I want to adopt a vegetarian diet for myself (and encourage my family to do so, also). How do I start?

I come from a family of meat eaters. My husband is 33 and I am 31. My kids are 2 years old and the younger one is 10 months. I am not trying to change the kids' diet because they are small and need their nutrients. However, I am trying to get myself started and then my husband. He doesn't eat very much meat, right now anyway.



What are some simple steps that I can follow?I want to adopt a vegetarian diet for myself (and encourage my family to do so, also). How do I start?
the best way to do it is to gradually increase the amount of vegetables in your diet, while decreasing the amount of meat.



the main reason you want to do this gradually is because as a meat eater your body doesn't have enough of the enzymes it needs to break down all of the added roughage you will be eating, which will lead to an increase in your intestinal gas emissions (no joke).



check out vegetarian times, they have great recipes and ideas you can use.



good luck.
try veggie burgers, veggie hot dogs, soy chicken. you can find them in most supermarkets



keep eating dairy products that you have now like pizza, ravioli



sip orange juice with meals to enhance iron absorption



the only change that happens when you go vegetarian is instead of meat you have a different main course like black bean tacos



try some new recipes. this site has over 42,000

http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes/vegeta鈥?/a>



vegfamily.comI want to adopt a vegetarian diet for myself (and encourage my family to do so, also). How do I start?
1. Take your favorite vegetarian meals that you already cook (if any) and cook them more often.

2. Alter 3 recipes from containing meat to vegetarian and incorporate them into your week. Look up vegetarian recipes on the internet... www.vegweb.com has heaps and try them out. Buy a cheap vegetarian cookbook for inspiration.



Also a "well planned veg*n diet is appropriate for all stages of the human life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adulthood" so your children are perfectly capable of eating vegetarian with the family.
The American Dietetic association did say a well balanced vegan diet is appropriate for all stages of life so a vegetarian diet for kids can't hurt.



Just start slow. Start by eliminating red meats like pork,beef, and lamb. Then eventually cut out fish and poultry. Eat a wide variety of foods. Fruits,vegetables,beans,organic milk, whole grains. I want to adopt a vegetarian diet for myself (and encourage my family to do so, also). How do I start?
For a start, do away with beef. Substitute chicken. Keep the rest of your meals the same. You won't miss the beef. You can also eat larger salads with lots of fresh veggies. Add cooked chicken.



Make a taco salad with taco chips, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, onions, peppers, olives, roasted red peppers (in a jar) and anything else your heart desires.. add salsa and eat. You can add cooked chicken too.



Instead of beef cold cuts go for peanut butter and jelly. Chicken, turkey sandwiches are all OK. They are fowl, not meat. It depends on how vegetarian you want to go. If you cut out meat, fowl and milk you are going to have to substitute nutrients from something else.... beans.



Pasta is good without a meat sauce. Pasta with tomato sauce and fresh or frozen cooked mixed veggies is good tasting. Take is slowly. You don't have to give up everything at once.



I think you are correct about the kids but ask the doctor about it.
When you eat out, go to a vegetarian restaurant and ask for recommendations. If you want to cook at home, buy some vegetables, mushrooms, tofu or something like that. Just have the colors black, brown, green, yellow and white. ( I'm not very confident of my color information, my apologies if their wrong) As for your young ones, let them have some porridge.



Sorry for the terrible and very incomplete information, I just want to encourage more people to vegetarianism.
If your husband eats little meat anyway, why would you take this away from him? haha this will go down well when you lay down his new diet



Haha! a thumbsdown for giving a truthful answer