Is it possible for a picky eater to be a vegetarian?

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

I really want to do it. Not vegan - vegetarian. I don't eat much meat at home - the problem is when we go out to eat. If we go to a Pakistani restaurant, I want the delicious seekh kebabs. I don't like a lot of vegetables, but I do have my favorites. I think I ate tofu a million years ago and it didn't kill me. I guess I can always order plain rice and naan and stuff my face with those.

[billyskank]

1. If you still want to eat meat,

then I would say the vegetarian life is probably not for you. You can always try just not eating meat at home, I suppose. You say you already don't eat much.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

2. I really don't want to

I love animals and think it's hypocritical of me to eat them. I am under the influence of Morrissey, as I attended his Dallas show a couple of weeks ago.

[billyskank]

3. Don't get too hung up on the ethics/morality thing

People may (and do) choose to become vegetarian because of ethical concerns, but anybody who condemns another for not following the same principles lacks munificence and is committing an offence themselves.

Be veggie if you genuinely want to - don't be shamed into it.

Edited for spelling.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

4. I've been thinking about it for years

And I decided it's time to put it into action. We'll see how long I can last.

[billyskank]

7. Then good luck!

And don't be eating plain rice and naan when you go out. India has a very strong tradition of vegetarianism, and you should be able to do much better than that, in any restaurant where naan is on the menu.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

8. That's the crux of my dilemma - I'm a picky eater

I don't like veggie dishes per se at Indian/Pakistani restaurants. I like the barbecue (tandoori chicken, seekh kebabs, chicken tikka and the like). I have a very weird palate, and many foods just gag me. I don't know if it's consistency, taste or both. It's very frustrating.

[jpgray]

5. Excellent post

All the people I've met who are vegan here in MN feel exactly the same way.

[jilln]

6. Yes.

And the more you do it, the easier it gets. PM me if you want. I know lots of good places to eat in the Dallas area.

[unpossibles]

9. you will be surprised at the options and how your tastes may change

my wife comes from a family of picky eaters, and now she loves sushi, Indian, Thai and other "weird" foods (she used to hate beans, bread, and other stuff before we went veggie).

Give it a shot, and if you have any questions feel free to ask. And finally, the hardest part is eating at restaurants. Don't be afraid to ask for something slightly different (as in "hold the _____") or completely off the menu as long as you ask first if they have no options that sound good.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

10. Between the food this picky eater hates...

and the food I am allergic to, it is surprising there is anything left for me to eat!

I have been a picky eater since birth and a vegetarian for 20+ years and it can be done. You just have to be a bit creative and not be afraid to ask for something that might not be on the menu or for a veggie version of a meal. I don't know about Pakistani food, but Indian is one of the easiest to eat as a vegetarian by asking for substitutions.

I personally hate cooked veggies (love'em raw) and will ask for meat-free/veggie dishes with sauces on pasta or over rice and just eat around the veggies.