I'm 16 going on 17 prettty soon and i want to become a vegetarian. My parents are sort of supporting me on this. But everyone i live with eats meat. I've already stopped eating Beef for a while now. I don't eat any kinds of seafood. I don't eat pork or turkey. So the only kind of meat that i actually do eat is Chicken. How do i give up chicken? Also, i don't want to get anemia and i'm not sure what kind of vitamins i'm going to need. how do i get iron without eating meat or taking any supplements? please help and give me specific things that i should eat.
Thank You!

spinich has enough iorn to get you through, but the real problem your running into is proteen!!

the human body and brain needs alot of proteen, but more inprtantly a VARIETY of proteen, so although spinich has alot of proteen, it is only one type, and soy is the same, it has enough but of only one type.

If I were you, I would remember that everything dies one day, one way or another, and animals that are used for meat today die in a very quick, humaine maner. and keep eating the lean healthy chicken (not deep fried, but baked, boiled, BBQ, ) it is one of the best foods you can put into your body

I'm also 16 and I will be 17 next month and I have been vegan almost a year now and when I started I was worried about the silly myths that I would become anemic.You don't need to worrie too much about developing anemia on a vegan/vegetarian. I have grown much healthier since I became vegan. Even stronger so don't beleive the protein myth.

I would start by watching this video and showing it to your parents so they may be more supportive.

http://veg-tv.info/Earthlings



You should plan your meals well. I eat fruit in the morning or cereal and soymilk and in the after noon I like to eat alot of veggies, Beans, Rice, Pasta and stuff. My two favorite Vegans foods are Broccoli pasta with spicy tempeh and hummus and my peanut butter bannana sandwich with a cup of soymilk.

Whole grains- I eat alot of whole grain rice and pasta 5-10 servings

Fruit- Always enjoy fruit in the morning and sometimes the afternoon 2-4 servings

Vegetable's- I love brocoli,carrots,potatos 4-6 servings

Nuts/Legumes- Good source of protein. I make sure I eat beans/rice after a workout 2-3 servings

I don't supplement anything for iron,B12 or any other vitamin but I do take Flax seed oil because it provides you with all your essential fatty acids and is great for you.

I hope this helps you have an easier time becoming Vegan then I did.

That's great you want to go vegetarian!

Vegetarian sources of protein, iron, and calcium:
http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=08sources

More info on iron in veg diets:
http://www.goveg.com/essential_nutrients.asp#iron

Eating vitamin C-rich foods (like citrus fruits and peppers) when you eat iron-rich foods is a good way to increase iron absorption.

There are lots of faux chicken meats available these days. My favorites are Gardenburger Flame Grilled Chik’n, Boca Chik'n Patties, and Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Chik’n Strips. More here: http://www.vegcooking.com/guide-favs.asp

Good luck!