by Missy Bell

Created on: December 30, 2010

Difficult, no.  Daring, yes!

To switch from a life long diet that includes meat and other animal products to a diet that does not is a huge change, but one that will be well worth it, in the end.

First, take stock of why you have decided to embark on this journey.  Health reasons?  Moral reasons?  Seemed cool?  The stronger your reasons, the easier the switch will be for you. 

Start Slowly:

Don't try to switch from steak and cheese to hummus and tofu overnight.  It will take time and effort to reprogram your taste-buds and your mind and to build a healthy repertoire of vegetarian dishes that come easily to mind. 

Begin with a typical weekly menu and think through how each dish could be made vegetarian.  Explore meat substitutes of soy, mushroom, and grain varieties.  Use these to maintain a general taste and texture you are used to as you keep the dishes you love and work toward adding more typical vegetarian fair.

Example:  Make vegetarian chili using soy crumbles instead of hamburger, eat veggie burgers with fries, make chicken salad with faux chicken, etc.

Be Daring:

Eventually, you will tire of "meat" dishes and will find your palette changing.  Purchase a few vegetarian cookbooks or just one that looks especially appealing and work in one new dish each week that includes a new food or way of preparation you have never attempted.  Try new fruits and less typical veggies.  Slice, dice, stir-fry, and bake your way into foodie happiness with delicious eggplant, star fruit, hummus, spinach, artichokes, and so much more.

Be Patient:

When you first "make the switch", be aware that the triggers your stomach is waiting for to tell you that you are full come mostly from meat sources at this time.  You will feel hungry after eating what you would consider to be a full meal.  It can take up to three months for your body to adjust to your new diet.  Expect changes in bowel movements during this adjustment period as well, including an increase in frequency.  Note how you are feeling since starting your new diet in a food journal.  Note the positive changes in your skin tone, hair, nails, and outlook as you increase the abundance of vitamins and minerals in your diet and expose your digestive system to a wider variety of food sources.  Also note that you can take larger portions of fruits and vegetables than you can of meats.  Vegetables contain very few calories.

Be Confident:

A choice to change your eating habits should come from the heart after long deliberation in the mind.   Be sure that this is the choice you wish to make and stand behind it.  Ask family members to join you, and if they cannot, ask that they be supportive of your choices.  Be sure to have easily accessible vegetarian snacks around the house and keep prepping new menu items until you are satisfied that you are eating a wide variety of foods - remember that there is a whole new world out there.  You are not depriving yourself - you are opening your eyes to new possibilities.  Be ready with an answer when people question your decision to go veg.  Hold your head high.  Keep your wits about you, and don't turn back.

Learn more about this author, Missy Bell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.