Going Meatless

These days, health and fitness seems to be at the top of everyone’s priorities. And with everyone concerned about doing what is best for their bodies, doing an overhaul on eating habits frequently tops the list of health-living agendas. While some start by cutting out excess salt and fat, there are those who prefer to go for a totally different dietary orientation. Some cut out red or fatty meat; some cut out meat and poultry altogether; and others go one step further and go vegetarian.

After all, a vegetarian diet “can be very healthy”. According to studies, a vegetarian diet can meet all your nutritional needs, provided that you consume a “variety of foods and the right amount of foods to meet your calorie needs.” Aside from the health perks, a vegetarian diet can also lead to possible weight loss, according to this MayoClinic.com article.

Adopting a vegetarian diet is also an eco-friendly initiative; if more people went vegetarian, it would help mitigate global warming, according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA shares that turkeys, cows, chickens, and pigs in factories release “enormous amounts” of methane, which “is more than 20 times as effective as carbon dioxide is at trapping heat in our atmosphere.”


The articles also adds that the meat, dairy, and egg industries are responsible for 65 percent of nitrous oxide emissions worldwide. Nitrous oxide is said to be 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Despite its perks, though, converting from omnivore to herbivore can be difficult. If you’ve been a meat eater all your life, you might have to deal with the cravings that come from such a drastic lifestyle change. But if you’re determined to go green when it comes to your diet, read on for five tips on overcoming these challenges.

Tips for Women Who Want to Switch to a Vegetarian Diet

1. RESEARCH. There are many kinds of vegetarian diets, so hit the books or go online before deciding on which one is right for you. For example, vegans shy away from all animal products, including dairy and honey. Lacto-ovo vegetarians include eggs and milk in their diets; lacto-vegetarians will eat dairy products, but not eggs. You also need to know what meat substitutes (like veggie meat or tofu) are good swap-outs for the real stuff and their availability in the local market, as well as recipes that you can easily cook at home.

2. START SLOW. While you may want to skip that transition phase by dumping your meat-filled diet entirely and switching over to the green side overnight, it’s better to start out slow. Such a drastic change will just lead you to crash and burn and may cause stress, which in turn can lead you to abandon the vegetarian diet before you really get a chance to see whether or not it works for you. Start out with small, doable changes such as breakfasting on cereals and oatmeal instead of tapsilog. Cut back on meat gradually, but don’t punish yourself if a slice of lechon “accidentally” lands on your plate at a party or if you sneak a strip of bacon off hubby’s plate during your Sunday morning brunch.

3. BE PREPARED. If you’re used to having meat with your meals, you’ll need a little more time to get used to a vegetarian diet. You may be tempted to binge at one of the many fast food chains in the city, but try to curb these cravings by opting for healthier alternatives. Swap out fries for trail mix or nuts, or order a fish burger instead of a beef one. Keep fruit or low-fat yogurt on hand at home (and at work, if possible) so you can snack on something without breaking your vegetarian vow.

4. ENJOY WHAT YOU EAT. You don’t need to eat every vegetable on the planet just because you’re on a green diet. Don’t feel pressured to like the vegetarian version of your favorite dish if it doesn’t tickle you fancy. It’s important to be happy with what you eat, so find food you really like, even if it doesn’t have a meat equivalent. Experiment, and don’t be afraid to try new things. Just because you’d never tried tofu steak or spinach lasagna before going veg doesn’t mean you won’t like it. In the same way, go for dishes that you like and just look for meat substitutes that you can include in the recipe.

5. SET GOALS FOR YOURSELF. It’s all too easy to stray from a vegetarian diet when there are so many carnivorous temptations around. Keep a food journal where you can write down your goals, such as limiting your red meat intake to only three times a week or substituting meat for tofu in the dishes you make. Writing it down will make you hold yourself accountable for too many lapses, and setting a timetable for each goal will also make it more specific and attainable, adding to your chances of success. And reward yourself for every major goal attained—you can splurge on that dress that you’ve been eyeing for weeks or get a massage at the spa you’ve been meaning to try out.