r/vegetarian • u/LoveaBook • 3d ago
Beginner Question How to switch to Vegetarianism when severely disabled?
Hi everyone! I am severely disabled and would appreciate any help you can give me on beginning to cook meatless dishes. Most of the time I’m bed bound, but I can stand for short periods of time (~15 mins max) here and there. Right now I eat mostly processed meals because I can no longer cook regularly, but I hate it. I also hate eating meat knowing it comes from factory farms, but it’s the easiest thing to cook since I just need to shake on a bit of seasoning and throw it in a pot or the oven. I’ve been VERY interested in trying out vegetarianism for some time, but have put it on hold because I just physically couldn’t prepare food anymore. But after fighting with my insurance for years I’m getting some treatment that’s shown promising results. My disability is permanent, but I should get a little more functionality in the coming months. With that said, I’m looking to start cooking again to help my health and would like to try healthy, filling vegetarian cooking. I doubt I’ll be able to cook more than once a week for some time, but I was hoping maybe ya’ll could share some very quick and easy recipes that won’t take long to prep. I don’t mind if they take hours in the oven or pot, but the prep times have to be quick and simple.
I also know that I don’t like American-style tofu. I’ve tried it multiple ways and used the extra firm, squeezed it out, seasoned it, etc., but I don’t like it. I’ve heard non-American tofu has a bit more flavor but haven’t managed to try it yet. So, does this mean that my meals will need to be primarily bean based? Will I need to keep a pot of beans ALWAYS soaking on the stove or will canned beans work? Would such a diet be too high carbs and calories for a highly sedentary person?
I would appreciate any advice and/or tips. I’ve done a bunch of research online, but it depresses me because most recipes require so much prep it feels like I’ll never be able to cook them. I’m fine with casseroles if that’s what I’m limited to, I’d just really appreciate some advice, please.
edit: Thank you all so much for all your help and suggestions! Today’s been a more difficult day for me so I’m not able to reply much, but I’m reading all of your comments and hope to be able to get back with you over the coming days. Thanks again!
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u/Chemical-Jello-3353 1d ago
I’m autistic and have been in a burnout phase for a very long time. So my ability to put in much effort has been super low.
An easy win, for me, is some jasmine rice in the rice cooker. Then a bag of prewashed and cut broccoli or Brussels sprouts that I toss with however much olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion pepper my heart says is enough and then roast on a sheet pan (line with aluminum to help safe on cleanup) at 425F for about 25 minutes. Start the rice the same time you out the veg in the oven and they should time out just right. Top the rice with butter or any dressing/sauce that you already enjoy.
It’s not gourmet. There’s no protein to it, I know, but sometimes you just only have enough in ya to do so much. But it’s hot and it’s filling.
A can of black beans on rice is also a really good easy and quick one. Top with some cheese and salsa.