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A vote for vegetarianism
More teens are taking up Bart Simpson's motto: Don't have a cow.
By MANDI-LOU SCHANTZ FELD
© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 22, 2001
[Times photo: Bill Serne]
One of Mandi-Lou Schantz Feld’s favorites is vegetarian sloppy joes and spaghetti, a recipe adapted by her mother. A lot of recipes containing meat can be easily converted to vegetarian dishes.
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Many teens today have decided to "veg out," but not on the couch in front of the television. Vegetarianism is a growing trend among the age group more known for its love of McDonald's.
People become vegetarians for many reasons, including diet restrictions or a desire to eat more healthfully, a moral objection to killing animals, or their religious beliefs.
"I am a vegetarian because it is the highest form of "kosher' in my religion (Judaism)," says Rachel Slone, 13, an eighth-grader at Pinellas County Jewish Day School.
Concerns about food safety also motivate some people. "When the mad cow disease was in the news, my mom decided to gradually stop eating meat," says another vegetarian, Jasmine Liggins, who is 13 and a ninth-grader in the International Baccalaureate program at St. Petersburg High School.
One of the best things about being a vegetarian is that there are different degrees of observance, so you can choose which one is best for you. The main types are:
- Vegans -- Do not eat meat, fish, fowl, dairy or eggs, and in some cases honey (no animal products).
- Lacto-ovo vegetarians -- Do not eat meat, fish or fowl, but dairy and eggs are allowed.
- Ovo vegetarians -- Do not eat meat, fish, fowl or dairy, but eggs are acceptable.
- Semi vegetarians -- Do not eat red meat, but everything else is acceptable.
Lacto-ovo is the most commonly practiced form of vegetarianism. Because of the protein provided by the eggs and dairy products, it is also the most healthful, according to nutritionist Barbara Correll, owner and president of Dietetic Consulting Services in Clearwater.
"It is very important that you make sure that you get enough protein," advises Correll. Although vegetarianism can be very healthful, it is important to make sure you get the right amount of nutrients to keep a balanced diet. Deficiencies in vitamin B, iron and zinc could occur due to lack of proper nutrition, she warns, which could affect the way your body works.
Variety is key. "A healthy vegetarian diet includes fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes," says vegetarian cookbook author Reed Mangels on the Vegetarian Nutrition Guide for Teenagers Web site, www.vrg.org/nutrition/teennutrition.htm. Girls are more likely than boys to become vegetarians because of weight loss issues, Correll says, and when practiced properly, vegetarianism is a great way to lose weight. Eating fruits and veggies instead of junk food could help you shed pounds. Consult your doctor before going on any diet.
Sometimes it is a challenge to give up old eating habits. "The most difficult thing about being a vegetarian is that the rest of my family eats meat around me a lot," says 16-year-old Tricia Himmel, an 11th-grader in the International Baccalaureate program at St. Pete High. It may be tough at a party or gathering where others scarf down food you are not eating, no matter what your reason.
If vegetarianism is really a conviction, it becomes easier. Vegetarians report that after a while, their bodies don't crave meat anymore, and it isn't as hard to refuse a hamburger or steak at a restaurant and order pasta or a salad instead.
Being a vegetarian is rewarding to me because I believe I am doing my part to save other living creatures. I made the decision about five years ago after I took a good look at a livestock truck transporting cattle, including calves. I'm an animal rights supporter, and I don't wear leather, either.
I try not to push my beliefs on other people, however, because vegetarianism is an individual decision and shouldn't have to be a chore. Actually, it could make mealtime an adventure!
Beginning vegetarians can consult www.happycow.net for a list of some health food stores or restaurants in their area. Check out the library or bookstore for vegetarian cookbooks.
What's for dinner
Many recipes are easily converted to vegetarian dishes. Just substitute tofu crumbles for any hamburger meat. Delicious chili or vegetable lasagna can be made by substituting the tofu crumbles or vegetarian hamburger for the meat products.
Here's a delicious, easy-to-make vegetarian recipe to try, created by my mom, Mali:
Vegetarian Sloppy Joes
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- I package vegetarian meat substitute (tofu), about 1 pound (there are many different brands on the market)
- 1 cup mushrooms, chopped (these can be canned or fresh mushrooms, or portobello, whichever is your favorite)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 15 ounces tomato sauce (many meatless sauces are available in cans or jars)
In a frying pan, saute the onions and mushrooms in the oil until they are browned. Add the vegetarian crumbles and cover with the tomato sauce until you get the consistency of sloppy joes. Stir together and simmer for a few minutes.
Serve in warmed hamburger buns with a side dish of spaghetti.
-- Mandi-Lou Schantz Feld, 14, is in ninth grade in the St. Petersburg High School International Baccalaureate program.
Famous vegetarians speak out
"We don't eat anything that has to be killed for us. We've been through a lot, and we've reached a stage where we really value life."
-- Paul and Linda McCartney
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"People often say that humans have always eaten animals, as if this is a justification for continuing the practice. According to this logic, we should not try to prevent people from murdering other people, since this has also been done since the earliest of times."
-- Isaac Bashevis Singer
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"Animals are my friends . . . and I don't eat my friends."
-- George Bernard Shaw
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"To become vegetarian is to step into the stream which leads to nirvana."
-- Buddha
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"It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living by its purely physical effect on the human temperament would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind."
-- Albert Einstein
-- Sources: www.bewellweb.com/k50407j/vegetarianism.htm; members.iinet.net.au/rabbit/arquotes.htm
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