I want to try the vegetarian lifestyle, but I am scared of making the transition....?

Question

It has been drilled in my head for years and years that humans are supposed to eat meat, but lately I've been feeling like I can do without. Was the transitioning process hard, (for the people who weren't "born" vegetarians) and did you have cravings and sicknesses? I've been eating veggie style meat products, but haven't stopped eating meat completely. Is becoming a vegetarian going to be easy for me?

And please, I'd appreciate answers only from people who are vegetarians or who are transitioning themselves. If you think vegetarians are silly, ignorant, or fake, try not to answer. Thanks a bunch in advance!

Answer 1

Last year I stopped eating meat, I felt the same way as you are saying. It wasn't that hard for me to stop eating meat, the only hard thing for me is that I live with my parents and brothers, all eat meat with EVERY MEAL, I stated off just not eating any red meat, this was very easy for me, it also give me a chance to start to get use to not eating meat, after about 4 -5 weeks of just not eating red meat, I stopped eating meat altogether, it wasn't hard, its kinda f hard to eat out at like fast food places, I have to get a salad with just no chicken, at BrugerKing tho they have this BK Veggie Burger with no meat, and its not bad( just so you know, I'm off topic tho). Yeah it wasn't hard for me to change, if you live on your own or you cook it shouldn't be very hard, I live with my family like I said so its hard for me to find things to eat and stay healthy, but you should be able to do it, and if you can't, its no big deal, try again if you want. Good luck!

If you need anything email me!

I agree with alot of the things KMS  said! Thinks1

Answer 2

You should talk to your family doctor because this is a serious health issue. Every doctor will tell you, just so you know, that a balanced diet includes high sources of protein such as chicken, turkey, and beef. No reason to make yourself sick. The vegan celebs are only so in public, otherwise they wouldn't look so healthy.

Answer 3

I'm going through the same thing you're going through. i'm trying to become a vegetarian but i live with a family that does eat meat...i started out by not eating beef or red meat. that wasn't too hard. i have never ate sea food except for tuna but i stop eating that....that was really easy...and all that other stuff too like pork. so the only meat i eat now is Chicken...I'm going to stop eating chicken all together, but it's really hard because i've had it all my life. But just don't give up! Just make sure you are getting all of your vitamins, you don't want to get anemia.

Answer 4

I definately didn't get sick but I didn't eat a ton of meat before I became a vegetarian anyways.  There were times when I thought a steak would be nice but they make such great meat-substitutes now that usually a Boca Chicken sandwich or a Morningstar BLT would satisfy.  I have been much healthier since I gave up meat.  I haven't gotten sick and my weight has stayed the same.  I do however recommend that while you're first getting used to it, that you visit your doctor to have blood work done to be sure you're balancing your diet appropriately (this means not relying on pasta and potatoes but eating a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains).  It's especially important to keep tabs on B vitamins and on Iron as well.  Good luck!

Answer 5

I was a vegetarian for six years.  But unfortunatly, when I joined the Army, I really had no choice but to start eating meat.  Boot Camp was not and is not for people who don't like meat!

Now, meat has really grown on me and I honestly could not live without it.  Some people might think that is gross and all, but whatever.  I don't judge you- don't judge me.

I still eat Veggie Burgers and Boca Burgers and soy nuts, etc.

I am not a vegetarian anymore and never will be, but I admire people who chose that lifestyle completely.  I really do feel like it is much healthier for our bodies.

Becoming a vegetarian is a personal choice.  It takes a lot of knowledge to make sure you getting all the nutrients you need.  Luckily, that is where protein powders and Soy come in.  

When I started eating meat again, I was sick for a while.  I honestly couldn't handle beef and poultry.  Esp. beef....but there was no problem for me transitioning to the vegetarian lifestyle.  Occasionally though, the smell of bacon would make my mouth water- haha.  

I wish you the best of luck if this is the lifestyle that you feel that is right for you!

