Any Vegetarians Here??

[Smowball]

16 yr old son announced yesterday out of the blue that he wants to become vegetarian. Thought he wake up and change his mind but no. Hubby would rather scoop his own eyeballs out with a spoon than give up meat and I really don't want to cook two different meals every night, so does anyone have any filling hearty vegetarian recipes that would suit both a hardworking hubby and a growing teenager??

[viv41]

And there are millions of vegeterians out there and THEY all cope very well. I know a lady who's been one for about 30 years and she looks fine and is very happy. Each to their own.

[ummmm]

All I've eaten today is a handful of nuts. I'm sure it would have been healthier if I'd eaten a salad or something.

[viv41]

I suppose I've been vegeterian today. A cheese and tom sandwich at lunch and having pasta and cheese for tea. Little 'uns having fish fngers.

[shaneystar2]

My son was only a youngster when he started a veggie fad.He was about 17 at the time.He's now 36.He was a bit of a faff to feed but being veggie didn't prevent him from growing into a big tall chap who I need to get on a ladder to talk these days and I'm quite tall !
It lasted for a few years until one day he came home from work ,very hungry ,and I had a leg of lamb in the oven,he said it smelled lovely and that was the end of that fad. :-)

[ummmm]

Today I will be pescatarian (sp) Which I would be most days given the choice.

[ummmm]

My mother actually encouraged me to stop eating meat. Her actual words were 'I'm sick of this, either eat meat or don't eat meat' she was sick of watching me push it round my plate. I didn't even think giving up meat was an option.

My sister blames her weight problems on me because I'd pass food on to her plate :-)

[viv41]

I tried it once shaney in my youth and did well for a few years, but one Christmas, I couldn't stand not to have a proper Christmas dinner with everybody else and I cracked! I don't eat meat all the time though, especially lamb and chicken.

[Smowball]

Well he's still sticking to it - dinner was vegetable croquettes, beans and savoury rice followed by pancakes. Am struggling for sandwich fillings though! Apart from cheese lol

[rockyracoon]

Egg mayo
Tuna
Humous

[pastafreak]

For sandwiches,try hoummus,or felafel in wraps with salad. Is he eating fish?( I know,i know...that's not being a veggie) Tuna/salmon mayo,eggs in any form...mayo,cold tortilla/fritatta.

[pastafreak]

You weren't there,rocky when I started typing...

[Smowball]

He said last night that he was going to be pescatarian and eat fish but now he's not so sure. We had cheese n tomato today. This is harder than I thought lol

[Maydup]

I've been a vegetarian for 31 years and have no adverse affects, in fact I pretty healthy all things considered.

It would be lovely if you and your husband could find a little room in your lives to support your son. It might indeed be a fad, but nevertheless let him try!

Lots of people have made some good suggestions on here already and you never know hubby might even enjoy a couple of new menus here and there. Perhaps you can cook a big veggie curry tomorrow and compensate by going all meat the next day while your son has a pizza or something?

Try not to let him live off cheese sandwiches; beans on toast is OK occasionally, but when you're desperate for a pn evening meal, go for a jacket potato with beans and side salad, or have some frozen indian meals ready for him.

Sandwich filling ideas.
Marmite and watercress
Feta and olives
Feta and beetroot
Peanut butter
Humous and cos lettuce
Falafel salad

[Smowball]

Thankyou Maydup. He got in from school and has decided he definitely doesn't want to eat fish. So tea was ricotta tortellini in a tomato/basil sauce and Parmesan. Ironically I've fed hubby the same meals this week and he hasn't twigged! The packed lunches are difficult - he's been having a variety of cheese and various additions but today had peanut butter and tomorrow will be egg mayo. Am quite proud of him actually. He says he isn't missing meat one bit

[Psybbo]

Hi Smow, I don't think Parmesan is vegetarian

[EDDIE51]

Cheese is not strictly vegetarian unless it says so, many cheeses use rennet which comes from animals ,cows stomach I think?

[Smowball]

Ok so he is cutting out all meat and fish, whatever label that comes under

[Psybbo]

Vegan?

[ummmm]

No...vegans don't eat any animal by products.

[ummmm]

He'll just be a non strict vegetarian.