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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Being Vegetarian
Time to veg out!
This updated and revised guide to the joys of vegetarianism features?for the first time?75 delicious recipes! You will learn how to prepare and savor main dishes and sides, smoothies, breakfasts, snacks, and more. A great introduction to the vegetarian lifestyle, this edition has tips on changing eating habits as painlessly as possible and covers the health and psychological aspects of going ?veg.?
This updated and revised guide to the joys of vegetarianism features?for the first time?75 delicious recipes! You will learn how to prepare and savor main dishes and sides, smoothies, breakfasts, snacks, and more. A great introduction to the vegetarian lifestyle, this edition has tips on changing eating habits as painlessly as possible and covers the health and psychological aspects of going ?veg.?
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 23, 2026
AN EXCELLENT SUMMARY OF MOST ASPECTS OF VEGETARIANISM
Suzanne Havala is a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant, as well as the author of 'Becoming Vegetarian: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Vegetarian Diet,' 'Shopping for Health: A Nutritionist's Aisle-By-Aisle Guide to Smart, Low-Fat Choices at the Supermarket,' 'Being Vegetarian For Dummies,' etc.
She notes humorously, "Dogs do it. Deer do it. Even Chipmunks and raccoons do it. They all produce milk for their babies. Cows do it too. So do humans. Fifty percent of them, anyway. But dogs don't drink chipmunk's milk. And deer don't drink raccoon's milk. That's because milk is species specific... So how on earth did people start drinking milk from cows? Even adult cows don't drink cow's milk." (Pg. 43)
She observes, "Some scientists think that vitamin B12 deficiency is rare in vegans, and others think that it's there but is being disguised or underreported... Take the conservative approach on this one. It's easy to find reliable sources of vitamin B12, such as fortified soymilk and rice milk, fortified breakfast cereals, or even a vitamin tablet." (Pg. 65)
She admits, "scientists found that children eating a near-vegan diet grew more slowly than American children eating a standard, Western meat-and-milk-containing diet... children attained full adult stature eventually, but they took longer to get there... So it's possible that American vegan children may grow more slowly than other children... the difference may be associated with health benefits to children eating a healthful vegan diet." (Pg. 106) She also reports, "Among some vegetarians, there seems to be a hierarchy of vegetarianism. The lacto ovo vegetarians are very pedestrian. They're beginners. They haven't evolved yet to the ethically pure vegan ideal... The lacto ovo veggies think the fish eaters haven't gone far enough, and the vegans think the lacto ovo vegetarians are falling short. Not everyone is judgmental, but many are. In addition to being involved with their own diets, they're also policing everyone else's plates." (Pg. 174)
She states frankly, "Realistically, it's nearly impossible to be consistently vegan in this culture. Most, if not all, vegans do eat or use animal products at some time or even regularly, even if they aren't doing it knowingly. It's just that it's too difficult to function in this society without taking some chances that an item contains an animal product... You may go to a salon... and find that the hairdresser uses a shampoo or conditioner that contains animal proteins... Most vegans simply do the best that they can and do not knowingly use animal products." (Pg. 181)
This book is filled with information, and will be of great value to vegetarians, or to those simply wanting to know more about it.
Suzanne Havala is a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant, as well as the author of 'Becoming Vegetarian: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Vegetarian Diet,' 'Shopping for Health: A Nutritionist's Aisle-By-Aisle Guide to Smart, Low-Fat Choices at the Supermarket,' 'Being Vegetarian For Dummies,' etc.
