People can decide to go vegetarian for a variety of reasons. Whether it is to lose weight, to support animal rights, or simply to try something new, it’s certainly something that can a challenge if you are used to eating meat.
Depending on how much you eat, it may be a jolting transition for your body. Going from meat for every meal to only getting your proteins from grains, vegetables, and non-flesh animal products can be a shock. Therefore, follow these tips when making the switch from carnivore to vegetarian.
Start Slowly
You may want to begin by taking baby steps into your full-fledged vegetarianism. Try cutting back your meat consumption initially rather than going full cold turkey. This way it can be less of a shock to your system if you are used to eating a lot of protein. You may feel slightly weak or uncomfortable at first, so weaning yourself slowly can be a great tactic.
Some people choose to remain pescetarians because they consider it better than being a full on meat eater, and you can still get your essential proteins and nutrients from fish. Some people choose to only eat fish that they catch. This way it is more of a hunter-gatherer process rather than eating commercial fish that is farmed and sold in stores in mass volume.
Learn To Love Vegetables
If you aren’t a vegetable lover, you may want to try to open your mind. There is a world of delicious ways to prepare vegetables that you didn’t even know about. You would be amazed at how delicious vegetables can be when paired with the right things and cooked in a certain way.
Start trying new things and appreciating the taste of vegetables rather than meat. Start tasting them raw, baked, fried, or boiled. You will be amazed at the variety of possibilities.
Explore Recipes
Try to go online and explore different recipe ideas. There are lots of vegetarian recipe forums out there which offer cooking tips and recipes. It can start to become a passion learning to cook for your new diet, and may end up being your new favorite pastime!
Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and families for their own recipes and ideas for vegetarian options.
Take Supplements
Some vegetarians like to take supplements or drink protein shakes in order to make sure that they get in their dose of protein.
However many people believe that you can get just as much protein from non-animal sources like leafy green vegetables, and whole grains like tempeh, quinoa, or bulgur. You can decide for yourself which works best for you and makes you feel the most energized.