Becoming a vegitarian: Should I quit cold turkey, or quit eating meat gradually?

Question

I love meat....but I know its wrong to eat it, so I would love to become a vegitarian, but I need help

What are some tips you would give to a person trying to become a vegitarian?

I don't mean its wrong to eat meat, I mean its wrong to torture animals just to satisfy our taste buds cravings

Answer 1

That's great you're interested in becoming veg. There's really no wrong or right way to make the transition.... I went veg overnight with no problem, but for many people the idea of going "cold turkey" is unthinkable.. so just go at your own pace.

However, if you do go veg gradually, I would give up chicken & turkey first. Birds are smaller animals than cows and pigs, so you would save many more animals' lives by giving up poultry first than if you gave up red meat first.

These sites have lots of transition tips: http://www.vegcooking.com/makingthetransition.asp and http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/

Some ideas:
-Go to your local health food store and buy different brands of faux meats.. have a taste test to find your favorites. Here are some good faux meats: http://www.vegcooking.com/guide-favs.asp
-Make a list of your favorite meals / recipes and modify them into vegetarian versions. Example: pasta and meatballs becomes pasta and Nate's Meatless Meatballs.
-Go to a library/bookstore and get some vegetarian cookbooks
-Ethnic restaurants are particulary veg-friendly. Go to an Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern, etc. restaurant and enjoy a veg meal.

Recipe sites:
http://www.chooseveg.com/vegan-recipes.asp
http://www.vegcooking.com/searchRecipes.asp
http://www.cok.net/lit/recipes/

Good luck!

Answer 2

I am a former chef and because of my diabetic condition and weight problem I have become a Lacto-Ovo vegetarian, and yes it is easier to have your system to adjust, just like smoking, drinking and other things that your system can become dependant on, it makes the change over easier.

Start by eliminating the red meats and pork, stick to chicken, fish and eggs, then slowly ween yourself off the others, I only eat 6 eggs a month, and use some yougart for protein shakes and marinating foods like tandoori tofu and I cheat with some fish, canned tuna mostly.

And it is up to you how far you go, a vegetarian or vegan, I am very happy with my weight loss and the selections I can make with my veg and grain/legume/bean diet. Some may say to go cold turkey but if you not sure it can be an easier transition to being a vegetarian if your happy in the crossover.

Answer 3

You should do it gradually because if you quit it too quickly you might want more meat and miss it and then just go back to eating meat in a quick time. You should incorporate more vegetarian meals into your diet to get more used to it though and then when you are ready you can become a vegetarian. When you do it gradually you could also try organic meats as well but little red meat.

Answer 4

It's not wrong to eat meat. That is a personal choice that people make. It is not a universal truth.

But if you're really determined, I'd suggest you cut back slowly. Any time you give up something abruptly you will crave it. Also, if I were you I'd give some thought to whether or not there is some meat you consider acceptable. Some still eat chicken, some still eat fish. Decide for yourself if there is something you can leave in your diet to satisfy any possible cravings. And don't feel too bad if it takes a while to reach your end goal. If that burger smells so good you just have to have one, don't beat yourself up over it, you'll do better next time.

Good luck.

Answer 5

First of all since you're planning to be a vegetarian take it slowly.
If you stop eating everything at once you'll get discouraged and it becomes difficult.
First cut out red meat, then poulty, then fish (not necessarily in that order) cut them out each month though.

For foods you can eat:
veggie burgers
beans
lots of fruits and vegetables
nuts (in small portions to avoid too many fats)
soups
egg dishes
creative pastas

do you know any vegetarians? talk to them and see what they do, but DO NOT stop meat cold turkey because it's so difficult then you'll give up.

Answer 6

I stronglt disagree with your "I love meat....but I know its wrong to eat it," statement but let's not get into a philosophical argument..
Work what's best for you so that you won't keep lapsing back into meat consumption. If that takes slowly weaning yourself from meat/byproducts, if you can't handle cold turkey (no pun intended), then so be it. Try to add a variety of textures and flavors to your diet so it does not get boring. If you "relapse" and ate a bit of meat, especially during the early stages, don't feel guilty about it. Just keep going until you reach the lvel of :success" you hope to achieve. At least you are trying.

DON"T LET ANYBODY BULLY YOU ONE WAY OR THE OTHER INTO DOING WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO.

Answer 7

quit cold turkey. its easier to take steps but quiting all at once is probably harder, and it might make you want to like immediately switch back to eating meat. i started by just dropping most meat except fish and seafood. then i dropped fish and seafood. i havent gotten sick since before i became a vegetarian! [=

i feel better than ever. i am also much happier( i dont mean i feel good about myself not eating meat, im just happier for some reason now, and i think it has somthing to do with the lack of bad stuff thats in meat).


some advice:
quit cold turkey, if you feel like dropping vegetarianism, just take a step down, and eat either fish or seafood.
if it seems to hard to quit cold turkey, then obviously, take steps. its much easier, and remember that almost all vegetarians probably had to face cravings and pressure from other poeple, if they can do it, why cant you?
dont give in to pressure the meat eaters around you put on you. there are tonnsssss of true facts about vegetarianism and stuff that you can use to help win an argument against a meat eater. you just have to find the sites.
read the labels on food products. i mean like... look at the ingredients. gelatin and rennet are not vegetarian. mos things that have like "chicken flavoring" like top ramen and certain other things have chicken stock in them.
so just be careful and read the labels on the food you buy.


good luck!
and i guarantee you will feel much much healthier after you drop meat.

Answer 8

I quite cold turkey a month ago, and so far have only had meat cravings a few times , thinking of what the poor cow went through cures them for me .Anyways, first find a bunch of recipes that sound yummy( I ordered a bunch of vegetarian and vegan cook books from the library ." vegan with a vengeance" is a good one) .it helps keep you motivated :] And I have had a lot of annoying people try and talk me out of it but the best thing to do is show you have a sense of humor by laughing at there jokes, and just ignore them (i am in high school so if you are an adult i doubt you will have this problem) Good Luck...

Answer 9

Decide which will be easier for you. I quit cold turkey and haven't looked back. Since you love meat, i would suggest cutting back gradually.

Answer 10

I did it gradually. First I eliminated all red meat, than seafood, last poultry. It's a matter of habits, what you look for in the supermarket & resturants that you go to.

I believe that if you are determine to do something, you'll reach your goal.