| 1. Do some research - Not as hard as it | | | | and not have any major disruptions in your |
| sounds, search the internet and you'll find | | | | life. |
| many sites with information relating to being | | | | |
| vegetarian. Alternatively, visit a library | | | | The making a gradual change plan gives you |
| or bookstore, there are many good books on | | | | time to plan when becoming a vegetarian. |
| the subject. | | | | You'll be more likely to stick to your new |
| | | | diet and you'll have less disruption. However |
| 2. When you are shopping look at what | | | | you need to make sure you don't start eating |
| vegetarian food is available in the shops. | | | | unhealthily as a quick way to replace meat, |
| Many supermarkets and food stores, especially | | | | for example with lots of cheese, eggs and |
| the larger ones, tend to stock an increasing | | | | high fat dairy foods. Also it's a good idea |
| range of vegetarian convenience foods, such | | | | not to take too long on going vegetarian |
| as veggie burgers, sausages and other frozen | | | | altogether or you could end up not cutting |
| or chilled foods that are suitable for | | | | out the meat completely. |
| vegetarians. Also any health food shop or | | | | |
| natural food store will have a good | | | | If you want to cut out meat gradually, you |
| selection. | | | | could first cut out the red meat, then the |
| | | | chicken and finally the fish, choose whatever |
| 3. Buy a vegetarian cook book. There are | | | | you think will suit you. |
| literally hundreds to choose from, there are | | | | |
| many that specialise in quick and easy | | | | 7. Beware Hidden Animal Products |
| recipes, and many are aimed at beginners who | | | | |
| are becoming vegetarian too. Some also | | | | Check the labels when buying food. Of course |
| specialise in different types of food, for | | | | depending on where you live, the labelling |
| example, Indian, Italian or Chinese. | | | | will be better in some places than others. |
| | | | Look out for the "suitable for vegetarians" |
| 4. Try a vegetarian recipe - There are | | | | label. |
| literally thousands of them out there, you | | | | |
| can easily find them on the internet, from | | | | There are many animal products used in |
| the many recipe books available, or many | | | | everyday foods that make them unsuitable for |
| cookery magazines will have vegetarian | | | | vegetarians. The most common of these are: |
| recipes. | | | | |
| | | | Gelatin/gelatine - Protein from the bones, |
| 5. Buy some vegetarian food, don't be afraid | | | | cartilage, tendons and bones of animals. |
| to try new things such as the many meatfree | | | | Often found in desserts and yoghurts, but |
| replacements out there. | | | | also some sweets and marshmallows. |
| | | | |
| However don't rely too heavily on the meat | | | | When you see any tempting chocolate desserts |
| replacements for the meat you eat, but also | | | | check the label, in many cases it contains |
| think about the vegetarian foods you already | | | | gelatine! The same goes for many yoghurts |
| eat, and try to include more of these in your | | | | especially the low fat ones. Organic yoghurts |
| planning, for example macaroni cheese, | | | | and other dairy produce is more likely to be |
| vegetable lasagne, baked potato with cheese, | | | | vegetarian. |
| spaghetti with tomato sauce, pancakes or | | | | |
| vegetable soup! This will help you when | | | | Rennet - This comes from the stomach lining |
| becoming a vegetarian. | | | | of slaughtered newly born calves. It is used |
| | | | in the making of cheese. However more cheeses |
| 6. Decide if you want to convert gradually | | | | are being made vegetarian all the time, they |
| quickly - and make a plan! | | | | should be labelled as suitable for |
| | | | vegetarians but unfortunately aren't always. |
| Some people go vegetarian overnight, perhaps | | | | |
| if they've read about or seen a TV | | | | Animal Fat - Most often found in cakes and |
| documentary about what happens in | | | | biscuits. |
| slaughterhouses. | | | | |
| | | | Cochineal (E120) - Red food colouring, found |
| This way you would get the benefits sooner | | | | in some sweets, made from crushed insects - |
| and know that you were doing it immediately | | | | would you really want to eat that? |
| might make you feel better, but you would | | | | |
| need to have done some planning and be around | | | | Eggs - Only buy free-range! |
| people who are supportive of your decision | | | | |