Making the Switch

Whether you do it to help animals, the environment, or yourself, transitioning to vegetarian eating can take as little as a day or as long as you need. Some people become overwhelmed at the thought of changing their dietary habits, so it may surprise you to know that becoming vegetarian can be as easy as 1-2-3.

Step One: Swap This for That

If you take a quick look at your weekly menus, you'll probably see the same dishes popping up a few times. So, for two days a week, take your comfort foods and tweak them a bit to make vegetarian versions of those favorites. Swap the chicken in your wraps or burritos for black beans or grilled vegetables. Instead of sour cream, spoon on some guacamole or salsa. Replace the meat sauce on your pasta with spicy marinara. Trade burgers and dogs for any one of the many meatless versions on the market. After two weeks, you'll be well on your way!

Step Two: Flexi-What?

Now that you've moved through step one, consider yourself a full-fledged flexitarian—a part-time vegetarian. Congratulations! Take the next two weeks to incorporate new foods, recipes, or products into your menu. Stroll through your local grocery store's "natural foods" aisle, or pop into your community health food store to fill your cart with some of the fantastic vegetarian items on the market. See our glossary of ingredients and a list of products that may be new to you, and try some of our recipes. Have fun in the kitchen and bon appétit!

Step 3: Whole (Veggie) Hog

Add just a few more days of vegetarian eating to your week and you've done it! At every meal, you're helping to make the world a better place, simply by enjoying vegetarian fare.

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Republished with permission from the Humane Society of the United States.
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