Cinnamon Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 My 13 year old daughter has flirted with vegetaranism in the past, & has decided that its now something she wants to be more serious about. I am all for it, & will support her in every way I can - I tried it once but just couldn't do it That said,we eat veggie at least once a week,& with the credit crunch would like to increase this any way. I have already set down some ground rules. I have told her that she MUST eat a proper breakfast every morning - preferably an egg.She is good at skipping breakfast She must also eat protein every day, as she is still in her growing years. She is a very tall girl who has had a recent growth spurt so is skinny too. She must also have a multi vit each morning. She is not going to eat fish,but is happy to eat sauces with the fish removed (for instance I am doing a wine,tomato & prawn spaghetti sauce toningt & she is still having the sauce,just with no prawns) Any other tips would be great,please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I dont really have any tips but just wanted to say good on her and on you (for allowing her to do it). I've been a vegetarian for years (dont eat fish either) and I think its much easier today to be one than when I was 15/16. As there are so many products - Quorn, tofu, etc etc and and lots of eating out places cater to us now. Im sure she will be fine, you are quite a good adventurous cook Sarah so im sure you will come up with some tasty recipies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiggerlady Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Its certainly something I would consider if anyone could recommend a good cookbook so I dont have to think too hard! Seroiusly though I know you can get protein from pulses but theres first and second class..first from meat and the 2nd from veg origin.Its not as good as meat its something to do with the way the body uses it I think..but Im sure someone more knowledgeable will know a way round it. All credit to her for being aware of options.OH loves his meat tho but I could probs persuade the kids! theres always homemade pizza, pasta dishes veggie savoury crumbles..Good luck and let us know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Green veg such as broccoli every day is a must, especially for teenage girls. Wholemeal bread, a yoghurt most days. Lentils and tofu are useful too. I have an excellent book called Becoming Vegetarian which I can send to you as a long term loan if you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I forgot so say about flavour. A lot of veggie stuff (especially in restaurants) is awfully bland....if she likes her spices pep things up with herbs, spices, chilli, garlic etc to make it taste more interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Rose Elliott has written some veggie cookbooks that are very good. There's plenty of good veggie recipes around. We eat quite a few veggie meals, replacing the meat element with a veggie alternative (veggie mince, veggie sausages etc) not forgetting that both pulses and nuts are good protein sources. Plain chocolate and dried apricots are good sources of iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 good for her!, I have not eaten meat since I got the chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 to get the best from lentils and other pulses they should always be eaten with a carbohydrate such as rice or potatoes good on your daughter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 I should add that the rest of the family won't be using meat alternatives. They upset my tummy horribly - you wouldn't want to be anywhere near me after I have eaten Quorn I am hoping it freezes well, so I can hoik some out & rustle up a quick Bolognese sauce for Cleo when the rest of us are eating a meaty one. But,there will be more veggie meals all round - I make a wicked Giardino sauce & a great veggie casserole too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 to get the best from lentils and other pulses they should always be eaten with a carbohydrate such as rice or potatoes good on your daughter! I was just going to say that peas/lentils with rice increases the amount of protein made available for the body to use. Once you've both got your head round the changes she must try not to just eat a meal leaving out the meat - it won't be a balanced diet if she does it too often. I'm sure you'll enjoy looking at this together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Aarrrggghhhh.... Quorn...we've had this conversation before. It does to me what it does to you. The vilest of vile stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 We are Lesley. I have sent off for some info from the Vegetarian Society, & will check out some more websites tomorrow. Cleo loves beans & pulses, so we are going to Tesco tomorrow to have a look around & choose some things for her to try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 2 of my sons are vegetarian, includingb YS who lives with us. Generally he has the same as us but I use Quorn or Vegemince (which he prefers) as a meat alternative. The thing I found most difficult is not using meat stock for tomato or onion soup, to us they seem very bland when made with veg stock. Marigold vegetable boulion powder is VERY useful. I always keep tins of chick peas kidney beans etc in the cupboard to throw in sauces, curries etc. We eat meat about 3 or 4 times a week, otherwise veggie, no fish!! The only problem was when ES bought his latest girlfriend for the weekend, and she was Vegan...dont start me off on that one If you want to make veggie bolognase , chilli etc in bulk I find it best to make and freeze basic sauce and add Quorn or Vegimeat when thawed and reheated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAZAROO Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I forgot so say about flavour. A lot of veggie stuff (especially in restaurants) is awfully bland....if she likes her spices pep things up with herbs, spices, chilli, garlic etc to make it taste more interesting Encourage her to grow stuff on your windowsills; herbs etc..... and do "indulge" in the cauldron range sometime..