this whole vegan/vegetarian thing...

[Steamy Tom]

So this isn't gonna be what I lured you in here with, first up I am an avid meat and animal product lover, in fact I am quite fussy and find eating meat and animal products just easier and quicker, I am all for veggies of most forms - however i detest salad foods), however...

In the pursuit of feeling better all round I wouldn't mind trying to follow a plant based diet say 1 day a week or for a single meal of each day etc, there are many benefits to this and if you would like I could go into this or someone who knows better could possibly. Anyway for me all things in moderation and i can't see myself in the short term (or ever) swinging to this "extreme" completely.

Here comes the "problem", our society is so driven and focused towards us being meat eaters that it is simply easier to eat meat, think of takeaways or going to your local spar for example. Have any of you tried this and have suggestions on how to do this easily, healthily and affordably? I envision this hopefully becoming a practical recipe guide essentially.

And go...

edit: i don't really want this to become a debate around the benefits or the falseness of them, can we stick to practical ideas?

 

[Snyper564]

My wife and I follow a reducetrian diet, we have cut down on meat not cut it out. But we also do meat free mondays and ensure all the meat/fish we buy is sustainable/free range/kinder to sow etc.

There are loads of vegetarian food options the Jamie oliver book on vegetarian food is full of loads of delicious meals. We dont eat meat substitutes at all no soy patty we do beans/lentils etc

The impact we might have might be minimal but its something. I dont believe vegan is the way to go but less meat can help. Just my 2c.

 

[Steamy Tom]

My wife and I follow a reducetrian diet, we have cut down on meat not cut it out. But we also do meat free mondays and ensure all the meat/fish we buy is sustainable/free range/kinder to sow etc.

There are loads of vegetarian food options the Jamie oliver book on vegetarian food is full of loads of delicious meals. We dont eat meat substitutes at all no soy patty we do beans/lentils etc

The impact we might have might be minimal but its something. I dont believe vegan is the way to go but less meat can help. Just my 2c.

I think we are on the same page on most points re the not eating meat substitutes, i don't want to eat a burger patty that isn't an actual burger patty for example and i believe that something is better than nothing. I will google for some of his stuff, thanks.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

A few months ago my wife started experimenting with vegetarian meals because she likes cooking. They ended up being so good that we have all but cut meat out of our diets.
One thing that is important is you need to understand flavors, its way more important when there isnt meat involved.
Some of the meat substitutes are actually really good, most suck though so its a case of finding what you like.

I would never go full vegan, its just too expensive and too much pain trying to find substitutes for everything.

Another not so mentioned plus on reducing meat intake is how much money it saves, meals are a lot cheaper for us these days.

 

[Snyper564]

A few months ago my wife started experimenting with vegetarian meals because she likes cooking. They ended up being so good that we have all but cut meat out of our diets.
One thing that is important is you need to understand flavors, its way more important when there isnt meat involved.
Some of the meat substitutes are actually really good, most suck though so its a case of finding what you like.

I would never go full vegan, its just too expensive and too much pain trying to find substitutes for everything.

Another not so mentioned plus on reducing meat intake is how much money it saves, meals are a lot cheaper for us these days.

Couldn't agree more. Flavors are key here well prepared vegetarian meals are amazing! And the meat money savings is loads every month.

 

[3WA]

I once went about three months eating just rice and beans. It was life changing. Food became a tool. There was not the typical enjoyment, but I only ate once a day, and was genuinely hungry when I did it, and looked forward to eating. It's also comforting to know in the back of my mind that if the schit really hits the fan, I can cut my grocery bill down to R300 a month.

 

[Lupus]

I once went about three months eating just rice and beans. It was life changing. Food became a tool. There was not the typical enjoyment, but I only ate once a day, and was genuinely hungry when I did it, and looked forward to eating. It's also comforting to know in the back of my mind that if the schit really hits the fan, I can cut my grocery bill down to R300 a month.

Your food bill would only be R300 a month but your health bills will go up. Rice and beans won't provide the necessary nutrients.

 

[3WA]

Your food bill would only be R300 a month but your health bills will go up. Rice and beans won't provide the necessary nutrients.

Together, they’re a complete protein. Supplement with a side of cucumber, cabbage, carrots, and spinach, and you’re good to go indefinitely.

 

[RedViking]

Not that difficult.
You make everything at home.
Takeaways options are very limited.
Lots of salad (yap, saw you don't like it), cos lettuce, cucumber, grated carrots, feta, olives, baby tomato, some nuts, toped with veggies.

Then of course you can make many many vegetable dishes in the oven.

Many recipes online.

Depending on your current diet and how easily available fresh vegetables are, it get very expensive.

#fish&meat4life

 

[Polymathic]

Do MacDonald's outside Durban now offer veggie burgers? I remember back in 2012 I went to a McDonald's in Joburg and tried to order a veggie burger. The people taking the orders looked at me like I was insane.

