I eat meat How can I become a vegetarian and stick to it?

Answer 1

Often the easiest answer we like to give a person who wants to stop doing something is simply to stop. That is a ridiculous and somewhat pompous assumption. Whether you are smoking, drinking or eating meat, you are up against an addiction, and quitting can be a very difficult process. Unlike other addictions however, meat products have been shoved in our bodies since birth, are easily accessible everywhere we turn, and offered to us as the obvious, easy and necessary way to live.

Becoming a vegetarian is generally a moral or ethical decision. A vegetarian lifestyle (just as a meat-eating lifestyle) is healthy or unhealthy depending on the decisions you make. Despite what some in our culture still believe, you can get everything you need as a vegetarian. But if your decision is based only on health reasons, just adopt a more healthy meat-eating diet. Read on if your are still interested in becoming vegetarian. :)

I am not sure how old you are, but the best way to begin a vegetarian life you can maintain is to get your own apartment. Just as it would be nearly impossible for an alcoholic to quit drinking while hanging out in a bar every day, it will be very difficult to stop eating meat in a home where it is constantly being served. In you own place you can do your own shopping and decide what food is served. As you become more secure in your diet and your body and mind quit craving that which they are missing, you can be in more meat situations.

Another great thing you can do for yourself is to learn how to cook quick and simple meals. When you eat good food you do not feel as though you are missing out. Often vegetarians look for vegetarian cookbooks. I use regular cookbooks and substitute the meat. Morning Star Farms has great vegan chicken and beef substitutes, and Ives has great vegan ground beef and lunchmeat substitutes. I personally love tofu. It is great for making Chinese food. Know which restaurants have good vegetarian substitutes for when you want to go out to eat.

When you are trying to quit, the first time in a day you give in to your addiction in sets the mood for the rest of the day. If you break down and eat sausage in the morning, you will probably break down at lunch and dinner too. Keep substituting and try to make your first meat later and later in the day until you can go an entire day. Also, when we crave meat, we often crave the fat and grease. A great fix is to cook a dish heavy in olive oil; you will get the fat you crave (but please don’t make a habit of it.)

Also, read some great literature and get a support system. One of the hardest (or most annoying) things you will deal with as a vegetarian is how meat-eaters will treat you. Know that they are doing this because your choice is inadvertently “calling them” immoral or telling them they are leading a bad life. You are of course not doing this, but some will verbally attack you. They will not know why, but the truth is that your choice is threatening to them. When possible, try to keep these people out of your life and DO NOT get drawn into arguments with them. You cannot win. Their only goal is to prove you are a hypocrite and flawed. Because you are human, you are naturally both of these things, but these are people who desperately need to prove it so they may never see these attributes in themselves. Sorry to be a bummer, but you need to expect these conversations.

Finally, don’t expect to change your life all at once. Start by only cutting out meat (yes, sorry, but a fish is an animal). Feel proud of your accomplishment. If you reach a point when you are secure in this lifestyle try taking away eggs. Later you can try to take the leather, wool, angora etc. out of your wardrobe. When this works you may choose to stop eating foods with egg products or chemical names that are code words for meat. You do not have to stop eating/ wearing everything to conform to such a vegan lifestyle you no longer live in a house because houses are built upon concrete, which is made in part by animal bones…. So don’t allow anyone to make you feel inferior in your choices. You are on a path and trying to make decisions that will help you become the person you want to be, not a person anyone else feels you should be. All of life is a process. We will fail on occasion and we will make decisions different from what others will make. Be happy and secure in the things you accomplish and keep going. If you only cut meat out of your diet and never take another step, then you took a great and difficult step and should be proud.

After several years of being a vegetarian, I have adopted this one quick and simple answer for why I am a vegetarian: I don't need meat to survive or be healthy; therefore it is a luxury, and no one/thing should have to suffer so I can have a luxury. It tends to be sufficient enough for anyone who asks.

