So, like how do you get your protein?

I've mentioned a couple times that I am indeed a vegetarian and have been for 6.5 years. Throughout these years I have gotten so many questions regarding this. Don't worry this post wont be about trying to convert you into not eating meat, it is simply answering a few of those questions I get all the time.

Q: Do you miss eating meat?
A:  Nope, not at all. In the beginning I definitely had a lot of cravings, but after a few months they pretty much stopped.

Q: What made you become a vegetarian?
A: Actually my mom started a couple months before me because my aunt had gotten breast cancer and she started doing lots of research on the benefits a vegetarian diet could have on reducing that risk. Then after watching some of those infamous videos (don't worry ill spare you the details) I decided I would give it a try also. The reason developed over the months into my love for animals and deciding that I could be a small part of that change towards not eating them.

Q: What was your process into switching into a vegetarian diet?
A: A lot of people tend to go into a gradual leaning off meats; first red meat then pork etc. However I was a little more ambitious than that. I decided I would stop eating meat on a Monday, so that weekend leading up to it I had every fast food with meat I loved. KFC, Taco Bell, Mcdonalds, Burger King. I binged on meat then gave it up cold turkey on Monday and haven't eaten anything since.

Q: Do you eat fish?
A: No, fish is not a vegetable. People who do not eat meat but only fish are called pescatarians (makes sense huh). And yes I do eat eggs and dairy though I try to limit the dairy to a few items just because. Those who do not eat any animal products are vegans. I am neither a pescatarian nor a vegan but right in the middle.

Q: So like what do you eat and like how do you get your protein?

 

A: These are my favorite two questions and the ones I get the most. And honestly when I say favorite they are the most annoying questions in the world to me when said in a condescending manner. I have no problem when people are generally interested and just want more information about things because they really don't know. I will gladly answer for you and help you understand I just don't appreciate the condescension. Anyway, I eat everything omnivores eat except meat. Tada! Simple as that. Of course, I mean I eat everything in the healthiest sense with wholer and cleaner foods but you get the gist. I am not and honestly have never been that vegetarian who doesn't know what else there is to eat so I resort to junk food 24/7. I know there are many vegetarians out there who just don't know how to be one. I eat real food and all my meals do not consist of Doritos and Oreos nor has it ever. There are so many sources of protein out there in the world that people limit themselves to thinking protein: meat, chicken etc. I get the majority of my protein from soy products, beans, protein powders, greek yogurt, eggs, nuts and nut butters, veggies (yes even vegetables have protein) and so much more! Don't worry about me I am not going to have a protein deficiency any time soon; again I know what I'm doing.



Here is a chart just showing example of how produce can have protein as well!