Cooking With TofuIf you aren’t a vegetarian now and haven’t been one in the past, you probably also haven’t eaten tofu many times. In fact, the only time most people hear about tofu it is in jokes aimed at vegetarians. So why is it that vegetarians eat this stuff all the time? Is is it simply because they have no other choice? The answer is both yes and no. Being a vegetarian doesn’t mean you have to eat tofu. In fact, there are many vegetarians who never eat tofu or any popular meat-replacement dishes--such as "veggie burgers" or "tofurkey"--for that matter. As long as they research and create meal plans, vegetarians can maintain a healthy diet eating traditional meals or ethnic dishes. Tofu is often cited as something exclusively vegetarian because it is a versatile, highly-nutritional, and can be used to replace meat dishes. Not only can it be created in textures, consistencies, and flavors that simulate a range of meats--from turkey to hamburg--but it can also actually replace and far exceed the nutritional value of similar meat dishes. While vegetarians do not actually need to consume tofu, doing so is often a wise dietary choice--and also the next best thing to eating similar meat products (for those who enjoyed meat dishes before they became vegetarians). Tofu is a low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-calorie food made out of steamed and compressed soy beans. Not only is it a great source of protein--which many vegetarians lack--but it is also heart-healthy and has been linked to a decreased risk in cancer. In addition to being served as a meat alternative, tofu is also served in a number of spicy and ethnic dishes, which were never intended to contain meat. Many ethnic Indian dishes contain large amounts of tofu cooked and spiced in different ways. So here is my suggestion to you: If you aren’t already a vegetarian, but want to become one, don’t let tofu get in your way. You can maintain a healthy vegetarian diet without ever eating it. However, if you already are a vegetarian, but haven’t tried tofu, I highly suggest you do. It is both nutritional and versatile - and it might not taste as bad as you think. vegetarian - Google News vegetarian - Google News Meatless Fun at Vegetarian Food Fair - blogTO blogTO Meatless Fun at Vegetarian Food Fair blogTO, Canada - 13 hours ago The Toronto Vegetarian Food Fair is taking place this weekend at the Harbourfront Centre. The largest vegetarian festival of its kind, you can find an array ... The Best Three Days of the Year - The Vegetarian Food Fair Turns 24 Taste T.O. all 2 news articles Vegetarian Shoes and Bags Offers Free Shoes for A Year Sweepstakes - Free Pre... Vegetarian Shoes and Bags Offers Free Shoes for A Year Sweepstakes Free Press Release Center (press release), Canada - 23 hours ago Vegetarian Shoes and Bags, a California online boutique featuring 100% cruelty-free footwear and accessories, has announced a sweepstakes today featuring ... She'd like to go green ? as in eating vegetarian - OCRegister She'd like to go green ? as in eating vegetarian OCRegister, CA - 20 hours ago For the next two weeks I'll be a vegetarian and see what happens. An octo-lacto vegetarian, that is. Still eating dairy and eggs. ... PETA's Sexy Lettuce Ladies Distribute Vegetarian Sandwiches at ... - PETA (pr... PETA's Sexy Lettuce Ladies Distribute Vegetarian Sandwiches at ... PETA (press release), VA - Sep 5, 2008 PETA points out that vegetarians are an average of 10 percent leaner than meat-eaters. Meat, dairy products, and eggs--all of which are packed with ... Nude PETA Beauties Shower on Street Corner to Expose Meat's ... PETA (press release) all 2 news articles Vegetarian cafe to close - Waikato Times Vegetarian cafe to close Waikato Times, New Zealand - Sep 5, 2008 By NIKKI PRESTON - Waikato Times | Saturday, 06 September 2008 Hamilton's only vegetarian restaurant is shutting its doors tomorrow and will be replaced by ... Newsfeed display by CaRP
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