Vegetarians?

[PeteC]

'Jackie' on another thread mention this and made me think of my many questions.

I believe there are several degrees, all of which exclude meat from turf walking critters, but some that allow eggs, fish, milk, cheese etc.

My partners stepmother here has been a 'true' vegetarian all of her adult life. No fish, eggs...nothing. However, every Thai town of medium size has a speciality shop where you can purchase meat flavored powder/meal that is made out of 100% vegetables *. I don't know how they do it but you can put this stuff on your vegetables and you get a beef,pork or chicken flavor but there is no meat in it. No lamb or exotic stuff not native to Thailand though.

Is this cheating? You're a vegetarian but indulging in the sudo flavour of meat?

Is the whole idea one of protecting animals, a healthier diet, or a competition among vegies about how 'vegie' they are? Pete

PS: Please, no comments from our jungle roaming, badger, rat and squirrel eating carnivores for at least 12 hours to allow for serious replies first.

PPS: I need to clarify the *. I believe there is protein in there as well, and this is how they get needed protein. The protein however is 100% vegetarian, so I am told.

[dr dave soul monsta]

Vegetable rights and peace eat meat instead


why on earth do these companies come up with meat flavoured products .. i recall quorn bringing out soya bacon, bacon flavoured looked like bacon tasted like camel droppings

Pete to answer you question, maybe its the the natural instinct to crave the taste of flesh cooked or raw, after all the human race are carnivorous even though some would disagree, it may satisfy some of these natural instincts and cravings for the reformed.

But veggies do always seem to look very ill and colourless
There are many things minerals and vitamins the body need that can only be acquired by eating animals, supplements just don't seem to have the same attraction or as comprehensive nutrients as a rare steak ETC and certainly don't taste as good

If we were meant to survive on plants alone why are there cows chickens and pigs ( pigs are carnivorous ask the nemesis in snatch ) turkeys and other tasty things out there, imagine if cows didn't have the eight or so stomaches and could digest grass we would have problems. Have you seen how many cows roam wild around Hua HIn,
We would be part of the food chain ...... without a second thought, maybe many vegetarians cant handle the butchery side of the food process or maybe the animals just look to cute to eat or they just don't like the taste...


Sorry if your hungry and it moves you can eat it .....

[jackie]

I have only just recently turned sort of a veggie as I will eat fish.

I have been taking about it for a number of years now and have decided to knock the meat on the head.

I tried quorm but it was very unpleasent. If I am going to live without meat in future there must not be any substitutes.

I don't look ill and colourless at the moment but if I can loose a couple of stone living without meat then I will be happy

[Jaime]

If we were meant to survive on plants alone why are there cows chickens and pigs ( pigs are carnivorous ask the nemesis in snatch ) turkeys and other tasty things out there

Yeah, and if we weren't meant to eat them, why are they made out of meat?

[dane48]

PS: Please, no comments from our jungle roaming, badger, rat and squirrel eating carnivores for at least 12 hours to allow for serious replies first.

If we were meant to survive on plants alone why are there cows chickens and pigs ( pigs are carnivorous ask the nemesis in snatch ) turkeys and other tasty things out there

Yeah, and if we weren't meant to eat them, why are they made out of meat?

Hmmmm...... less 6 hours - LOL

[Jaime]

I have been taking about it for a number of years now and have decided to knock the meat on the head.

Well, I find it's more of a wallop than a knock. A tip - for larger prey you do have to hit very hard. A stabbing implement is always a good back up tool to have handy. A knife, a spear or even a sharpened bamboo pole can be used to good effect.

[DawnHRD]

Well, the expected pre-remarks (sure they're keeping the biggies for later!) from our PWEETA reps there

Dr Dave, not all veggies look pale & ill. Only the ones that are doing it wrong. Vegetarianism requires a little thought to make sure you're getting the correct nutrients. It involves combining foods with LBV (low biological value) proteins together ie beans & bread = beans on toast to get the equivalent of an HBV (high biological value) one. It also involves knowing which vegetables or meat substitutes are high in nutrients such as iron and which foods you should eat them with to maximise the effect (iron is absorbed better if consumed with vitamin C). All it takes is a little education & thought. That way, not only is it a nutritionally complete diet, but can be a very tasty one, as well.

Vegetarianism is classified at different levels: Vegans (like your mother in law, Pete) eat no animal products whatsoever. Fruitarians are even stricter. Ovo vegetarians will eat eggs, lacto vegetarians will eat dairy products (be careful with cheese though, many hard cheeses contain rennet to solidify them. Rennet is an enzyme present in a calf's stomach, so involves killing. In Western countries you can buy cheeses made with vegetarian rennets, but I don't know of any here). Those that eat fish or chicken are not classified vegetarian (sorry, Jackie). If killing is an issue you need to be vigilant with food labels. Some E numbers signify animal additives. Gelatine is widely used in many things (marshmallows & digestive biscuits being only 2) so, those things are off the list. Even some red wines contain traces of fish scales (from a filtering process) so shouldn't be drunk by vegetarians. And as for oyster sauce or fish sauce in Thai food - uh,uh! Try avoiding them, though! Also, how was food prepared? Chips cooked in lard (Mc Donald's! Actually they're precoated in lard before being cooked in oil.), verboten!

What's the problem with eating meat substitutes? I used to. I liked meat, I gave up for cruelty reasons (for 10 years, but eating it again now). I see no reason why you can't eat TVP, quorn or soya meat if you so wish. Mushrooms are also a very good meat substitute. The texture is meat-like.

Oh & being vegetarian won't necessarily make you lose weight (I never did), again it depends what you decide to eat.

[Kraka's Dad]

Excellent post Dawn.
My partner is allergic to meat and is very ill if she eats any it is not a ideological thing at all. We have to be vey careful with ingredients in pre cooked foods and sauces.
I eat mostly veggie food as it is easier to cook just one type of meal and we eat very well. We both enjoy good food and eat just that. Vergge for her and mostly veggie for me. If you ever meet us you will be able to tell that. Must start the diet and exercise regime!!
She also does not like quorn but just from a taste point of view. She still would love to eat meat (a corned beef butty with tomato sauce) but is unable to.
I am allergic to mustard so we spend a lot ot time reading labels. Did you know there is mustard in most supermarket Chrispmas pudings?? Why??
Made our own in the end.

[PeteC]

My partners stepmother here has been a 'true' vegetarian all of her adult life. No fish, eggs...nothing. However, every Thai town of medium size has a speciality shop where you can purchase meat flavored powder/meal that is made out of 100% vegetables

I don't know why I put this thread in Foo instead or Health or Feeding Time...Anyway, an update on above and it is not good news.

Apparently this powdered protein substance has too much sugar in it and it is pushing her into diabetes in her old age. She still refuses to eat dairy, fish or any kind of meat. This is a real dilemma as we have to get some protein into her, as well as cut back on the rice/starch given the sugar problem.

Anyone here ever try to change a 73 year old Thai lady's mind about her diet???? Good luck, even her Thai doctor can't do it so far. This is serious as it's going to kill her if she continues to neglect her food intake.

So, these consequences in old age could be construed as a very negative side of vegetarianism. Pete

[dr dave soul monsta]

prcscct

I don't know why I put this thread in Foo instead or Health or Feeding Time

As if By Magic !!!!!