Converting from meat to vegetarian..Where/how to start?

Hi, I eat a Pescatarian style with no dairy (allergic). Feel free to friend me (my diary is open).

Wait, so you enjoy meat, but want to be vegetarian? Why? I'm assuming that because you didn't list any moral reservations to eating meat that you are just worried about gaining weight? Meat is not responsible for the "Freshman 15". A surplus of calories from cheap beer binges and pizza benders are what is responsible for it.

Nothing wrong with cutting back a little on meat (most Americans eat way too much, anyways, of which I am often guilty too) but you can have a perfectly healthy diet and get that "Negative Freshman 25" on a full diet of meats, fresh produce, moderate dairy and whole grains.

I'm not a vegetarian, but was once on a diet that was vegetarian. Now, I eat meat, but also have my meals that are vegetarian. A really easy start to cut meat is to wean yourself off slowly. Instead of having bacon, sausage, ham, etc with your breakfast, you can simply try an omelette with cheese and spinach, perhaps some guacamole on top (optional) or maybe some awesome oatmeal (my new favorite is Rachael Ray's oatmeal that you can buy at Walmart). For lunch or dinner, you can try something simple like a grilled cheese with tomato slices or a nice vegetarian soup (I tend to lean towards low-sodium options, such as Amy's Light in Sodium Lentil Vegetable). If you have that craving for meat, you can try the meat substitutes.

Hope this helps!

I personally eased into vegetarianism over a few years. First I stopped eating red meat, stopped eating poultry a year or two later, and then stopped eating fish and shellfish a year or two after that. I have since started eating fish again occasionally for the protein, omega-3s, and because it's so good. I also love sushi =]

I was only 11 when I stopped eating red meat mostly for animal rights reasons, and at the time the rest of my family all still ate meat. I would eat side dishes my mom made like veggies or grains and usually make myself a Boca burger or something. If your family is really not willing to change their diet at all, it might make it harder, but it is still definitely possible for you to go veg! Some easy things to make are big salads with a yummy dressing and some protein. I usually throw in beans or tofu and sometimes cheese. I love tofu now, so I will just cube it and throw it in my salad raw, but if you aren't used to the texture I think it can take some time to learn to enjoy it. If you press it (wrap it in a paper towel or clean dishcloth then put a weight on it like a book or something) and then marinate it, it will absorb the flavors of any marinade. Since you like sushi you could try an asian marinade- a basic one would be soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and if you like it spicy, some sriracha or cayenne. Then you can make stir-fries with it or put it on top of salads-- Makoto ginger dressing is delicious for an asian style salad!

College cafeterias have become increasingly vegetarian friendly, so I'm sure you can stick to a veggie diet there if you really want to commit to it! I am in college but now live in an apartment, so I usually cook single portions for myself. If you are living somewhere with a kitchen, it helps to make a big batch of something early in the week (Sunday afternoons when you're avoiding homework are perfect haha) then serve yourself individual portions of it on weekdays when you're busy. My favorite things to make big batches of are stuff with spices so the flavors meld as they sit in the fridge and get better over the week. Good examples are Indian dals, chickpea, or veggie curries, filling soups, and grain salads like tabouleh or quinoa with nuts, beans, different veggies, fresh herbs, nuts, fruit (dried or fresh) anything you like to throw in!

Feel free to add me! My diary is also open and I have plenty of recipes and meal ideas if you want more!

Try it if you want to!

I grew up vegetarian and still eat mostly vegetarian meals, though I include all types of meat in my diet when the mood hits me. If you're trying to ease yourself into it, a good Indian cookbook would be a good investment because most of the foods are tasty and hearty but meat-free. You might even win over your parents with a mattar paneer!

I also like the garden burger and Morningstar farms products, and the Greek yogurt of course. You might find that you're able to indulge in higher calorie fruits and vegetables more often if you cut meat (e.g. Avacado, bananas) as well as nuts--all quite nutritious.

I was a vegetarian for 17-18 years. I eat fish occasionally now, though, but still mostly veggie. If you want to give up meat because you are worried about gaining weight, don't. I know a lot of people who decided to become vegetarians and ended up gaining weight. It's really easy to eat unhealthy when you don't eat meat, believe it or not. People end up eating way too much cheese and bread/pasta/carbs!


