat-free foods out there I am going to dive right in.  If I get discouraged I will just remind myself of the positive effects it will have on the environment and my body. 

Good luck and keep us posted how it is going. If you have anymore questions, don't forget to check out LIMES search site to bone up on more issues.

I commend you on your desire to become a vegetarian. This country doesn't seem to cater to the non-meat diet as much as the alternative. I became a vegetarian in 1972 at the age of 21. I haven't  had the colds, flu, and other illnesses I used to get as much, if ever. You're right about the meat feeling heavy in your stomach, you will come to find you have a tremendous amount of energy you didn't have before. Just remember to make sure you get your B vitamins and amino acids. You will feel so much better physically. may even lose a little weight, but it's all good. You'll feel better to know you aren't contributing to the terrible abuse of animals just to satisfy your pallet. The blessings you will receive in health, will be your reward. Good luck. Just google vegetarianism and you will get an amazing amount of answers, help and support.

My best friend's children are vegetarians and whenever she visits my kids get a taste of some alternative food.  My older son (9) really seems to like the fake meat products made from soy.  In wonder if he is a vegetarian in the making.  He doesn't really like much meat or chicken except turkey bacon.  I will have to try some more veggie products and see if he would like to incorporate them into his diet.  I wonder if people are predisposed to it?

I've been a vegetarian for almost nine years now (lacto ova vegetarian for five and vegan for four...currently vegan).  I love my lifestyle, obviously, although I know it isn't for everyone.  It can be hard work, especially if you live in an area with limited organic and soy products like I did when I first started out, and of course dining out can be tricky!  It never fails...I'll go to a restaurant and ask for a vegan veggie burger and they will butter and toast my bun...(eye roll). 

 Anyway, if it's something you're really interested in, go for it.  I don't know if doing it in steps is really the way (I always just jump head first into things) because you may never progress?  I have loads of great recipies I've come up with if you'd like to try some. 

 A few things vegetarians need to make sure they get are their omegas and b12..but flax or hempseed products will cover you on omegas and most everything is fortified with b12 these days.

 Talking to your doctor and/or a nutritionist may also be helpful.

I read your comment posted on "feeding your senses" and now know why you enjoy cooking.  You probably have to, to truly get a great meal.  It must be very difficult to eat out for you or do you live in a progressive town?  

 

I have been thinking a lot about vegetarian lifestyle the past few weeks.  It really bothers me that the animals are treated so unethically and I also don't like the idea of eatting hormones and antibiotics.  I think I am more of a step by step kind of person.  For now I am not eatting meat from the supermarket or restaurants.  I hope to find a local farm that provides an organic, free range atmosphere for their animals, just in case I get a craving for a hamburger.

Depending on your activity level you may not want to be totally vegatarian.  If you work out for an hour more than three times a week you can develope ligament problems, especially in the knees.  This is a long term developement, it can take months depending on your activity.  I had a couple of students try being vegatarian.  After a couple of months they started having joint problems.  When they started eating a little red meat the problems went away within a week.

I became a vegan over a year ago, and I cannot begin to describe the benefits I have experienced.  My meal options have greatly expanded, I am at my ideal weight without having to count calorie, my skin is radiant, I am strong, and since making the switch my eyes have been opened to all of the wonderful alternatives we can make to help our planet.  There are so many misconceptions with becoming a vegetarian/vegan, but if you really do your research you will discover that plant based foods are able to provide all (if not much more) of the nutrients your body strives for.  Plant based foods have a much more readily available supply of protien, fiber, good carbs, and vitamins and minerals when compared to animal products.  The most important thing to remember when making the switch is to have an open mind, and variety, variety, variety! 

 I really am passionate about this lifestyle and if you have any concerns or questions regarding making the switch feel free to ask.  I know that with a broad spectrum of plant based foods nobody can lack what our bodies need to be strong and healthy. It just takes a little bit of education and an open mind.

That is new news to me.  What do you think attributes to the ligament problems and do you think it has something to do with iron?  Maybe they were not getting enough of the right vitamins. 

I have friends who have been vegetarian for years and they have never developed that. I wonder if it is different if you go from eating meat to cold turkey and what working out has to do with it?

Again it is long term activity level.  There are things like enzymes that a body gets from eating meats.  There have been professional athletes that were vegatarian, Kareem Abdul Jaabr for one, whose career was affected by ligament deterioration.  Inspite of his doctors telling him to eat some meat he refused.  The people who talked my students into becoming vegetarians have been so for many years.  They are well educated in being a vegetartian.  What they didn't know was that activity level and enzyme intake do affect the long term health of the joints.  This is from my personal experinence with some of my students.  If your activity level isn't take intense I wouldn't sweat it.   

Here is a link to a B12 fact sheet:

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminb12.asp

I hope the link works. If not you can copy and past.

I am a highly active vegetarian/vegan of nine years.  I am studying fitness and nutrition, and I'm fully aware of what b12 does for a body and what enzymes are.  b12 was just an example of one of the things vegetarians need to look out for, along with the omegas and amino acids.

But, b12 is not an outlandish suggestion.  The deficiency can take years to show up, regardless of activity level.  It isn't (generally) something that just happens after a few months.  And meat-eaters and vegetarians alike can suffer all sorts of bodily damage after "long term activity."

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