How hard is it to become a vegetarian?

Question

I really want to, but how exactly? Do you regret this?
Personal experiences welcome too.

Answer 1

Here are tips:

1. Take your time - my journey from meat eater took about a year.
2. Start out using some basic substitutes for the meat you are used to in foods where you won't even notice - ground meat replacements are available in the frozen food sections.
3. Leave meat off things that don't need it - pizza, salad, spag, etc.
4. Get some good cookbooks when you are ready to branch into more interesting foods - Moosewood books and New Farm Vegetarian are two of my favorites.
5. If you are worried about what to eat check out the book "Diet for a New America" it will cover many of the health questions.

A good start is to pick one or two nights a week as "veggie" night. Then work your way from there stopping wherever you feel most comfortable which might be 2 nights a week or 7 nights a week up to you.

Answer 2

I thought it would be harder to become a vegetarian but it was actually very easy. A week before Thanksgiving five years ago I made the decision. I thought I would try for a week and see how things went. From that point on I never craved meat again. Before I switched to eating meat I had what the doctors called sinkopeed spells where I would pass out from stress. It normally happend about once a month. Since I have been a vegetarian I have not passed out. I'm not saying it had anything to do with this but it was strange that the episodes stopped after I made the decision. Since then the dentist has not recommended I get a cleaning by them on the account that my teeth were so healthy. My doctor has said if half the patients he had were has healthy as me he would be happy. I have had all my vitamin and nutrient levels tested and my tyroid and cholesterol and everything has been perfect for the past five years. I have never needed to take supplements or anything to aid in my nutrition. Simply eating right did the trick.

Answer 3

It's a question of lifestyle. If you're serious about it you should go by steps. First go with meat free breakfast and dinner for a couple weeks, then every other day remove meat from all other meals for a month. Then remove it entirely from your diet. It's not easy but it's easier than going cold turkey, and gives you time to find alternative food in the market. Being vegetarian is not about being always hungry, so the transition should be one that allows you to be comfortable or else it won't work. It might even happen that you feel good with not being entirely vegetarian, but having meat in your diet less often, like once a month or something like that. You might not want to completely change your lifestyle. Good luck to you. Hope this helps, and I hope you have a rich experience with a healthy outcome.

Answer 4

I actually went vegan cold turky. I had meat one day, and then the next just decided I didn't want it anymore and didn't want to contribute to the meat industry. To be honest, I didn't find it hard at all. I stocked up on lots of really good fake meats, which helped a lot. I didn't miss meat at all. However, I went vegan..so I did miss having eggs alot and cheese pizza. I missed chocolate for a little while before I found fantastic vegan chocolate which I liked even more. I don't miss cheese pizza anymore though, still kinda miss eggs...but I never missed anything too much to begin and no longer miss them that much.

So over all, going vegan for me was pretty easy. Obviously for many it wasn't, but I didn't have a problem with and have now been vegan for six months and don't regret it at all. I feel much healthier than I did before. I noticed changes within two weeks. I felt much healthier and happier about myself and my life.

Answer 5

Cooking for my vegetarian child made me a better Chef. She had to supplement her protein intake with soy or whey shakes, or her energy level shot to zero. All she could do is lie in bed all day. Extra nuts, or homemade salad dressing with flax oil can boost your DHA (fatty acids). My kid ate lots of eggs, milk, cheese, and still needed protein supplements (shakes). I recommend a good daily vitamin. Don't expect to loose weight as a vegetarian if you eat a whole cheese cake for dinner. It does not work that way. Giving up meat won't make you loose weight if you eat a whole bag of Oreos either.

Answer 6

Like any diet, it can be hard. Many vegetarians take years to learn the ins and outs and to stop cheating completely. The difficulties are made up for by good health and lack of guilt!

Answer 7

Well, I have tried a few times to go vegetarian and every time it didn't work out. It is hard, so if you are up for a challenge, go for it!

Btw, I have a friend (we're 12) and she has been a vegetarian for almost two years!

Answer 8

You could do it in stages. Give up Beef and Pork first. Later Chicken and Turkey. After that seafood. Do something to pre-celebrate each stage. Do you have a favorite meat dish or restaurant? Have it for a last meal. I had BBQ ribs before giving up meat. Thanksgiving as my last foul feast.
Don't torture yourself. You aren't converting to religion that will smite you if you stray from a path. Remember that you have a chosen a diet/lifestyle and it is okay to veer from it on occasion if you need to (just knowing that probably helps you stick to it). Also remember to continue to respect your friends for the decisions they make even if they are still eating animals. Set an example to follow, but don't preach.

Answer 9

Steps are for wimps go cold turkey, but a funny thing after you are vegetarian for a bit (around a year) try some meat lol you will get sick .

Answer 10

I tried a couple times, didn't work out. Maybe I shouldve tried something less extreme than a liquid only diet the first time. The second time lasted only until some friends took me out for food. Gave up the idea for good after I tested iron anemic, plus found out a couple of my relatives are allergic to soy. (Hmmm... do allergies run in the family?)