Meat replacements

[sourceofmiracles]

I'd like to start pulling back the amount of meat I eat on a weekly basis. Can anyone suggest any good soy replacements?

[thadroe]

Originally Posted by sourceofmiracles

I'd like to start pulling back the amount of meat I eat on a weekly basis. Can anyone suggest any good soy replacements?

Personally, I think you'd be better off replacing the meat with vegetables, beans, nuts, fruit, etc. I just say that because when you try to start substituting, it's never going to have the same satisfaction. I used to try the same thing and I found most of the soy products sucked...except some of the gardenburgers out there are good. So I shifted my thinking all together and just replaced my meat calories with completely different foods. Eating alot of beans and nuts helps to get that "full" feeling that meat gives you.

Thad

[Erin Pavlina]

Thadroe is right, but I find that when transitioning from a meat-based diet to one without, that having a few soy meat substitutes helps ease the transition a bit.

We like the Gardenburger Riblets and the Herb-Crusted Cutlets, and the Flame Grilled burgers the best.

Find a list of interesting vegan products here

[thadroe]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

Thadroe is right, but I find that when transitioning from a meat-based diet to one without, that having a few soy meat substitutes helps ease the transition a bit.

We like the Gardenburger Riblets and the Herb-Crusted Cutlets, and the Flame Grilled burgers the best.

Find a list of interesting vegan products here

Yeah, that's true about the transition. You just have to go in with the expectation that they are simply not going to be the same.

Actually one thing I love right now is Dr. Praeger's burgers. They can be a little soft and can fall apart if you don't bake them well but they taste awesome!

[Zach]

I'm not sure if these are vegan, but I've been a vegetarian for several years now, and I very much enjoy Morningstar Farms and Worthington brand foods. They have a nice variety of different products, ranging from breakfast "sausages" to fake bacon strips and a whole lot more. Although, as I said, I don't know for sure if they are vegan. I'm not vegan (yet), but as a vegetarian I find them to be awesome meat replacements.

[Erin Pavlina]

Those are not vegan brands, though I think Morningstar Farms is now producing some vegan fake meats. I haven't tried them though. But if you're just vegetarian you're a-okay with those!

[sourceofmiracles]

Thanks Erin & Thad,

I'll keep that in mind. I saw a DVD from Dr. Alexander Weil about Optimum Health/Spontaneous healing (great rent on Netflix by the way watched it three times and still have it) and it really made me think about what I want do with my health. I'm pretty serious about my spiritual practice but I've been treating my body very badly. Guess I have some decisions to make. In a way my bad eating habits are as bad as smoking. I workout and stuff, but I know I could be eating better.

[thadroe]

Originally Posted by sourceofmiracles

Thanks Erin & Thad,

I'll keep that in mind. I saw a DVD from Dr. Alexander Weil about Optimum Health/Spontaneous healing (great rent on Netflix by the way watched it three times and still have it) and it really made me think about what I want do with my health. I'm pretty serious about my spiritual practice but I've been treating my body very badly. Guess I have some decisions to make. In a way my bad eating habits are as bad as smoking. I workout and stuff, but I know I could be eating better.

It's great that you're recognizing this and I admire your attitude. That's how making a change for the better starts. I felt that nagging feeling for a long time as I would sit down with my Mcdonald's every morning.

The important thing is that it seems you are definitely keeping your mindset in the lifestyle change mode vs. just the diet mode.

I love Dr. Weil and have read all his books and read his website regularly. You may also want to check out Dr Joel Fuhrman . He is pretty hardcore about what is an optimal diet scientifically...but he doesn't shortchange you on what the research points to and leaves it up to you as to how much of it to follow. It's never an all or nothing situation. The problem is many authors will modify their advice just to fit what they think people will actually follow. I'd rather learn what is optimal and choose how close I want to get to that.

Keep up the positive attitude in wanting to make changes like that.

Thad

[Hilary]

See if you can get hold of some tempeh. Slice and fry with soy sauce. Very (very) good. Immeasurably better than the assorted modern synthetic meat substitutes - and with a refreshingly brief ingredients list, too.

[nzmegs]

If you are only cutting back on your meat intake a couple of days a week, there is no need to substitue at all. use those days to learn a few good vegetable and bean type recipes. You will not be falling short of the nutrients you need.

If you are cutting meat out altogether (and that is what i recommend) then you should definitely try some tofu and quinoa. Both are great protein replacements and can be used in loads of ways.

here in the UK most supermarkets make their own versins of vege burgers and linda Mccartney vegetarian foods are really good too. But personally I like to cook from totally unprocessed foods (apart from tofu of course, as i have no idea how to make it myself!).

Learn how to make falafel as well - it is yummy!

[moonrambler]

Heads up, seriously old thread got bumped due to spamminess.

[supertom]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

Heads up, seriously old thread got bumped due to spamminess.

The member is probably a raw-foodist by now

[nzmegs]

oops - didn't even look at the date....doh!