Would horsemeat scandal send you veggie? - The Wokingham Times

With the horsemeat scandal fresh in our minds, many of us may be questioning our eating habits and even thinking of going vegetarian.

But it?s all nut cutlets and lentil roasts, isn?t it? Reporter Karen Jordan gets to the root of giving up meat

If the processed meat you are eating is giving you nagging doubts, it may be an ideal time to swap to a veggie diet.

But how can you ensure you?re getting all the right nutrients and might the whiff of frying bacon or juicy beefburgers have you slipping back into your old ways?

The Vegetarian Society has a whole host of delicious-sounding recipes on its website along with helpful hints on becoming a healthy vegetarian.

As well as being healthy, giving up meat could also save you money as many essential foods such as pulses (peas, beans and lentils) can be very cheap to buy.

And the Great Knollys Street farmers? market and Reading?s outdoor market in Hosier Street are great places to find fresh fruit and veg.

A key tip for life-long meat eaters looking to take the leap into vegetarianism is to not just swap meat or fish with lots of dairy products as your saturated fat levels will soar.

But, done right, a vegetarian diet can meet the nutritional needs for people of all ages and can be healthier than that of a typical meat eater.

Research shows that vegetarians can have a lower incidence of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and Type II diabetes, and a vegetarian diet is sometimes recommended for people with chronic conditions such as arthritis and kidney problems.

However, to work well, your vegetarian diet needs to be balanced and based on whole grains, pulses, vegetables, nuts and seeds ? all of which are naturally high in fibre and low in saturated fat. And with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, you?ll have the added health benefit of easily exceeding your five-a-day.

But you must make sure that you don?t miss out on the vital nutrients and vitamins that you usually get from a conventional diet of meat, poultry and fish, such as iron, calcium, zinc, and essential fats.

And, of course, you need protein.

Pulses are excellent sources of protein and also contain iron, zinc and calcium. And soya products and Quorn available as mince, burgers and sausages are very convenient to use.

Eggs, milk, cheese and yoghurt as well as nuts and seeds can also contribute to your protein as well as zinc, calcium and iron intake. Iron and zinc are also found in leafy green vegetables and dried fruit. And you don?t need to give up bread or your tasty breakfast cereal as many are fortified with calcium, iron and vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

Vitamin D can also be obtained from fortified margarine, dairy products and good old sunlight, while essential omega fats are found in nuts and seeds such as walnut, linseed, hemp, rapeseed and flaxseed as well as omega enriched eggs.

So with dishes as mouth-watering as pumpkin ravioli, mushroom filo pie, chickpea curry and spicy vegetable fajitas to tickle your taste buds, why not give vegetarianism a go?

And those who don?t fancy wrestling with the pots and pans to rustle up their first veggie delight could avail themselves of the culinary skills of the town?s professionals. Find them at veggieheaven.com.

Going veggie is a big step but there is a lot of advice, support and recipes out there, not least from friends who have already taken the plunge.

You don?t need to go all the way at first ? just take a moment to stop and think about what you eat and then start by reducing the amount of meat and fish that you eat.

And with any new diet, if you find it difficult at first or slip up, don?t be too hard on yourself.

Remember why you want to be a veggie and have another go.

Source: http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/lifestyle/food_and_drink/s/2129196_would_horsemeat_scandal_send_you_veggie

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