So, on Saturday I went and saw 'Fast Food Nation'---which was DISGUSTING! Im reading the book and it hasnt really gotten to me, but the movie, with all the visuals, seriously disturbed me. I will NEVER eat beef again! But though the movie was about the beef industry, I cant get myself to eat poultry either bc Im sure the matter is the same. I dont eat pork, seafood, refuse to eat beef and cant eat poultry. So I think Im becoming a vegetarian. But how strict are you ladies? Do you ever eat poultry? Im just dont know where to get my protein from now?

Well, unless you are living off of potato chips or diet "junk food", you should be ok on protein. What people don't realize is that your daily protein need is met naturally in the calories you consume (assuming you aren't severely restricting your calories) and that vegetables are in fact complete proteins. Now, the added benefit is that you don't get all the bad with good, i.e. you aren't consuming all the toxic garbage and chemicals that the animal conusmed in order to get that protein. I'm actually reading a book called "Eat To Win" that supports a vegetarian diet for athletes. Now, i'm not a vegetarian (I probably eat just enough meat to not be one), but my father became one after reading this book (Fast Food Nation). I recently read it and haven't been able to buy grocery store beef since.

But seriously. The whole "protein deficency" argument holds little water unless you are starving yourself or are a body builder.

Aside from vegetables, I get protein from all sorts of things: egg whites (animal product, I know), lentils, other beans, soy milk, some dairy...

Ugh! I know what you mean. The more I see fast food commercials on t.v. the more I get grossed out. Some of them are quite horrible like that one for the mayonnaise where the turkeys are trying to avoid getting eaten - ick!!! or the one for Mr. Sub - just awful!

My suggestions are to ease into it and do some research first by doing a search on the net (i.e. veg.org) and checking out some books on nutrition and veggie cookbooks from your local library. You want to make sure you are eating properly and getting enough protein and vitamins from a plant based diet.

You may want to check out your local grocery and health food stores for products like veggie meat subsitutes, soy cheese and soy milk to get you started.

I get plenty of protein. I have egg beaters for breakfast, chick peas in salads, cashew butter, almonds, organic milk, some cheese (although some things I've read about pus in dairy is pushing me toward the vegan side) and plenty of beans. And there's always protein powder from the health food store. You'll have no problem!

Jen - interesting book! I was just looking at it on Amazon. Are you reading the original, or the one 'for the 21st century'?

Jennifer- The 21st Century edition. It was difficult at first because it seems a bit starchy for my liking, but these are foods I live off of anyway. A friend of mine is doing very well on it- she's a 38 year old mother of 3 who isn't so much an athlete as just active. She's bouncing with energy and has lost about 6 pounds in 3 weeks. I also like how it tailors the diet to your specific needs, i.s. running, walking, tennis, etc...

I like it because it isn't just about losing weight, but feeling and doing the best you can. Many of our figure skating coaches use it with their skaters and has really helped the ones that struggle with eating disorders in particular.

Beans, Lentils, Chickpeas, those are staples of my diet.

but actually, lots of grains and veggies have protein in them. Quinoa is a grain which is a great source of protein and Iron.

Stick to whole grains and eat loads of veggies (which sounds daunting, but doesnt whole-wheat pasta with a tomato veggie sauce sound like something you'd eat?) and you will get all you need.

Soy, rice, lentils, beans etc. etc... have tons of proteins. I dont think vegetarians are dprivedof proteins in any way if they eat 3 good meals a day. You get many high protein, high fiber cereals, breakast bars, edamame beans etc etc. which are great. 8-10 whole nuts like almonds, cashews , pistachios etc. are also a great option.

For example(taken from calorieking.com) :

1 cup kelloggs cereal (special K) : 7 g proteins
1 cup oatmeal: 6 g proteins
1 serving dry roated almonds/trail mix: 5 g proteins
2 tbsp. peanut butter: 8 g proteins
1 slice white/wheat bread: 2 g proteins
1 high protein bar (south beach diet): 10 g proteins
1 cup low fat unsweetened soy milk: 6 g proteins
1 cup kidney beans: 14 g proteins
1 cup rice (white/brown): 5 g proteins
1 small baked potato: 4 g proteins
1 serving tofu: 13 g proteins
1 slice low fat soy cheese: 4 g proteins
entrees like lasagna, thin crust pizza, veggie stir fry etc: 12 g proteins
High protein shakes like slim fast royal chocolate: 15 g proteins
low fat garden veggie soup: 5 g proteins
lentil dal (indian, no oil): 18 g proteins
1 bunch spinach: 10 g proteins
1 avocado (small): 4 g proteins
1 soy burger patty: 13 g proteins
1 bagel: 9 g proteins
1 serving sunflower seeds: 6 g proteins
1 cup tempeh/seitan: 35 g proteins (excellent source and great tasting)

A combination of these + many more high protein foods will easily add upto the total daily requirement of about 60-70 g proteins/day.

What vegetarians should be more concerened about is B12 and Folic acid and reglar multivitamins are a good idea!

Breakfast: 2 slices Whole Wheat Toast 4
2 Tbsp Peanut Butter 8

Lunch: 6 oz. Soy Yogurt 6
2 Tbsp Almonds/trail mix 5
1 Baked Potato 4/1 soy burger 13

Dinner: 1 cup cooked Lentils 18
1 cup cooked rice 5 / seitan or tempeh stir fried with veggies 30

Snack: 1 high protein shake 15
TOTAL about 70 grams