Congratulations on opening up this blog post! Whether you are aspiring to be a vegetarian for ethical reasons, health reasons or environmental reasons, I commend you. I personally have been a vegetarian my entire life, thus, I know no alternative. You on the other hand, may have experienced the omnivorous lifestyle, and have chosen otherwise. That deserves a pat on the back.
Now, I genuinely believe that being a vegetarian is not nearly as hard as people make it out to be, particularly in this day and age. With countless new health fads continuously arising, there are tons of options available for all dietary restrictions. It’s becoming increasingly easier to be a happy, healthy vegetarian, and as you embark on this journey, I would like to share a few words of wisdom with you.
Don’t try to “never eat meat again” from the start
Quitting anything cold turkey will be difficult. Begin by either cutting out certain types of meat, or eating vegetarian meals certain days of the week. Not only will this gradual change make your transition much easier, but it will also give you more time to educate yourself. You can spend the time researching what substitutions you can make in your diet in order to ensure you are still getting all your protein, vitamin, and mineral requirements.
Make your vegetarian meals more filling
Many people believe a vegetarian meal is exactly that of a meat eater’s, only without the meat. This is not the case. As omnivores, meals tend to be based around meat, with plant-based foods being the accompaniment. With vegetarian meals on the other hand, the plant-based foods are the star of the show. This means you must incorporate more filling foods, such as beans, lentils and meat alternatives, which will make your meal complete.
Plan your meals in advance
Vegetarian dishes generally require a bit more time and effort, as well as a wider range of ingredients. For this reason, it’s a good idea to plan your meals ahead of time. This way, you can assure you have all the necessary ingredients right when you need them, which is incredibly important due to the fact that fresh produce does not last very long in the refrigerator.
Be adventurous!
Becoming a vegetarian means you are very likely going to come across new and unique foods. This is your opportunity to broaden your horizons and step out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s trying seitan for the first time, or finally going to that Ethiopian restaurant in your neighbourhood, this is the time to do it. Not only may you discover a hidden gem, but focusing on all the new exciting foods you will be trying, will surely keep your attention from what you may feel is missing from your plate.
And that brings us to the end folks. Remember to go in with an open mind, and to not be so hard on yourself. With that, I wish you good luck on your journey with vegetarianism!