Become a vegetarian: the 10 best tips for beginners
Meanwhile, vegetarians want to become more and more people. There are often health or ecological reasons behind it. Here are some tips to get you started on a meat-free diet.
Become a vegetarian: these are the reasons
Deciding to become a vegetarian can have different backgrounds.
- A vegetarian diet has many advantages. For example, she is very healthy. Many people have a vegetarian diet to prevent or prevent disease.
- Because less meat consumption lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases or cancer.
- Others have a vegetarian diet to lose weight permanently. Because by not eating meat, you eat a lot less fat.
- But a religious background can also be decisive for not eating meat. Many Indian religions, such as Buddhism, reject meat consumption.
- Above all, many in the West do without because they reject factory farming. You don't want animals to suffer for your own consumption.
- Furthermore, the consumption of meat is harmful to the environment. Cows produce a huge amount of methane gas. Running the farm uses a lot of energy and transporting the meat increases the CO2 emissions a lot.
Become a vegetarian: How to get started
If you have decided to become a vegetarian, you should take it slow first.
- Tip 1 : It is best to start without meat on one or two fixed days a week. Then slowly extend this to the entire week.
- Tip 2 : Start with the vegetarian diet and change your entire diet at the same time. Because you now have to absorb missing nutrients from other products. Whole grains, legumes, nuts and lots of vegetables are now on the diet.
- Tip 3 : As a vegetarian, you no longer eat meat. Eggs and milk products are part of the new diet. If you want to continue eating fish, you are a pescetarian.
- Tip 4 : Italian cuisine is particularly good for a vegetarian diet. Because Italy's dishes such as pasta, pizza or salads can easily do without meat and fish and are still nutritious and tasty.
- Tip 5 : Are you a flexarian or are you still switching to a vegetarian diet? Buy meat from an organic farm. In this way you can guarantee animal welfare.
Become a vegetarian: For advanced users
If you are now eating a vegetarian diet permanently, you must ensure that the right nutrients are provided.
- Tip 6: If you are craving a sausage, buy alternative products. Soy sausages or burger pattis made from mushrooms resemble the hearty taste of meat.
- Tip 7 : As a vegetarian, pay attention to a balanced diet. Eat lots of dairy products, eggs or soy for protein intake. Cereals, legumes, nuts, potatoes, seeds and mushrooms also contain enough protein.
- Tip 8 : Vitamin B12 is just as important. However, this cannot be produced by plants. It is therefore important to increase the number of dairy products and eggs or to take up vitamin B12 through food supplements.
- Tip 9: Meat contains a lot of iron. This is important for efficiency. Green vegetables such as spinach, fennel, chard and legumes as well as whole grains can meet the iron requirement. Additional vitamin C facilitates the absorption of iron.
- Tip 10 : Get in touch with other vegetarians. You can find numerous events in your area on the Internet. Here you can exchange ideas about delicious recipes or alternative products. Cooking classes are also often offered. Avoid trying to persuade non-vegetarians.
In the next article you will read more about healthy eating and which superfood you do not want to miss as a vegetarian.