What do you think?
Rate this book
Vegetarian Times Vegetarian Beginner's Guide: Answering Your Questions About Protein, Nutrition, and Meatless Living
Surveys have shown that the number of vegetarians in America is on the rise and the numbers of part-time vegetarians (people who eat meatless meals a few times a week) are even greater. This guide is written in a friendly tone to welcome and encourage prospective vegetarians and, although not a cookbook, features 50 recipes and two weeks of menus to help beginning vegetarians get started. 30 line drawings.
192 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 1996
About the author
Vegetarian Times
24 books3 followersVegetarian Times is a monthly magazine published nine times a year (three double issues) by Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc. The magazine's audience consists of vegetarians and "flexitarians" who are focused on a healthy lifestyle. Vegetarian Times promotes an eco-friendly lifestyle with recipes, wellness information, cooking techniques, and information on "green" products. Half of the readership do not follow a strict vegetarian diet.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 16, 2017
Three years have passed since I read this book the first time. I was less vegetarian then than I am now so it really helps to re-read and refresh. It was the first time I heard the term Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian, which is what my eating habits most resemble today. What I like about this book is that it gives you a broad sense of eating vegetarian. Even if you fall into the Flexitarian realm, you'll find this book very helpful and not condescending.
I found the sections on protein, iron and calcium especially useful. The majority of the book is focused on health, with a small section on environmental reasons for being vegetarian.
No matter your reason behind eating more plant-based food, you'll find the topics and resources listed in this book thorough enough to get you started. I haven't tried the recipes, as I do well enough on my own, but there are a few to peak your interest in trying something different.
July 2014
Great book that gave me ideas on how to be more vegetarian. I'll reference it this winter when I'm struggling with the lack of fresh veggies and possibly be more thorough with a review of recipes tried.
I found the sections on protein, iron and calcium especially useful. The majority of the book is focused on health, with a small section on environmental reasons for being vegetarian.
No matter your reason behind eating more plant-based food, you'll find the topics and resources listed in this book thorough enough to get you started. I haven't tried the recipes, as I do well enough on my own, but there are a few to peak your interest in trying something different.
July 2014
Great book that gave me ideas on how to be more vegetarian. I'll reference it this winter when I'm struggling with the lack of fresh veggies and possibly be more thorough with a review of recipes tried.
April 22, 2016
Includes grocery list with items categorized by department! Exactly how I write my lists.
Kind of a time capsule of food fads gone by-- sun-dried tomatoes! Very 90s. This book changed by cooking patterns too, as I'm now making side dishes with all of my dinners instead of just one huge serving of the main dish.
Kind of a time capsule of food fads gone by-- sun-dried tomatoes! Very 90s. This book changed by cooking patterns too, as I'm now making side dishes with all of my dinners instead of just one huge serving of the main dish.
December 21, 2011
This is the book I read and used years ago when I was a vegetarian for about two years. It's been nearly a decade since I stopped, but lately I feel like I need to shift closer to this lifestyle again.
I've been meat/ by-product free for a week and I am feeling great! Wish me luck!
I've been meat/ by-product free for a week and I am feeling great! Wish me luck!
May 3, 2023
Dated and with an obsession about fat, this read more as an old diet book. The authors talk a lot about being accepting but still manage to be preachy and condescending. It was frankly weird. Since I picked it up at the library for recipe inspiration, that shouldn't have mattered. But, with uninspired recipes with many references to low fat and pages upon pages of preaching about an alternative lifestyle that wasn't alternative even in 1996... It was cringe worthy.
December 31, 2024
Good basics and encouragement.
Some of the examples are very dated but my copy was printed in 1996.
Some of the examples are very dated but my copy was printed in 1996.
