To be or not to be...Vegetarian

I often get questions from people about my being a vegetarian. Things like, how I did it, do I miss meat, how do I get protein, why did I stop eating meat, etc. So, here's a bit of my story and a few tips about things to try, common things to look out for if you are considering this way of eating.

First, let me start by saying I do not believe that being a vegetarian is for everyone. The one and only reason for my believing this is because everyone's body is different. Some people do very well on a vegetarian or vegan diet, while others do not. Just like some people have allergies and intolerances to things that others can eat. Almonds might be good for me; filled with fibre, calcium and protein, but if you're allergic to them, umm....not so good for you, right? Personally, my body has done very well without animal proteins and I've been doing this by a choice of my own, since I was 6 years old. For reals! A little vegetarian girl in Rural Alberta - I am sure you can imagine how well THAT went over everywhere I went! Ah..good times.

I also know people who are very unhealthy vegetarians. Some of them appear as though they could really benefit from eating some source of protein derived from animal sources. Some of them even have high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes from stuffing crap into themselves and thinking it's okay because it's not meat. Just becoming a vegetarian does not mean you're guaranteed good health - there is a right way to do it if your body will let you, and if you do it in a healthy way.

I'm always talking about listening to your body, and paying attention to how your body feels when you eat specific things and this is because I believe that the human body is the most sophisticated piece of machinery in the entire Universe. If it is given proper nutrition, exercise and rest, it will perform all kinds of miracles on a daily basis that nothing man-made could even compare to. If you listen to that beautiful piece of awesomeness and provide it with what it is asking you for, you will be rewarded in kind with a pretty sweet body-machine to live your life in. Sure, your iPhone is wicked awesome, but does it actually heal itself? Nope. Nothing on Earth is more fascinating, sophisticated or intuitive than the human body. Be mindful and listen to it!

There are complete and incomplete vegetable proteins. If you are eating an incomplete vegetable protein (i.e. legumes) then you combine them with another vegetable protein (i.e leafy green veggies like spinach) to have a complete protein. Here are a few of my favorite COMPLETE vegetable proteins:

Quinoa - a perfect protein. It's kind of like rice in that it's a grain (well...not technically) and is great for people with any sorts of wheat intolerances or other tummy sensitivities as it's gluten free. It is high in calcium, protein, iron, vitamin E & several B vitamins. I use quinoa as a rice substitute when I don't want rice, and I also make a number of salads with it. Deee-lish! You can get this at any organic market, and I think I've even seen it at a regular supermarket.

Hemp Hearts (shelled hemp seeds) - No, you're not going to get high from eating them! Hemp hearts are a complete protein, are very easy to digest, and are suitable for people who cannot eat meat, dairy, nuts, or eggs. They contain fibre, protein, calcium, sodium, vitamin E, A, D, C and some of the Bs. You only need a few tablespoons full of these a day. You can put them in oatmeal, cereal, shakes, stirfrys - anything. They look a little like sesame seeds and have a slight nutty taste. Pick them up at a health food store.

Edamame Beans - I LOVE these. I eat them as side dishes, and as snacks. Sometimes, I just eat them for lunch. SO GOOD! They are baby soy beans in the pod, and in addition to being a perfect vegetable protein (like regular soybeans), they're loaded with all sorts of other awesomeness. They're rich in calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, iron, and are low in calories. You can buy frozen bags of organic edamame beans at Safeway. Steam them for a few minutes, and top with a little sea salt. SO GOOD, and so good for you!

Spirulina - I can't stand this substance, but if you can stomach it - good on you! It's AMAZINGLY good for you. Loaded with EFAs (essential fatty acids) protein, tons of vitamins and minerals - all around perfect. I do not eat it personally as it makes me feel sick after I eat it and I think it tastes terrible and reeks something awful. I do however, know people who really enjoy it and have experienced many health benefits from eating it. You can get it at a health food store.


If you are considering cutting meat out of your diet and your body is okay with that, remember to replace that meat with other protein sources. If you don't have a complete protein, like some I've listed above, combine your proteins to get those essential fatty acids. Some other sources of incomplete proteins are legumes, (chick peas, lentils, peanuts) nuts (cashews, almonds, pecans, etc.) seeds (sesame, sunflower) leafy green veggies (kale, spinach, etc.) brussel sprouts, potatoes, grains (buckwheat, spelt, kamut). If you are finding you're lacking satiety, as meat definitely makes you feel full for a long time, you might find that eating more vegetables and filling up on fibre will help satisfy that.

If you don't like salmon or chicken at all, but think you should eat it because you heard it is better for you, you may be in for some disappointment. If your body does not like salmon and you get sick when you eat it, it isn't good for you. Listen to your body :-) If you eat red meat and you feel great afterwards, then...do the math. Yes, chicken is typically leaner and "better" for you, but again - does your body like it or not? All foods should be consumed in moderation and North American diets typically have WAY too much meat in them, but if you consume everything in moderation, and your body thanks you for it then you're probably doing alright. If however, your body is telling you that all you want is junk food, then you've got some serious work to do with getting it back on track. You're likely lacking nutrients and have abused it enough that it needs some love & help.

Another common concern people have is that they think food has no flavour without meat. I'm just going to call a big old bullshit on that one. Toss some seasonings in with your food, marinades, dressings. It is really easy to learn a few tips on things to make your food taste great - my personal favorite foods to add to everything are garlic, ginger, dill, curry, coriander, lemon, and balsamic vinegar. Not all in the same dish of course, that would be wrong, but these little bits pack a big punch of flavor & awesomeness. Pick up one of Jamie Oliver's cookbooks (his guide to making you a better cook - I think it's called Cook with Jamie) and learn a few really simple techniques. Contrary to what my mother believes, just because something is good for you, does not mean it has to taste like crap. Vegetarian, Meatatarian or not - if it tastes like crap, I'm sure as hell not eating it!

My reasons for staying a vegetarian have evolved over the years. While I became a vegetarian because I didn't want to eat animals, I do not judge others who do eat them. I believe that all things (animals included) have a purpose and, those who are eaten by people have served their purpose. They have provided nutrition to bodies and families that needed it, and to give up their lives like that is quite a noble sacrifice. This is why I am a HUGE believer in ethical farming and treatment of animals. Remember - if you are eating an animal, you are eating what they ate. Animals that are unhappy, treated poorly, fed inappropriately, medicated, tortured - you are eating all of those things. Each of us decides what we are comfortable with putting in our bodies - I can't say personally that I would be okay with eating anything like that, especially when there are choices available for all of us that make it possible for us to NOT choose those types of foods.

I will always remain a vegetarian because my body is very happy without any animal protein at all. I seldom consume any dairy products as my body has developed a sensitivity to them and I cannot consume them without my reacting physically to it. I sure wish I could eat a big block of cheese sometimes (oh cheese, I miss you) but unless I want to be in pain, I'll just pass on that. Feeling healthy and strong wins for me :-) Most of my diet is raw and fresh, it is all whole food, and I take very good quality supplements as well. I do not miss eating meat, in fact, I don't even remember what it tastes like. I do cook it on occasion for friends if I have them over for dinner, but I usually need help figuring out if it is cooked or not. When I do cook meat, I always thank the animal for having given up its life to nourish my friends. Seriously. I know that it's just a chicken breast that I'm talking to, and it's already dead, but I still thank it. It can't hurt, right? I'm sure that extra bit of love in the food won't hurt anyone.