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LETTERS
We get letters from
young vegetarians on a whole lot of subjects. Here are a few of them....
Dear
Alex
I have been a vegetarian for 2 months and I really miss eating burgers.
All of the veggie ones I have eaten so far are just mashed up bits of
vegetables. Can you recommend a burger that has a meaty texture.
Dear Annie
 If
you want to eat a meaty style burger go for the soya-based burgers or
wheat-based burgers. The vegetable-based ones do have a soft texture,
which some vegetarians prefer as they don’t like to eat any food
that is similar to meat. Personally, as long as it is not meat, what’s
the problem?
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Dear
Alex
I have to do a presentation on vegetarianism to the rest of my class.
Can you offer any help and leaflets?
Dear Jenny
Giving a presentation can be nerve-wracking but once you have done a few
you may even enjoy them. Think about the main reason that you went veggie.
Don’t give the impression that you are better than other people,
nobody likes to feel that they are being judged. Talk about the benefits
of being a vegetarian and how easy it is too. I will send you healthy
eating posters and a load of recipes too.
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Dear
Vegetarian Society
I am thinking of going vegetarian but I am worried about my health. I have
heard that it is difficult to get protein and iron on a vegetarian diet.
Dear Simon
Taking your diet seriously is important and should be considered by veggies
and non-veggies alike. Meat does provide iron and protein, but it is not
the only source. Protein is found in most food we eat, although beans,
lentils, nuts, seeds, Quorn, soya mince and tofu have a high content of
protein. Iron is  found
in leafy green vegetables, lentils, wholegrain bread, baked beans and
fortified breakfast cereal. Consuming a glass of orange juice or other
vitamin c rich food, will improve absorption of iron. As long as you eat
a good balance of different foods you will be fine.
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Dear
Vegetarian Society
My daughter recently came home and was quite upset over an incident at
school. Her teacher told her that she was silly to be a vegetarian as
it is not healthy. Some of her classmates teased her about it. I was upset
because not only was the teacher wrong, the implication was that I was
not bringing up my daughter properly. What would you advise?
Dear Jean
Thank you for your letter. I’m afraid old attitudes do die hard.
As I’m sure you know a balanced vegetarian diet will provide all
of the vitamins and minerals for a healthy diet and the teacher in question
should know that. Children will tease one another, it is a natural part
of childhood. However, if it continues it should be treated as bullying
and dealt with accordingly. You and your daughter have made a choice about
how you want to live your lives. This decision should be respected. The
Vegetarian Society has booklets and posters on healthy eating and we will
happily send them to you to pass on to the school.
Back to Veggin Out index
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Dear
Vegetarian Society,
My name is Laura I am
15 years old. I am seriously thinking of becoming a vegetarian. I am not
sure what food is available for vegetarians and what to include in my diet
to make it interesting. My best friend is a vegetarian and she has a boring
diet. We both want to try some more adventurous food.
Dear Laura
To find out what food is available for vegetarians visit your local supermarket.
You will find all sorts of ready meals, veggie sausages and burgers not
to mention all of  the
fresh fruit and vegetables. When I went vegetarian I bought myself a really
good cookbook. I thought even though I was going to give up meat, I was
not going to give up tasty food. Try and have the confidence to try new
foods. Forget boring cheese sandwiches, try avocado houmous or artichokes
in olive oil. Add new vegetables to your stir-frys like baby sweet corn,
slices of mango or pineapple. Be adventurous with your herbs and spices.
Whatever you go enjoy you grub.
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Youth Contacts
Live in Britain? Interested in being a Youth Contact for the Society and
letting all your friends at school know all about vegetarianism? Then
fill in this form
Pen pals
The pen pals scheme is more popular than ever. People are making friends
in many different countries. We have a list for email pen pals and one
for those who prefer pen and paper. If you would like to get involved
here is what you do. Fill
in this form with details of what you like and where you live, your
interests etc. We will do the rest.
Write
to Alex
if you have any queries or comments about being a vegetarian!
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