The O’Collegian

Food is something that I have taken for granted. It has been a constant in my life, and for the most part, I have always had the option of having three good, healthy meals a day,  regardless of whether  I chose to take advantage of them.

Some of you may be thinking that I am reflecting on the truth that people all over the world are starving and unhealthy, and to a degree, I am. What you probably don’t know, — and to be honest, it would be kind of creepy if you did — is that I have been following a vegetarian diet for the past week.

I have met many people at OSU who are vegetarians, and most have hinted in some way at the difficulty that comes with being a vegetarian at OSU. Let’s face it, while OSU and Stillwater are excellent places to go to school and live, they may not be the easiest places to be a vegetarian.

I felt that an understanding of it from personal experience would be invaluable to me. So, last Thursday, I stopped eating meat.

I know there are many different rules that some vegetarians follow and others don’t. I know some still eat fish, and I know some insist on soy milk. And others, specifically vegans, abstain from anything that uses animal products at all or was tested on animals.

For my experience, I chose to abstain strictly from meat. This meant beef, pork, poultry, seafood — anything considered meat.

One of my concerns was my health. I made sure to balance my meals and portions so that I could stay healthy.

Elizabeth Lorhman, a licensed and registered dietician with the Seretean Wellness Center, said vegans especially need to make sure they are staying healthy.

Vegans should include a regular source of vitamin B-12 and possibly Vitamin D if sun exposure is limited, Lohrman said.

Lorhman also provided helpful information regarding the nutritional facts about tofu.

Tofu averages 165 calories and 18 grams of protein for 1/2 cup or four ounces, Lohrman said. Calcium content can be good as well if the tofu is processed with calcium sulfate.

Lohrman said that getting the right amount of protein in a vegetarian’s diet is not a significant problem.

“You can still get protein easily from soy products, legumes, dairy products, vegetables and grains,” Lohrman said. “If a vegetarian balances their meals properly, the protein intake should be fine for healthy individuals.”

Both vegetarians and non-vegetarians can have a poor diet.

Before I started my week as a vegetarian, I stocked my fridge with fruits and vegetables I knew I liked — apple sauce, a favorite from childhood, carrots and celery. I eventually needed to buy more things, such as tofu, so I could change up my eating options.

I did not realize how much preparation goes into making your own meals. I don’t consider myself a chef by any means, but I can hold my own when it comes to pancakes or stir-fry.

If I wanted substance in any of my meals, I had to prepare it for myself. I could snack on apple sauce or some fruits and veggies, but if I wanted a good meal. I couldn’t just slap together some ham and cheese and make a sandwich. I had to think about it and take the time to prepare it.

Restaurants were hit and miss as far as vegetarian dishes go. Most places I went offered at least one option (beyond soups and salads) that vegetarians could eat.

Monday night, I went to Bad Brad’s with some of my friends. Bad Brad’s is one of my favorite places to eat in Stillwater (medium turkey sandwich and sweet tea — oh yeah), so it took a little willpower not to  break and eat some meat. Instead of my usual order, I had a grilled cheese sandwich, corn bread, and baked beans. It doesn’t sound like much, but plenty of meals filled with salads made me appreciate my corn bread even more.

Campus options for vegetarians were existent but limited. Salads, of course, were offered everywhere on campus, and there are other options available, such as garden burgers. Overall, it seemed hard to find a variety of options.

“We have had surveys come back with students requesting more vegetarian options on campus,” Lohrman said.

Lohrman also said that the Seretean Wellness Center offers vegetarian options anytime it holds a cooking class.

The center’s Web site, http://wellness.okstate.edu, has information regarding cooking demonstrations and  nutritionist appointments.

Lohrman said she has counseled students who are vegetarian.

For one, I don’t necessarily subscribe to some of the reasons people choose to be vegetarian, and I also think I rely on meat in my diet too much to give it up. I do have a better understanding of what it is like to be vegetarian, but I’m not stupid enough to think that my one week is anything like everyday life for these people.

Those interested in more information regarding a proper vegetarian diet should visit the Vegetarian Resource Group at http://www.vrg.org.