I’ve decided to go vegetarian (1 Viewer)

[the moops]

Oh and back to the original health point about vegetarianism. It makes me pay more attention to what I'm eating, but I can still destroy a giant bag of Doritos in minutes. Being vegetarian does not automatically mean healthy. I actually tend to avoid Beyond/Impossible burgers because they're still full of fat and high-calorie.

Still haven’t tried one of those imitation burgers yet. Partly because of what you said and partly because they just sound weird.

They are delicious, IMO. My wife and I don't eat meat, our kids do, and our kids almost prefer the Impossible to beef. Almost

 

[gianmarco]

Last night was a veggie calzone with a bunch of peppers, basil, pineapple, onions....delicious.

I’m no vegetarian, but I actually prefer just vegetables on a pizza the older I get. Mushrooms, peppers , black olives a little onion ..

you got anything coming out of your garden that you'd toss on your pizza? I've been using our kale as a pizza topping for a couple years now. Love the way it crisps up when I fire the pizzas on the grill.

Bell peppers, sweet banana peppers, tomatoes (not yet)
I should try to grow kale one of these days

Pro Tip

 

[gianmarco]

There are dozens of vegetarian Indian dishes refined over centuries by Hindus and others. They have protein in the form of legumes, soy products, nuts, dairy. Occasionally, I buy a box of chana masala (chick pea curry) packages at Costco, for a quick inexpensive meal that can be paired with rice or flatbread. Is anyone into Indian food?

If I were to ever go vegetarian (which I won't), I would eat Indian food the vast majority of the time. It's so varied and so delicious.

 

[Terminalxylem]

You guys are the diamonds in the rough then. I used to work with a vegan who would vocally complain and remind everyone that they were vegan when the catered lunches came in with only one option for them. Also a few friends/family who will pull the passive aggressive "I guess I'm having the salad then" when we go out and its the only option.

I think you're being biased by those who complain/make a show of their dietary choices. Short of scrutinizing everything the people around you eat, how do you know who is/isn't vegetarian/vegan/etc.?

Admittedly, I get a little irritated when work menus include a few pescatarian options and many omnivorous ones, only to have meat eaters choose the fish and veggies. So they run out early, and I'm left with a token salad. Meanwhile, there's plenty of leftover meat and potatoes. They need to do a better job anticipating demand.

It's also inexcusable hospital cafeterias sell anything but healthy food, but that's another topic.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Last night was a veggie calzone with a bunch of peppers, basil, pineapple, onions....delicious.

I’m no vegetarian, but I actually prefer just vegetables on a pizza the older I get. Mushrooms, peppers , black olives a little onion ..

I'll eat most vegetables, except the stuff on classic veggie pizza - bell peppers, olives and mushrooms. Not sure how those became the standard, but it makes me look like a high maintenance vegetarian any time that's an option.

 

[Terminalxylem]

There are dozens of vegetarian Indian dishes refined over centuries by Hindus and others. They have protein in the form of legumes, soy products, nuts, dairy. Occasionally, I buy a box of chana masala (chick pea curry) packages at Costco, for a quick inexpensive meal that can be paired with rice or flatbread. Is anyone into Indian food?

Indian food is great. My wife loves bindi masala. If you haven't tried it, I recommend South Indian fare, for something different than the standard curries, etc.

Also, be mindful of the sodium content in some of those Costco meals. I love the Tasty Bite lentils, but they aren't the healthiest choice, especially if one has high blood pressure.

 

[AAABatteries]

Short of scrutinizing everything the people around you eat, how do you know who is/isn't vegetarian/vegan/etc.?

Isn’t that the point? Vegetarians are the ones announcing it - although to be fair that was more common 20-30 years ago. It’s much more mainstream now so most people don’t care. I know I don’t and would even be happy to accommodate a guest at my home.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Short of scrutinizing everything the people around you eat, how do you know who is/isn't vegetarian/vegan/etc.?

Isn’t that the point? Vegetarians are the ones announcing it - although to be fair that was more common 20-30 years ago. It’s much more mainstream now so most people don’t care. I know I don’t and would even be happy to accommodate a guest at my home.

My point is, most of the vegetarians keep quiet, unless people ask. Unlike eating the SAD, if one excludes meat in their dishes, there has to be a reason why (although it is getting more commonplace).

Same goes for not drinking.

 

[caustic]

Oh and back to the original health point about vegetarianism. It makes me pay more attention to what I'm eating, but I can still destroy a giant bag of Doritos in minutes. Being vegetarian does not automatically mean healthy. I actually tend to avoid Beyond/Impossible burgers because they're still full of fat and high-calorie.

Still haven’t tried one of those imitation burgers yet. Partly because of what you said and partly because they just sound weird.

They are delicious, IMO. My wife and I don't eat meat, our kids do, and our kids almost prefer the Impossible to beef. Almost

We use Impossible meat a fair amount here as well, fully acknowledging that it isn't health food. The brats are great for summer BBQs, the grounds work well in pasta sauce and chili, and the burgers are a reliable vegetarian option at a lot of restaurants.

 

[the moops]

I'll eat most vegetables, except the stuff on classic veggie pizza - bell peppers, olives and mushrooms. Not sure how those became the standard, but it makes me look like a high maintenance vegetarian any time that's an option.

Black olives do not have any place on a pizza. None

 

[Ilov80s]

I'll eat most vegetables, except the stuff on classic veggie pizza - bell peppers, olives and mushrooms. Not sure how those became the standard, but it makes me look like a high maintenance vegetarian any time that's an option.

