Living Vegetarian the Easy Way...
Ready to Give That One a Try?

If so, you may find that living vegetarian really is easier than you'd expected, and also that such a diet helps you attain and/or maintain a slimmer body. It may even burnish your broader health, as well. Plus, whatever the reasons for your dietary modifications, the "mechanics" of those could be far less arduous than you expect—possibly a real "jackpot" for some of us.

And what qualifies me to make such a claim? Personal experience, as I eased my own way into vegetarianism with small steps...and in gradual stages. *My first step was to add more fruits and veggies (F&V) to my diet over time.

Perhaps you, too, have considered that particular dietary "enhancement"? It does seem like a winner for some, as medical/dietary research suggests that fruits and veggies themselves can help people become (and stay) more fit, regardless of whether they maintain a fully plant-based diet over the long haul.

*Note: I am not a nutritionist, simply someone who gradually learned how to "live vegetarian" by just doing it. See the disclaimer.

But Will Living Vegetarian Work for YOU?

My own guess would be maybe yes, maybe no. Why? Because so much in life depends upon how we play our "game." For example, if new to vegetarian eating, making your transition in steps and by degrees can pay off significantly. Sure, add more F&V to your diet, and some grains/legumes, but please do not attempt a dietary one-eighty in just a few days. If you do, your body may find that sudden load of fiber "challenging," to say the least. (Catching my drift here?)

Instead, perhaps begin with a simple modification, such as easing in one or two more veggie servings every few days, and also trying out a different fruit or vegetable now and then. Then, gradually add in more F&V and perhaps an occasional legume or two. You might begin cutting back on meat, as well, moving however quickly or slowly feels right to you and also buddying-up to flexibility and compromise.

For example, maybe you build your next meal around a hearty meat substitute. Or, simply eat less meat than usual. Instead of an entire steak, pork chop, or chicken breast, you might make (or order) a dish with a few pieces of meat among the other ingredients. Our buddies flexibility and compromise, plus some imagination, can pull off many such jobs.

Getting Enough Protein

Although some of us may require less protein than once believed, if you drop the meat you will need to pay at least some attention to your protein intake. But already, you're possibly consuming many non-meat proteins: not only grains and legumes, but perhaps also meat substitutes such as tofu and maybe even seitan.

Moreover, if you're living vegetarian, but not vegan, you'll have the entire spectrum of dairy as well. And don't forget that vegetables themselves often contain protein. The links below will take you to discussions of certain proteins that can work well on a vegetarian diet, but do please understand that there are others as well.

Bottom Line

Because any healthful change in your eating habits calls for celebration, please don't beat yourself up for whatever "time-outs" you take during the transition. But keep the fruits and veggies coming, right?

When/If you decide to give some degree of vegetarianism another shot, you can step onto (or create) whatever path feels right to You. And yes, your transition really could be as simple as that: not always effortless, perhaps, but basically simple. Plus, you can find support here and from many, many other sources just for the taking. So, is this the day you start living vegetarian??
                     
                              I vote yes, but yours is the vote that counts.   ;-)  

Living Vegetarian the Easy Way
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