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Are you thinking about becoming a vegetarian? Here are some things you need to know before taking the plunge.
Going vegan is all the rage these days, and you may have thought about becoming one too. It is important to remember that going vegan means exactly that – it is a plant-based diet, so it does not contain any animal products – eggs, dairy, fish and meat.
A recent study by the Vegetarian Resource Group reveals that 1.6% of Americans claim they are vegetarians, using a sample size of about 2,000 adults. In addition, a study by GlobalData revealed that 6% of Americans now claim to be vegetarians, which is an increase from only 1% a few years back.
That is a large number of people when you think about it – maybe someone you know has taken the plunge. Before you commit yourself to the lifestyle, below are some things you need to keep in mind.
What is your motivation behind the decision?
Different people have different reasons for becoming vegetarians, and not everyone will follow the same rules in certain instances or when it comes to certain foods. Some vegetarians made their choice due to health issues such as high blood pressure, animal rights, environmental reasons, and ethics, while some have other reasons going on.
The good news is vegetarian diets have benefits, no matter the reason behind the choice. They prove to improve the outcomes in your overall health because they reduce the levels and chances of obesity, they reduce the risks of getting heart disease or circulatory system issues, and they lower blood pressure as well.
You may not be aware of it, but the rearing of livestock has contributed greatly to increasing carbon emissions caused by human beings. In fact, livestock are the cause of almost 15% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. When you consume less meat, you are indirectly contributing to helping the environment.
When you identify the reason behind your choice, it is easier for you to stick with it even when times are rough for you such as holidays, and they will help you think about them when your are tempted to eat some meat.
Be gradual
As with every major life choice, you cannot force yourself to make it overnight. Going vegan is a major life choice, and you need to consider it carefully. When you do, it is equally important to go through with it slowly until you adjust to it, as any recovering drug addict from New York drug treatment rehabs will tell you.
You can start off with removing one animal product at a time from your diet, or you can use the method of eating vegan at home but allowing yourself some room when you eat out. In addition, it is good to replace your non-vegan foods with vegan options that are equally delicious, for instance taking some fruits before eating cookies in the afternoon. The more you eat the healthy stuff, the more you will have a taste for them and leave the unhealthy options in your past.
Above all, you need to keep in mind that this is your own personal journey, so do not be too hard on yourself, neither should you make it so complicated for you to follow.
Get a support system
As much as this is a personal journey, it is important to get a support system. You do not need to inform everyone on your social media platforms that you are now a vegetarian, but you can tell trusted family members, peers or your close friends for advice and support.
In this age of the internet, there are many resources that exist and you can use to educate yourself on being vegan, in addition, you will find many support groups where you can ask for advice and rant about discouragements and haters.
Allow yourself to get some inspiration
Being vegetarian does not just mean letting go of dairy and meat products, and eating boring-looking plant products the rest of your life. Think of it in the sense of a food adventure, as it is your experience anyway – it will only be as exciting as you make it to be.
Inspiration lies everywhere on the internet. For instance, #VeganInspiration is a hashtag on Instagram that has photos of beautiful vegetarian dishes and fitness routines of various individuals.
Another valuable site for getting ideas is Pinterest. Various people have created boards that celebrate vegetarian dishes, even those that seem normal such as pizza and tofu. Recipe blogs also serve various ideas; just remember that the information is there if you want to find it.
Make sure you are doing it correctly
It is easy to forget that certain junk foods are also vegan, such as soda and potato chips. However, this does not make them healthy options for you, and eating them is not going to allow your body to flourish.
When going vegan, it is understandable that you will get questions about your source of protein, but it is also vital to remember that there are other nutrients you may lack in your diet such as Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, Vitamin B12, calcium and Vitamin D.
The good news though is that protein sources from plants are many. They include legumes like peas, beans and lentils, all kinds of nuts, and whole grains such as quinoa, whole wheat, and brown rice.
In the case of Omega fatty acids and Vitamin B12, you may have to take supplements so that the body does not miss specific nutrients. Regarding calcium and Vitamin D, they will be taken care of as long as you take a balanced diet, especially if it contains green leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach.
Do not brag
Above all, do not look down on non-vegetarians, or develop a holier-than-you stance, which makes you look selfish. There are plenty of vegans who are arrogant simply because they are vegan, and you do not need to join that bandwagon.
Instead, make sure you have plenty of information regarding vegan diets, and be as polite to others as possible. Above all, it is your journey alone, so do not force it on other people.
Final thoughts
Being a vegetarian does not mean a boring life of eating limp vegetables and fruits. Make it an exciting journey that is worthwhile, because it is your journey at the end of the day.
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