Black olives do not have any place on a pizza. None

They don’t offer much imo. Rather tasteless.

 

[AAABatteries]

Short of scrutinizing everything the people around you eat, how do you know who is/isn't vegetarian/vegan/etc.?

Isn’t that the point? Vegetarians are the ones announcing it - although to be fair that was more common 20-30 years ago. It’s much more mainstream now so most people don’t care. I know I don’t and would even be happy to accommodate a guest at my home.

My point is, most of the vegetarians keep quiet, unless people ask. Unlike eating the SAD, if one excludes meat in their dishes, there has to be a reason why (although it is getting more commonplace).

Same goes for not drinking.

I think the differing opinion is on them keeping quiet. But it’s unimportant, IMO. I get your point and think there’s some validity in it. I do disagree on drinking - in my circle not drinking is almost equally as popular as drinking and almost never gets questioned. Maybe a regional or religious thing (most people in my circle would be considered religious - either Christian or Hindu/Muslim.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

I'll eat most vegetables, except the stuff on classic veggie pizza - bell peppers, olives and mushrooms. Not sure how those became the standard, but it makes me look like a high maintenance vegetarian any time that's an option.

Black olives do not have any place on a pizza. None

They don’t offer much imo. Rather tasteless.

Depends on the brand

Black Pearls suck

 

[Mister CIA]

You have completed the first step of becoming a vegetarian, ie letting everyone know.

We're here for the dunks.

 

[the moops]

You have completed the first step of becoming a vegetarian, ie letting everyone know.

This is the best post this board has seen in many years

 

[parasaurolophus]

I'll eat most vegetables, except the stuff on classic veggie pizza - bell peppers, olives and mushrooms. Not sure how those became the standard, but it makes me look like a high maintenance vegetarian any time that's an option.

Black olives do not have any place on a pizza. None

moops and I finally agree on something.

 

[AAABatteries]

You have completed the first step of becoming a vegetarian, ie letting everyone know.

This is the best post this board has seen in many years

And it was made in 2020!

 

[General Malaise]

Salad with roasted corn, black beans and avocado. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

 

[wazoo11]

Mostly because of health reasons and I am overweight. Any other vegetarians out ther?

Did this take?

yes! I've been dieting as a vegetarian for about over a year 1/2 now. At first, I was unprepared for how much prepping it took for meal plans.

I still consume eggs and milk which enrages my vegan friends. There's a lot of great content on YouTube for recipe inspiration.

I haven't lost a ton of weight but my cholesterol is in a much better condition.

 

[Manster]

Did you know that the word vegetarian is derived from an old Cheyenne word for bad hunter?

 

[kevin.dun]

Have you weighted your decision considerably?

 

[Ilov80s]

Have you weighted your decision considerably?

What does this mean?

 

[General Malaise]

My wife went full vegan 2-3 years ago and while she's never once put pressure on me to do the same, I suddenly decided that in the interest of aligning dietary interests (mostly in deciding everybody's favorite question - "What do you want to do for dinner??") I should give vegetarianism a go. I plan on keeping fish and cheese and won't punish myself for cheating here and there, but 1 week in and I'm fully content dining on vegetarian fare for dinner.

I committed to doing this until she and the kids go visit her family Aug 11, but I think if I can make it that long, what's the hurry to run back to meat in my diet? My cholesterol isn't great, digestion has never been stellar and I could stand to lose a pound or 20. I've had some fun looking up new recipes and I think my wife is rather relieved to just have ONE main dinner idea that works for all of us vs. having to cook some chicken or meat on the side and incorporate it into the family dinner. Rowing the boat the same direction, so to speak.

Anyhow, let's see where this takes me.

Since I posted this, I've stuck with it. We had a week long vacation where we cooked all dinners in and they were all vegetarian based. I had fish and chips for lunch once, but that was it. I started making tuna salad at work to replace turkey/ham which I was using on sandwiches. Not sure I'm doing myself any favors health wise, but I do enjoy the change-up. Prior to this, I think I had tuna fish once or twice in the last 5 years. I don't crave it. But mix it with some horseradish, chipotle mayo, pickles, onions, celery, lime....solid little sandwich!

Also, related - I had to go to urgent care for gout. Yes, gout. I thought I fractured my toe. Nope, just poor diet and too much beer. So......yeah. That was a wake-up call. It's gone now and has been for a week, but I'm not in any hurry to get it again. It sucks. And it's totally avoidable.

Wife and kids leave Thurs. I'm going to try and stick with this. I feel better. Digestion is better. I'll probably buy some rockfish to cook up for myself while they're gone, but I'm not jonesing for a steak or chicken wings the way I thought I would.

 

[massraider]

Salad with roasted corn, black beans and avocado. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

Beans and lentils how you scratch that protein itch for sure

 

[General Malaise]

Salad with roasted corn, black beans and avocado. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

Beans and lentils how you scratch that protein itch for sure

Yeah, we're big on black beans and such so no adjustment there. I also enjoy tofu, so we're using a lot of it.

 

[Zasada]

Had a really great frittata on the weekend. Cut up bell peppers, fresh green chiles, fresh jalapenos, onions, and dumped it in a cake pan with eight blended eggs. Spinach on top. Baked for 25 minutes. Just finished the leftovers for breakfast this morning.

Tonight is brown rice with fake chicken and tikka masala sauce, plus more of the above pepper/onion mix.

 

[Ilov80s]

The chipotle sofritos tofu is really good. Got a bowl last night with that and I damn if that wasn’t delicious.