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Protein deficiencies are only found in those with a severe eating disorder, or people who live in an area struck by famine.

Also known as kwashiorkor, protein deficiency is incredibly rare in industrialized nations. Symptoms include swelling of the feet, a distended abdomen, an enlarged liver with fatty infiltrates, loss of teeth, skin depigmentation and dermatitis.

If you consume enough calories to sustain existence, even if you eat nothing but potatoes, you’re getting enough protein.

Ok first vegetarians get their protein from things like soy beans and different kinds if nuts like pecans or cashews. Sunflower seeds work to. Secondly getting your parents support is gonna be a tough one. Talk to them about you wanting to make a healthier choice in your life and tell them your reasons. Of course if they ask what would you do for protein and other nutrients vegetables and fruits and nuts are good starters. If they are still iffy about the protein thing some vegetarians eat eggs. They are unfertilized so no animal was harmed in the making of the product. Tell them about the health benefits it cuts back on fat and cholesterol to and will keep your immune system in better condition

Potatoes

oatmeal

green peas

lentils

black beans

fava/pinto/kidney/lime beans

chickpeas

cheese

soycheese

milk/soymilk/any milks

peanuts

almonds- all nuts

all nut butters

okra

rice

cereal

bread

pizza

yoghurt

Seriously, this is the oldest most asked question on YA veg forum. It is getting so old it is almost back in fashion. But not quite.

Do you realise there are more sources of plant protein , many in higher doses, than in most meats.

Soybeans for example. Soymilk, tofu, soycheese- all have very high levels of protein.

Even a medium potato has enough protein for a day. A bit of yoghrt, some peanut butter, and then you're almost getting too much protein.

So, you've probably been led down the "unless you eat meat and devour a side of an animal each day you will surely perish" pathway. Congratulations, you've been brainwashed. By TV, radio, media, parents etc.

Your mother must serve you food other than stinking meat. If she does not, call the child portection services. She is required to feed you fresh vegetables ( loads and loads of protein in potatoes, spinach, mushrooms, pumpkins, peanuts, all seeds and nut, apples, peas, beans, legumes) and fruit, also a variety of foods. If she doesn't you can get help.

So, eat those other foods. There are bags of brown rice, cans of chickpeas and red beans in your house? Eat them. There is cheess, soymilk, soycheese ( it is a lot cheaper and IMO tastes nicer than dairy), peanut butter, potatoes, peas etc.

Uhm. yeh, we're done.

THe healthy amount of protein can be accomplished:

one pot of yoghurt ( get soy yoghurt, it doesn't abuse cows, watch the videos on youtube about dairy farming abuse)

a potato

some oatmeal

a few chickpeas and walnuts in a salad

a bit of peanut butter.

That's it. Anything else, like wholegrain bread, spinach, rice in the meals you eat also has protein too. PRetty much every food has protein in it.

Two ways:

1) Eat nuts, or complete-protein planets (soy/tofu/quinoa). Nuts are fattening, so don't eat too many.

2) Eat legumes with grain:

Legumes: lentils, peas, beans, peanuts

Grain: corn, wheat, oats, rice, barley, millet

Unless you are vegan, you can eat dairy products. Cheese provides protein too. If you do not take in dairy products, you need to take Calcium supplements. And you can eat eggs. Some vegetarians eat seafood.

Really, you set your own pace.

But know the food groups, know how much you need every day, know how to get that from the foods you choose. And you must pre-plan tomorrow's meals today ... until you've done it long enough that you know it off the top of your head.

It's not just a matter of cutting out meat.

You can get protein in: nuts and seeds, beans, tofu, eggs, dairy products, protein powder, and other things.

Last night, I decided to become vegetarian (I was going to wait until I moved out, but I don't want meat anymore even when it's set in front of me, so I'm starting it earlier than planned), or at least pollo-pescatarian. When I cook supper, I cook vegetarian meals, and when other people cook I just eat everything but the meat (I eat more protein earlier in the day to make sure I get enough of it).

You will have to take a B12 supplement (get a multivitamin and make sure it has B12 in it, or just get a B12 supplement).

You don't your family to eat vegetarian for you to become vegetarian. And if they don't want you to be vegetarian, then just don't tell them that you're becoming one.

Have a read of this http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/vsk/vegetarian-st... , which will give you a good start. Then collect some recipes (try googling "simple vegetarian meals"), kick your mum out of the kitchen and cook, say, one meal a week for the family. This will show your parents that you're serious and keen to learn as much as you can. It will seem like a lot of work at first, but soon you'll just be living the life!

no problem

all vegetables contain protein to some degree it's just a question of educating yourself to get what you want.

All beans , nuts, root vegetables are high in protein.

Buy a good book on nutrition and prove that you know what you are doing.

Eating meat actually makes you weaker because it takes a lot of energy for your body to digest it

A snake has to rest for a week after a good meal.

Nuts, beans, and dark leafy greens. OH yeah and peanut butter. Hey just remember protein isn't the only think your body needs. Don't forget about Vitamins ABC. Spinach! Sunflower sprouts! Just use beans insterad of meat in tacos, chili, pasta..etc. I am vegetarian and my husband is not. Sometimes meals take a little more planning but we make it work :)

Many vegetarians get protein from nuts. All nuts contain good amounts of protein. Several grains contain protein as well. Keep researching!

Here's what I ate a few days ago - 1st meal: 9 bananas 2nd meal: 1 8-pound watermelon 3rd meal: 15 valencia oranges 4th meal: Salad(about 10 cups romaine lettuce, 3 medium sized tomatoes, 1 1/2 cucumber, and 1 1/2 orange and red bell pepper blended for a dressing. Total calories: 3213 calories(tomorrow I'll eat a bit less) Calonutrient ratio(carb/protein/fat): 88/8/4(I might eat an avocado sometime over the next few days to bring my fat up to 5-10%) Macro-nutrients: Fat: 18g Sat. Fat: 3g Cholesterol:0mg Sodium: 119mg Total Carb: 795g Dietary Fiber: 113g Sugar: 371g Protein: 68g Some micro-nutrients: Vitamin A: 4360% dv(Vitamin A dv set at 1500 IU) Vitamin C: 2072% dv(Vitamin C dv set at 90 mg) Calcium: 139% dv(Calcium dv set at 1000 mg) Iron: 263% dv(Iron dv set at 8 mg) Progam used: nutridiary Protein: 68g Fiber: 113g What did I consume? Nothing but fruit and leafy green vegetables. For someone eating 2000 calories it would look more like this - Meal 1: 6 bananas Meal 2: half an ~11 pound watermelon. Meal 3: 10 valencia oranges Meal 4: Salad(about 6 1/2 cups romaine lettuce, 2 medium sized tomatoes, 1 cucumber, and 1 orange and 1 medium sized red bell pepper blended for a dressing) Total calories: 2142 Calonutrient ratio: carb/protein/fat=89/7/4 Macro-nutrients: Fat: 12g Sat. Fat: 2g Cholesterol:0mg Sodium: 79mg Total Carb: 530g Dietary Fiber: 75g Sugar: 247g Protein: 45g Some micro-nutrients: Vitamin A: 2906% dv(Vitamin A dv set at 1500 IU) Vitamin C: 1381% dv(Vitamin C dv set at 90 mg) Calcium: 93% dv(Calcium dv set at 1000 mg) Iron: 175% dv(Iron dv set at 8 mg) Progam used: nutridiary Protein: 45g Fiber: 75g Edit: You do realize that meat and dairy has absolutely no fiber, right...?