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Discussion: The Vegetarian and Vegan Thread
Member Since: 4/4/2014
Posts: 10,514
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The Vegetarian and Vegan Thread
The Vegetarian and Vegan Thread
Hello, ATRL. I noticed that there wasn't a thread for vegetarians and vegans to congregate, discuss things, and socialize, so I decided to make one. I think it would be cool if we talked about various tips and tricks about being vegetarians and vegans, nice products to buy, and good recipes to make. To non-vegetarians and non-vegans, thank you for coming to this thread! I have some information and vegetarianism and veganism if you're interested. 
General overview: http://www.pomona.edu/Administration...egetarian.aspx
On Vegetarian Diets: http://www.eatright.org/about/content.aspx?id=8357
Debunking the Myths:
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There are many myths surrounding vegetarianism, which generally center on nutritional adequacy. The ADA emphatically states that “vegetarian diets are healthful and nutritionally adequate when appropriately planned.”
Myth: Vegetarians don’t get enough protein.
Vegetarians easily meet their protein needs by eating a varied diet, as long as they consume enough calories to maintain their weight. It is not necessary to plan combinations of foods. A mixture of proteins throughout the day will provide enough essential amino acids. See this page for more information. Common sources of protein include beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, seeds, tempeh, chickpeas, peas, while whole grain bread, greens, potatoes, and corn.
Myth: Vegetarians are anemic because they don’t get enough (usable) iron.
There are numerous vegan sources of iron, which include dried fruits, baked potatoes, mushrooms, cashews, dried beans, spinach, chard, tofu, tempeh, bulgur, and iron-fortified foods (such as cereals, instant oatmeal, and veggie "meats"). To increase iron absorption, combine iron-rich foods with foods that contain vitamin C, such as citrus, tomatoes or broccoli. Using iron cookware also increases iron intake.
Myth: Vegetarians can’t get enough calcium, B12 and Omega-3s.
Calcium Good sources include broccoli, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, tofu prepared with calcium, low-fat dairy products, fortified soymilk, and fortified orange juice.
Vitamin B12 While this vitamin is primarily found in animal-derived foods, the adult recommended intake for B12 is very low. A diet containing dairy products or eggs provides adequate B12. Fortified foods, such as some brands of cereal, nutritional yeast, soy, offer non-animal sources. Tempeh and sea vegetables are not a reliable source of vitamin B12. Check labels to identify other products that are fortified with vitamin B12. If you are vegan, it is recommend you take a B12 supplement to be on the safe side.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids To maximize production of DHA and EPA (omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and made by our bodies) include good sources of alpha-linolenic acid in your diet. Alpha-linolenic acid is found in flaxseed, flaxseed oil, canola oil, tofu, soybeans, and walnuts. You can also obtain DHA directly from foods fortified with DHA from microalgae (in some brands of soymilk) and supplements containing microalgae-derived DHA.
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Source: http://www.pomona.edu/Administration...egetarian.aspx
So, welcome, ATRL! I hope we have fun on this thread!
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 4,333
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What a neat idea! I've been a vegetarian my whole life, so it'll be cool to hear other people's experiences  I've been thinking about going vegan, I just don't know how I'll give up pizza 
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 2,319
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I've always been curious about how people have the will power to stick to a vegan diet I respect that a lot, I don't think I could do it
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 40,803
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I'm not fully vegan, but my mom is, so we eat mostly vegan food in my house. It's not bad and you actually do feel a lot healthier
People think that vegans just eat vegetables, but there's actually a really wide variety of substitutes and most is really good once you get use to it!
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Member Since: 8/20/2011
Posts: 8,848
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These threads don't last long, I hope this is different.
What's for dinner tonight y'all? I'm making some bomb veggie chili. 
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 61,634
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I've been a vegetarian for almost two years now 
I remember when my uncle told me that I'd only last up to three months 
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Member Since: 4/4/2014
Posts: 10,514
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Quote:
Originally posted by LoveInStereo
What a neat idea! I've been a vegetarian my whole life, so it'll be cool to hear other people's experiences I've been thinking about going vegan, I just don't know how I'll give up pizza |
There's faux cheese (including mozzarella), pizza dough without eggs or milk, and tons of recipes out there. Here's a few:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/15-...a-recipes.html
Quote:
Originally posted by tbhmatt
I've always been curious about how people have the will power to stick to a vegan diet I respect that a lot, I don't think I could do it |
You get used to it, honestly. It's a way of life. For some people, it's harder than others, but becoming a vegetarian wasn't that hard for me. Becoming a vegan, on the other hand, sucked, mostly due to no milk and no cheese. Like I said, you get used to it, though!
