Any other vegetarians / vegans?

[Kahuna Burger]

Chinese food is tasty because of the sauces and spices rather than the meat (this is true of most foods IMO). See if your chinese restaurant is willing to substitute tofu for the meat, especially if they have the fried tofu. True that frying tofu negates many of the healthy aspects of soy, but it makes a nice substitute. I have a friend who gets me the fired tofu from Chinatown whenever she goes there whic I use to make either my Kung Pao or my Sweet and Sour Pepper stirfry.

I find that frying tofu tends to block out the penetration of flavor when you cook it with stir fry... I like extra firm tofu sauted for flavor - softer, but reminds me less of flavor coated packing foam.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I find that frying tofu tends to block out the penetration of flavor when you cook it with stir fry... I like extra firm tofu sauted for flavor - softer, but reminds me less of flavor coated packing foam.

I agree with you about the flavor not penetrating as well, and I often use extra firm tofu sauteed, but some people don't like the texture of tofu, and in some of my dishes I hate the way it breaks up. The fried tofu is much closer to that of stir fried chicken, I think, and it holds up much better.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

I agree with you about the flavor not penetrating as well, and I often use extra firm tofu sauteed, but some people don't like the texture of tofu, and in some of my dishes I hate the way it breaks up. The fried tofu is much closer to that of stir fried chicken, I think, and it holds up much better.

yeah, you can't be too rough with tofu.... If I was willing to put more work into cooking, I'd try marinating/sauteing first then fry it for the crispy texture. These days I only cook with tofu on fridays during Lent (hubby is catholic but hates fish) because the hubby is willing to accept is when he can't have meat, but doesn't see the point of cooking with it just because.

 

[ecliptic]

To all the vegans and vegetarians. I always feel the need to warn you of he health risks of that life style. Like any other strict life style, there are side effects. B12 deficiency is not pretty and only shows up later in life and can never be reversed.

Your body needs a constant resupply of vitamin B12. If it does not, your B12 reserves dwindle over time and cannot be replaced. B12 deficiency causes permanent damage to your nervous system aswell as many other neurological side effects.

B12 can only be found in meat, eggs, and dairy products. Recent studies have shown that B12 analogues in plants such as seaweed while structually similar to B12, actually increase the speed of your natural B12 depletion and enhance the effects B12 deficiency.

B12 vitamin supplements are not effective because its inability to absorb through your small intestine. IYou will want to foods fortified in B12 and calcium (calcium is needed for B12 absorption) such as cereals.

Also beware if the foods you eat are fortified with plant B12 analogues. While most aren't it is best to try and confirm that they use B12 from animal protein.

 

[Gnome]

While it's true that B12 deficiency is serious, it is quite rare in humans, even among strict (dietary) vegans. Here's an article that discusses the subject in some detail for those who wish to know more.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

To all the vegans and vegetarians. I always feel the need to warn you of he health risks of that life style.

to all thread jackers. I always feel the need to warn you that you are being rude.

 

[jgbrowning]

To all the vegans and vegetarians. I always feel the need to warn you of he health risks of that life style. Like any other strict life style, there are side effects. B12 deficiency is not pretty and only shows up later in life and can never be reversed.

Someone else always feels the need so you don't have to do it anymore.

joe b.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

To all the meat eaters I want to warn you of the health risks of this life style: Heart disease, cancer and TSEs have all been linked to the consumption of meat.

I don't think I've met a vegetarian who is not informed of how they must balance their diets in order to maintain their health. I'm sure there are a few out there, but they are not the standard. So, thanks for trying to help out Ecliptic, but it probably was not needed.

 

[spider_minion]

As for chicken-finger subs - have you tried making your own using the soy-based substitutes? I contend that the Morningstar Farms Chk'n nuggets are virtually identical to meat nuggets in taste and texture. Use them instead of chicken fingers (Morningstar Farms makes a soy chicken finger, but it is honey mustard flavored).

That's a really good idea. I'll be giving it a try later tonight.

Morningstar has and will continue to make a ton of money off me.

 

[talinthas]

the thing that gets me? my family has been vegetarian for thousands of years. if there was any deficiency or problem in our diet, i'm sure someone would have noticed by now =)

/edit- ah, b12 is in dairy. if there is anything the hindu diet may have too much of, it's milk and milk derivatives. lot more folks die of heart failure from too much oil and ghee in their diet than of b12 deficiencies, for sure =)