Why Become Vegetarian?
There
are as many reasons for becoming vegetarian as there are vegetarians; it's
a highly personal and individual decision to make. But in a survey conducted
on behalf of The Vegetarian Society the majority of people said that they
gave up meat and fish because they did not morally approve of killing animals,
or because they objected to the ways in which animals are kept, treated
and killed for food.
With the growing awareness of
the importance of healthy food, many people are also becoming vegetarian
because it matches the kind of low fat, high fibre diet recommended
by dieticians and doctors. Concern about the environment is another
factor as people become more aware of the effect raising animals for
their meat is having on the environment. Or you may be concerned about
wasting world food resources by using land to raise animals for meat
instead of growing crops that can feed more people directly.
See the Information Sheet on Statistics for
further details of surveys.
Common Questions about Vegetarianism
Use
these answers to some of the most common questions asked about vegetarianism
to put at rest your own mind, or to respond to any queries from meat-eating
friends.
What is a Vegetarian?
A vegetarian is someone who
does not eat meat, fish, poultry or any slaughterhouse by-product such
as gelatine. Vegetarians live on a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds,
vegetables and fruit, with or without free-range eggs, milk and milk
products. Vegetarians not eating anything containing dairy products
or eggs are called vegans.
See the Information Sheet on Definitions for
further details.
Isn't it hard being a vegetarian?
Not at all. Vegetarian food is widely available in shops and restaurants,
it's easy to cook and you're probably already eating many vegetarian meals
such as beans on toast or jacket potato and cheese without even putting
your mind to it. It's no sacrifice to give up meat when there are so many
delicious recipes and so many tasty foods to experiment with. Plus you'll
have the satisfaction of knowing that you're eating a healthy diet that
doesn't involve the killing of animals or the abuse of the world's resources.
Where will I buy all this new
food for my vegetarian diet?
Exactly the same place you used to buy food - in markets, supermarkets,
corner shops. Vegetarian food, both in its 'raw state' as grains, pulses
and vegetables, and as pre-cooked meals, is widely available nowadays.
What do I say to my family/friends?
Don't get caught up in arguments, just gather all the information about
vegetarianism so you can calmly explain your decision. Then try introducing
them to some of the delicious meat-free meals you're enjoying and see if
you can win them over by setting a good example.
Aren't vegetarians being hypocritical
because they still wear leather or exploit cows for their milk?
There is a very valid argument for becoming vegan - for giving up all dairy
products, eggs and any other animal by-products. But realistically speaking,
few people can go from being a meat eater to a vegan overnight. Vegetarianism
is a very important halfway house. And even if you never go on to being
vegan, you've already made an impact and saved the lives of many animals
simply by giving up meat. Far from being hypocritical, you're making an
effort to change the way you live for the better. How far you go with vegetarianism
is up to you, but however small the step you take, it's not wasted. And
don't feel that you have to become a perfect vegetarian overnight. If you
forget to check the ingredients list and realise that you've just eaten
something containing gelatine, don't feel that you've failed. Take it one
step at a time and enjoy learning more about the vegetarian lifestyle.
The important thing is that you're doing something!
See also the Information Sheet
on Clothing
Aren't all vegetarians pale
and unhealthy?
This old stereotype has taken a long time to die out. In fact, people who
follow a varied, well-balanced vegetarian diet are in line with the current
nutritional recommendations for a low fat, high fibre diet. That's why
medical studies are proving that vegetarians are less likely to suffer
from such illnesses as heart disease, cancer, diet-related diabetes, obesity
and high blood pressure. So, if for no other reason, go vegetarian as a
favour to your body!
See also the Health
and Nutrition Index.
What happens if I have to try
to get a vegetarian meal in a restaurant?
There are very few restaurants now that don't offer at least one vegetarian
option. Vegetarianism is such a growing movement, restaurateurs can't afford
to ignore it. In the unlikely event that a restaurant doesn't have anything
for you, don't be put fobbed off, especially with the offer of a fish or
chicken dish which are 'practically vegetarian' - they're not!! Simply
ask politely if they can make something specially for you. if they can't
be bothered, why give them the benefit of your custom when there are plenty
of other places all too willing to help.
See Eating
Out Index for restaurants in your area.
Isn't vegetarian food boring?
Vegetarians don't eke out a miserable existence on a few limp lettuce leaves
and some boiled rice. And a proper vegetarian meal doesn't mean taking
the meat away and leaving the side vegetables. With the hundreds of different
vegetables, grains, fruit, pulses and nuts and seeds that exist, you could
live to be 100 without exhausting all the possibilities for imaginative,
nutritious meals! And as vegetarian food tends to be cheaper than a meat-based
diet, you can afford to treat yourself to more expensive delicacies such
as asparagus.
