Vegetarian FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions of a Vegetarian

I don't know how you do it...
Not really a question, but this is definitely the most common thing I hear. I, personally, have never been a fan of red meat. I hate that it gets stuck in your teeth, and it's hard to chew. That was really easy to give up. My biggest problem was chicken. However, it's so easy to find suitable substitutions. Also, just the task of creating something new, something you haven't done a million times, is fun for me. I was so used to my meat recipes that I had no idea what I could eat when I decided to become a veggie.

Why?
Again, this is personal, from veggie to veggie. For me, I did it for multiple reasons.
1. Those awful pamphlets handed out at almost any large gathering. I'm sure you know the ones I speak of. Awful pictures of mutilated animals and horrid facts about how we get (at least from some companies) the things we eat and buy.
2. Health. I started on a mission during my second/third year of college to improve my health. Not that it was awful, but it could have been better. A friend at the time was a vegan/raw foodist, and I was just so impressed with the things she came up with. Not only were they delicious, they were also soooo good for you.
3. I love animals. More than humans. Sorry!

How do you get the right amount of protein?
This is another one I get a lot. Trust me, when I decided to become a vegetarian, I didn't just go into this blindly. I did a ton of research. I still do research to this day. I'm always looking for things I can add into my diet. Here is something no one seems to understand. You do not need as much protein as you think. Period. You're body can't even process as much protein as most people think they need. At max, your body can only process around 20-30 grams of protein per meal. The rest of it, your body disposes. Of course, bodies differ.
I get my protein from quinoa, lentils, beans, spinach, chia seeds, nuts, tofu, tempeh, seitan, hummus. The list could go on. I also drink protein shakes after workouts. Believe me, I get enough protein.