Savvy Vegetarian Advice

Non-Vegetarian Annoyed By Vegetarian Girlfriend

Judith Kingsbury — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:07:44 +0000

Hi,
I would like some advice on having a relationship with a vegetarian.

I met my GF 4 years ago at university (about 22 years old at the time).

At the time, she was not a vegetarian. She ate meat, but was not necessarily fond of it (e.g. she would have chicken curry, but using the sauce to cover up the meat…)

After a year or so, we moved in together. She started to become more vegetarian – simply picking out any meat/fish from food in meals, but still liking/eating the sauces that the meat may have been cooked in.

After another year or so, she has become a strict vegetarian – will not eat anything that has made any contact with meat/fish, including separating cooking utensils, pots etc.

This is really annoying me, as it is extra inconvenience, extra work to separate everything. It makes us seem like 2 people, having different things for meal times.

I am not able to share culinary experiences with her, and such as eating out, going abroad together etc., I have to order dishes suitable for 2 people, but only for myself.

I am sure you have heard all the issues before, as your topic title mentions. It not only affects me, but my family, friends etc. It just becomes awkward and an extra inconvenience/hassle to cater for the one vegetarian.

It might be worth pointing out that I am Chinese, and she is English. A lot of Chinese foods/dishes are meat/fish orientated.

She is a fussy vegetarian as well – won’t have sweet corn cold (must be with gravy in a roast), says she likes mushrooms but will only eat them if they are chopped up into the tiniest pieces -even picking them off a pizza.

Is it selfish of me to feel this way? Should I be more tolerant? How do other people “put up” with these situations? Many thanks. D. Y.

Thanks for writing, D.,

It is challenging for veg and non-veg to cohabit, with the best of goodwill, which seems to be lacking in your relationship. There appears to be quite a struggle of wills going on.

I don’t think either of you is wrong. It’s human nature to want the other people you are close to be like you in habits, likes and dislikes – birds of a feather and all that. It’s more comfortable. Add cultural differences to the mix, and your situation seems quite uncomfortable

A great deal of love, tolerance, compassion, flexibility and humor is necessary on both sides to live companiably and harmoniously with someone who is different from you in critical ways.

Here’s the Savvy Vegetarian report, Veg and NonVeg Together I hope it will have helpful suggestions, and practical value for you and your GF. You both need to make workable compromises, for your relationship to go forward. Best, J.K.

Vegetarian Diet and Recurring Yeast Infection

Judith Kingsbury — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:41:40 +0000

I was going through your site and all I can say is wow! I have
been a vegetarian for about 5 years now and still have problems with gas. So
the information was great for me. I have one problem that have been plaguing
me for about 2 years now. It is the problem of recurrent yeast infection,
because of this I have been advised to eat a low carb diet. I have tried to
do this by eating several servings of beans and fish a day. I added the fish
because it was becoming too difficult to eat all that peas and beans
everyday. I eat some eggs, goat milk and cheese to get enough protein as
well. For carbs I eat buckwheat, millet and rice but in very small serving.
But I still get the infection every month. What I am really asking for is
advice on yeast infection and a vegetarian diet. Thanks! D.C.

Hi D.,

Thank you for writing!

Here’s a website with lots of useful info and a yeast cookbook with
vegetarian options for $17: Yeast Infection Diet

This site has lots of info about alternative home remedies for yeast infections. And also this one

Apparently, you need more than diet to combat yeast, whatever form it takes in your body, as it’s all related to Candida.

You need probiotics and digestive enzymes (Udo’s Choice, RGarden, etc)
You need an alkaline diet (with lots of green veggies), and plenty of water (not RO water – it’s acidic).
Abstaining from sex helps – although that’s not a popular approach!
And you need to do more to kill the yeast than trying to starve it (and yourself). A product called Candex was recommended to me by a friend who has struggled with Candida.

Vegetarian Protein:
1. Sprouting grains, beans and seeds increases protein, decreases carbs and
makes them more alkaline.
2. Nuts and seeds I believe are allowed on a candida diet.
3. Dairy of any kind is iffy for Candida, as far as I know.
4. I’m not convinced that all carbs are bad. Vegetarians need whole grains for good nutrition, and they all have protein – but for Candida sufferers, diabetics, etc, they should be WHOLE GRAINS, not whole grain flour or refined grains. Best, J.K.

