How to start being a vegetarian

[bruceH]

If I want to become a vegetarian is this something you can ease yourself into or is it something you need to do full tilt right away?

[lia]

There is no right or wrong way, it's what will ever help you better adopt the lifestyle. Also, there are all different types of vegetarians, so you can always investigated what type might work best for you. If your worried about going "full tilt" as you say, perhaps start by reducing the amount of red meat you eat, like only eating it once a week. Then eliminate it entirely then do the same with chicken and then with fish. If you want to be a full on vegetarian, maybe leave eliminating eggs and dairy last. As you gradually adopt the lifestyle you can figure out what works best for you and also figure out how to meet all your nutritional requirements (e.g. sufficient vitamins, minerals and protein) without meat.

[freddyboy]

There is no right or wrong way, it's what will ever help you better adopt the lifestyle. Also, there are all different types of vegetarians, so you can always investigated what type might work best for you. If your worried about going "full tilt" as you say, perhaps start by reducing the amount of red meat you eat, like only eating it once a week. Then eliminate it entirely then do the same with chicken and then with fish. If you want to be a full on vegetarian, maybe leave eliminating eggs and dairy last. As you gradually adopt the lifestyle you can figure out what works best for you and also figure out how to meet all your nutritional requirements (e.g. sufficient vitamins, minerals and protein) without meat.

I think this is a good idea. If you're really not sure how well you'll do but you'd like to give it an honest shot, eliminate one type of meat/animal product at a time. See if you can go two weeks or a month without eating it and see how well you do. At the same time, make sure you know the reason(s) why you want to be a vegetarian and make this dietary change. Don't get me wrong you don't actually need a reason, but when you know why you're doing it and what it means to you, I personally find it gives me greater motivation, drive and purpose to remain committed. Treating vegetarianism as a meaningful lifestyle change could help you achieve your goals.

[Beth]

I think this is a good idea. If you're really not sure how well you'll do but you'd like to give it an honest shot, eliminate one type of meat/animal product at a time. See if you can go two weeks or a month without eating it and see how well you do. At the same time, make sure you know the reason(s) why you want to be a vegetarian and make this dietary change. Don't get me wrong you don't actually need a reason, but when you know why you're doing it and what it means to you, I personally find it gives me greater motivation, drive and purpose to remain committed. Treating vegetarianism as a meaningful lifestyle change could help you achieve your goals.

That's actually really good advice. Knowing why you're doing something can definitely help you to stick with it on the tougher days.

[Gina]

I would also recommend researching vegetarianism. Not just how to be one, but what you need to make sure you get all the necessary nutrients. :)

[CuJo1992]

I would also recommend researching vegetarianism. Not just how to be one, but what you need to make sure you get all the necessary nutrients. :)

I agree. I've seen too many people rush into being on in my life because they got caught up in the fad without really knowing what they were doing. It is something you need to take serious because it's a way of life. Not doing it properly could be harmful to you in ways that you don't realize.

[bruceH]

I think this is a good idea. If you're really not sure how well you'll do but you'd like to give it an honest shot, eliminate one type of meat/animal product at a time. See if you can go two weeks or a month without eating it and see how well you do. At the same time, make sure you know the reason(s) why you want to be a vegetarian and make this dietary change. Don't get me wrong you don't actually need a reason, but when you know why you're doing it and what it means to you, I personally find it gives me greater motivation, drive and purpose to remain committed. Treating vegetarianism as a meaningful lifestyle change could help you achieve your goals.

I never thought about it that way and you're right. I get what you mean, it's not that anyone needs a reason to do anything, because you don't need to justify your lifestyle choices to others, and not even really yourself. That said, when you do have a reason it can help to remind you of why you're doing something when things get hard. Thanks. I'll give this some thought. I think it will help motivate me in a positive and meaningful way. :)