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Originally posted by Mezter
I'm not fully vegan, but my mom is, so we eat mostly vegan food in my house. It's not bad and you actually do feel a lot healthier
People think that vegans just eat vegetables, but there's actually a really wide variety of substitutes and most is really good once you get use to it! |
I know! I'm glad you eat mostly vegan!
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Originally posted by Haus_of_Will
These threads don't last long, I hope this is different.
What's for dinner tonight y'all? I'm making some bomb veggie chili. |
I'm having tortillas and cereal with almond milk.  Veggie chili sounds really yummy, though!  Let's hope this thread lasts, sis.
Quote:
Originally posted by K$Ellie
I've been a vegetarian for almost two year now
I remember when my uncle told me that I'd only last up to three months |
YAAAS! Prove the haters wrong, sis! 
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 12,199
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My eyes have recently been opened to how vegan/vegetarianism is viewed by others. I've personally never seen it as a problem, why would I? You do you and I'll do me. But I recently attended a vegan wedding and the outrage and up roar it caused among a large percentage of the guests (which considering it was a wedding, were either family or close friends of the happy couple) shocked me. 2 couples left in disgust and one jackass got a meatlovers pizza delivered, making sure eveyone saw it. I couldn't believe the tantrums I was witnessing, all because there was no meat on offer. People were throwing around statements like 'how dare they force their grand political gestures on me' 'I'm not partaking in this cult-like nonsense' I mean  needless to say the childishness of the guests ruined the bride and grooms special night. I'm glad i'm just a friend of theirs and have no association with the others morons that were in attendance.
Is this something a lot of vegans/vegetarians experience? Are people really that ignorant?
I'd also be keen to know why you chose to become one. I was watching a documentary on it the other day and the guy they featured said he become one due to climate change. It didn't really make a lot of sense to me.
(sorry if none of this is welcomed in this thread)
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Member Since: 6/25/2010
Posts: 18,931
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Quote:
Originally posted by Haus_of_Will
These threads don't last long, I hope this is different. |
I said this in the last one and it reached like 30 some pages iirc because the OP was so extreme and would welcome arguments and go on misogynistic rants. 
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 2,319
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Quote:
Originally posted by TheGreatestThing
You get used to it, honestly. It's a way of life. For some people, it's harder than others, but becoming a vegetarian wasn't that hard for me. Becoming a vegan, on the other hand, sucked, mostly due to no milk and no cheese. Like I said, you get used to it, though!
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I guess part of the reason why I couldn't stick so rigorously to such a strict diet is because I don't really have any strong moral obligations to eating the produce of animals, but still I respect those who feel that way and stick with it
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 3,876
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I have a lot of respect to vegetarians and vegans.
While white meat is still in my diet, I did increase my veg & fruits intake recently and it feels great.
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 146
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Vegan for three years, mostly vegetarian for a few years before that. Recently I added the occasional sustainable seafood back to my diet, but I still eat no other meat and no dairy. If the world manages to realize that sustainability matters before we're all under water, many more diets will resemble the vegan diet. In the meantime, i do it because I feel great, I love the foods I eat, and I live a life more consistent with my ideals.
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Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 9,481
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bwerde
Vegan for three years, mostly vegetarian for a few years before that. Recently I added the occasional sustainable seafood back to my diet, but I still eat no other meat and no dairy. If the world manages to realize that sustainability matters before we're all under water, many more diets will resemble the vegan diet. In the meantime, i do it because I feel great, I love the foods I eat, and I live a life more consistent with my ideals.
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally posted by ReginaPhalange
. I was watching a documentary on it the other day and the guy they featured said he become one due to climate change. It didn't really make a lot of sense to me.
(sorry if none of this is welcomed in this thread)
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It takes exponentially more water to care for livestock than for plants.
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Member Since: 8/4/2012
Posts: 37,267
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bwerde
Vegan for three years, mostly vegetarian for a few years before that. Recently I added the occasional sustainable seafood back to my diet, but I still eat no other meat and no dairy. If the world manages to realize that sustainability matters before we're all under water, many more diets will resemble the vegan diet. In the meantime, i do it because I feel great, I love the foods I eat, and I live a life more consistent with my ideals.
