Are you thinking of becoming a vegetarian? Are you wondering what you can eat and stay healthy? Perhaps you've made up your mind to change your lifestyle but you're not sure what sort of vegetarian you are going to be yet.
Hopefully this article will help you make your choice by explaining the options open to you.
So, what do vegetarians eat? I daresay by this point you will have been scouring through cookery books and recipe sites to see if anything tickles your fancy.
You will have found recipes for all kinds of vegetable dishes some of which will contain things like beans, cheese and eggs.
You may have also found references to things you have never heard of.
Let's look at some of these: Tofu Tofu is a soy product uses in many vegetarian recipes.
In its natural condition it is pretty bland but this is where its strengths lay because it is very versatile.
It is usually found in three different forms: Silken Tofu - is thick and creamy in texture and is great for puddings.
It usually comes in packages that don't need to be kept in the fridge so is very handy to keep in as a "staple".
Soft Tofu - crumbly and soft this Tofu is a bit like cottage cheese.
Firm Tofu - as its name suggests this is the firmest of the Tofu trilogy.
It can be slice and diced like meat for stir fries and the barbecue.
Seitan Seitan is made from the wheat gluten left over when starch is rinsed out of bread dough.
It has a chewy, meat like texture can be used as a substitute for meat in many recipes.
It is often found in canned vegetarian products at your local supermarket such as "vegetarian chicken casserole".
Tempeh Tempeh is cakes of fermented soybeans.
It's stronger in taste and firmer in texture than tofu which makes it great for sandwiches.
Because of its meaty texture and slightly spicy taste, a lot of vegetarians have this as an alternative to breakfast sausage.
However, unlike the sausage, Tempeh is low in fat, high in fibre and packed with vitamin B12.
TVP TVP or textured vegetable protein is made from soy flour and is often found in things like veggie burgers and veggie mince.
TVP is incredibly like meat, especially mince (ground meat for our US friends) that it makes great chilli and wonderful spaghetti bolognaise.
Nutritional Yeast You will find this in most health food shops usually in flake form.
It's a favourite with vegans because it is a rich source of vitamin B12.
It has a pleasant cheesy flavour that compliments winter vegetables very well.
Hopefully this article will help you make your choice by explaining the options open to you.
So, what do vegetarians eat? I daresay by this point you will have been scouring through cookery books and recipe sites to see if anything tickles your fancy.
You will have found recipes for all kinds of vegetable dishes some of which will contain things like beans, cheese and eggs.
You may have also found references to things you have never heard of.
Let's look at some of these: Tofu Tofu is a soy product uses in many vegetarian recipes.
In its natural condition it is pretty bland but this is where its strengths lay because it is very versatile.
It is usually found in three different forms: Silken Tofu - is thick and creamy in texture and is great for puddings.
It usually comes in packages that don't need to be kept in the fridge so is very handy to keep in as a "staple".
Soft Tofu - crumbly and soft this Tofu is a bit like cottage cheese.
Firm Tofu - as its name suggests this is the firmest of the Tofu trilogy.
It can be slice and diced like meat for stir fries and the barbecue.
Seitan Seitan is made from the wheat gluten left over when starch is rinsed out of bread dough.
It has a chewy, meat like texture can be used as a substitute for meat in many recipes.
It is often found in canned vegetarian products at your local supermarket such as "vegetarian chicken casserole".
Tempeh Tempeh is cakes of fermented soybeans.
It's stronger in taste and firmer in texture than tofu which makes it great for sandwiches.
Because of its meaty texture and slightly spicy taste, a lot of vegetarians have this as an alternative to breakfast sausage.
However, unlike the sausage, Tempeh is low in fat, high in fibre and packed with vitamin B12.
TVP TVP or textured vegetable protein is made from soy flour and is often found in things like veggie burgers and veggie mince.
TVP is incredibly like meat, especially mince (ground meat for our US friends) that it makes great chilli and wonderful spaghetti bolognaise.
Nutritional Yeast You will find this in most health food shops usually in flake form.
It's a favourite with vegans because it is a rich source of vitamin B12.
It has a pleasant cheesy flavour that compliments winter vegetables very well.
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