Everything you need to know about being a Vegetarian

[pirateships]

Hello all! I just joined, and I'm really happy to be here and read all of your posts and such.

Anywho, I recently decided to go veggie because of my personal health and compassion for animals. I'd just like to know the types of food I should avoid and some types of food are recommended. And if possible, everything I need to know about being a vegetarian. I really need your help guys! Links are welcome by the way.

Please and thankyou!

[artemis]

Types of food to avoid if you are a vegetarian? Anything that had a nervous system when it was alive! I ifnd htis the easiest way to explain to people what a vegetarian will eat or not. Fish, shrimps and mussels... meat, poultry, "even sausages", bacon... None of these are vegetarian. And no, the broth of the chicken soup without the pieces of the chicken is not vegetarian! Eggs and cheese are Ok for egtarian, but not for vegans (who do not eat anyhting from animal origin, including honey).

Artemis

[Talisman]

Everything you need to know should be here. Welcome to HP and congrats on your decision, I can guarantee you will not regret it!

http://www.vegsoc.org/

June

[susan2]

Hi there

I was about to reply to this a few days ago but I was at work.

First of all, let me also offer my congratulations. I went veggie 2 and a half years ago, my boyfriend is also veggie (has been for over 10 years) best decision I have ever made and I would never go back.

As Artemis has pointed out - anything that was on an animal is not okay to eat:

Poultry (chicken, Turkey)
Fish (tuna, salmon etc inc fishfingers and fishcakes)
Meat (bacon sausages, pork, lamb, beef

I am not a fully vegan yet I am veggie but I dont eat eggs - including cakes, batter, ie pankcakes etc.

Hidden ingrediants - gelatine - found in boiled sweets, jelly sweets, jelly chewing gum (this has wales blubber) etc

Cocheneal (sp) this is red colour found in berry drinks (not all) it is a dead squashed beetle.

Always check the packet that it has a 'V' symbol. Check all sweets, choclate, crisps.

Most chocolate cakes/berry desserts in restaurants are not veggie (good for the waist band).

If you are not sure if it is veggie - I reckon you should not eat it.

Cosmetics

No animal should die from our vanity. Even if a company says they dont test on animals you must check that they dont pay a third company party to do the testing.

Companies to boycott (sorry not sure if I am allowed to write this)

L'oreal
Maxfactor
Anything by unilever -

There are a lot more companies but just putting the main ones.

Companies that dont test on animals

Arran Aromatics (fantastic) - some products are vegan
Meadowsweet - also vegan
Jason
Thursday Plantation
Liz Earle (fantastic)
Beauty without cruelty (make up)
body shop
Faith in nature

Household stuff
Ecover
Co-op own brand

Go on to goole and type the little book of cruelty free and get one sent to you as it will list all products.

Another good place to go to is Co-op there stuff is really good and cheap.

A good web site is www.animalaid.co.uk (I am a member).

If you are looking to buy unusual pressies for birthdays and stuff go to the dogs trust and adopt a dog (I do this to).

www.veganstore.co.uk - is fantastic they sell everything from sweets to shoes.

Clarks sell some good non leather shoes and so does New Look.

Sorry this is jumbled!!

Thanks