3 Simple Ways to Becoming a Vegetarian

After making the decision to become vegetarian for health reasons, many people wonder how much of their favorite foods they will have to give up.

Two years ago, I wondered the same thing when I made the decision to become vegetarian. The reality is that it is much easier than one might think. It's also a lot more fun too!!

Though anything new can seem a bit intimidating at first, take one step at a time in order not to be overwhelmed.

Now, I enjoy it so much I would never consider going back to mine old and SAD (Standard American Diet) ways. I will give you 3 easy ways to make the transition into your new healthy vegetarian life. Then, a meal plan to help you even more.

1. Think of 3 vegetarian meals you already enjoy or may find easy to convert. Common ones may be a veggie pizza, spaghetti or large dinner salad.

2. Think of 3 recipes you prepare regularly which can be easily adapted to a vegetarian meal using a meat substitute. An example would be B-B-Q "chicken", corn-on-the-cob and baked potato. There are several brands on the market that make a fabulous chicken substitute! Just add your own B-B-Q sauce. Replace a hamburger and fries night with a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun and some grilled veggies or baked fries.

3. Find 3 vegetarian recipes online that you can experiment with. There are many websites with vegetarian recipes to help make the switch easily.

An average family switches between 8 to 10 different dinners anyway. So, if you use the 3 steps, you will have 9 vegetarian meals to switch between, as well.

Next, it's time to think about breakfast. If you are someone that likes bacon and eggs every morning, try a bacon substitute and "egg" substitute with whole wheat toast or bagel instead.

Now, let's take a look at a typical vegetarian meal plan:

Breakfast:

Fruit Smoothie
Bagel with tomato
Nuts

Lunch:

"Chicken" Salad Sandwich (substitute chicken made at home is super yummy!)
Green Salad

Snack:

Fruit Salad
Nuts

Dinner:

Veggie Fajitas
Mexican Beans and Rice
Green Salad

Desert:

Chocolate Chip Cookie

snickers cookies flavored rice wulong tea