I have been a vegetarian of sorts for around a year. It has been a slow process to get to where I am at now. I don’t eat any meat except for seafood so I am actually a pescetarian. I usually just say vegetarian when asked, “What are you?” It is that or human.
Becoming a Vegetarian
The journey has been slow because it started with a personal dare and has evolved through education. I think it has been at least 3 years since I last ate beef. I decided that I would not eat beef for a month just to see if I could do it – a test of will. The man in my life laughs when I describe it this way because I often eat a cup full of ice cream after dinner for a week without blinking an eye. Will power is ignored for ice cream. I decided to start with beef because I didn’t eat it that much to begin with. After a month of easily not eating beef I felt confident that I could be in control of other food items. I was a bit over weight at the time and it seemed nice to know I could be in control. I recently read that will power is like a muscle and you have to use it to make it stronger. I love that idea because it eliminates any excuses.
Feeling better with less meat
Anyway…I started to feel great and it gave me something to practice. My friend gave up all meat except for seafood a few years ago and the more we started to cook meals for one another the more I noticed that after a meal free of chicken and beef the calmer and more relaxed I felt. I have no medical studies to back this up, just personal feeling. It could be the fact that I don’t have guilt or sad feelings for the animals, the fact that cleaning up dishes is so much easier when I’m not cooking with meat, or that I get more vitamins and things my body needs (such as Omega-3 fatty acids) from vegetables and seafood. I have slept better, had more energy, and felt more myself without meat.
Helping Others with Changes
My cousin wanted to talk about my change this Christmas. He had really struggled with the switch and had gone back to meat without finding much success. Changing to a diet with less meat or no meat is very personal. I found great success and would recommend that you try it if you are looking for a change. It has taught me control and allowed me to see food in a more positive way.
Readers: Do you feel like you have control over your diets? Have you thought about becoming a vegetarian or helping someone else change their diet? Do you consider a diet to be something temporary, or a permanent lifestyle change?
I went vegetarian about 2 years ago and I feel amazing. I am healthier than ever and have a ton of energy. I also feel more at peace; it is nice to not be associated with killing anything. The last year I have been trying hard to be vegan. I do have to compromise at family dinners and traveling sometimes, but at home I eat vegan 95% of the time. I actually notice that I don’t feel quite as great when I eat dairy etc. It’s funny.
I am lucky too that my hubby eats this way with me too. He isn’t a veggie when we go out persay, but he supports it at home which I am extremely grateful for.
There have been some medical studies on things like dairy and meat and the health benefits of not eating them. You should look them up. They are an interesting read.
Good luck with your continued journey.
I will definitely do some research about dairy. That is great that you get to share meals with your husband and not cook two separate dinners.
I could not do it. lol. I like meat waaay too much to ever give it up. I know that seems to be everyone’s opinion, but I just really don’t think I could do it. However, if I had to move to Costa Rica and survive off pineapples…I think I could do that…
And I could not survive on pineapples. Ha.ha I like that we each get to find what works for us.
MoneyforCollegePro, I think I’d have a hard time giving up meat altogether too. I do find it easy to eat less meat as I love beans, rice, & cheese–with plenty of salsa & guacamole! We don’t eat meat at breakfast or lunch usually & have one or two meatless meals a week. I look at it as a process as we move to having less meat and more veggies. Yum.
My husband and I have been considering this, and I think I could do it as long as we still have seafood. Did you find that switching to vegetarian helped with weight loss? The more I read about how great people feel on a vegetarian diet, the more it makes me want to try it. Thanks for the information:)
I have lost some weight but I don’t know that I can attribute it directly to the calories and fat involved in my diet. I will say that the healthier I felt and the more ownership I started taking in planning my meals, the easier it was to avoid the bad stuff. Plus, I have just felt more energetic and less sluggish so I work out more. I would say that I have seen the most change in my attitude and energy and that has reflected in my weight. I don’t count calories or anything like that and like I said, I still eat a lot of ice cream
Back when I was an undergrad, I attempted vegetarianism (although allowed myself to eat fish – that would have made me a pesca-vegetarian, right?) as an act of pure willpower, like you. However, I only lasted three weeks! It was too expensive!
