To become a vegetarian?

[WinterSnow]

I have tried twice and after a week I have felt quite ill. I've made fresh food everyday including lots of veg, rice, cheese, pulses etc but can't seem to do it without getting ill! Any advice and is it unreasonable to attempt it

[Crosshair]

erm. If its something you want to do give it a go?

[JudysJudgement]

dont be daft, and have another bacon butty

[Pumpernickel10]

DH is veggie and so is DD and it's not boring if your handy at cooking but it can cause constipation so be careful what you eat. DD had it terrible so had to introduce fish into her diet.

[MsHighwater]

In what way did you become ill?

[ratspeaker]

Were you eating something you wouldn't normally eat, OP?

As for being vaeggie making you constipated, I dont understand that, a good vegetarian diet has a higher fibre content than a meat eater's diet, therefore it should ahve the opposite effect

[WinterSnow]

No eating same as usual just no meat. My immune system was low and I just felt unwell in general, I do get anaemic quite easily so perhaps it was that even though I was eating lots of dried apricots and broccoli!

[iggitwotimes]

If you're suddenly eating a load of pulses and aren't used to them, that might upset your stomach. Why not just eat quorn stuff like lazy veggies like me?

[DorisIsAPinkDragon]

Have you just got a bug?? 1 week seemes quite plausible

[Pumpernickel10]

rat it made DD awfully constipated she was having plenty of fibre, she's ok now though :)

[ZXEightyMum]

I have been flamed educated to not call myself a vegetarian by MN because in almost forty years I have had the odd slice of white meat and fish maybe once a year. I refuse to call myself a pescetarian because it is fucking wanky inaccurate as I am not primarily a fish-eater.

Never liked flesh in any form since I was a baby and I have never felt worse for not eating it not that I would know, as I have never been able to stomach it so can't compare!

I'm okay , no I am, really, eight stone, built like a young Madonna, dancers' build but with beer belly normal padding and have had no probs with pregnancy and childbirth. I am fitter than I have any right to be really.

I would say eat more cheese and more good-quality eggs.

[ratspeaker]

Why not introduce a veggie diet a bit at a time?

Go meatless a few days a week and graually increase them

Don't feel you have to eat anything you dont like ( I dont like meat which is why I'm vegetarian )

[TidyDancer]

I've been vegetarian for years now, but I can honestly say I don't remember feeling like that when I stopped eating meat, and I did do it very suddenly as well.

You could try phasing it out though, I think an abrupt stop might not suit everybody.

[ZXEightyMum]

I wish DH and DD would have a few veggie days a week. DD has just chucked out the best part of a pork chop, 75% of it, in expensive marinade. When DH first moved in with me we lived on baked potatoes but even then he had to have some sort of meat with them even if it was canned mini sausages.

Weird how particularly men seem to think that a meal is not a meal without flesh. How to get round that I wonder...

[Pumpernickel10]

Well DH was a veggie when we met, I have tried to be and did it for 2 years but I missed fish. DD started last year as she started to get into animal welfare we now have 6 adopted battery hens all her idea.

[Crosshair]

"Weird how particularly men seem to think that a meal is not a meal without flesh."

Tried veggie meals but also feel like this. I dont have man parts :o

[shineoncrazydiam0nd]

Is this AIBU?!

Well, all any of us can say is 'become a Vegetarian if you want to. ' I have been one for years and years and it doesn't make me ill.

[LittleRayOf]

This Spinach and Ricotta soup is a great pick me up. I dont eat meat, and while recently pregnant was told that my iron level was very good.

Basic recipe:
into a large pot: 2 onions, chopped; when cooked - add 2 cloves of garlic, chopped; one can of tomatoes and 500ml veggie stock (or water).
When tomatoes have disintegrated (5 - 15 minutes) add one bag of spinach, chopped.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Before serving stir in one pot of ricotta.

I also add chilli (3 small dried ones), and I like to remove the stalks from the spinach but dont bother if I am in a hurry.

[dementedma]

we are eating more and more vegetarian meals as just cannot afford meat anymore. I do a weekly menu and over the last few times, we have only had one or two meals a week which include meat. We are meat eaters who can't afford it anymore. So tonight was veggie curry and naan breads, tomorrow stuffed peppers with feta and rice and so on. Missing the protein though.

[follyfoot]

I'm vegetarian and have to say I am never ill. Cant remember when I last had a cold but its at least 10 years ago.

Have never heard of a constipated vegetarian

[EricNorthmansMistress]

Do you want advice on a healthy vegetarian diet? YANBU to go veggie obviously, is a good idea. But if you feel ill maybe you're eating crap veggie stuff? I have been veggie all my life so can't relate but I can give you ideas and pointers to a healthy balanced diet.

[petisa]

I don't think you got anaemic after a week OP Maybe you were coming down with something?

[DamselInDisarray]

If you're finding it difficult, then just cut down on meat more gradually. Introduce more and more meat free meals as you go along. People often react badly to a change if diet. If you do it gradually, it shouldn't be such a problem.

Within a few weeks you'll be happily veggie and should have no problems (and lower food bills).

You shouldn't be getting anemic so quickly though, and despite eating green leafy stuff If you are, it might be best to see your GP.

[LolaRennt]

it doesnt sound like you are doing a very good job at changing your diet. You cant continue on your normal way of cooking you need to replace the meat. VEggie meat is the easiest way to keep cooking in the way you are accustumed. Otherwise beans beans and more beans. Apparently you need to eat rice at the same time to best digest the protien. Good luck with it, I have been veggy for 14 years and haven't looked back

[DamselInDisarray]

I think with vegetarianism the really difficult bit is adjusting your expectations about what a meal should look like. If you're expecting meat and two veg, you're stuck with a diet of meat substitutes and a feeling I'd dissatisfaction. If you approach your whole meal as a vegetarian, then you can produce far more interesting and satisfying meals.