I am strongly considering switching to a Vegetarian diet. Can anyone recommend some good resources?

I love animals, am aware of the environmental impact of raising cattle, and am interested in eating a healthier diet.



There are so many things that come up when you do an internet search regarding vegetarianism. Can someone point me to a source that.....

1) Provides steps to becoming a vegetarian.

2) Offers nutrious alternatives to a omniverous diet. This is important as I run 40 miles per week, and demand a lot from my body.



Thanks!

I am strongly considering switching to a Vegetarian diet. Can anyone recommend some good resources?
Don't listen ot that can't stop thinking guy. He had no idea what he's talking about. Most vegetarians and vegans take no pills or supplements and are perfectly healthy. Some--like me--even successfully practice sports. What you really need is to keep your protein intake sharp and your vitamin/[phyto]nutrient intake high and drinks lots of water.

More here:

http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/athletes.htm



Then as for alternatives... wow, there's so many i dunno where to start. Boca, Gardenburger, MorningStar Farms, Worthington... I could keep going with the list of replacements that are great enjoyed in moderation. Here's something I found: http://ezinearticles.com/?Meat,-Dairy-an鈥?/a>

Protein info: http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm





And as an added bonus, here's this: http://www.vegsoc.org/info/vitmineral.ht鈥?/a>



Remember, water and exercise and eating right is what it's all about!


As a veggie (occasional vegan) for 40+ years, I would disagree with the first two gentlemen.

Your best sites are the Vegetarian Society UK, and the Vegan Society; they both have excellent sites, and can advise veggie athletes - of which there are many!

If you decide not to be 100% veggie, that's ok - by eating less meat you will be helping the environment and the animals. The real villain, in terms of cruelty and pollution, is intensive/factory farming. If everyone ate less meat, there'd be no excuse for it!

All the best!I am strongly considering switching to a Vegetarian diet. Can anyone recommend some good resources?
http://www.vegsarasota.com/3steps.php

This is a site I found that offers a very smooth transition to becoming a vegetarian. I've been one for about 6 months, and I think it's normal to still crave some meats. But if you just have some self control, you'll have no problem getting over that hurdle. As for nutritional alternatives, I've also been looking for some, so I don't really have much to offer there. Good luck on your new diet!! = ]
A good book to check out is Laurel's Kitchen. It's a veggie cookbook, but also contains a lot of nutritional information.



Also, if you want to keep eating meat, you could always choose to eat local meat from small farms. The animals generally have a better standard of living, and the environmental impact is much less as the meat doesn't travel from far away.I am strongly considering switching to a Vegetarian diet. Can anyone recommend some good resources?
You sound mainly concerned with your own health, you can be just as healthy eating meat as you can being vegetarian, or vegan. Being vegan or veg does not inherently make you healthier, there is just as much crap that is vegan and veg as what meat eaters have available.