Considering a vegetarian/vegan diet, need suggestions

Could someone please recommend a website that will get me going in the right direction..or even a book? For the past 12 years I have followed an almost vegetarian diet, when I say almost I mean that I still eat fish and chicken but not often.

I am also interested in a Raw food diet possibly. There are so many books and websites out there that have different methods of starting a Raw Foods diet and I would like your input and what has worked for you b/c I would rather take advice from the people on this forum than from someone just trying to sell me something.

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

www.goveg.com

raw food is far too strict for me.  I like my salads, but I really like my iced cakes, cherry cobbers and other yummy things baked in the oven.

Why are you interested in becoming a straight veg? Your reasons could depend on the type of books you want to be reading. 

oshellybean,

I commend your considerations to vegenism. If you plan on going vegan it is really not too hard. People say"How do you get your protein"? You get plenty with lentils, legumes and soy. If you work out alot, you should consider protein shakes with soymilk.

It is also ok to go 80% vegan and 20% vegetarian. If you work out hard like I do, it is more convenient to grab a pack of tuna on the go than the canned. Just take a fork with you.

I dont really visit many websites but if i am in the mood for a new recipe, i go to goveg.com.

If you are considering the raw food diet, than you should master the others first. Life is gradual,it took you a long time to get where you are now, take steps to prevent setting yourself up.

Good luck!

Amanda

oshellybean,

I highly recommend the book "The Vegan Sourcebook" as a resource for those interested in learning more about the vegan diet & lifestyle, it's amazingly thorough.

Also, www.vegweb.com is an comprehensive source for recipes and other vegetarians/vegans to bounce questions off of. I have found it very valuable.

Lastly, I would encourage you to take amanda's advice and "master" the vegetarian or vegan diet before heading full-on into the raw diet. I would hate to see your enthusiasm for a healthier diet/lifestyle be swamped by the complications and tremendous changes a raw diet brings with it. A slow transition into straight vegetarian, then vegan, then raw diets (if you are seriously interested in trying the raw diet out) will ensure that you will have much better success and health throughout your journey.

Good luck! :o)

Thank you so much ladies for your advice! I will check out those websites, and the book you mentioned avesha.

I guess the main reason I want to change my diet is because I feel that I am at a level now where I can take on the challenge of new eating habits. I feel like I need cleaner/more natural foods. Lastly I feel that in the past few months I have been slacking on my diet--I have not been eating good sources of protein (chicken nuggets, and other over-processed foods like Lean Cusines b/c they are easy and convenient) I have been drinking lots of diet sodas and juices (I have found myself feeling addicted to these) and I don't want to drink those anymore.

I am planning on getting up an extra 15 min. early in the a.m. so I can take the time to MAKE my healthy lunch or gather some healthy snacks. I just got caught up with a hectic schedule and I need to get back on track and my original goal was always to go strict Vegitarian and maybe Vegan one day so this is what I will start out with. Thanks again!