Athlete Going Veg With Reluctant Boyfriend, What To Eat?

Judith Kingsbury — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:04:05 +0000

Hello,

I would first like to say Savvy Vegetarian is an excellent website. I found it through a “healthy vegetarian diet” search. I guess I lucked out. I have some questions, and maybe you guys can help me.

I have not eaten red meat in over 15 yrs, it makes me very sick and my stomach uneasy at the thought. I used to love to eat pork, chicken, turkey, and fish, but lately I find it has been upsetting my digestive system and making me feel heavy, does that make sense?

I also have a non-vegetarian boyfriend, who baulks at the idea of this life style. He loves it when I cook, but I always have to make separate stuff. Number one time consuming and expensive. How can I make this situation easier?

I am a runner, training for a half marathon. I am 25, 108 to 110lbs, 5’4. I eat pretty healthy, with the additional ice cream and sweet treat fix. I understand tofu, tempeh, and seitan are good but in moderation. How do I know how much of these to eat in a week? I love beans and usually eat them every other day – inexpensive, tasty, and packed with nutrients.

Okay, how do I make sure I get the appropriate nutrition for my lifestyle? How can I make my budget go further? I have a garden so that really helps. Also, is soy milk okay to have everyday?

I sincerely thank you for your help in advance. I think I am on the right path with this new life style and my diet, but maybe need a little guidance here and there. Again, thank you to the 10th power
Eager to hear what you think – K.D.

P.S. I tried the White Bean Italian Style Soup – delicious!!

Hi K.D.,

Please read the SV Report: Veg Non-Veg Together for ideas on how to eat and co-habit with your non-veg boyfriend.

One thing to keep in mind is that there are many foods that both veg and non-veg can eat. And even omnivores don’t need to eat meat at every meal. Most other cultures eat a far more varied diet, including grains, legumes, nuts and seeds in their diet besides meat – and considerably less of that. See if you can help your bf to broaden his outlook a little.

And remember, you don’t have to do all the giving. If your bf can’t meet you half-way (e.g. by cooking the non-veg component of the meal, or by eating vegetarian sometimes), you might want to consider whether he’s more important to you than your vegetarian diet. There must be some worthy straight vegetarian men out there somewhere!

It does make sense that your digestive system would reject animals – once it knows there’s something better. Opinion is divided on this, but personally, I don’t think people are meant to be omnivores.

As far as your diet is concerned, it sounds pretty good. Since you are probably underweight, if anything, eat as much as you like of whatever appeals to you. Certainly all the lentils & beans you want – tofu, tempeh, or seitan too more moderately. Try to eat two or three servings of whole grain a day, and some nuts, seeds, dried fruit (soaked is good), and don’t neglect good fats – like olive oil, coconut oil, ghee, a bit of flax oil, toasted sesame, walnut oil, nut butters, avocado, etc. Try hummus – it’s great! Try other kinds of milks like hemp, almond, etc, not just soy.

Variety is the key to good veggie nutrition. For more nutrition info, check out Vesanto Melina’s book, ‘Becoming Vegetarian’, which every vegetarian should know by heart.

I’m glad you enjoyed the White Bean Italian Style Soup – it’s one of our faves.

All the best,
Judith Kingsbury

Going Veg For Health With Nebraska Beef Fed Girl

Judith Kingsbury — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:23:12 +0000

Hi!

I have just discovered your wonderful site while searching for help on cooking tofu. I am a Nebraska beef fed girl (no longer in Nebr.) who went around the table eating everyone else’s fat and chewing on the bones from their steaks when I was little. Having had high blood pressure for the last 16 years, and carrying about 40 pounds extra, and my husband’s cholesterol meds have just been doubled AGAIN, we decided to try a real change.

The transition has been surprisingly easy, and I am a good enough cook that I am not intimidated by that part. Also, I am reading a very compelling book linking our modern diseases to animal proteins. I was dismayed when I read a comment on you site saying some people should limit soy intake and others avoid it altogether. Then I googled that topic and it sounds really scary. Do you have any opinions, since I have found the soy products quite useful, especially when grilling brats for everyone else, my husband and I felt happy to join in with our tofurkey, to cite just one example. We can and will do with out it, as I already feel so much better, but I just wanted your input. Thanks for your time and great site! – S. A.