November 22, 2010
This short 6-chapter read is great for those who are seriously considering or transitioning to any form of Vegetarianism. Its unique approach to Vegetarianism as if it was a multifaceted jewel of a lifestyle is refreshing; it contains thorough and clearly communicated information about the various aspects and benefits of it. Some books discuss Vegetarianism in terms of how it affects people, the earth, and animals. Others address its health risks or benefits, ways to easily incorporate it in everyday life, or the dangers of not converting to it. This book educates the reader about all of these issues to a degree that otherwise would require much extensive research. However, the easily understandable language, witty dialogue and cute comics make it more than just another dry volume akin to a food textbook.
Some especially helpful parts of this book were a list of Vegetarian recipes, each of which includes a corresponding shopping list. It also mentions that different people choose Vegetarianism or Veganism for various reasons, and that making it part of your lifestyle is a personal decision that shouldn’t be swayed by laziness the criticism of those around us. I found this to be comforting, because it encourages the reader to reinforce their own opinions and make important diet decisions accordingly. However, the authors of this book clearly want everyone to become Vegetarians. This is to be expected, since they were motivated to write a book about Vegetarianism. The obvious bias of the authors slightly contradicted the statement that diet is a personal decision, and that the book wasn’t there to preach or convince, but to inform. If not for the many valid arguments made against industrial carnivorousness, I would be turned off by the collective attitude of the authors altogether.
This book argued for Vegetarianism and against any other diet, because it inspires consideration toward animals, the world, and the future. It also contributes to long life, health, and happiness, because it is a complete diet minus the risks and fatty, caloric baggage of carnivorousness. It used evidence from the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Calorie Control Council, recipes and lists of Vegetarian alternatives, discussions and reports of health on television, the growing interest and dangers of food in the US, the Rodale Press, the Food and Drug Administration, the General Accounting Office, the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, nutrition facts and labels, “Eat More, Weigh Less” by Dr. Dean Ornish, Centers for Disease Control, The Animal Rights Handbook (Living Planet Press, 1990), Adolescent Medicine (1992), the John Hopkins University Press, Terry Shintami, M.D., Business Week Magazine, the American Heart Association, Neal Barnard, M.D., and the US Department of Agriculture, to name a few. It also included lists of edible sources of essential vitamins, nutrients, and proteins that are (contrary to popular belief) not only found in meat.
One of the most interesting things I found from reading this book was that there are many challenges that come with maintaining any kind of diet, but those associated with Vegetarianism (such as cravings) can be dealt with. From my understanding of this guide to Vegetarianism, potentially the hardest challenge that comes with this diet change is the nostalgic aspect of food; it is so hard to forgo that turkey on Thanksgiving when you have fond memories of eating it every year in the company of your family. Yes, there are turkey substitutes and understanding family members, but it still isn’t the same, and it certainly isn’t an issue you want to be bothered by on a vacation. I think maybe the key is to focus on the things that make that nostalgic food so special, and not the food itself. Think about the family you are with, and the thankfulness that food inspires, and the nap you will take after NOT indulging in the turkey. You will have to remind yourself and others of your reasons for your diet choices, so be educated.
Some especially helpful parts of this book were a list of Vegetarian recipes, each of which includes a corresponding shopping list. It also mentions that different people choose Vegetarianism or Veganism for various reasons, and that making it part of your lifestyle is a personal decision that shouldn’t be swayed by laziness the criticism of those around us. I found this to be comforting, because it encourages the reader to reinforce their own opinions and make important diet decisions accordingly. However, the authors of this book clearly want everyone to become Vegetarians. This is to be expected, since they were motivated to write a book about Vegetarianism. The obvious bias of the authors slightly contradicted the statement that diet is a personal decision, and that the book wasn’t there to preach or convince, but to inform. If not for the many valid arguments made against industrial carnivorousness, I would be turned off by the collective attitude of the authors altogether.
