Becoming vegetarian is increasingly interesting in our era. And that’s a good thing because we have decided to address the issue on Masculin. Vegetarianism is attracting more and more people for several reasons: animal rights, health, ecological awareness, and many other arguments. Put aside your prejudices and open yourself to new convictions.
First and foremost, be careful not to confuse vegetarianism, veganism, and plant-based diets. The vegetarian, for one, decides to no longer consume animal flesh. There are different levels of vegetarianism, more or less strict (consumption of fish, dairy products, or eggs are permitted for example). Meanwhile, a vegan refuses to consume any product resulting from animal exploitation. This is a stricter form of vegetarianism, as the diet is 100% plant-based. A vegan, on the other hand, removes all animal-derived products from their life, whether it’s their diet, clothing, cosmetics, and household products.
But then how can you be sure you’re doing it right to eat a balanced diet and not have any deficiencies? Here are 3 steps to follow to start your journey towards vegetarianism.
1. Define clear and simple steps to achieve
The path to vegetarianism will not be the same level of difficulty for everyone. Some will have a turn-around moment with no possibility of going back, while others will need a longer journey. These latter ones decide, for example, to gradually reduce animal proteins, such as starting by stopping red meat, then white meat, and finally fish if they wish.
Often, there is a transition to flexitarianism. It’s a diet that advocates for limited consumption of meat and fish.
You can start to familiarize yourself by choosing the vegetarian option when you go to the restaurant. More and more restaurants are offering vegetarian dishes on the menu, or are not hesitant to adapt to offer you some.
2. Educate yourself on plant-based nutrition
Informing yourself will not only prevent you from making beginner’s mistakes and thus eliminating deficiencies, but also to learn to cook differently. Don’t worry, you will be able to eat “almost” like everyone else, as most traditional recipes have vegan alternatives. Your pantry will simply change its look, adopting more legumes, cereals, and oilseeds.
3. Don’t forget to get a blood test
To start on a good basis and to be sure not to suffer from any deficiency, we advise you to talk to your doctor and have a blood test. A small check-up to know where we start from can’t hurt! This way, if you discover small abnormalities, your doctor will be able to guide you and adjust everything thanks to dietary supplements.
At first it’s a bit disorienting because you will have to relearn how to eat, but you will quickly adopt the right reflexes and identify what you need for a balanced vegetarian diet. On the other hand, don’t think that becoming a vegetarian will make you lose weight for sure… Because even though plants are less caloric, there can be compensatory weight gain, or even eating disorders.
Even if you don’t fully commit, we hope this has opened your eyes to the benefits of vegetarianism, both for the planet and for your health.