Answer 6

I was a vegetarian for a while and my body couldn't handle it. It turns out I'm allergic to soy products and cheese and peanuts.  And if you're going to be a vegetarian those are the only proteins you can eat except rice and beans. . .

I'd suggest adding lots and lots of vegetables to your diet and maybe eating meat every other day at first instead of every day or something like that?  Or only on Thursdays. . .

Answer 7

I made the decision to become vegetarian in the matter of a few minute after running over a bunny and watching it die late one night on my way home from school.  It may sound silly, but it had a profound effect on me.  I stopped eating meat immediately and became a lacto ovo vegetarian.  That was a year and three months ago.  My family thought I was going through a phase and would quit this "diet" soon.  My husband became vegetarian with me.

It wasn't difficult for me because I made a moral connection between the hamburger and the cow grazing in the pasture.  If you have a strong moral belief regarding eating meat then it will be repulsive to you.  I didn't really get cravings, but since you have been eating some of the meat substitutes I'm sure you're aware of how similar they are to the real thing.  That will satisfy any craving you might get and will also help in cooking.  I relied on those products a lot when I first changed my diet.  It was comforting becaust it wasn't too different from what I had been cooking before.  I don't use those products much anymore.  I relish in eating a lot of fresh, natural, and creative foods now.

Many omnivores are unhealthy and when they become vegetarians they are still just unhealthy people who don't eat meat.  An omni needs to be educated on how to eat a healthy omni diet and the same goes for a veggie.  Read books, subscribe to Vegetarian Times or VegNews, join vegetarian forums to learn from seasoned veggies.  This education is important.

VARIETY is the key.  It's important for a variety of foods to be consumed.  Beans, seeds, nuts, veggies, grains, and fruit should be eaten through the day.  I'm now vegan so I add nutritional yeast to pastas, soups, stir fry etc because B12 is the only nutrient that I can't get from this diet.  If you eat eggs and milk you can still get this nutrient though.  I take a basic vegan multivitamin because I know that I'm not continually eating perfect.   If you eat a variety of healthy foods then you won't get sick and a multivitamin is just an insurance plan for you.

Good luck!  Adopting this lifestyle has been the best decision I've made in my life thus far.  It has effected so many other areas of my life and I have met some amazing people in the veggie communitiy.  I'm happier than ever before.  It has so much more to do than just what's on your plate at mealtimes.  I have become a more loving, nurturing person.

Answer 8

my sister and i recently decided to become vegitarians. we started by not eating beef, turkey, and pork, but still ate fish and seafood. i personally didn't crave anything but beef because i love hamburgers so much. but for the most part everything else kind of grosses me out. i mean when you think about it its animal flesh. but you really need to make sure that you get enough b12 because it only comes in meat. you should take daily womens vitamins. i have had trouble because my mom is worried that i'm not getting enough nutrients and she wants me to go back to not being a vegitarian. you could also talk to your doctor about what you personally would need to take suppliments for if anything. if you dont get enough nutrients you can become anemic and will have to go to the hospital so make sure you really research or go to your doctor!!

Answer 9

i found making the transition really easy....

and that's saying a lot.  i LOVED meat before......my favorite foods were biscuits and sausage gravy and bacon.  just keep going down the road you're on....getting used to eating meat substitutes will help you out if you get meat cravings in the future.  if you need any help post on here...the vegetarians and vegans in this section are extremely helpful, especially the regulars.  

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

Answer 10

Don´t be scared of the transition.

It´s actually pretty easy because you will feel so much healthier step by step.

I am not a total vegetarian, I still eat some fish and occasionally egg but I most usual eat a lot of veggies and fruit and it makes me feel soo good.

I think it is going to be easy for you. Just get into the habit sort of to eating a lot of veggies and fruit instead of meat.

Quorn type products can very well compensate if you feel the urge to eat something "meat like". Good luck!