{"id":550,"date":"2008-06-06T08:00:24","date_gmt":"2008-06-06T13:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/06\/guest-blog-what-does-a-vegetarian-eat\/"},"modified":"2008-06-09T09:42:08","modified_gmt":"2008-06-09T14:42:08","slug":"guest-blog-what-does-a-vegetarian-eat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/06\/guest-blog-what-does-a-vegetarian-eat\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Blog: What does a vegetarian eat?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Joining the DietsInReview.com Diet Blog today is Monica Shaw<\/a>, a freelance writer who specializes in science, health, fitness and food. She is the primary author of the website and blog, SmarterFitter.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

When people find out I’m a vegetarian<\/a>, they often ask “what do you eat?” I sometimes ask myself the same question, but after 15 years of being meat-free, the answers are almost second nature to me. Still, many people see my lifestyle as “hard” or downright impossible, especially when they find out that I’m a cyclist and a swimmer.<\/p>\n

Where do I get my protein?<\/em><\/p>\n

Am I getting enough iron?<\/em><\/p>\n

What about omega-3 fats?<\/em><\/p>\n

Surely you must miss bacon? <\/em><\/p>\n

True, some ask because they are skeptical about my diet, but many others ask because they want to cut down on their own meat consumption for various health or environmental reasons. I don’t mind which camp you fall into; I’m always happy to talk about food. Here’s how this vegetarian typically gets her daily fill of protein, carbs and fat.<\/p>\n

\"muesli\"Breakfast<\/strong>
\nBreakfast is almost always Bircher muesli, a delicious cereal of uncooked rolled oats, apricots, almonds and flaxseeds that have been soaked in water overnight, then mixed with grated apple and lemon juice. I eat this with yogurt and honey or a bit of sliced banana and it’s perfect for warm, summer days.<\/p>\n

Next to its natural sweetness, the best thing about Bircher muesli is its packability. If I hit the pool in the morning before work, I can take my muesli with me and enjoy a satisfying, post-workout breakfast that’s way more tasty and nutritious than a Power Bar.<\/p>\n

\"vegetarianLunch<\/strong>
\nDuring the week, lunch is usually a variation on the theme of leftover beans: minestrone soup, mixed-bean chili, or lentil dal, just to name a few. I make big batches of this stuff which I freeze in individual portions making lunch as easy as a trip to the microwave. When I have extra time (and I almost always have time for good food), I make up a fresh salad to go with it.<\/p>\n

On weekends, lunchtime favors the stove and toaster over the microwaves:<\/p>\n