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Hey Gworl. 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bwerde
It takes exponentially more water to care for livestock than for plants.
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Also, factory animal farms are some of the absolute worst polluters. Google factory pig farm pollution, if you have a strong stomach.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 30,642
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i hated meat in all its forms (fish/red meat/chicken) up until last year. I was vegetarian for a long ass time back then because of how much i hated meat and how i hated the evil treatment on poor animals in slaughter houses and farms etc but now im 18 and i seriously crave it randomly especially fish and shell fish 
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 12,199
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bwerde
It takes exponentially more water to care for livestock than for plants.
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That hardly explains the logic behind it. And if that was the reason someone became a vegan/vegetarian, it's a very weak one
Edit:
Quote:
Originally posted by Bwerde
Also, factory animal farms are some of the absolute worst polluters. Google factory pig farm pollution, if you have a strong stomach.
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Now this makes more sense. I have seen documentaries on factory farming, it's not pretty. I know the nitrous oxide and methane from traditional farming has an effect, and of course the factory farming has it's own much greater effect on the atmosphere. It just seemed like an odd reason to go vegan in the first place. There's much more practical, proactive and a hands on way to tackle climate change I think
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Member Since: 4/4/2014
Posts: 10,514
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Quote:
Originally posted by ReginaPhalange
My eyes have recently been opened to how vegan/vegetarianism is viewed by others. I've personally never seen it as a problem, why would I? You do you and I'll do me. But I recently attended a vegan wedding and the outrage and up roar it caused among a large percentage of the guests (which considering it was a wedding, were either family or close friends of the happy couple) shocked me. 2 couples left in disgust and one jackass got a meatlovers pizza delivered, making sure eveyone saw it. I couldn't believe the tantrums I was witnessing, all because there was no meat on offer. People were throwing around statements like 'how dare they force their grand political gestures on me' 'I'm not partaking in this cult-like nonsense' I mean needless to say the childishness of the guests ruined the bride and grooms special night. I'm glad i'm just a friend of theirs and have no association with the others morons that were in attendance.
Is this something a lot of vegans/vegetarians experience? Are people really that ignorant?
I'd also be keen to know why you chose to become one. I was watching a documentary on it the other day and the guy they featured said he become one due to climate change. It didn't really make a lot of sense to me.
(sorry if none of this is welcomed in this thread) |
It's all welcome here! I've yet to face anything nearly that extreme, and hope (for both my sake and the other party's sake) that I never do. However, there is the occasional sneering and chuckling when I tell people I'm vegan. I don't let it bother me too much.
Quote:
Originally posted by Dancehall
I said this in the last one and it reached like 30 some pages iirc because the OP was so extreme and would welcome arguments and go on misogynistic rants. |
I'm not mysogynistic, nor will I allow arguments. I will allow questions, however, like the above!
Quote:
Originally posted by tbhmatt
I guess part of the reason why I couldn't stick so rigorously to such a strict diet is because I don't really have any strong moral obligations to eating the produce of animals, but still I respect those who feel that way and stick with it
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I'm glad you do !
Quote:
Originally posted by Mau ®
I have a lot of respect to vegetarians and vegans.
While white meat is still in my diet, I did increase my veg & fruits intake recently and it feels great.
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That's fantastic! Continue doing so, for sure! You don't have to be vegetarian or vegan to eat healthily.
Quote:
Originally posted by Bwerde
Vegan for three years, mostly vegetarian for a few years before that. Recently I added the occasional sustainable seafood back to my diet, but I still eat no other meat and no dairy. If the world manages to realize that sustainability matters before we're all under water, many more diets will resemble the vegan diet. In the meantime, i do it because I feel great, I love the foods I eat, and I live a life more consistent with my ideals.
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Congratulations! I hope to be a vegan for that long!
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally posted by ReginaPhalange
That hardly explains the logic behind it. And if that was the reason someone became a vegan/vegetarian, it's a very weak one
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I wasn't explaining "logic"--whatever you mean by that. I was explaining why a vegan diet is a more sustainable choice than a meat eating one.
Also, animal farms release methane into the air, which is a greenhouse gas. Altho methane is not as bad as co2; methane dissipates I think in a decade or two. CO2 stays for much much longer. Still, we're at a point where literally every little bit matters.
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