Becoming a Vegetarian Many people across the world are opting to switch to a vegetarian diet today. This decision may be influenced by many different factors – from religious reasons to health concerns to environmental reasons, but becoming a vegetarian is an increasingly easy move these days. If you too are planning such a lifestyle change, the following points might help you make the transition easily. Benefits of becoming vegetarian – Choosing a vegetarian diet over a meat heavy one helps cut out the excess (saturated) fat. This automatically reduces cholesterol and with it the risk of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Also, you don’t have to worry about the risk of spoilt or infected meat, or food poisoning arising from the same. Vegetarians are only required to clean the produce thoroughly before cooking. Becoming a vegetarian also helps with weight loss. Of course you still need to stay away from fried foods. Then, there is the whole ethical angle – by switching to vegetarian or vegan diet you reduce animal suffering as well as the high environmental cost that arise from a thriving meat industry. The different degrees of vegetarianism – Figure out what kind of vegetarian you want to become. Many people opt to give up meat but continue eating fish and eggs. This allows for an easier transition and for more meal options. Others prefer to give up meat and poultry but continue eating eggs. Then there are the stricter schools that avoid even eggs. If you want to stay away from dairy products along with meat and poultry you might want to become vegan and follow this type of a diet. Once you’ve figured that out, take it one step at a time. Making a slow transition to vegetarian foods will help you stick to the decision of becoming a vegetarian or a vegan. A cold cut from foods you’re used to preparing and adopting a brand new dietary style can cause some stress and frustration. It can also cause you to lose motivation rapidly. When making such a major life change keep the following points in mind: Take stock of your surroundings – It’s easier to adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet in some places. In others it can be incredibly difficult. Explore your neighborhood for vegetarian and vegan options. Check if your local supermarket will be sufficient in sustaining your new dietary choices. Based on the ingredients available you can plan out daily meals. For example if your local store stocks Indian groceries, Indian vegetarian food can become a staple. It brings with it great variety too, so there’s no question of boredom. On the other hand if you can barely put together a salad from what’s available, you’ll need to make a slower transition till you find alternatives. Also check on the vegetarian and vegan options available in restaurants in your city or neighborhood. Nutritional value – That a vegetarian diet can’t provide all the nutrients the body needs is a myth. It does, but you still have to consider your nutritional needs, figure out the various sources that you can source these nutrients from and then actively include them in your diet plan. It is also advisable to consult a nutritionist to ensure you continue to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. This is a very important issue for youngsters becoming teens, whose family background isn’t vegetarian. Parents need to figure out nutritional needs and how to meet them for their growing kids. Experiment with different cuisines – Sticking to salads will be though, so go ahead and experiment with different cuisines. Find different recipes that work for you. Many cultures have their share of vegetarian recipes waiting to be tested – think Thai, Indian, Italian or Mexican. By experimenting, you’ll keep things exciting, which in turn will keep you motivated. Keep it healthy – Just because you are on a vegetarian diet does not mean you can gorge on junk food. A vegetarian pizza is still a pizza. Stick to healthy snacks like fruits and nuts. |