This book argued for Vegetarianism and against any other diet, because it inspires consideration toward animals, the world, and the future. It also contributes to long life, health, and happiness, because it is a complete diet minus the risks and fatty, caloric baggage of carnivorousness. It used evidence from the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Calorie Control Council, recipes and lists of Vegetarian alternatives, discussions and reports of health on television, the growing interest and dangers of food in the US, the Rodale Press, the Food and Drug Administration, the General Accounting Office, the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, nutrition facts and labels, “Eat More, Weigh Less” by Dr. Dean Ornish, Centers for Disease Control, The Animal Rights Handbook (Living Planet Press, 1990), Adolescent Medicine (1992), the John Hopkins University Press, Terry Shintami, M.D., Business Week Magazine, the American Heart Association, Neal Barnard, M.D., and the US Department of Agriculture, to name a few. It also included lists of edible sources of essential vitamins, nutrients, and proteins that are (contrary to popular belief) not only found in meat.
One of the most interesting things I found from reading this book was that there are many challenges that come with maintaining any kind of diet, but those associated with Vegetarianism (such as cravings) can be dealt with. From my understanding of this guide to Vegetarianism, potentially the hardest challenge that comes with this diet change is the nostalgic aspect of food; it is so hard to forgo that turkey on Thanksgiving when you have fond memories of eating it every year in the company of your family. Yes, there are turkey substitutes and understanding family members, but it still isn’t the same, and it certainly isn’t an issue you want to be bothered by on a vacation. I think maybe the key is to focus on the things that make that nostalgic food so special, and not the food itself. Think about the family you are with, and the thankfulness that food inspires, and the nap you will take after NOT indulging in the turkey. You will have to remind yourself and others of your reasons for your diet choices, so be educated.
February 25, 2015
This book put the info right up front without seeming pushy, Especially when it came to the 'meat is murder' stuff most people (me included) expect from these kinds of books. Instead of being all 'Don't Eat Bambi' this book gave you the info that yet, the animals you eat aren't treated well 100% of the time, but it also put forward the nutritional stuff, like how veggies and the like can give you just as much protein and calcium as any meat and cow milk can, sometimes more depending on the veggie! So overall, I think this is a neat Beginners Guide at the CHOICE to go Vegetarian, rather then the 'DO IT NOW!' stuff most people expect.
June 28, 2012
Personally speaking, I keep falling off the vegetarian wagon, but regardless, this is a great book that has helped me stay in check about what I put in my mouth:-D This book isnt just for your "earthy-crunchy" types, but it's a well written and straight-forward book for those interested in learning how to eating healthier.
March 2, 2009
A nice little intro to a vegetarian diet. It's pretty simple and to the point, with some basic info to get you started. Get through the beginning and there are some great tidbits of info in the the following sections. Also some interesting recipes. Black Bean Enchiladas, yum yum!
September 20, 2010
I really like the recipes! I also enjoyed how they focused on the environmental impact of a vegetarian diet vs. a meat diet. I think that makes for a nice argument and it's a nice change from the usual animal rights argument.
May 22, 2014
Excellent educational book for anyone considering a change, whether it be a little change or a drastic one. Not overly pushy but very well informed, the goal is definitely to educate and not convert which is so important in this genre.
December 27, 2014
I wanted to learn about being a vegetarian so this was a good starting point for me. While I'm not a vegetarian and don't plan to become one at this point, I have been looking for healthier meal alternatives and there are a ton of recipes in this book that would be useful to anyone.
January 10, 2008
A very good introduction to vegetarianism. A bit outdated though. I would still recommend it to people interested in learning about vegetarianism.
February 27, 2010
A good book for anyone new to vegetarianism, but long-time vegetarians won't find anything new here.
July 23, 2011
Not sure if I will actually be able to make the full leap into vegetarianism but this book for sure got me interested in it all! Can hardly wait to try some of the recipes.
Currently Reading
June 30, 2012Quite informative and helpful to those considering switching to a vegetarian way of life.
December 15, 2012
I liked the little morsels of usable information, as well as the fact that this beginner's guide stuck to beginner's information and, more importantly, attitude. I took notes.
July 22, 2013
Lots of wonderful recipes to add veggies to your diet.
January 26, 2014
Very informative and interesting read. Helped a lot.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews