Vegetarian Advice: Start A Healthy Vegetarian Diet

Question: I want to be as healthy a vegetarian as I can be...where do I start with proper vegetarian diet - protein, nutrients, etc...

I started juicing vegetables and fruit a month ago. I also have been on a colon cleanse as well as parasite cleanse. I haven't had meat for the last three months and don't intend to ever eat meat again. I want to be as healthy a vegetarian as I can be. Where do I start as far as making sure I have the proper diet, protein, nutrients, etc in my vegetarian diet.

What vegetarian cookbook or recipe book shall I get....and I am about to invest in another juicer. What one would you highly recommend? I have a champion juicer right now. Thank you so much - M.M.

Savvy Vegetarian Advice

Dear M.M.,

My approach to vegetarian diet is pretty conventional, including cooked as well as raw fruits and vegetables, sprouts, cooked whole grains and beans. My goal is to get maximum vegetarian variety and nutrition with least effort and expense.

I don't know much about juicers, actually, and don't do much juicing. I find there's a lot of advantages to including the fiber with my food - it helps my digestion, gives my jaw a workout, and causes me to sit at the table with my family and talk and eat instead of working. I also find vegetarian cooking creative and aesthetically pleasing. But I admit that juicing can be an important part of a healthy vegetarian diet.

Re finding the right juicer: I have a champion juicer which someone gave me - it's slow and noisy, but effective. It's also very heavy. I'd replace it if juicing were a high priority for me.

Here's a page of juicer reviews

Here's a juicer blog forum. And the juicer article they recommend. I just came across this great juicing site, crammed with advice, info and resources about juicing.

As an excellent general vegetarian nutrition guide, I recommend The New Becoming Vegetarian, by Vesanto Melina, which I mention in the SV Nutrition Report.

For vegetarian cookbooks, see Savvy Vegetarian's recommended list and reviews. Look for a cookbook that's written by a very experienced professional vegetarian cook, with lots of nutrition, ingredient and cooking info, as well as a broad variety of vegetarian recipes that appeal to your dietary preferences. Go to a bookstore and spend time looking through them before you decide.

Good Luck! Judy Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian

More SV Advice on Going Vegetarian or Vegan

Army Man Wants to Go Vegetarian In Iraq

Vegetarian Lifestyle, Body For Life Weight Training

Choosing Between Vegan and Vegetarian Lifestyle

How To Maintain Vegetarian Lifestyle on Tight Budget

Milk Production, Animal Cruelty, Beef Products, Omega 3's

Stay Fit and Healthy on a Vegetarian Diet

Student Afraid To Go Vegetarian at College and Starve

Back To Advice Index

Send a note, recipe, link, resource, etc. to Savvy Vegetarian

Savvy Veg Privacy Policy, Health Disclaimer, Publishing Policy

Download Free Savvy Vegetarian Reports

Get Free Savvy Vegetarian Advice