Hi Susie,

Thank you, and thanks for writing! Congratulations on taking this giant step
for your health. Stick with it – you’ll be glad you did.

I do think that people should limit their soy intake, as it has 16 allergens
last I heard, and is a hormone disruptor, interfering with thyroid function,
and causing weight gain. There are plenty of safer alternative sources of
protein: beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and even some
fruits and veggies, have lots of protein. Of course when you’re grilling
with a group, using the veggie meat substitutes is easy. Just try to avoid
them as dietary staples – just like their meaty friends, they’re full of
sodium, artificial flavoring, fat and preservatives. More info about soy

The key to good veggie health is a variety of fresh whole foods. I recommend
you get the veg nutrition bible, Becoming Vegetarian, by Vesanto Melina and
Brenda Davis, and ‘bone up’ on vegetarian nutrition.
Here’s the link to the SV Nutrition report

All the best, J.K.

Teen Going Veg, Parents Worry About Nutrition & Fitness

Judith Kingsbury — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:36:49 +0000

Question for Savvy Vegetarian:

I am fourteen, almost fifteen, and decided to go vegetarian three and a bit years ago. At first I didn’t eat red meat, and my folks were relatively cool with that, but now I’m trying to steer away from chicken as well.

The only problem is that I’m deadly allergic to all nuts – the whole anaphylaxis thing. My parents are worried that I’m not getting enough Iron and Protein (Even though I had an Iron test about three months ago stating that my Iron levels were fine) and they also believe I don’t have a balanced diet.

They’re also concerned about my body fitness and weight and often blame my vegetarian diet for not being the most toned person. Do you have any meals suggestions and information that could convince them otherwise? Many thanks, C.M.

Savvy Vegetarian Advice:
Dear C.M., Your parents are just doing their job – which is to take care of you and worry about you. Here are some suggestions to make their job easier, and help you to be a healthy vegetarian:

1. Learn all that you can about vegetarian nutrition – become an expert on it. You can do this in a few ways:

Download the SV Report on Vegetarian Nutrition. That will give you the basics.

Read some of the Savvy Vegetarian diet & nutrition articles and nutrition advice letters

Get a book called ‘Becoming Vegetarian’ by Vesanto Melina & Brenda Davis. It’s the vegetarian nutrition bible that I recommend for all veggies, and their families.

Other books that might be helpful: The Teen’s Vegetarian Cookbook and The Teen’s Guide to Going Vegetarian, both by Judy Krizmanic.

All of these books are available used on Amazon at very reasonable prices. See if you can get your parents to order them for you. If you can also get them to read them with you, that would be fantastic! It would answer a lot of their questions, and set their minds at rest about your vegetarian health and nutrition.

2. About your weight and fitness level: That’s not strictly due to your diet. It’s true that if you eat a lot of fast food and junk food, and not enough healthy food, that could make you overweight and unfit. But so does a lack of exercise. Get into sports or exercise programs that you enjoy, and exercise every day – walking, bicycling, swimming, tennis, volleyball, soccer, dance, yoga, etc. If your parents see that you’re a good weight for your height, fit, and energetic, they’re not going to blame your vegetarian diet for that, at least.

3. Protein, Iron, Vitamins, etc: If you’re still eating chicken, dairy, and egg, chances are very good that you’re getting enough protein. Even if you went completely vegan, you’d still be able to get enough protein, iron, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals. There are nutrition issues that vegetarians should be concerned about – like Vit B12, Omega 3′s, and Vitamin D. But you’ll know what to do about those if you read up on vegetarian nutrition.

4. Nuts: You don’t need nuts to be a healthy veg. But can you eat seeds? If so, you could have things like hummus, toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.

5. You’ll be nice and healthy if you eat beans and lentils, tofu, whole grains, fresh raw or cooked veggies, and fruit. Learn to cook for yourself – there are some yummy recipes on Savvy Veg.

Thanks for writing! Judith Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian