Vegetarian Daily Diet

Vegetarian Diet Questions?

Will I be able to meet my daily calorie needs (1800-200 calories) on a mainly vegetarian diet? Are there any down sides to a vegetarian diet? Besides nuts and eggs, is whey protein a good way to meet my protein needs? Yes, I will still be eating meat, but only occasionally. I'm 20 years old and have always ate meat, but barely any fruits and vegetables. The other reason why I want to do this is for money reasons. I don't have a whole lot of money. I've been trying to eat both meat and fruits/veggies, but it's too costly. Really, anything I can't get from meat, I can get from healthy oatmeal, peanut butter, snack bars, fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, etc. A vegetarian diet is ultimately cheaper and healthier. When I do eat meat, it would only be when I go to restaurants with friends, which is every now and then. In essence, I am looking to eat better, with affordability. You only have one body; and I want to take better care of mine, without putting a strain on my paycheck.

Public Comments

1. Glad you have become vegetarian! I am a vegan myself. You will have no problem meeting daily caloric intakes. You may need to snack a lot to feel full. Go for trail mixes and nut butters to get satiety. Some other great proteins are beans and legumes (lentils).
2. Not in a healthy way. Vegetarian food contains very little protein. That means you'll be getting most of your calories from fat and carbohydrates. Fat, for obvious reasons, is unhealthy and can lead to obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and increased stress levels. Too many carbohydrates are not good either. After eating a high-carb meal, your blood glucose levels spike, thereby putting stress on your pancreas to produce enough insulin very quickly. If it is overloaded, the excess blood sugar can damage body tissues and cause erratic behavior. Eating too many carbs can cause diabetes. If you have meat in your diet, then you are getting a lot of calories from protein, and your body won't have a carb overload. Not to mention all the vitamins and minerals you can't get from plant sources...
3. Bragg's liquid amino acid provides a good source of protein. I mean really, what we want from protein is amino acid anyway. Many veggies and grains have protein in them. Beans are probably your best bet. Its always good to do your own research though, taking on a vegetarian/vegan diet can be very empowering. Animal protein is a lot of work for our bodies to break down anyway, its better to get it else where.
4. ... why half-ass it? From what I can make of this, you'll still be eating meat... So, what's the issue?
5. Veggie burgers, whole grains, nuts, tofu, protein shakes, soy milk, soy protein. Tons of ways! I get more protein now then I did before I was a vegetarian