Vegetarian Advice: How To Get Vegetarian Protein

Becoming A Vegetarian, Where To Get Protein, Besides Nuts?

I am thinking of becoming a vegetarian, only cus the taste of meat has been absolutely disgusting to me the last few months.

I read an article on veal and baby cows and almost vomited and it was all downhill from there. So, my concerns are with vegetarian protein. I don't know where else to get it, besides nuts. I'm not into soy or tofu or anything like that either.

I already restrict my caloric intake (about 1500-1800) and exercise 3-5 times a week. Any advice would be appreciated so much. J.G.

Savvy Vegetarian Advice

Dear N.R.,

Sounds like you shouldn't go all the way vegetarian right this minute. Why not just take it slow, and give yourself a chance to develop a taste for weird food like tofu, etc? Tofu, made from ground up soy beans by the way, is good when it's cooked right, but it definitely takes getting used to. It's also an excellent vegetarian protein source. And soy is found in processed foods, like veggie burgers, veg sausage, nutritional shake mixes.

Not knowing anything about your body, I can't advise on your calorie intake in relation to the amount of exercise you get, but it could be a little on the low side for someone physically active. One thing about cutting out meat is you have to get the fat and calories you need from somewhere. That could be from nuts, cheese, eggs, vegetable oil, butter, etc.

I've attached the Vegetarian Nutrition report, along with 10 Tips For Beginning Vegetarians - those should be a good place to start.

Let me know how it goes! Judith Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian

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