I haven't eaten any meat or used any animal based products for nearly 40 years. My reasons are mostly ethical (not cute furry animal syndrome).

I was a vegetarian from about 18 to about 25. Unfortunately I was extremely anemic because I have so many allergies that I wasn't able to get enough complete proteins. So under doctors orders I stopped and shortly after that was finally able to get pregnant too (side effect maybe??) I have been allergy tested and the results are stupid. I'm not allergic to peanuts although if I eat a candy bar with peanuts in it or anything fried in peanut oil I will go into anaphylaxis - go figure. I don't eat out - I just can't because I don't know what I'm really allergic to. I have a feeling its all the "additives". So if it doesn't come from the seafood market that I work at, the beef market that we know the owners of or the fresh produce aisle - I eat it with epi pen in hand. My daughter is pretty much the same way. Fresh is best!!

Good on you Sue. I have food allergies - (only started 2 years ago) which cause hives. So I don't eat bread, peanuts or anything with wheat. I am actually allergic to wheat not gluten. I have chosen not to eat bread, but occasionally I will eat some Wheat free bread. There are all sorts of "other" breads available these days anyway.

Other than that Trevor and I eat meat, fish, fruit, vegies and pulses. I have gone off all sugar too, so that is helping with my sugar levels. It's really a natural way of eating, much like my Grandmother and Grandfather's day. I still unfortunately take Zyrtec everyday and until this allergy is under control I will be on them forever!

Love and blessings Chris

I have celiac disease and a number of food allergies, so I can't be totally vegetarian; but, I'd like to be. I would still eat eggs and butter though, and do eat those now. Rather butter from a real cow that that synthetic stuff from a tub of heaven knows what. I'm like Meganne, though, if I don't have some chicken and fish I get anemic and really run down. Probably from all the damage the celiac disease did to the gut before it was diagnosed--really poor absorption of vitamins, especially B's. My reasons are ethical as well; of course, I boycotted supermarket grapes for years to support the migrant worker cause, and still try to buy locally grown foodstuffs when at all possible, even if they cost more. I have a rather large garden here on the farm, and will be doing a lot of canning and freezing this year. My neighbors are Seventh Day Adventist, and I know from their picnics how flat-out great tasting vegetarian eating can be. Adventists are one of the healthiest groups in the US, I think that says a lot for the veg lifestyle. (Incidentally, the women usually look a good ten years younger when they get over 50, dad gum it!) Interesting discussion, thanks and hugs, Marji

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by spendlove 23 Mar 2011

That is some really interesting stuff I hadn't heard before - thanks.

I wish I was more clued up on how to prepare some nice vegetarian meals. Some recipes have odd ingredients that only health shops would have.
And I think to prepare my ordinary meals minus meat would only be salads or pasta (don't like pasta) with meatless sauces.
I don't use any salt cos that is suppose to help Hubby's blood pressure but every thing you buy has way too much salt already, bread,cereals,spreads.
I always say I would love to have a shop that only sells salt free goodies.
I would be interested in some vegetarian, easily available ingredients,recipes.
I'm not fond of chicken at all and have cooked for a family of 7.
From Bev

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by lenamae 22 Mar 2011

I USE MES DASH IN PLACE OF SALT WHEN MY DAD WAS ALIVE AND NOW i USE SEA SALT A LOT.

by spendlove 22 Mar 2011

Try chick peas or butter beans with lots of vegetables in a stew. Quorn is good if you want to replace the meat in your favourite recipe.

I am not vegetarian, but don't eat a lot of beef or lamb as it is too expensive. Actually bought some chicken today. Looking forward to big pots of vegetable soup as winter is on its way.

Lyn

I went vegetarian for about 12 months and ended up anaemic and needing Iron injections.

I love my chicken & veg stir fries, but haven't eaten fish since I got a bone caught in my throat two years ago.
I do love my lamb loin chops, sprinkled on one side with salt, pepper and curry powder and grilled until the fat is crispy, but we don't have them very often these days and my favourite fillet or t-bone steak only upsets my tummy now so we rarely eat either cut.
I guess all our eating habits change as we age, pity is we couldn't afford the choice beef cuts when we were young, now that we can afford them we can't eat them!!!! Can't win!!! LOL!!!
Hugs, Meg

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by airyfairy 22 Mar 2011

Meganne - I read your post with a lot of interest. It is strange how our eating habits do change as we get older. I only eat half of what I used to but still have a terribly sweet tooth!!!

by spendlove 22 Mar 2011

I've been a bit anaemic lately and have need vitamin B12 injections - but after 40 years as a veggie I don't think the diet is at fault!

My husband has celiac and crohns disease. We eat very little red meat, mostly chicken and fish, and no wheat, barley, rye, and a whole list of other grains which have the gluten protein in them. I eat the same as he does just because its easier to shop for foods that way. Thankfully the children are grown and on their own or meal time would be a battle. No junk food in this house, we tried the breads and pastas that are gluten free and haven't found anything we like so no breads or pastas at our house either. When we have guests they are pleasantly surprised by the food they eat. I make my own cream soups for 2 reasons, 1st cream soups have wheats or barley starches to thicken and 2nd we don't like the taste of the gluten free canned soups. So our meals are very similar to the old type meals you would have gotten at grandmas minus any grains. We've seen people eat like they haven't eaten in a week when they eat ot our house. They always amuses us with their reactions to our meals. We eat less and eat good healthy food. We have found that we don't crave foods we couldn't get enough of before. I feel better eating this way, even though I don't have celiac or crohns diseases myself.

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by undergroundsue 22 Mar 2011

My son has crohns disease and we eat pretty much the same way you do, with minor exceptions.No lactose for us.All of us are much healthier since we went on this diet (like you it is easier when all do it)I think one of the main things is we really started cooking again and paying close attention to ingrediants.

by undergroundsue 22 Mar 2011

My son has crohns disease and we eat pretty much the same way you do, with minor exceptions.No lactose for us.All of us are much healthier since we went on this diet (like you it is easier when all do it)I think one of the main things is we really started cooking again and paying close attention to ingrediants.

by spendlove 22 Mar 2011

I can't imagine life without bread.

by marjialexa 22 Mar 2011

I have celiac disease as well, and have found Tinkyada brand rice noodles are just super good, not mushy and tasteless. Could use some of your recipes for the cream soups! Hugs, Marji

I do love my meat - not a great chicken lover so try to eat fish more. We often have days of eating veg or loads of salads.

I with you, sister....I love my peanut butter & beans for protein!!

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by lenamae 22 Mar 2011

I love penut butter abd beans cornbread creamed potatoes Makes a great meal

by spendlove 22 Mar 2011

Glad to know I'm not the only one!

love my meats, but have notice don't eat it as much as did when I cooked for 6.

We are very close but do eat fish once in awhile. I dislike beef completely.

I am not a vegetarian love my meat to much, my DIL is she will eat fish but nothing much else in the meat dept... she does not like the taste...Hugs sally

You can countme out on that on Sue, I love chicken to much!

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by spendlove 22 Mar 2011

We have some very cute ones that forage for food in our garden. They actually live across the road. We use their eggs as we are sure they are free range!