Deciding on becoming a vegetarian (or semi-vegetarian aka flexitarian) comes from different inspirations. For most, it’s about becoming a healthier version of themselves. Others simply want to lose weight — a common notion when the word vegetarianism comes to play.
The truth is that there are more than a few reasons to go green, food-wise. For instance, animal rights advocates believe that all animals deserve to be spared from being culinary cuisines. Not just the cute puppies and kittens.
Furthermore, our animal product consumption is leaving a huge carbon footprint. The stress of the meat industry on our environment can significantly be reduced if everybody would at least commit to “Meatless Mondays.”
If you’re new to the whole “should you give up meat” debacle, then here are some tips for the starting vegetarian that should clear things up:
Essential Tips for the Starting Vegetarian
Do your research
Before dipping your toes into the veggie waters, read as much as you can about vegetarianism, including real-life stories from actual vegetarians.There are a lot of books, such as Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer and The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood, and other online material and documentaries that you can check out. PETA.org, OneGreenPlanet.org, and GoVeg.com are helpful resources for new vegetarians/vegans.
Pace yourself
Some people have the right willpower and drive to help them go veggie all the way. Just like that, with a snap of a finger. Others, more often, need a little more time and effort. You can try at least one recipe a week (you can adjust the pace as you see fit). Start out by having a vegetarian lunch today — and then again next week. Soon enough, you’ll have at least 10 good recipes that you can keep coming back to.
Lots of these recipes can be found online, in cookbooks, and magazine subscriptions. If you haven’t done so yet, download my free recipe eBook here. There are some easy yet very yummy vegetarian and vegan recipes there. Or why not check out the recipe section for some more veggie inspiration?
Learn about substitutions
If you’re having a hard time completely ditching your favorite food, you can always use meatless substitutes for your loved recipes. For example, you can use ground beef alternatives when cooking chili, spaghetti, and other beef dishes.
There are substitutes for virtually all kinds of meat in the market today, making it easier for vegetarians to make the transition. This way, you can keep eating what you usually eat without ingesting any meat.
However, note that these fake meats are often overly processed, and you know what that means. However, using these once in a while can be helpful at the beginning of your no-meat journey.
Cooking vegetarian and vegan dishes have thought me to be more creative in the kitchen, so you don’t have to rely on these processed foods. However, it will take some practice and a few handy tricks. But no worries. Start small. The more you cook vegetarian dishes, the better they get!
Also read: How to Become a Better Cook?
Understand your nutrition needs
The misconception often is that vegetarians don’t get enough protein and nourishment from “just eating plants.” This is completely false. By understanding what the body needs exactly and where these needs can come from, you can feed your body with the right nutrition without eating meat.
If you believe that vegetarianism, or going more plant-based, is right for you, then congratulations! Learning more about this lifestyle and making changes in your eating habits are the first steps towards becoming a responsible (and healthy) vegetarian.
Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!
Amy Goodrich
Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.
