Welcome! Use the popout menu < left to explore the site. You are welcome to join the Forums to chat.

Vegetarian Cooking

What is being a vegetarian?

A Vegetarian is a self-imposed diet that excludes all forms of meat, poultry and fish. A vegetarian diet can be modified to suit your own taste. There are many vegetarian equivalents to popular meals.

Those who adopt this diet tend to do so because they are in support of animal rights, they object to the poor conditions animals are kept in, or are morally opposed to killing animals. Also, there is rising concern about the environment and the resources required to raise cattle for meat.

The Ethics of Vegetarianism

Peter Singer, a philosopher of animal rights, made the controversial statement that killing and eating and experimenting upon animals constitutes 'speciesism' - a new form of discrimination akin to racism. Singer likened the sentience and level of consciousness of animals to that of babies or individuals with severe disabilities and argued that we would consider it immoral to kill them for our own personal means. "All the arguments to prove man's superiority cannot shatter this hard fact: in suffering the animals are our equals".

Health Benefits

Conversely to widely held beliefs that Vegetarians are unhealthy and pale, medical research has shown a vegetarian diet to be linked with a reduction in cancer and heart disease. It is also a diet which is low in fat and high in fibre, which is consistent with the types of healthy diets recommended by doctors.

There are also concerns, particularly about the effect of a lack of protein and iron. However, these can be acquired and supplemented via other means. For instance, vitamin b12 - which is usually found in diary products -can also be found in yeast extracts such as marmite, and in cereals and soy.

Many believe that vegetarian is not simply a diet but a lifestyle choice. This may further impact on other areas of their life. For instance, it can lead individuals to consider a Vegan lifestyle in which they also avoid any food and clothing that has involved any animal testing or is made from animal products and by-products such as leather, fur, wool, cosmetics, honey etc

If you decide to go Vegetarian

There are some important things to consider if you are planning on adopting a Vegetarian diet. The diet will be drastically different to what your body is used to, and for that reason it is best to incorporate vegetarian meals in to your diet gradually.

Make sure you consistently subsidise your diet with an intake of vegetables, pulses and grains.

Read the labels of any products or ingredients you buy. You might be surprised at the amount of products that use gelatine for instance.

Vegetarianism is becoming more widely recognised and most cafes and restaurants will offer a vegetarian option. There are also a large variety of healthy vegetarian recipes, which you may even find preferable to its meaty alternative. If you are planning on going vegetarian then it would be advisable to begin with exploring and experimenting with some new recipes, particularly the vegetarian equivalent of your favourite dishes.

Wiki Entry

Free Email:

Not a member?