How to Become a Vegetarian: 20 Tips You Need to Know

How to Become a Vegetarian - Prosper Diet Program

1. Introduction
2. Be Flexible
3. Don’t feel like you need to go cold turkey – unless you want to!
4. Eliminate one type of meat first
5. Find 3-4 recipes that you love
6. Do some research and learn about nutritional requirements
7. Talk to your doctor or health care professional
8. Try not to become a “barbarian”
9. Have 1-2 go-to recipes that you can make in a pinch
10. Meal plan
11. Find a couple of cookbooks that you love
12. Don’t preach
13. Stock your pantry with plant-based essentials
14. Always check the menu online before going out to eat
15. If you’re going to a party or having dinner at someone’s house, offer to bring a vegetarian dish
16. Try to incorporate protein into all of your meals
17. Don’t rely on processed meat alternatives – but don’t completely write them off either
18. Instead of trying to replicate your favorite meat-based foods, find new foods that you love
19. Learn how to cook meat alternatives
20. Find 1-2 crowd-pleasing recipes that you know meat-eaters will love
21. Keep trying new foods and recipes!

Introduction

I'm going to share 20 tips for vegetarians and vegans who are just starting out.

Going meatless can be a daunting task for some people. Information abounds, and it can be overwhelming if you don't have a clue where to start.

In fact, I think these tips will be helpful even for those who simply want to eat less meat in general

Begin by implementing one or two of these tips, and work your way up from there. Feel free to spread them out over time. Always keep in mind that change is a process and that it takes time to implement. Trying to eat perfectly right away can be tempting, but it isn't always feasible.

Follow the below tips and I promise you’ll find it much easier to stick to your new diet!

#1 Be Flexible

If I could only give you one piece of advice, it would be this one.

However, you don't have to become a strict pescatarian, vegan, or any of the other labels out there to become a vegetarian.

Flexibility is key, so do what works best for you personally.

Everybody's body is different, so there's no single diet that works for everyone.

If you don't want to, don't feel like you have to give up meat completely.

Both options are perfectly acceptable, regardless of whether you want to completely eliminate meat from your diet or just stop eating meat at home.

As a result, there's really no right or wrong way to go about this. Any and all of the following tips will help you achieve your goals, no matter what they are.

#2 Don’t feel like you need to go cold turkey – unless you want to!

Slow and steady wins the race. Starting with one day per week, you can gradually increase the amount of meat you consume.

It's also possible to stop buying meat at the grocery store, but still, eat it when you're out of town. This is a great option for beginners because giving up meat socially can sometimes be the most difficult part of the process. However, if meat is allowed in social situations, it will give your body time to adjust and learn new ways of dealing with social situations involving meat.

#3 Eliminate one type of meat first

Keep in mind that not all meat must be eliminated at once, just as in the previous tip.

You can start by giving up red meat, and then gradually work your way up from there when you're ready. As a result, you'll have more time to adjust and the transition will be much easier.

Check- out more details about - How to Become a Vegetarian easily

#4 Find 3-4 recipes that you love

You don't have to eat rice and beans or quinoa and steamed vegetables to survive! Do any of these choices sound appetizing to you?

Unbelievably, meatless food is thought to be bland, tasteless, and boring. Which is utterly untrue!

In the world, there are countless recipes to choose from. Be sure to find a few recipes that you enjoy and make them often.

#5 Do some research and learn about nutritional requirements

Investigate what nutrients you may be lacking in your diet and how you can get these nutrients from other foods by doing some research.

The internet has become an enormous source of information, so make sure you only rely on reliable sources.

#6 Talk to your doctor or health care professional

Even though you'll want to educate yourself, it is equally important to speak with a health care professional about your specific dietary needs and the potential need for supplements.

Nutrition deficiencies are nothing to laugh at!

Despite our best efforts to eat healthily and adhere to dietary guidelines, this isn't always true. It's always a good idea to seek professional advice.

#7 Try not to become a “carbitarian”

I.e., don't rely on carbs to survive!

By carbohydrates, I mean simple carbohydrates such as white bread and pasta.

I could have used this advice from the start! Carbs were my favorite food. The bread is delicious, I'm telling you! No one can deny that. When I finally realized that this way of eating wasn't sustainable, it took me a while to come to terms with it. As a result, I'm trying to eat more vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

#8 Have 1-2 go-to recipes that you can make in a pinch

Learn how to make some dishes on the fly with minimal ingredients. On nights when you're pressed for time or don't have many groceries, but still want to prepare a healthy meal, this will come in handy!

#9 Meal plan

I used to be completely clueless when it came to cooking. Making a grocery list based on a week's worth of meals was completely foreign to me.

As a result, I eventually learned how to cook after making the conscious decision to start meal planning. Initially, I worked my way up from very simple recipes to more complex ones. My knowledge of the importance of protein and other essential nutrients in my diet was greatly enhanced as a result of this process.

So that you know exactly what you'll be cooking and have all of the ingredients on hand, sit down and plan all of your meals for the week ahead of time.

#10 Find a couple of cookbooks that you love

You can find so many recipes online, but sometimes it’s nice to cook from a cookbook.

My personal favorite is The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon. This book is incredibly popular for good reason. It’s been my go-to cookbook for years now and the recipes never let me down.

#11 Don’t preach

A little different from the others, but just as important nonetheless.

For some people, health and nutrition can be sensitive subjects. Avoid discussing your diet or reasons for going meatless with others unless they specifically, ask about it.

When it comes down to it, the best way to get others to support your diet is to flat-out crush any stereotypes they may have about vegetarian food and make them a delicious meatless dish instead!

#12 Stock your pantry with plant-based essentials

Keep your pantry well-stocked to ensure that you stick to your vegetarian diet.

In my free vegetarian pantry guide, I outline all of the essentials for stocking your pantry. Just basic staples that can be used to make a wide variety of dishes without requiring strange ingredients or a mile-long grocery list.

#13 Always check the menu online before going out to eat.

Whenever I go out to eat, I ALWAYS do this first. Meatless options are scarce in some restaurants. Most meals consist of salad, steamed vegetables, baked potato, etc....) why would you want to do that?

Look for a restaurant that has options that will appeal to everyone.

#14 If you’re going to a party or having dinner at someone’s house, offer to bring a vegetarian dish

The social aspects of being a vegetarian can be challenging. This is something that I'm still struggling with.

Who hasn't enjoyed a home-cooked meal at a distant relative's house or met a new partner's parents for the first time over a home-cooked meal?

#15 Try to incorporate protein into all of your meals

Ask yourself what the protein source is before preparing a meal. How to incorporate a variety of plant-based proteins in your diet.

Here are few posts that will help you with this tip:

Best 5 Anti-inflammatory sauces that you'll want to slather all over your food

Easy Detox Smoothie For Weight Loss

#16 Don’t rely on processed meat alternatives – but don’t completely write them off either

On the market today, there are so many alternatives to processed meats. Fake bacon, ground beef, chicken strips, and the list goes on.

I used to hate fake meat, but I've recently changed my mind. For a quick dinner or to satisfy a craving, these products are ideal.

Despite their high sodium and long ingredient lists, I'm not completely against them anymore.

#17 Instead of trying to replicate your favorite meat-based foods, find new foods that you love

Cauliflower wings will never taste like wings, no matter what anyone says. But if you were hoping for wings, you might be disappointed... but first, a word of caution...

Don't stick with the tried-and-true, try something new!

I know some amazing vegetarian recipes rival meat, but don't rely solely on them at the beginning because you may be disappointed.

How to Become a Vegetarian: 20 Tips You Need to Know