See the Recipes
Index for ideas.
Won't it take a long time to
prepare the food?
Just because there are so many wonderful vegetarian dishes to try, doesn't
mean you have to become an expert cook and spend hours in the kitchen.
You can easily cook good, wholesome vegetarian meals in under half an hour,
and don't forget that most manufacturers now also offer a wide range of
ready-made vegetarian dishes.
See Books and
for some quick and easy recipes - Meat-free made easy
But how will I get enough of
the vital nutrients such as iron and protein?
A well-balanced vegetarian diet provides all the nutrients you need for
good health. In the case of protein, it's not only found in meat. It's
also present in adequate quantities in dairy products, eggs and nuts, as
well as in combinations of foods such as pulses and grains. In fact it
would be very difficult to design a vegetarian diet that doesn't include
enough protein.
See also the Health
and Nutrition Index for further details.
Useful Tips on Going and Staying
Vegetarian
 Treat
yourself to a vegetarian cookbook for inspiration and advice. There
are a wide range covering recipes for beginners, advanced cooks,
slimmers, diabetics. Most also give dietary advice. (If you buy your
books using our link to Amazon,
the Society will benefit from your support).
Find
our more about the subject. Our New Veggies
Start Here section has information on all subjects relating to
vegetarianism from the ethical issues to the practical day-to-day
details, as well
as being able to answer any other questions you might have.
Start
gradually. Adapt familiar meals such as lasagne and shepherd's pie
by using textured vegetable protein. Although fully vegetarian, it
has the look, taste and texture of mince or meat chunks, according
to which variety you buy. It is available from health food stores.
If you don't buy the flavoured variety, be aware that you need to
add seasoning of some kind or it will remain bland and uninteresting.
Buy
vegetarian cheese. It's not an unfamiliar product as cheese is probably
already on your shopping list. But whereas some cheeses are made
with an ingredient from the stomachs of slaughtered calves, vegetarian
cheese
uses vegetable-derived rennet. Every supermarket now stocks at least
one kind of vegetarian cheese, and many of the more unusual varieties
such as Stilton and Brie are also now available in vegetarian versions.
Buy
free-range eggs. Again, eggs are another staple ingredient in many
people's diets so it won't take much effort to pick up the free-range
variety instead of the Battery Produced.
Read
the labels. Although you may get the odd shock when you realise that
a food product that seems vegetarian in fact contains something such
as gelatine or animal fat, there are plenty of others you'd be surprised
and pleased to find out are suitable for you.
Look
for The Vegetarian
Society's Seedling Symbol on food products. It tells you at a
glance that the product is suitable for vegetarians.
Pulses.
Forget the dried variety if you find them difficult to prepare -
go for the tinned variety of kidney beans, chick peas, etc.
Adapt
familiar dishes. If you're the only vegetarian in your family and
it's too difficult or expensive to cook totally separate meals, adapt
a
meat dish. A casserole, for instance, can be made with beans and
vegetables in one pan. Then the meat can be cooked separately and
given just to
the meat eaters. Or use soya mince and see if anyone notices the
difference.
Don't
be put off by unfamiliar foods. Tofu, for instance, is a boon to
vegetarians, especially new ones. This by-product of soya beans is
incredibly versatile
and easy to use. And if you use the plain variety, don't think that
you've done something wrong when it appears tasteless in the finished
recipe - it's meant to absorb the flavour of other ingredients. Or
you can buy the smoked or marinated versions. (See Tofu
recipes)
Explore
health food stores. They'll have vegetarian products you haven't
seen before, and the assistants will be able to answer your questions
about
products suitable for your new lifestyle.
If
you are in the UK, see The Shopping
Hub Page for local shops, restaurants etc.
What You Should Eat Every Day
on a Vegetarian Diet.
- 3 or 4 servings of cereals/grains
or potatoes
- 4 or 5 servings of fruit
and vegetables
- 2 or 3 servings of pulses,
nuts & seeds
- 2 servings of milk, cheese,
eggs or soya products
- A small amount of vegetable
oil and margarine or butter.
- Some yeast extract such as
Marmite, fortified with vitamin B12.
See the Balance
of Good Health diagram or read Healthy
Eating for Vegetarians
Further Information
The
Classified Advertising Directory - for all commercial
products and services related to vegetarianism.
Mail
Order leaflets, posters, video, parents & teenager
guide to going vegetarian
Use our searchable
database to find approved vegetarian products
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