She notes humorously, "Dogs do it. Deer do it. Even Chipmunks and raccoons do it. They all produce milk for their babies. Cows do it too. So do humans. Fifty percent of them, anyway. But dogs don't drink chipmunk's milk. And deer don't drink raccoon's milk. That's because milk is species specific... So how on earth did people start drinking milk from cows? Even adult cows don't drink cow's milk." (Pg. 43)
She observes, "Some scientists think that vitamin B12 deficiency is rare in vegans, and others think that it's there but is being disguised or underreported... Take the conservative approach on this one. It's easy to find reliable sources of vitamin B12, such as fortified soymilk and rice milk, fortified breakfast cereals, or even a vitamin tablet." (Pg. 65)
She admits, "scientists found that children eating a near-vegan diet grew more slowly than American children eating a standard, Western meat-and-milk-containing diet... children attained full adult stature eventually, but they took longer to get there... So it's possible that American vegan children may grow more slowly than other children... the difference may be associated with health benefits to children eating a healthful vegan diet." (Pg. 106) She also reports, "Among some vegetarians, there seems to be a hierarchy of vegetarianism. The lacto ovo vegetarians are very pedestrian. They're beginners. They haven't evolved yet to the ethically pure vegan ideal... The lacto ovo veggies think the fish eaters haven't gone far enough, and the vegans think the lacto ovo vegetarians are falling short. Not everyone is judgmental, but many are. In addition to being involved with their own diets, they're also policing everyone else's plates." (Pg. 174)
She states frankly, "Realistically, it's nearly impossible to be consistently vegan in this culture. Most, if not all, vegans do eat or use animal products at some time or even regularly, even if they aren't doing it knowingly. It's just that it's too difficult to function in this society without taking some chances that an item contains an animal product... You may go to a salon... and find that the hairdresser uses a shampoo or conditioner that contains animal proteins... Most vegans simply do the best that they can and do not knowingly use animal products." (Pg. 181)
This book is filled with information, and will be of great value to vegetarians, or to those simply wanting to know more about it.
December 10, 2010
This is truly for someone who is starting out and hasn't really looked into becoming a vegetarian. I picked up a few ideas, but most of it was common sense or stuff I already knew. Also, unless there's an updated version, this was published in 1999 and is pretty dated. There is a lot more access to information online (you don't need to order supplies from catalogs anymore) and more products in restaurants and stores than this book would lead you to believe. I guess that means we've made progress!
February 5, 2009
Just a bit preachy for my taste. Why I want to be vegetarian is my business, she doesn't need to preach to the choir (who are the ones buying this book).
And having a pyramid with a basis of good exercise. What's that about? I want to quit eating meat, not drink 8 glasses of water and exercise and believe in god.
But the recipes are good.
A bit more detail about nutrition and less preaching would make this the perfect vegetarian book.
And having a pyramid with a basis of good exercise. What's that about? I want to quit eating meat, not drink 8 glasses of water and exercise and believe in god.
But the recipes are good.
A bit more detail about nutrition and less preaching would make this the perfect vegetarian book.
January 12, 2011
It was an ok intro to vegetarian life. I guess because I was looking for a way to incorporate more vegetables it was good, but it didn't address how to really keep balance in the protein/carb/fat ratio. I believe that is critical, and so many of the recipes didn't keep that balance, so i lost interest. It was good for a wide variety though.
September 24, 2009
A good read for new Vegetarians. The first page is a cheat sheet showing the proper foods to eat for optimal health as a vegetarian. The book also offers a shopping list of important food items most vegetarians and vegans should have in their fridges and pantries.
August 6, 2015
Pretty Informative but it's mostly common sense why you should eat certain foods and not others. I liked the different foods based on the different backrounds (Italian, Indian, Mexican etc etc.) and I found new things to try out!
January 28, 2008
This is a great overview of the benefits of vegetarianism, without being pushy or militant about it. It was a very helpful resource to learn about how to be a healthy vegetarian.
July 24, 2008
This book had a bunch of really good information in it...a thought provoking read for me. The end got a little preachy for my skin though. But would recommend to anyone looking to go veggie.
March 13, 2009
As a month old vegetarian, I read this book from cover to cover and loved every word! I learned so much about nutrition in general and now feel prepared to stay on the journey of a meatless diet.
June 8, 2009
A bit preachy at times, but good nutrition information. Scant recipe selection.
April 22, 2012
I read this book right after my transition into being a vegetarian. I found it informative, insightful, and only slightly bias.
August 25, 2012
3.5 stars - Diet/Health
May 25, 2013
Some of this is a bit dated but it's a good transitional book for those like myself who are looking to slowly make the change and refine to eventual vegans
June 17, 2014
Loved it! Great info on how to balance your nutritional needs.
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June 2, 2007Cows are bad for you. Let them free!
December 6, 2010
remarkably complete and well explained.
February 3, 2015
Very informative in helping me make sure I'm making the right choices and staying healthy.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews