Becoming Vegetarian - A Beginner's Guide

I became a vegetarian 4 years ago, and have never looked back. I love the choice I made, and recommend this lifestyle to anyone seeking better health.

Top 10 Reasons to go Veg

• Your health will improve. By eliminating meat from your diet you are reducing your risk of cancer because you are no longer consuming as many carcinogens that come from how certain meats are prepared. You are also reducing your risk of Heart Disease, and Diabetes.
• It's ethical to be a vegetarian. You are saving the lives of animals by not eating them. In the U.S. alone, over 500 thousand animals are killed every 60 minutes so Americans can eat meat.
• It saves the environment. It takes about 16 lbs. of grain to produce 1 lb. of edible flesh. Eating meat costs more than eating vegetables and grains that are just as healthy if not healthier. It takes more land to raise animals than it does to produce plant-based foods.
• Meat is gross when you learn what you are really eating. When you eat 'meat', you could be eating animal heads, tails, feet, internal organs, the rectum, any part of the animal could be in your hot dog.
• Vegetarians preserve water resources. Animal farming has a negative effect on fresh, usable water. It takes at least 2,500 gallons of drinking water to produce 1 lb. of edible meat.
• You eat less artificial hormones. When you eat the meat of an animal, you are also eating all the hormones it was given over it's unhappy life. The hormones given to animals are meant to make them fatter, and grow faster so they yield more meat. Do you really want those same hormones in your body?
• You can save money by eating less meat. Vegetarians save on health costs because they have a healthier diet that those who eat meat. Vegetarians visit the hospital 22% less often than meat eaters over their lifetime. Buying meat also costs more than what vegetarians typically eat, like fruits, vegetables, and grains.
• Lower risk of disease. Vegetarians are less likely than meat-eaters to have the following diseases; anemia, appendicitis, arthritis, various cancers, gallstones, gout, high blood pressure, piles, strokes, varicose veins.
• Vegetarians are Smart. The better you fuel your body, the better your brain works. There are a lot of intelligent people who were vegetarians or vegans. Like Pythagoras, Socrates, Leonardo de Vinci, Madonna, and Paul McCartney.
• Vegetarians look better. If you have a healthy diet, your body will look and feel healthy. Your confidence with go up knowing you look and feel great because you are making the healthy and ethical choice.

There are Different Types of Vegetarians.

When you start thinking you want to try becoming a vegetarian, there are many options open to you about what kind of vegetarian you can be. Some vegetarians don't eat meat, or anything that comes from animals, that includes milk, eggs, and even honey. Some vegetarians just avoid eating animal flesh, and are ok with drinking milk and eating scrambled eggs.

• A Vegan is a person who does not eat animal meat or any by-product made by animals like milk and eggs.
• A Lacto-ovo Vegetarian does not eat meat, but does consume animal by-products.
• A Pescatarian is a vegetarian who allow themselves to eat seafood, like shrimp or salmon.

There is no wrong type of vegetarian to be. It's up to your personal preference. Some find it easier to start out as a Pescatarian, and then slowly transition into a Lacto-ovo Vegetarian.

How do I Start?

It all starts with a decision. Are you ready and willing to become a vegetarian? It takes a little work initially, but it is actually very easy to make the transition from meat-eater to vegetarian. Like I mentioned above, it is easier if you take it in steps.

1. Try eliminating one type of meat at a time from your diet. Start with the heavier, less healthy meats like beef. Don't eat beef for two weeks, then if you are feeling confident, eliminate pork or chicken. Two weeks later, eliminate all meats, or everything but fish if you are planning to become a pescatarian.
2. Find replacement foods for what you used to eat. Instead of making a beef hamburger, try making a hamburger using soy patties, or a portobello mushroom head. There are many different meat-substitutes in your local grocery store that you can try.
3. Share your experience with others. Tell your family about your plans and goals. Let your friends know about why you want to do this. You'll be surprised at how supportive people can be when you tell them you are becoming a vegetarian. And those people can help you stay on track.

Learn More

Look up vegetarian recipes, and read articles about being vegetarian to help you stay motivated and smart.

Here are some useful links to help you start.

Delicious Vegetarian Soup Recipes
A Guide to Veggie Burgers
Great Article On How Humans Are Not Created to Eat Meat