Being A Vegetarian / Question
Published: May 9, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I have been thinking about becoming a vegetarian! My mom told me to research it first! Please tell me what I would have to do to become a vegetarian, and what I would have to eat to stay healthy.
Signed: Vegetarian - How To Eat To Stay Healthy
Dear Vegetarian - How To Eat To Stay Healthy,
Good for you for taking an active role in your health! Your mom has a good point about doing research because there is more to being a vegetarian than just not eating meat. Many people who become vegetarian do not eat in a healthy way because they have not learned about balanced eating.
There are a few types of vegetarian eating; lacto-ovo, which means milk and eggs are included in the diet; vegan, which means no animal products are included in the diet; and finally, some people may eliminate just the red meat from the diet and eat fish and/or chicken.
You will have to decide for yourself what type of diet fits your lifestyle. There are numerous cookbooks available to help you become familiar with vegetarian recipes so you do not live on a diet of milkshakes and scrambled eggs.
So take a look at the food pyramid - this excellent tool works for vegetarians to guide you to how much you need in all the food groups. Follow this excellent link to see the food pyramid for vegetarians at the American Dietetic Association.
You also may want to talk to a nutritionist about a vegetarian diet to make sure you are following all the guidelines and getting all the nutrients you need to feel well and keep your body strong. A nutritionist can take individualize a meal plan that takes your lifestyle into account and will help you decide how much you need in each food group and give you guidelines and recipes.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
The highest Chlamydia rates occurred among women ages 15 to 19 and 20 to 24.
