Gas
When you first start out as a vegetarian, you may notice an increase in gas. Your body?s reaction to your change in diet is a very common and perfectly natural one. The gas is likely caused by the high fibre content in the foods you are now eating - which, by the way are great for your health. Bean-O, unfortunately, will not likely be effective, as is not designed to eliminate this type of gas, but is targeted towards the sugar that cannot be digested in some beans. Therefore, it only works after eating beans and some vegetables. Your body will adjust to the changes in your diet with time and you will be much more healthy because of it. However, if the gas is too much of a problem for you, you can try eating very slowly, chewing your food carefully and avoid swallowing any air. Activated charcoal tablets (available without a prescription) can also provide relief for you when taken before a meal.
Understand Why You Are Changing
Clearly understand the reason(s) that you desire to change. With well defined goals and objectives, the extra effort that is sometimes required to transitions diet lifestyles will not seem difficult. Reasons to change can range from concerns about the environment, concerns about how animals raised for slaughter are raised, religious beliefs, or the desire to lead a longer, happier, disease free life. Define your own reasons to insure your success.
Where Do I Shop?
Find your shopping options. Success in transitioning can be closely linked to understanding the food options that are available to you. Local health food stores will usually provide a wealth of information and an understanding of available products. Ask for a tour of the store and a description of foods that you have not encountered before.
Help and Support
Find local vegetarian groups that plan activities such as potluck dinners and cooking classes. Invest in some good cookbooks for information on meal planning and entertaining guests with tasty vegetarian food. Feeding your friends and family with great vegetarian food will teach them that your transition isn?t a burden; indeed, they?ll see how exciting it can be to taste new foods.
Fat Risk
In going vegetarian, some people end up replacing one fatty protein source (red meat) with others, such as cheese and soy products. Instead, plan meals around legumes and low-fat or fat-free dairy products, adding just enough of the fattier cheeses to give them some body and flavor.
Educate Yourself
If you have switched to a vegetarian diet but find yourself tired and hungry or irritable, you may not be eating enough. Some people who switch overnight haven?t had time to figure out what they can eat. They end up eating only a few different types of foods, and they often don?t get enough calories or nutrients.
Start With Favorite Meals
Most people have favorite dishes that are already vegetarian or can be made so easily. These can be homemade meals or menu items at a restaurant. You may not even realize that they?re vegetarian. If you enjoy vegetable lasagne, stir-fried vegetables, or pasta primavera, you can begin your transition by making these meals more often. This will make your shift to a plant-based diet less intimidating.
Food Diary
Keeping a food diary can help you chart your progress as you adopt a vegetarian eating style. Keep a log of what you eat for several days as you start your transition. Six month later, do this again. Compare the two, and note any changes. Do this at regular intervals to evaluate your progress and to recognize if you get stuck in a rut.
Explaining Your Position
People will want to know why you are eating meatless food. Answer in a sensitive, non-judgmental manner and remain very honest. Whether you made your transition for the sake of animals, the environment, or your own health, discuss your rationale with people. Help them to understand your motivations. Most likely, people will respect your concerns.
Peer Pressure
If you are new to vegetarianism, you might begin to notice a bit of peer pressure from some longtime vegetarians who have become vegans and are pushing you along to do so also. You may get this feeling from books, or people you?ll meet. Ignore it, and compare yourself to no one but yourself. Adopting a vegetarian or partly vegetarian diet is a highly personal decision. Do what?s right for you, and move at a pace that?s comfortable for you.
Eliminating Meat
When I began my venture into the world of Vegetarian cuisine, I began in moderation. By moderately eliminating meats from your menu, your body is more likely to accept the change and not go into shock.
Transitioning
Think of some dishes you enjoy that can be easily converted to meatless versions. Try spaghetti with marinara sauce instead of meat sauce. Try vegetable lo mein the next time you order take out, instead of chicken lo mein. And order a bean burrito instead of a beef burrito at your favorite Mexican restaurant.
When Do I Start?
You can start changing your eating habits at any time of the year. In the summer, there is the advantage of a wealth of fresh fruit and vegetables, and the tendency to eat lighter, including salads or a lunch of cheese, fruit and bread. In winter, there?s the comfort of soups, stews and baked things.
Buy a Simple Vegetarian Cookbook
It helps when you are trying to cook in a new way to use tried and true recipes. These will take the mystery out of meatless cooking. If you can read, you can cook! So get in the kitchen and just try. If you are used to cooking with milk or meat, you?ll see that it?s just as easy (and often easier) to cook with soy milk or a meat substitute.