Thinking of Becoming a Vegetarian? How to Make the Transition Easier

Until the earth stops spinning, there are going to be debates over whether or not it’s healthier to be a vegetarian, a vegan (someone who doesn’t eat or even use animal products, including dairy) or not. But if you’ve been thinking about becoming a vegetarian, here are some of the reasons why it can work to your benefit.

You can significantly reduce the amount of fat that you consume which can help you to lose weight. You can avoid digesting a lot of the hormones that are in some of the meats that are sold. You can also do your part to help the environment by helping to reduce the waste that accumulates from prepping animals to be packaged for consumption.

All sound like pretty great motivators, right? Now comes the hard part. Making the transition. No one said it would be easy, but these tips can make it more comfortable. Few become a vegetarian overnight, but with a bit of discipline, it can happen sooner than you think.

1. Start with letting go of red meat first

Red meat has a lot of protein and iron. Some people still frown on it because it has a tendency to harden blood vessels over time, it takes a long time to totally digest out of your system and, depending on how it’s prepared and packed, oftentimes you’re not getting much more than fatty bits (some folks call it “pink slime”). If red meat is something you’ve been eating for years, let that be the first meat to go. You can try some substitutes like Bocca or Morning Star to see if you like the taste. Some alternatives work really well in pastas and baked dishes. 

2. Do some protein research

Your body needs protein. Among other things, it helps to repair and build body cells. All meat has protein in it, but there are other foods that contain it too. If you’re going to be a vegetarian (as opposed to a vegan), you can still consume dairy. Eggs contain plenty of protein. Other foods include yogurt, grapefruit, sweet peas, avocados, mushrooms, passion fruit, hubbard squash, oatmeal, hummus and green beans. These foods help to boost your metabolism too!

3. Experiment with fruits and veggies

As you’re in the process of making this transition, another benefit is you can use this time to try fruits and vegetables you may never have had before. If meat was a staple with every meal, now look for ways to prepare things like eggplant, quinoa, tropical fruits and melons. The dishes and smoothies that you create can be fun and tasty too.

4. Season your food well

Have you ever had kosher meat before? If so, you probably noticed that it’s not as appetizing as other meat. Why? Because all of the blood is drained. The point is this. A lot of people enjoy meat, not because of the texture but the flavor. It’s going to be extremely difficult to go from meat-eating to vegetarianism if your food is not seasoned well. That doesn’t mean you should overdo it with condiments, though. Click here to read about some of the healthiest spices on the planet!

5. Try new recipes

Not much of a cook? That can be another advantage to becoming a vegetarian! You can experiment with all sorts of recipes! All you have to do is go to your favorite search engine and put “vegetarian recipes” in the search field. It will inspire you for days!

6. Be patient with the "weaning process"

It’s important to remember that what you’re embarking upon is a lifestyle change. It’s going to take a while to adjust, so don’t pressure yourself to become a vegetarian overnight. Wean off of red meat, then chicken and eventually fish (for the record, some vegetarians actually eat fish on occasion). If you’re consistent with all of these tips, one day you’ll look up and realize you’ve been without meat for weeks. And you barely even miss it.