Introduction

More and more teenagers are choosing not to eat meat, poultry or fish and are considering adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. Are there health risks involved with this lifestyle? Is it true that there are several kinds of vegetarians? Could you become a vegetarian or would you miss those BIG MACS too much?! Let's participate in a vegetarian treasure hunt to see if this could be a way of life for you!

Questions

1. What foods does the vegetarian pyramid recommend to eat at every meal? What foods does the vegetarian food pyramid recommend to eat daily? How does the vegetarian food pyramid differ from the USDA food pyramid?
   
   
2. Find three vegetarian recipes in the following catagories that you'd be willing to try and print them: Beverage, Main Dish, Dessert.
   
   
3. What is the position of the American Dietetic Association on vegetarian diets? One consideration often given for being a vegetarian is the health advantage-lessening the liklihood of developing a critical illness and lowering death rates due to disease. What are six other advantages that could lead a person to adopt a vegetarian diet? What are the 'nutrient considerations' of a vegetarian diet?
   Discuss 7 meal planning ideas for vegetarians.
   
   
4. Why is iron needed in a diet? How can iron absorption be boosted? What is the difference betwen 'HEME' and 'NON HEME'? List 5 sources of iron for a vegetarian. What is the recommended amount of iron per day for teens?
   
   
5. Why is calcium needed in a diet? People often believe that cow's milk is the sole source of calcium. Many other sources of calcium exist. List 5 sources of calcium in a vegetarian diet. What is the recommended calcium intake per day?
   
   
6. Why is protein needed in a diet? How are protein needs met in a vegetarian diet? List 5 sources of protein in a vegetarian diet.
   
   
7. What is the need of vitamin B-12 in a diet? How is the need for vitamin B-12 met in a vegetarian diet? What are 5 sources for vitamin B-12 for vegetarians?
   
   
8. Play the vegetarian game and test your knowledge about vegetarianism!
   
   
9. List 5 famous people who are vegetarians.
   
   
10. What is a vegetarian? What are 5 reasons people give for being vegetarians.
    
    

The Internet Resources

• vegitarian Resource Group-American Dietetics position paper
• B12 needs for vegetarians
• vegetarian food pyramid
• Vegetarian Resource Group's list of Famous Vegetarians
• Vegetarian recipe source
• vegetarian times
• vegetarian game
• protein needs for vegetarians
• calcium needs of vegetarians
• International Vegetarian Union (IVU)/Recipes
• Iron needs of vegetarians
• Vegetarian Kitchen Recipes
• Reasons To Be a Vegetarian
• International Vegetarian Union's list of famous vegetarians
• Vegetarian resource Group-Vegetarian Recipes

The Big Question

Taking into consideration health, ethical, environmental, and moral concerns what would be three specific reasons you might consider changing to a vegetarian way of life?