I personally love veggie sandwiches and wraps. There are so many different varieties and ways to make them. I could eat them every day and feel like it's something completely different each time. I agree with everyone on the Morningstar Farms veggie burgers, those are my favorite brand. The spicy black bean ones are awesome. Had one tonight on a whole grain sandwich thin with some cheddar jack, avocado slices, lettuce, onion and salsa. Black bean burgers are relatively easy to make homemade, too.

I also make pasta salads a lot. Use whole wheat or veggie pasta, and load it with fresh vegetables and some feta or Parmesan, and a good vinaigrette. It's good to make a bunch and have quick easy meals through out the week.

Beans, nuts, greek yogurt, eggs and soy are all good ways to get protein if you don't eat meat. Just make sure you get enough protein!

Good for you! I am a relatively new veggie as well. I had thought about it for a while and spent a lot of time educating myself on why I want to be a vegetarian. I have several strong reasons as to why I want to live this way and there is no chance of me ever turning back. Make sure you have a strong foundation. I spent about a month easing into the transition. Concentrate on non-meat foods that you already love and learn to cook meals centered around those things. So for example, I LOVE tacos! So instead of beef or chicken tacos, now we make bean and rice tacos. Try to add new things to your diet gradually to discover new foods you love! Good luck and have fun with it! (you can add me if you'd like)

You could start by just eating more vegetarian meals but still have some meals that have meat in them with your parents. Or, you could offer to start doing the cooking and make vegetarian stuff. I've been vegetarian for 13 years now but no one else in my family is. I cook for my brother and my boyfriend a lot and I'll make them their own meals and cook vegetarian stuff for myself.

Been a vegetarian/pescetarian a long time, feel free to add me!

Whether you go cold turkey or slowly ease into it is up to you. For me, and most people I know that went veg, we did the slow route. Stopped eating red meat, then later pork, then later poultry. You may even decide that you want to cut out red meat/pork but keep chicken/fish. Or just eat more veggie meals or versions of things.

To make the transition, you'll definately have to start cooking more on your own. I had no clue when I started, but over the years picked up a lot and i love cooking now. Start with some simple things (bean chilis, pasta salad, stir frys)... and while i don't advocate overdoing it on them, the soy "meats" and veggie burgers help a lot in the beginning!

I sense you are doing it for health/weight loss reasons more than ethical ones, so just bear in mind, vegetarians still gain weight and have trouble losing it too (or i wouldn't be here haha). You still have to be just as diligent to make smart food choices, especially if you are out. Its very, very easy to compensate for meat by overdoing it on carbs (like pizza & pastas!) & dairy.

good luck!

So I'm seriously considering being a vegetarian or a pescetarian, but I'm sure where to start. I've enjoyed meat all my life but I've always wanted to try to become a vegetarian. My parents (no, I'm not 20, I'm 18), however, aren't on par with me and continue to make meat filled foods. Even our green beans have bacon.

I just want to do this for me, but I'm not sure how to adapt. When I started weight loss, I didn't really "ween" myself into it, I just jumped into it. How can I go from "pro steak" to "pro tofurky?" I'm not big on fish, but I love sushi, hence why I consider "pescetarian." I don't drink milk, but I do eat cheese and eggs and stuff.

I'm also doing this for college, too, I think. I don't want to gain the freshman 15 or whatever. I want the freshman negative 25.

Thank you all so much

**This is also in another forum**

My diet is mostly vegetarian (I eat a little fish). My diet base is brown rice and lentils (or adzuki, black beans, or other beans). Beans have tons of protein. I always make the MFP protein requirements or go over. I use lentils most of the time because I don't have to soak them and they cook in about 30 minutes. I do eat a few eggs, but generally don't drink milk or eat cheese. I also don't have recipes -- just lentils and brown rice and add some veggies.

There have been some good suggestions above. Start by simply cutting down. Be prepared for some people to demean your choice. That comes with the territory unfortunately, but if it's something you want to do, and you can stick with it, good for you!

I've been vegetarian for 1 year now, and am very happy with it. My diary isn't open, but if you would like to be friends, you can add me. I'll answer any questions and provide support. I also have a vegetarian board on pinterest if you want some recipe ideas. A lot of them are regular recipes that can easily be adapted to vegetarian by using meatless substitutes.
http://pinterest.com/crista_b/living-the-veg-life/

ETA: for anyone, you don't have to have a pinterest to look at the board and recipes, just so you all know.