In a culture that greatly values the production and consumption of meat, it can be difficult to go against the crowd. However, regardless of this, vegetarianism seems to be everywhere these days.
While most everyone knows what vegetarianism is – the abstention from the consumption of meat – there are several other related diets, including veganism and pescatarianism.
Veganism is the abstention from any animal products, including dairy, eggs and honey. Pescetarianism is the abstention from the consumptions of all meat other than fish and seafood. Some vegetarians choose not to eat eggs, while others choose not to consume dairy.
While vegetarianism might seem like a somewhat newly popular phenomenon, it has actually been around for thousands of years. For example, Hindus and Buddhists have traditionally been vegetarian. Even though today vegetarianism might not have as much of a definite spiritual connection, many vegetarians are passionate about their diet.
If you are considering becoming a vegetarian or something similar, there are some important things you need to keep in mind.
Know why
Whenever you make a major change, especially with your diet, it is important to make sure you are making the change for the right reasons. There are so many fad diets out there these days and it can be dangerous to become swept up in the hype of just another passing trend.
Vegetarianism has pros and cons just like any other diet. There are many reasons why people choose to adopt this lifestyle ranging from the protestation of animal cruelty to a general dislike of the taste of meat. But whatever the case, if you’re thinking about switching to a vegetarian style diet, it is important to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Any sort of special diet needs time and commitment. If you’re not mentally ready to start one, you probably won’t do very well long term.
Take it slow
Whenever you make a major change, especially with your diet, it is important to take it slowly so that you do not jeopardise your health. You need to ease yourself into the new routine. Instead of going cold turkey, no pun intended, try cutting out meat every other day.
The practice of giving up meat once a week is already present in the Catholic tradition, such as when we give up meat on Fridays during Lent. Similar to this there is also the popular movement ‘Meat Free Monday’, a routine where you give up eating meat every Monday. Easing your body into the new conditions will help make the transition smoother and healthier.
Go easy
It is also important to be easy on yourself. Regardless of how much your heart is in it, you’re probably not going to become a serious vegetarian over night. However, when you just can’t resist and give into cravings, just remember that you’re putting yourself through something new and it’s going to take time to accomplish. Don’t give up if you slip up.
Health benefits
There are many potential health benefits to being a vegetarian. Because there is no meat in a vegetarian diet there is less saturated fat and cholesterol. The Vegetarian Society also claims that “research studies have found that vegetarians have a lower incidence of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and type II diabetes”.
Environment
Becoming a vegetarian can not only be good for your body, but it can be good for the environment as well. Removing meat from your diet also helps to remove pollution from the planet.
According to the Vegetarian Society “livestock farming is responsible for almost 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions from human-related activities,” with cows and sheep being responsible for “37% of the total methane generated by human activity”. Livestock production is also responsible for 70% of Amazon deforestation.
Stay balanced
If you become a vegetarian it is essential to make sure you are still getting a balanced diet with all of the proper nutrition.
Vitamins are a good thing to consider, and you should consult your doctor beforehand to see if there’s any in particular you should be taking. It’s also essential to know your food. Beans and quinoa are just a couple of great natural vegetarian sources of protein. Also, being vegetarian doesn’t give you an excuse to eat as much bread as you want. Don’t fall into the trap of giving up meat for unlimited carbs.
Keep it interesting
Remember that changing your diet doesn’t mean that eating can’t be fun. Try and keep meals as interesting as possible, they won’t only be tasty to eat, but they will also encourage you to stick to your new diet. Eat lots of colourful fruits and vegetables, and don’t be afraid to try experimenting with new ingredients.
Helpful resources
There are many resources out there for vegetarians and similar diets. There is The Vegetarian Society of Ireland in the Republic and the Vegetarian Society in Northern Ireland.
There are also many affordable and simple vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including popular titles such as The Everything Vegetarian Cookbook. If you’re looking for places to eat out, happycow.net is a great tool for finding vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurants.
As with any substantial change to your body, make sure you consult a doctor beforehand. Vegetarianism does not work for everyone. However, if you’re thinking about giving it a try, and you’ve taken all of the necessary steps to prepare, then head down to your local farmer’s market and buy vegetables to your heart’s content.
