10 Tips for going vegetarian

Listen to the most recent episode of my podcast: 10 Tips for going vegetarian

Altering your dietary plan can seem overwhelming. Especially if one wishes to become a vegetarian. On this article, I’ll give you 10 tips for going vegetarian, whether you're just starting out or just need a little jumpstart. There are more than a few sorts of vegetarian diets, depending on whether you consume dairy, fish or even honey. But then again no matter which you choose, it takes a commitment to go vegetarian, given how long you have gotten used to your regular meals. I'm the sole person in my family to move towards a plant-based diet. I tried several approaches to going vegetarian, but it didn't always stick. That is when I decided to put a little thought into this and seek help as well as do some

research.

So I thought I'd kick-start this podcast with some tips that have helped me through the years. I hope they may help you too, wherever, you are…

1. Plan your meal intake and look for vegetarian menus as well as cookbooks for some ideas. It's commonly easiest to adapt recipes you already like. Though, there's a whole world of vegetarian food out there, so don't feel like you're limited to just meals you already know! Try reading vegetarian cookbooks, blogs, and menus to find recipes that interest you. Branch out into new cuisines, as well—Indian food, for instance, has tons of tasty vegetarian dishes you can try.

2. Be gentle with yourself and try meat alternatives when you are hungry. If you really missing a certain food, check out which meat substitutes are available at your local grocery store. For instance, you might be able to grab some veggie burgers, rice-paper "bacon," or soy "hot dogs."If you're going vegan, I recommend starting with a vegetarian diet. Then work on eliminating dairy, and then eggs as well as honey.

3. Progressively increase how many plant-based meals you eat each week. That is to say, try modifying a few of your favorite meals each week so they're vegetarian-friendly. In the long run, replace many of your meals with plant-based options until you're able to finally take on a

vegetarian diet.

4. Try not to quit all at once. What I mean is, try discarding foods on a schedule, like cutting out one meat every week. This will allow your body more time to adjust to the different diet. You might even plan to have one "last meal" with each ingredient you're giving up before you resolve not to eat it again. Perhaps try experimenting first with a fruit or vegetable every week.

5. Chose the right vegetarian diet. Vegetarians range from vegan—which are those not consuming meat or using any type of animal products at all, and then there are partial vegetarians, who just try to stick to a plant-based diet most of the time. 

To be precise, this is a personal choice, like I said it's okay if you need to experiment for a while to find out what works for you. Otherwise in _the end, it comes down to what choices you’ve made, and how they affect you both physically and mentally.

6. Do not stick to one type of food whether pasta or junk food. Basically, as a vegetarian,

anything chips, noodles, and fries all day will do for you. However, that's highly not advisable for your own good. Instead of eating a lot of processed, high-calorie foods, make sure you're getting plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your diet.

7. Ensure a good intake of essential nutrients. To be exact, be sure you're eating enough vitamin B12, calcium, protein, iron, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals that you'd usually get from meat. Fortunately, you can get a lot of nutrients you need just by eating a variety of fruits and veggies each day.

8. Always remember that some foods contain animal products. One way to know for sure if a prepared product like a sauce, or soup is vegetarian is to read the label carefully. When starting out, have with you a card with the names of animal based ingredients so you can compare it with the labels while you're at the store.

9. It is not unusual to relapse once in a while. Countless vegetarians have cravings for meat every now and then, specially when they are starting out. Provided that happens and you give in, it doesn't mean you're any less dedicated to a plant-based diet, so don't be too hard on yourself.vJust remind yourself why you wanted to be a vegetarian in the first place, and keep trying.

10. Last but not least, share this with friends and family. Let them know of the choices you made for your diet, and briefly explain your reasons for going vegetarian. For instance, you might let them know that you want to improve your health, or that you have this strong bond towards animals and want to do your part to make a difference. You might even say that it's more affordable—plant-based meals often cost less than meals prepared out of meat. Regardless of their response to this, try to keep an open mind about these conversations and ask people to respect your decision even if they disagree.

Also be patient with yourself, and always keep in mind that going vegetarian is YOUR journey; a goal you set for yourself to achieve. It's up to you how you want to approach it. Design your journey in a way that is best for you and your lifestyle