Protein bars...are they a good alternative to protein intake for vegetarians?

First off i think it's interesting how people find it difficult to stop eating meat. i stopped when i said i wasn't going to eat meat. sometimes i will smell someone cooking it and it'll smell good, but i dont give in. ew! lol jk



but anywho on to my Q:



ok so are there any other ways to get protein other than beans and tofu? beans make my tummy tooooo full and then it hurts [no gas, but i think its just all those darned beans in my tummy]



and tofu..i dunno how to prepare it or what to prepare it with. the only time i eat it is when i go to my favorite thai food restaurant [soooo good! i think i need to go there soon lol]



i was eating balance protein bars [cookie dough] for a while but found out they have fish gelatin [uck! i hate seafood! even thought they dont put actual fish in there, the thought of fish gelatin is gross] and i don't eat power bars, but i found out they have beef gelatin [uck!] in them



sooo should i just stick to eating beans? oh and meat substitute [like morning star farms?]



i make some mean axx meatless chili [with red kidneys and black beans] and like a 17 bean and barley soup mix with veggies, but dang, thats too many beans!!! lolProtein bars...are they a good alternative to protein intake for vegetarians?
Protein is found in every single food source on this planet, except for oils. Eat a well-rounded diet and you'll be just fine.



Tofu is very easy to prepare. There are two kinds you can get:



1. Firm or Extra Firm. This tofu is best for cooking. Slice it however you'd like (thick slices, thin slices, cubes, etc.) and cook with whatever you'd like. Use tofu in a similar way that you'd use chicken. And, like chicken, you should season it and also brown it up a bit. Like making chicken soup, you can just let the tofu simmer in a soup stock.



2. Soft or Silken. This tofu is for blending. You can blend this to make stuff like mousse or pie filling, or you can blend it into a smoothie (use about 1/4 cup soft/silken tofu per serving). Just add whatever flavors/fruits/etc. you normally would.Protein bars...are they a good alternative to protein intake for vegetarians?
I like boca burgers :) But you probably don't need to worry about your protein intake that much. People eat way to much protein really. I know you hear so much **** about how vegetarians don't get enough but it's bullshit made up by the meat industry and people that don't want to change their unhealthy meat eating lifestyles.
I'm 14 and I've been a vegetarian for a couple months.

It's very important for be to get protein, because I speed swim.

I don't like tofu...

Switch it up a bit and eat lentels instead of beans somedays.

Drink protein shakes, could have oatmeal and chocolate milk. simple.

Peanut butter, nuts etc.

I hope this helps...
no, and besides you don't have a protein issue when you eat a balanced fresh produce vegetarian diet.
Honestly you don't need to worry about protein. Eating protein bars is kind of pointless because they're so darn expensive.... Try eating nuts and peanuts, delicious!
Mix up a little soy protein powder with peanut butter and spread it on a chocolate rice cake - wayyy better than a protein bar and you get the same benefit.
i'm a vego and i agree with what everyone has said so far=)
I don't suggest protein bars. I had wanted to gain weight but stay lean and started eating them daily when I was working out at a high level, and they caused excessive gas and a laxative effect. I would stick to the basics such as peanut butter, nuts, and the many suggestions you've received, the protein bars are high in fat and depending on your work out regimen may not be a good choice/ aside from the stomach issues you'll develop if you eat them too often, I was eating about 2 a day. Also, Yes they have allot of vitamins and protein packed in, but it honestly allot better for your body to get it from unprocessed foods if possible. Not to mention all the things you named in the bars that disgust you!

Good luck

xo
i think you should just google how to prepare tofu. really, i would assume it can be cooked in a skillet with whatever you're cooking and the sauce. i doubt tofu is that difficult to make. i have never tried, but, i imagine there are recipes that tell you ways to prepare it.



beans have fiber, too. maybe that is why your stomach is getting upset. fiber helps fill you up and helps digest food. so, i would still try and consume black beans.



if you eat eggs- eggs are good source of protein. you can also try a whey protein powder.



i would be careful with the protein bars. they could have a lot of calories and sugar that you don't need.
eww... protien bars.



eggs are really good source of protein.



There is protein in grains (breads, flours, rice, flour) combined with legumes/beans (tofu, chickpeas, kidney beans, re-fried beans, peas, lentils).



Also there is protein in nuts. And small amounts in vegetables.



It's really really easy to get protein - I seriously wouldn't worry about it.



Look at the recipes in this site:



http://www.gofor2and5.com.au/recipes.asp鈥?/a>

http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/vegetaria鈥?/a>

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/4932/nac鈥?/a>
You shouldn't just be eating protein bars to get enough protein! Try chick peas, tofu, milk, cottage cheese (or other cheese), beans (like kidney, black, navy etc.), soy milk, yogurt, lentils, eggs, nuts or soy flakes. You can have a protein bar from time to time if you're on the go. Try the Odwalla super protein for something made without gelatin. (By the way, check the yogurt you get because a lot has gelatin in it)