- If it suits you to do things gradually – take your time. Some people give up red meat first, then poultry, then fish. Others eat vegetarian food one day a week, then two or three days and eventually every day. The important thing is to work out what will suit you and stick with it.
- Don't be put off by a bit of teasing or ill-informed scare stories. Vegetarians are sometimes the brunt of jokes and prejudices – usually from people who know very little about their own health and dietary needs.
- Try something new. Take a fresh look around the shelves of your local supermarket and health food shop and get to know as many different vegetarian foods as possible, including meat alternatives like sausages made from soy, tofu, crumbles, couscous and all sorts of vegetables.
- Buy a vegetarian cookbook (or borrow one from your local library). Whether you need simple step by step instructions or gourmet dishes to impress your friends, there are literally hundreds of vegetarian cookbooks around.
- Learn a little about nutrition. A healthy vegetarian diet isn't difficult but if you've grown up eating meat, you will have to change some of your habits and the easiest way to stay healthy is to understand what your body needs.
- As you get more confident about vegetarian food, take the next step by making sure you always buy free-range eggs and vegetarian cheese. You can also start being careful about hidden non-veggie ingredients, using our pitfalls guide for reference.
- Don't go it alone. Make sure you tell any vegetarian friends that you are going veggie and ask for their support and advice. Join The Vegetarian Society to make sure that you always have access to our expert advisors, information-packed quarterly magazine and discounts in all sorts of veggie-friendly places. And, to avoid any embarrassment when friends are cooking for you, remember to let them know in advance that you are vegetarian.
Erica (05/10/2011 06:33:59 AM)
I haven't eaten meat in over a month. I just Decided to stop eating it because I always felt horrible after. I'd have to say it was the easiest thing to give up.
Tara (09/14/2010 02:47:16 AM)
My husband cant give up meat either, but he now eats veg meat almost everyday, about 2 a month he ask me to cook him some meat and I do. Im happy that he chooses to eat veg more and more, don't feel bad if you cant give it up, just try to only eat it like once or twice a week. you will still feel better for it.
Kris (02/05/2010 22:36:29 PM)
It would be helpful to know what someone might experience/feel during a switch over to meatless meals.
Donna (02/05/2010 19:50:58 PM)
I liked this article. It gives some very good ideas for how easy it is to gradually adopt a vegetarian diet.
Sandy (01/30/2010 17:16:09 PM)
I just can't give up meat!
veggiebell (01/22/2010 16:30:53 PM)
I went vegitarian in sept. 2009. I decided to go to that for hummaine reasons, cause i don't like killing animals or eating dead ones. I live in a small hick town of about 1,500 people. There are only about 4-5 vegitarian's here, and it's hard to find veggie food. I usually eat morning star farms, and i think it's so much better than meat, by taste and also humanitary reasons. I don't think i would ever go back to eating meat, and i am quiet proud of myslef for becoming one, but i had the help from my vegitarian/vegan friends and also peta2.com.
Maya (01/01/2010 18:29:16 PM)
People ALWAYS ask me "why did you become a vegetaren" and say it a rude why ,I say "why do you like eating dead anamils?" Infact one of my friends asked me the same queston and I gave them the same answer as I always do and she said,"I never thought of it that way" and soon became vegetaren to. Now we work togeter to tell people about b
Florence (08/02/2009 18:59:46 PM)
I started eating meatless because of a digestive problem that I was having last Sept 2008. Since meat was eliminated from my diet, last Sept, I can now say that I'm going meatless for life because I feel so much better. I need to get some meatless recipes to try so that I can expand into different things to eat.
Ann (04/21/2009 13:54:19 PM)
I just decided yesterday that I'm going meatless. I went out and purchased a few books so I can change my diet. I'm hoping that it won't be too difficult since my husband will continue to eat meat. I do enjoy cooking so I'm excited about trying new recipes. I've never tried Tofu, it doesn't look very good but I'm going to keep an open mind and try it.
Tedd (04/18/2009 23:22:36 PM)
I grew up eating what my grandmother cooked, and I hated meat so much I'd add lots of pepper, chili and ketchup! I've been a vegetarian for about 20 years now. I had chickens when I was younger, and I could not eat the eggs. I continue to be amazed at what is available for vegetarians today. I think the market for this has woken up. #2 is so true, people try to put down or make jokes about us vegetarian's, hmm, why do they feel the need to do so? I keep telling them that I eat the same thing they do, I just don't eat animal flesh, or other creatures, I've eliminated that from my food supply because it's not necessary. Then you get those that don't even want to try veggie burgers, and they think it's the soft tofu stuff that my father used to eat [I hated that too], I prefer the hard flavored tofu, and all the other MorningStar products available. How do I get the "scramblers" I can't find that anywhere, and it's advertised on the bacon strips?
