Adjusting to a Vegetarian Diet

vegetables

Whether you are serious about abstaining from meat or you want to try to eat a little healthier, adjusting to a vegetarian diet doesn’t have to be impossible. The trick? Go slow! This article will show simple ways you can go meatless, even if you just want to avoid animal products a few times a week.


Try It On

A strict vegetarian diet isn’t for everyone, but you can limit your meat consumption without sacrificing flavorful, satisfying meals. Gradually cut down on your meat intake by replacing one meal a week with a non-meat alternative. Once you feel comfortable with that, you can incorporate more meatless meals as many as three or four days a week (or more) — whatever works for you.

To avoid wondering what to come up with for a meal without meat, stick to other foods you love to cook and enjoy, like pasta, veggie stir-fry, etc. That way, cooking meatless meals won’t seem so foreign to you.

Figure Out What You Like

Not a total veg head? Chances are, there are some veggies you find you actually enjoy. Figure out what foods you like eating, and consider some non-meat sources of protein like beans, dairy products, tofu, etc. that you can use to balance out your meatless meal.

Try Tofu

If you’ve never tried tofu, don’t let that intimidate you. Tofu is an excellent source of protein and can be cooked and flavored a number of ways. You can cut up tofu and grill the slices in some marinade and add to a tossed salad, or shape tofu into patties and use it as a substitute for a hamburger!

Even if you’re not a whiz in the kitchen, tofu is super easy to prepare and can be used as a meatless alternative for a satisfying meal.

Research

Whether you’re an experienced cook or a klutz in the kitchen, you can whip up full, satisfying, vegetarian meals without sacrificing flavor. Visit vegetarian cooking websites to come up with ideas for mealtime, and plan ahead if you make a lot of extra food for leftovers.

For example, extra veggies from a vegetable stir-fry can be used for grilled sandwiches the next day or tossed in an omelet for breakfast. Once you start brainstorming ideas, you’ll realize there’s actually a lot you can do with vegetables!

Adjusting to a vegetarian diet isn’t impossible, and can actually be a fun way to broaden your cooking horizons as well as help you to incorporate more healthy eating habits into your life.

Whether you plan to devote yourself to a vegetarian diet or want to cut meat out of your life a few times a week, these tips should help you create delicious meals without sacrificing flavor or variety.

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