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Stuff Every Vegetarian Should Know

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This pocket-sized handbook to becoming a vegetarian has everything you need to start a healthy and tasty plant-based diet.

Ready to try a diet that’s greener, healthier, and better for the planet? Here’s an easy and approachable guide to the world of eating, cooking, and living meat-free. Featuring chapters on everything from choosing the right meat substitutes and building a complete protein to dining out and troubleshooting the “Help, I’m still hungry!” stage, this pocket-sized book’s tips and tutorials will take you from wannabe veggie to vegetarian extraordinaire. Plus sample shopping lists, health benefits of going meatless, and recipe ideas to keep you on track for a long—and healthy!—vegetarian life.

Topics
   • How to Stock Your Shelves
   • How to Make Recipes Vegetarian
   • How to Make an Amazing Stir-Fry
   • How to Cook Dried Beans
   • 5 Great Bacon Substitutes
And more!

143 pages, Hardcover

Published September 26, 2017

23 people are currently reading
168 people want to read

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5 stars
33 (17%)
4 stars
73 (38%)
3 stars
68 (35%)
2 stars
16 (8%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Valerie Brett.
588 reviews78 followers
December 31, 2017
This is a really cute, handy, overview guide for anyone new to being vegetarian. It’s not overwhelming & covers a wide range of basics. 4 stars instead of 5 due to bad binding & inconsistencies (she gives the word for vegetarian in one other language, randomly, for example, when covering multiple countries’ foods). The author has no special credentials but the upside is that this is like a good friend who’s been vegetarian for decades handing over all their personal tips & tricks in a really approachable way.
Profile Image for Lara.
4,222 reviews346 followers
December 31, 2019
This was stocking stuffer from my mother in law. I've been a vegetarian for years now, so I don't really need a guide to it at this point, but I was interested to see what McGuire would include...and there's a lot packed into this tiny book! Everything from nutritional information, cooking times for beans and grains, health info, environmental info, meal plans, how to handle eating out and travel, how to handle social situations... And it seems pretty spot-on and related in a way that never comes across as preachy or judgy. There are no actual recipes, but a lot of general rules of thumb and processes so you don't even always need a recipe.

While this certainly wasn't revolutionary for me, there were a few things I hadn't thought of (there's a bit on getting stuck in ruts and trying new things that really spoke to me) and some very useful advice. This would be a great place for a beginner to start, as it can all be read in one sitting, but still contains a ton of super practical info.

Bravo, Mom-in-law!
Profile Image for stephanie.
270 reviews21 followers
December 12, 2018
it was good but i don't think it had any information in it that i couldn't find elsewhere/already knew so like. read this if you want a rundown of vegetarianism but not in depth stuff
Profile Image for Liis.
25 reviews22 followers
April 9, 2018
pole tõlke fänn ja üsna ameerika põhine.
samas alustajale kasulik väike raamat täis baasteadmisi ja fakte.
11 reviews
February 28, 2019
My partner has been moving toward a vegetarian diet for the past few months. I picked up this book for him because I was concerned that he would be challenged eating a balanced diet. I decided to read it in an effort to support him and learn more about what I could prepare that he would eat, I would enjoy and would be healthy and balanced.

This book was a great concise discussion of what a vegetarian diet consists of and how to prepare one mentally and physically to begin to incorporate into ones life. I realized that we do have a number of reference cookbooks in our library to help make delicious veg food. I also learned that with an open mind I can expose myself to new foods and flavors I have been resistant to in the past.

I am excited to learn more and be open.
Profile Image for Kim.
126 reviews
April 4, 2021
Cute! And informative. I've been a vegetarian for 33 years now, yet this succinct book led me down new thoughts and reminded me of old ones. As someone who loves making lists and constantly refining processes, seeing others doing the same and taking further steps to impart their knowledge tickles my fancy!! I very much enjoyed this book. Love the staples pantry list. Lovely way to spend a long weekend afternoon. Thank you Katherine McGuire
Profile Image for Melissa Riley.
478 reviews6 followers
February 18, 2018
Cute little how-to guide for vegetarians. Its probably best suited to American readers, as an Australian there were certain things that didn't 100% translate. I enjoyed the sections on 'why you should feel awesome' and also some of the responses they provide when dealing with people who don't understand why you are vegetarian.
Profile Image for Destiny.
429 reviews58 followers
April 15, 2021
I have been thinking about trying out a vegetarian diet. I'm not exactly sure if I'll stick with it, but I am excited to try it.

I like this book because it contains a lot of information in a small package. It was easy to read. This book isn't really about the ethical side of vegetarianism. It's simply an introduction to the lifestyle.
Profile Image for Emily.
423 reviews
March 14, 2018
Basics of vegetarianism, short and quick. Has taught me that I am going about reducing the amount of meat (health reasons, not cutting out completely) the right way. Common sense tips but sometimes it’s necessary to get you to think about things you may have not considered.
Profile Image for Karol.
103 reviews
October 27, 2019
Perfect for beginners.

Covers most of the topics regarding vegetarianism in a very light way. Easy to read and can work as an introduction guide to plant-based eating.

Read in one sitting.

3/5
Profile Image for Aurélie.
62 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2018
It’s a good intro to become vegetarian and gives idea. Not really complete but that’s fine
Profile Image for junajuna.
103 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2019
A handy overview! The complete protein cheat sheet is really useful.
Profile Image for Hope Trong.
5 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2021
Excellent basic guidelines

Great info on how to achieve full nutrition on a vegetarian diet. Particularly how to make a "complete" protein including the 7 essential amino acids.
Profile Image for Mari.
127 reviews6 followers
January 24, 2021
Minu soov oli mõista seda maailma paremini ja mitte loobuda loomsest. Uued mõisted: veg*n, VB6, lihavabad esmaspäevad, liigitundlikkus, freegan. Algajale kokkajale ja taimetoitlasele.
Profile Image for Brittni.
3 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2022
It's a really good starting place for newbies and has a lot of great reminders for long time vegetarians.
Profile Image for MKLM.
111 reviews
May 20, 2024
Good info, presented in a way that is not overwhelming
Profile Image for Mac.
110 reviews1 follower
Read
July 24, 2025
This was okay, a lot of stuff I already knew. But there were a few new tips and facts I learned.
Profile Image for Laura O.
17 reviews
August 18, 2025
4.5/5 great for those starting out in vegetarianism/veganism and a good reference guide for more seasoned individuals.
Profile Image for Grace.
7 reviews1 follower
February 26, 2019
It's probably closer to 3, there's some decent tidbits, and useful for what I wanted.
However it really gets my goat when people who have made a dietary choice, lie and say they have an allergy. Allergies need to be taken seriously, ice had family sent to the hospital by careless kitchens.
I've been vegetarian for over fifteen years, and if I eat bonito flakes or a broth made from meat, I'll be sick, but I won't be in danger.
Profile Image for Rani Loyal.
28 reviews
August 6, 2019
I found this book top be a handy, practical reference guide. Well worth a browse.
130 reviews1 follower
Read
March 9, 2019
Will want to refer back to this and use as reference for a while before actually rating it.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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