Going vegetarian in 2026

[Morning Glory]

Its odd to many maybe but I find eating vegetarian really easy. Although no longer vegetarian, if I look at what I've eaten in the last couple of weeks, its been vegetarian. That means no fish or meat but dairy and eggs are included. Its not something I even thought about at the time. Vegan is much more restrictive and unless I had to, I wouldn't eat that way every day.

Leather was really difficult to avoid back in the 60's and early 70's when I was vegetarian. It was almost impossible to buy shoes that weren't leather and I loved horse riding...

 

[karadekoolaid]

It's been a little more difficult than I expected, not going to lie.

A few years ago, I had a couple of friends who decided to go "vegetarian". Unfortunately, they didn't investigate what a "vegetarian"diet involved, so they went hungry a lot of the time and gave up after 4 months.
Since you studied in culinary school, I imagine you've done the due diligence and have worked out what you can eat to balance your diet; especially with your condition. Good luck! You'll get there!

 

[Windigo]

A few years ago, I had a couple of friends who decided to go "vegetarian". Unfortunately, they didn't investigate what a "vegetarian"diet involved, so they went hungry a lot of the time and gave up after 4 months.
Since you studied in culinary school, I imagine you've done the due diligence and have worked out what you can eat to balance your diet; especially with your condition. Good luck! You'll get there!

Sure did, have done it for 10+ years in the past as well. But my situation now is a little different, and requires building new habits. That always takes time. I'm currently in a transition phase.
My health is excellent for my particular situation at the moment, but I want to keep it that way so I need a gradual transition. I am working it out while emptying my freezer of it's meat content.

 

[Windigo]

Its odd to many maybe but I find eating vegetarian really easy. Although no longer vegetarian, if I look at what I've eaten in the last couple of weeks, its been vegetarian. That means no fish or meat but dairy and eggs are included. Its not something I even thought about at the time. Vegan is much more restrictive and unless I had to, I wouldn't eat that way every day.

Leather was really difficult to avoid back in the 60's and early 70's when I was vegetarian. It was almost impossible to buy shoes that weren't leather and I loved horse riding...

Was like that most of my life, but I now lack a colon and that's got some side effects. One of them in my case due to damage to my ileum ( small bowel) causing permanently limited vitamin D and B12 absorbtion. That's also why I won't go vegan, because I already supplement these two without even being vegetarian. And those supplements are prescribed by my GI, so not ordinary over the counter meds. I stopped eating plant based after my ileostomy surgery because of this.

So I am not coming into this from the same place most people do. But I want to do it for ethical reasons. I should be capable given my knowledge and culinary skill. But it does require careful consideration.

 

[Windigo]

Thanks for a very frank answer!
Are you still working your way thru your freezer or have you used your frozen meat and now onto only vegetarian? Also wondered whether you're eating vegan or adding dairy and eggs too?

I have currently got 2 salmon fillets left, 3 pork fillets, and some chicken mince. Not much anymore

I am intending to eat a vegetarian diet with dairy and eggs, due to permanent damage in my ileum ( small bowel), limiting vitamin D and b12 absorbtion.

 

[detroitdad]

I did vegetarian the last two days. I requested pork chops tonight

 

[Windigo]

I did vegetarian the last two days. I requested pork chops tonight

And you experienced the vegetarian two days as.. ?

 

[detroitdad]

And you experienced the vegetarian two days as.. ?

We routinely do a veggie dinner a few times a week. I don't think I would like to be a vegetarian for a few reasons. I normally eat dinner around 630. 1. I don't eat again for 16-18 hours. I am finding that when I have a vegetarian dinner it doesn't sustain me for the full 16+ hours. 2. I can't eat beans. I love beans, but I can't eat them. That is a large source of protein. 3. I love to eat everything!!!!!

 

[Morning Glory]

We routinely do a veggie dinner a few times a week. I don't think I would like to be a vegetarian for a few reasons. I normally eat dinner around 630. 1. I don't eat again for 16-18 hours. I am finding that when I have a vegetarian dinner it doesn't sustain me for the full 16+ hours. 2. I can't eat beans. I love beans, but I can't eat them. That is a large source of protein. 3. I love to eat everything!!!!!

16 to18 hours is a long time to go without eating even supposing you are asleep for 8 hours of that time. I couldn't possibly last that long, vegetarian or not! Why not eat during that time?

 

[Barriehie]

16 to18 hours is a long time to go without eating even supposing you are asleep for 8 hours of that time. I couldn't possibly last that long, vegetarian or not! Why not eat during that time?

I can see that with a 12 hour shift. I rarely ate when I was at work, it takes too long.

 

[detroitdad]

16 to18 hours is a long time to go without eating even supposing you are asleep for 8 hours of that time. I couldn't possibly last that long, vegetarian or not! Why not eat during that time?

I have a handful of reasons why. About 6 years ago I needed to lose weight. Conventional diets do not work for me. I love everything! I have two people that are close to me that do the intermittent fasting. They swore by it. I decided to give it a try. I lost 25 pounds and I have kept it off for 5 years. I eat dinner around 6-630. I don't eat again until 1030-1200 the next day. This eating change really helped control my evening drinking and snacking. At this point I'm not "rigid" with it. If we are on vacation, have plans, or my work schedule dictates it, then I will break the intermittent fasting. At a minimum I never do less than 12 hours.

This plan won't work for everyone. It works for me. I love that I do not have to eliminate any foods from my diet. It can be as diverse as I want it to be!

I also have diverticulitis. This eating change has improved my gut health.

I eat lunch between 1030-1200, I have a snack around 2'ish, then dinner at 6'ish.

 

[detroitdad]

Morning Glory I think there is a fasting thread. If you want to move my post so I don't hijack Windigo thread that would be fine!

 

[SoCalZone10]

I haven’t seen a vegetarian dish made with jackfruit yet. I’ve heard they make great pull pork with just BBQ sauce.

 

[Morning Glory]

I haven’t seen a vegetarian dish made with jackfruit yet. I’ve heard they make great pull pork with just BBQ sauce.

It does. The downside is its low in protein. I used jackfruit to make this burger a while ago. I never posted the recipe but will look it up. I think I mixed the jackfruit with beans to provide protein and body. It was the best vegan burger I ever made ( and I have made a lot).

 

[SoCalZone10]

It does. The downside is its low in protein. I used jackfruit to make this burger a while ago. I never posted the recipe but will look it up. I think I mixed the jackfruit with beans to provide protein and body. It was the best vegan burger I ever made ( and I have made a lot).

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The jackfruit has a seed which is also edible but does cause a lot of gas. But when I buy them, I only eat the yellow fruit and dump the white thing surround the fruit, that part is very chewy, almost like meat if you add BBQ sauce. I also dump the seeds. Is the seed low protein as well?