It's actually surprising how intolerant of vegetarians the rest of the country is compared to Durban

 

[cguy]

Two apps that I have found to be useful:
- Tasty : has tonnes of vegan/vegetarian recipes and includes videos of preparation for each one.
- HappyCow : will map out vegan/vegetarian/meat-with-veg-options restaurants in most cities in the world, including images, reviews, etc.

 

[ArmatageShanks]

Its very mean of you to eat our food's food.

 

[Lupus]

Do MacDonald's outside Durban now offer veggie burgers? I remember back in 2012 I went to a McDonald's in Joburg and tried to order a veggie burger. The people taking the orders looked at me like I was insane.

It's actually surprising how intolerant of vegetarians the rest of the country is compared to Durban

Yes they do.

 

[wizardofid]

Do MacDonald's outside Durban now offer veggie burgers? I remember back in 2012 I went to a McDonald's in Joburg and tried to order a veggie burger. The people taking the orders looked at me like I was insane.

It's actually surprising how intolerant of vegetarians the rest of the country is compared to Durban

No people get on quite well with vegetarians, full on vegans are the ones to cause, the most kak. That said I am not a vegetarian, my brother has a friend that is a vegetarian, when they come visit, it is hardly any effort to deal with their food separately and generally prepare food that is accommodating to both.

Accommodation by restaurants that isn't a steak ranch as an example or a burger joint, generally won't have veggies options. But you walked into a MickeyD of all places, expecting that is a bit of a joke, it is like walking into ocean basket and expecting a beef steak.So no you don't get to call a place which is a burger joint foremost, intolerant.....

Indian restaurants in jhb does have awesome veggies options, non chain restaurants also generally have good options.

 

[Steamy Tom]

Not that difficult.
You make everything at home.
Takeaways options are very limited.
Lots of salad (yap, saw you don't like it), cos lettuce, cucumber, grated carrots, feta, olives, baby tomato, some nuts, toped with veggies.

Then of course you can make many many vegetable dishes in the oven.

Many recipes online.

Depending on your current diet and how easily available fresh vegetables are, it get very expensive.

#fish&meat4life

yeah the salad thing is gonna be an issue... veggies i actually enjoy except say spinach and cabbage, kale etc (the green leafy k@k basically

for me the difficult part is seeing it being practical, non expensive and enjoyable.

 

[satanboy]

Do MacDonald's outside Durban now offer veggie burgers? I remember back in 2012 I went to a McDonald's in Joburg and tried to order a veggie burger. The people taking the orders looked at me like I was insane.

It's actually surprising how intolerant of vegetarians the rest of the country is compared to Durban

Just wait for the hatred to hit this thread.

 

[satanboy]

Watch the new TV series by Jamie Oliver:

Jamie Oliver’s New Cooking Show Is Completely Vegetarian

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is bringing a new vegetarian cooking show "Meat-Free Meals" to Channel 4. The show follows the release of his 'Veg' cookbook.

www.livekindly.co

Absolutely mind blowing stuff.

 

[wizardofid]

yeah the salad thing is gonna be an issue... veggies i actually enjoy except say spinach and cabbage, kale etc (the green leafy k@k basically

for me the difficult part is seeing it being practical, non expensive and enjoyable.

Well next time try this, fry some onion with shredded cabbage in a deep pan, add water and diced potato cubes.Boil till soft drain water. Fry add some black pepper and a bit of salt, butter and a cheese of your choice, and fry again.

Some steamed bok choy with egg noodles and soy sauce with a side of deep fried green thai chilli fish cubes is to die for.

Creamed spinach, with blue cheese........bon appetite !!!!!!!

 

[RedViking]

yeah the salad thing is gonna be an issue... veggies i actually enjoy except say spinach and cabbage, kale etc (the green leafy k@k basically

for me the difficult part is seeing it being practical, non expensive and enjoyable.

My condolences. Lol.

My wife is on a strict diet because of health reasons, but I still add chicken otherwise it is just damn expensive.

 

[Polymathic]

No people get on quite well with vegetarians, full on vegans are the ones to cause, the most kak. That said I am not a vegetarian, my brother has a friend that is a vegetarian, when they come visit, it is hardly any effort to deal with their food separately and generally prepare food that is accommodating to both.

Accommodation by restaurants that isn't a steak ranch as an example or a burger joint, generally won't have veggies options. But you walked into a MickeyD of all places, expecting that is a bit of a joke, it is like walking into ocean basket and expecting a beef steak.So no you don't get to call a place which is a burger joint foremost, intolerant.....

Indian restaurants in jhb does have awesome veggies options, non chain restaurants also generally have good options.

The McDonald's in Durban had veggie burgers on the menu from day 1.