Answer 2

Vegetarianism or meat eating should never be a moral issue. Although true you can change the world in part by making food choices, that is no substitute for moral actions. The opinion of no less than Christ was that dietary laws are a diversion from ethical action. In other words--in terms which anti-Christians (in addition to non-Christians) might understand--Raja yoga, not the lower yogas. St. Augustine also spoke eloquently about diet when he points out that John in the desert ate locusts and yet was not defiled. Detachment ( a word he does not use) is the key. Don't let neurotics make you feel guilty. A vegetarian diet is healthier ( when practiced carefully) and that could be a reason to be vegetarian. The rest is conformity. There is a place for self-discipline--especially when it comes to families of vegetarians. But directed outward at meat-eaters, that's just childishness. Meat eating has been around a long time. Most vegetarians got their "wings" yesterday and will default tomorrow into totally mixed eating. At least they will eat some vegetables. Maybe they should think in terms of veggie-minutes, days and decades rather than glorify themselves for what probably amounts to a few months of so-call "purity".

Answer 3

Don't move to Brasil ... I don't even think there is a word in portuguese for vegetarian. I was vegetarian for 3 years ... 3 weeks in Brasil killed that.

Seriously just do it! But it helps if you have control over the preparation of your meals. Fast food and quick foods tend not to be very vegetarian friendly. If you eat out a lot, you'll find the lack of choices and social pressures will beat you down.

I would also recomend:

1. Don't start out by going too extreme. Don't become a vegan nazi all at once. I still ate the occaisional fish during those 3 years. Otherwise you find yourself eating way too much carbs: rice and pasta.

2. My personnal choice was to bypass the "fake" meat substitutes. I eat vegi patties then and now because I like them not because they look like hamburgers. I never ate tempeh. I ate tofu in the chinese way like I always have, not molded into some other bizarre way. In order words I let the vegetables do what they do best, not try to be a poor imitation of meat.

I still don't eat meat more than a couple times a week, but I'm definitely not vegetarian, I'm also much heavier now ... something to think about.

Answer 4

Lilliyan is right - going veggie is giving up an addiction so it's bound to be hard at first. I still remember, when I gave up meat 12 years ago, I had this weird craving for chicken for ages. Shudders me to think what chemicals it was that my system couldn't let go of?!
Just take it slowly and drink lots of water. If you slip, don't get upset - just take off from where you left it. As a new vegetarian, you're quite likely to make a few mistakes at first anyway (like eating something that's got animal product in it, e.g. cheese with calf rinnet or sweets with gelatine) so don't beat yourself up about anything!
good luck!

Answer 5

There are some good vegetarian alternatives, but most of them aren't sold in regular supermarkets. Try different kinds of fake meat until you find one you like. Morningstar and Worthington are good. But most important is to stick to it. The longer you are a vegetarian, the less meat appeals to you, and eventually you won't like it.

Answer 6

you don't have to just convert overnight. Try just eating vegetarian for a day or two and increase over time. I am definately not a vegetarian but I do try to eat vegetarian a few days a week. No one says you can't have a little of both worlds.

Answer 7

Well firstly. Stop eating meat, i hear most vegetarians actually steer clear of this product. Secondly, people who are vegetarians normally have this thing with, "helping" animals, and dont eat meat because they couldnt bring themselves to eat or kill an animal. So many access your reasons for choosing this path, and im sure if its what you want. Then it will just happen for you.

Answer 8

There are so many great alternative meat items now. Morningstar farms and Bocca brand are good. Many items to replace what you probably eat now. I did it a year ago and never thought it would be this easy to stick with but I have.

Answer 9

Its like quitting smoking. The first couple of months can be tough. Just be open to eating new foods, especially ethnic foods. Indian and thai food have many vegetarian options for example.

Answer 10

Either you are or you are not. It's kinda like alcoholism or smoking I think, you can't just do it sometimes. And you can't quit unless you really want to, & if you do then you just quit cold turkey and never do it again. It doesn't sound that easy to me! I've quit smoking and never was an alcoholic, but if there is one thing I have to have it's food! Meat especially, just veggies or fruit has never satisfied me I always go back later and find some meat I don't care if it's just a weiner or a piece of bologna. I gotta have meat! I think it is my one true love if I never had a man again, MEAT!!!!!!