Well, the expected pre-remarks (sure they're keeping the biggies for later!) from our PWEETA reps there
Dr Dave, not all veggies look pale & ill. Only the ones that are doing it wrong. Vegetarianism requires a little thought to make sure you're getting the correct nutrients. It involves combining foods with LBV (low biological value) proteins together ie beans & bread = beans on toast to get the equivalent of an HBV (high biological value) one. It also involves knowing which vegetables or meat substitutes are high in nutrients such as iron and which foods you should eat them with to maximise the effect (iron is absorbed better if consumed with vitamin C). All it takes is a little education & thought. That way, not only is it a nutritionally complete diet, but can be a very tasty one, as well.
Vegetarianism is classified at different levels: Vegans (like your mother in law, Pete) eat no animal products whatsoever. Fruitarians are even stricter. Ovo vegetarians will eat eggs, lacto vegetarians will eat dairy products (be careful with cheese though, many hard cheeses contain rennet to solidify them. Rennet is an enzyme present in a calf's stomach, so involves killing. In Western countries you can buy cheeses made with vegetarian rennets, but I don't know of any here). Those that eat fish or chicken are not classified vegetarian (sorry, Jackie). If killing is an issue you need to be vigilant with food labels. Some E numbers signify animal additives. Gelatine is widely used in many things (marshmallows & digestive biscuits being only 2) so, those things are off the list. Even some red wines contain traces of fish scales (from a filtering process) so shouldn't be drunk by vegetarians. And as for oyster sauce or fish sauce in Thai food - uh,uh! Try avoiding them, though!
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
Also, how was food prepared? Chips cooked in lard (Mc Donald's! Actually they're precoated in lard before being cooked in oil.), verboten!
What's the problem with eating meat substitutes? I used to. I liked meat, I gave up for cruelty reasons (for 10 years, but eating it again now). I see no reason why you can't eat TVP, quorn or soya meat if you so wish. Mushrooms are also a very good meat substitute. The texture is meat-like.
Oh & being vegetarian won't necessarily make you lose weight (I never did), again it depends what you decide to eat.
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