Vegetarian diet: 7 tips to become a vegetarian

Why be a vegetarian?

• Your Health. Vegetarianism is one of the best ways to eat a healthy diet, as simple as eating more salads and another apple every day.
• Do you want to follow a trend? For example, Hollywood stars jump on the bandwagon.
• Fanatical devotion, close to religious status. In the background of the animal rights movement, some dedicated vegetarians don’t even eat at restaurants that serve animal products.

Starting

A vegetarian diet pays off no matter how you approach it, so don’t worry about getting it wrong.

Your body will appreciate any fruit or vegetable you send out! Just take that important first step!

If you currently eat a lot of junk food high in fat and sugar, there is no point in debating the merits of vegetables versus meat.

Regardless, the typical vegetarian diet meets or exceeds the recommended daily allowance for vitamins and minerals.

Tips for Success

1. Decide which version of vegetarianism suits you:
   • Vegan or Total Vegetarian: Includes only plant foods: fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, seeds, and nuts.
   • Lacto Veggie: Add cheese, milk, yogurt, and other dairy products.
   • Lacto-ovovegetarian: also includes eggs.
   • Semi-vegetarians: no red meat, but includes chicken and fish.
2. Start all at once or gradually, entirely your choice. Sick and tired of meat? Just throw it all together! Now, phase out the meat products, starting with the red meat first. Try changing your portions of meat and vegetables. Make meat the side dish and offer vegetables as a main course. Asians often eat this way, especially in stir-fry dishes.
3. Watch the total calories: limit sweets and fat. Don’t let your veggies swim in cream sauce or your fruits drown in sugary syrups.
4. Plan your menu. Any:
   • Simple– Choose fruits, vegetables, nuts and basic whole grains. Three vegetable garnishes make a meal. Eat a large salad with grated vegetables. Serve fresh fruit on an elegant plate for dessert.

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   • Complicated– Experiment with exotic items like tempeh, tofu, wheat gluten, or seitan.
5. Buy most of your food in the produce aisle. Visit the dairy aisle if you decide to have cheese, milk, eggs, or yogurt.
6. Serve a colorful plate:
   • yellow corn
   • green spinach salad with red tomatoes
   • light brown whole wheat bread
   • red cherries
   • oranges oranges
7. Find out if your community hosts a farmers market.
   • Farmers markets create a fun shopping experience, almost like a carnival.
   • You will find the freshest produce available, probably freshly picked that day.
   • Feel good about supporting your local economy.

Look, that wasn’t that difficult! Get started today, your body will thank you!