NewVegOnTheBlock (04/06/2009 19:38:18 PM)
I just decided to go vegetarian about two weeks ago. And I gave up all my meat. I didn't realize I needed to go slow, but things worked out even when I didn't start out the best way. I plan to stay vegetarian for a LONG while. :DD
Shannon (03/30/2009 10:43:39 AM)
I have been a full ovo-lacto vegetarian for over 10 years now and find it easier and easier to find tasty foods these days. I really like the Quorn products (mushroom based) in addition to the Morningstar and Bcca products. And don't count out Tofurkey........Variety is important and each of these companies has a quality tasty product line to try. I am very happy to try all new veggie stuff. Thanks!
Anita (03/09/2009 16:19:12 PM)
I have only been trying to go vegetarian for a little over a week. It seems as though each time I eat meat lately it tears my stomach up. I would also like to learn about the the non-veggie products in our other foods. Can you help me out there? Also where could I find a first time shopping list for staples in the pantry?.
Randi (02/28/2009 16:39:06 PM)
16 years and counting! I agree, ovo-lacto veggie is the way to go, as long as you are super conscious about where and how your products are grown. Vegetarianism isn't about avoiding animal products, its about learning to live with the animals and treat them fairly. They deserve to be happy, healthy and stress free like we all do - and if that means we all have to take a little less, than so be it. Humans think way too much of themselves as it is, and their food is a great indicator of that. MorningStar has made healthy vegetarian eating so much easier for me at home, and my horizons have been greatly expanded by their products. When I first started, I had no idea what I was doing, just what I wanted to accomplish. But now I couldn't imagine going back! However I do realize this lifestyle isn't for everyone, I just wish meat eating people would give a damn about where their meat came from and how it was treated while it was alive... how can they be so blind?
bobby (12/11/2008 21:29:58 PM)
as a new member i eagerly await the recipes that i will be trying.
Sherri (12/09/2008 07:04:50 AM)
I have been a vegetarian for 20 years. I absolutely love Morningstar Farms products...what a difference from what was on the market when I started!
Juanita (11/21/2008 18:22:17 PM)
I became a vegetarian 8 months ago - giving up red meat, poultry and pork, but haven't fully given up fish, seafood or cheese. I am still learning what foods will provide me the nutrients I need. Morningstar's products have definitely made it easier for me, not to mention they are handy to take as lunches to the office. This site will be a great help for me.
Maureen (11/02/2008 11:44:43 AM)
I've been a veg for nine months and it's been great, way easier than I thought. I have the support of a wonderful friend who offers tips every chance she gets. More importantly, my self-proclaimed meat-atarian husband is more than supportive. He loves cooking his own chicken or pork. The only thing I haven't been able to figure out is how to get my family and friends from trying to cater to my diet. I don't think they realize how much I CAN eat. I don't want my choice of diet to become a burden for them when they are preparing meals. Any help?
Christy (11/01/2008 03:37:29 AM)
Me and my husband try really hard to buy only veggie stuff. I have a cook book and I have made some great dishes. I just need to keep experiencing with it and now being a member of this site will help even more.
mario-omegaday (08/26/2008 17:03:48 PM)
i think once you start your vegetarian journey it will become easier along the way. Don't surround yourself with friends eating meat until you're sure you are ready for it. i have been a vegetarian for 2 years and 8 months and it gets easier and more delicious everyday.
AnnLouise (07/23/2008 10:31:19 AM)
I think it's important to keep this open to both vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians. When buying eggs and dairy, I buy from our local organic grocery store and support local farmers.
Christina (07/19/2008 13:24:28 PM)
I was wondering about the eggs too, Rick.
Rick (07/05/2008 08:43:49 AM)
As you get more confident about vegetarian food, take the next step by making sure you always buy free-range eggs and vegetarian cheese. You can also start being careful about hidden non-veggie ingredients, using our pitfalls guide for reference. Does MSF use free-range eggs? I read they use battery eggs. Is this true? That would be disturbing.
Ryan (05/09/2008 11:32:14 AM)
Where would I find the guide referenced here: "You can also start being careful about hidden non-veggie ingredients, using our pitfalls guide for reference."