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 think it's all been said,the biggest thing is a good wide range of veggies (especially dark leafy greens), fruit, pulses and carbs. As a rough rule of thumb a mix of 1/3 veggies or pulses or a mix of both, 1/3 carbs and 1/3 fruits seems to work well for most people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I'm a half veggie, and my family are veggies. I say half, my family have always been veggies so I grew up with it, but they eat fish, and in the last few years I've started eating chicken (and turkey at christmas (free range and reared my me of course) ). I think it'd be hard to not eat chicken, as it seems to be everywhere. We eat a lot of Quorn and there are loads of different types - Linda McCartneys sausages are the best , but tofu doesn't really appeal to me. (Quorn can be frozen and you can buy it frozen.) Just being nosey, why does she want to be a veggie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 Just being nosey, why does she want to be a veggie? Its something to do with some pop star called Ollie Sykes,apparantly I am all for it. Its a healthy lifestyle & to be honest when she is talking about having snake bite piercings, which I am very anti, this seems like a more feasible option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Just being nosey, why does she want to be a veggie? Its something to do with some pop star called Ollie Sykes,apparantly I am all for it. Its a healthy lifestyle & to be honest when she is talking about having snake bite piercings, which I am very anti, this seems like a more feasible option. Never heard of him For me its a bit to do with the animals, but also if I can live without it, why bother as I'd be the only one having it cooked for in the house. I went turkey farming and there is a stable attached, and one lady who has been going there for years was found crying in the corner of the stables Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 I was veggie for about eight years, I now only eat free-range (and preferably organic meat) - and as it's so expensive I only eat meat a couple of times a week. some of my favourites - lentil dhal with rice; cauliflower cheese; lasagne made with walnuts in the sauce; beans on toast (combines pulses with carbohydrate as mentioned above) and lots of quiches, omelettes and souffles as of course I have plenty of eggs! I used to have a book that gave meals where you started off with the same base and then added meat to one half and non-meat protein to the other, but to be honest you can make up most of these things for yourself. Lentils can substitute for mince in most dishes e.g. bolognese, lasagne, shepherd's pie. I use Marmite for flavouring and the marvellous Marigold bouillon, balsamic vinegar is another good addition. This book looks good, although it's not one I'm familiar with. I'm not a big fan of Quorn or tofu, but I used to eat a lot of veggie sausages. Cauldron weren't widely available when I was veggie but their stuff is quite nice and a good option if you're cooking chops or burgers or similar for the rest of the family and just want an easy swap. Halloumi cheese is good for barbecues or just grilled instead of bacon if you're having a big breakfast. Good for her, and good for you for encouraging her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 **This** is the book that you are welcome to borrow if you wish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 I should add that the rest of the family won't be using meat alternatives.They upset my tummy horribly - you wouldn't want to be anywhere near me after I have eaten Quorn That's a shame as Quorn has been a boon to me. When I became veggie 25 years ago it was all TVP (soya) mince and chunks. Flavour was an issue! We eat loads of vegetable based dishes - casseroles, pasta etc. The main thing with your 13 year old is making sure she gets enough iron and protein in her diet. DD has been veggie since birth and she is generally a very fit and healthy girl. One of the benefits is we NEVERhave tummy upsets. Good luck to your offspring. Another convert to the cause! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 DON'T go to America! Veggie food was non-existant! One outlet in Magic Kingdom did a veggie burger and also a chicken and cheese salad which was then priced slightly lower if you had it without chicken. Yesterday morning we ate in the Virgin Megastore in downtown disney - they did wraps or paninis - all with meat. Mum and I both had the beef paninni - which also came with cheddar cheese only we had them without the beef!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexgirl73 Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 HI Cinammon My 12 year old has been veggie for nearly a year now. I didn't think it would last (thought she would cave the first visit to McD's ), and she is doing fine. For breakfast she tends to have thinks like weetabix etc, and I try to buy others with added vitamins and iron etc. She has school lunches, and they have a fab veggie range, paninies, Bakes potatoes, meat free spag bol etc. At home she has a lot of Quorn, makes it so much easier if we are having sausages or burgers for tea, to give her the quorn version. I also make things like vegetable curry (which we all love) packed with green veg and lentils. I also make filling soups etc. Basically it hasn't really been that much of an upheaval as most supermarkets etc have a really good range of vegetarian food. I shop at Asda, and get meat free pies, sausages, burgers, cold 'meat' etc. There are also some very good websites out there for young vegetarians, and my daughter visits a few of these Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Cinnamon wrote: - you wouldn't want to be anywhere near me after I have eaten Quorn Ah that explains a lot about OH then! I don't seem to have any adverse reaction to Quorn - we eat quite a lot, although I just do Quorn chicken bits for DD while we have meat. DD is veggie and she loves the Quorn pies (onion flavoured one). We don't really like Linda McCartney stuff except for the sausage rolls which are really nice - but haven't been able to get them for a couple of years now. Although DS is a carnivore, he does like the veggie frankfurters - which seem to be mainly garlic - smell those bedrooms the following morning!!! OH's cousin has been vegetarian for years, but after being ill recently her doctor has told her that she must have meat, so she has started eating a little fish (mainly salmon) and now feels so much better. DD never really liked meat even from a little'un, so it was quite easy for her to change - although she says she really misses the pilchard or tuna sandwiches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 OH's cousin has been vegetarian for years, but after being ill recently her doctor has told her that she must have meat, so she has started eating a little fish (mainly salmon) and now feels so much better. That just sounds wrong, a doctor should know better than to make a statement like that, if you are missing something that comes in meat then there are plenty of suppliments for that. Doctors can be like that though, our GP's were all really supportive of us doing Lighterlife but there is one practice locally where the GP tried ligtherlife himself and gave up on it so now he says it's a waste of money and won't sign anyones medical forms to clear them to start the programme! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