Good point. I have found that it can be rough on the wallet. I can recommend a few pointers…
- Buy fruit that is in season
- Buy beans that are just in the bag – you have to soak them and boil them, but they are cheaper.
- The recipes made this week have made a lot of food so I can eat it for a week and that makes it less expensive.
-I haven’t been eating fancy fruits and vegetables this week and so the cost is low. For example, I have used celery, carrots, potatoes, peas, and apples for my last two dinners. There were some spices added but that was about it.
For me personally I have no problem killing an animal. Humans are made to eat meat so why should I feel guilty about doing so. That being said I am against cruel treatment and inhumane practices during the animal’s life. I’m currently in the process of finding a farmer I trust that treats their animals well while on the farm and allows them to eat what they’re bodies were meant for them to eat (i.e. no grains for cows) and doesn’t keep them locked inside all day. Once I find a trustworthy farmer(plenty around me) with reasonable prices(a little tougher) then I think my diet change will go smoothly. Until then, I’m stuck struggling over what to eat since a completely vegetarian diet makes me too bloated and uncomfortable.
It sounds like you have a good plan. My dad is an avid hunter and I totally understand your point. I am not against anyone else eating meat – it just makes me feel better not to eat it. My dad hunts so he can have meat that is as clean (that is the best word I could think of) as he can get it. I don’t know if you know any hunters but you could get some great meat that way.
I eat vegetarian when I am not home for religious reasons. I have thought about doing it full time, as it is already a big part of my life, but I have decided that for me I am happier eating meat if I know how it was slaughtered, and that way is Kosher.
It sounds like you have found a good balance.
My husband is, in his own words, a bad Buddhist. Everyonce in a while, this leads to us going vegetarian. He might still eat shrimp, but beyond that, no meat. (I don’t eat seafood regardless of what kind of “diet” we’re on.) The first time he went vegetarian, he lost quite a bit of weight. Neither of us lost much the time we went vegetarian for a year, but that’s probably because we carb loaded (jasmine rice and pasta).
We eat very little beef. We eat mostly chicken. We use ground turkey. Occassionally we have pork chops. I haven’t been able to eat a hamburger at any restaurant in 10+ years because their grease levels are so high their burgers make me sick.
This year, we’re trying to eat healthier. We’re not looking to go vegetarian again, but we are looking to increase the number of vegetarian meals we eat. And increase the number of vegetables we eat as well.
It’s a slow process, and I believe a very personal one. I am glad that it has led to you feeling healthier overall. I think going slow (instead of quitting cold turkey) and taking a balanced approach are the keys to successfully transitioning.
I didn’t even really think about it until you said it – I think going slowly really worked for me and that is a good point – “going slow and taking a balanced approach” is a good way to go about it.
I have been a vegetarian for almost 4 years and I can’t imagine eating any other way. My health has improved in so many ways.
At this point in my life, I can say that this is a permanent switch. I do wish that my husband would get on board but I can’t force him to. He does he substantially less meat now (because I do most of the cooking) but he’ll never be a vegetarian. Which is fine with me. I just won’t cook it!
Ever heard of the Engine 2 Diet? It’s something I came across while watching the documentary- Forks Over Knives.
We’ve needed a change for a while…and my wife & kids are on board for their 28 day challenge.
We did our food shopping yesterday (it was really strange not getting the normal stuff) at Whole Foods & we officially start TOMORROW (2/2).
I just want to feel better & live better. Hopefully this is a move in the right direction…
I’ve heard of the engine 2 diet, but never really read much on it. good luck with your challenge!
Ice cream and willpower do NOT go together- it’s not natural!
As for my journey- I was a vegetarian for 3 years and gave it up suddenly when my Gram passed away after a long illness. It was odd, I had been at her bedside and taking care of her- and when she died I just changed everything. My little snowglobe was shaken and I gave up vegetarianism without any thought, I just went through my grief and it manifested in very odd ways.
Now though, I have totally cut down on my meat (I love tofu and meat alternatives) because I simply love veggies and legumes way more! I have a fruit smoothie every morning, toast and hummus for a snack, with a veggie casserole for lunch and then I figure out dinner. I like feeling in control but I try not to be a dictator- it works for me.
Great post!
Where do you get your protien from? Or can you eat eggs? I guess no eggs would make you a vegan not a vegetarian right?