Use these tips to follow a vegetarian diet without unnecessary stress. With these tips, you can make a change to your diet while ensuring your body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs. Read on to go vegetarian today!
Today, almost eight million adults in the US don’t consume meat. If you’re thinking about going vegetarian this year, however, don’t rush it.
About 1.5 billion people worldwide are vegetarian, accounting for about 22% of the global population.
Be Patient
Before you apply the rest of these tips, make sure to remain patient and gentle with yourself. Making such a major change to your diet can feel overwhelming when you first get started. Even if friends and family are supportive, it can feel like an upheaval.
Remain patient as you explore new food-prepping techniques, foods, and recipes. Stay open to learning new ways to shop and store food. Try remaining a little adventurous as you explore new dishes and cuisines, too.
Above all else, remember: this is your journey. Make adjustments to your approach as you see fit. Develop a vegetarian diet that works for your lifestyle, diet, and preferences.
While remaining patient with yourself, remain patient with your body, too.
It can take time for your body to adjust to this new way of life. You might still crave meat or notice changes in your digestive system’s responses.
Remaining patient and open-minded can help make the adjustment period more enjoyable.
Adjust Gradually
You don’t have to go vegetarian overnight. Instead, try to do it gradually. Evolutionary changes are more likely to stick.
For example, you might decide to start by cutting out red meat for a few weeks. Going pescatarian (eating fish as your main protein source) can help you adjust to life without red meat. Eliminate pork, chicken, and eventually fish over the span of a few weeks.
You can also follow a vegetarian diet two days a week, then gradually add additional days over time. If that’s still too challenging, make one meal a day vegetarian instead.
Try to avoid making too many major changes at once. Otherwise, you could increase the chances of failing at every change you make.
For example, maybe you want to go vegetarian and cut out sugar. Choose one to start with based on your priorities. Once you’ve made enough progress with one major change, start with the next!
Plan Meals
Planning meals ahead of time can make it easier to eliminate meat from your diet. Before you go shopping, determine how many vegetarian meals you want to make for the week. Try choosing recipes with overlapping ingredients.
Planning meals and making a grocery list can help you avoid impulse shopping for the foods you want to avoid. This process can help you stick to your vegetarian diet and avoid skipping meals when you’re not sure what to make.
While meal planning, make sure to sprinkle a few protein-heavy snacks into the day as well.
Once you plan your meals and grocery list, start shopping! Determine what day of the week you intend to go vegetarian and put it on your calendar. Visual reminders can help you remain on track.
Experiment
As you begin planning meals for the week, try to have fun with it! Experiment and don’t forget to keep an open mind.
For example, you can try a new fruit or vegetable every week. Consider adding meat substitutes to your dishes, including:
- Quorn
- Linda McCartney
- Morningstar Farms
- Beyond Beef
Try not to depend on these meat substitutions, though. Instead, choose protein-rich whole foods for your dishes.
Experiment with different cuisines that offer vegetarian dishes as well, including Middle Eastern or Indian dishes.
If you’re still looking for ideas, check Pinterest or magazines at the market. Follow a few vegetarian and vegan blogs. You can also find vegetarian groups on Facebook for ideas and support.
If you’re trying to avoid pasta or other heavy carbs, buy a veggie spiralizer to start making noodles!
Find Protein
Before you begin shopping, make a list of protein-rich foods to add to your cart. These can include:
- Beans
- Eggs
- Tofu
- Pumpkin seeds
- Nuts
- Quinoa
Make sure each dish you eat has a protein (or you could struggle to remain full). Neglecting protein could lead to vegetarian fatigue. Keep a stash of quinoa or cooked beans in your fridge to add to dishes when you’re in a rush.
You can keep a few hard-boiled eggs prepared, too!
Otherwise, consider starting your day with a plant-based protein shake.
Adjust Favorites
Try turning some of your favorite dishes into vegetarian or vegan dishes. For example, you can use Beyond Beef the next time you make chili. Instead of pasta, try lentil beans for bolognese.
You can use cauliflower or chickpeas in your dishes as a chicken replacement. To replace red meat, consider using cauliflower or butternut squash steaks.
You can also find vegan sushi recipes using tofu here.
Have a few of these replacement items on hand. If you’re ever in a rush, you can cook up a dish you already know how to make!
Jazz up your dishes with a delicious condiment or sauce. For example, you can create sun-dried tomato pesto for sandwiches.
Find a Buddy
You don’t have to begin the process of going vegetarian alone. Instead, consider finding a buddy to start the journey with you. You can swamp recipes and compare notes to simplify the process in the long run.
Their support can help you when you find the transition confusing or challenging.
Go Green: Simplify Going Vegetarian Today
Going vegetarian doesn’t have to feel confusing or complex. Instead, use these tips to simplify the process. With these tips, you can find healthy food you love while maintaining a vegetarian diet.
Start cooking up a storm today.
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