| Perhaps you're worried about the health effects | | | | frozen, and reheated in the toaster), omelets, and |
| of eating fatty meat. Or maybe the idea of | | | | fruit salad. Possible lunches could be vegetable |
| animals dying so you can eat them really bothers | | | | fried rice, fritattas, soup made with seasonal |
| you. Whatever the reason, you've decided to | | | | vegetables, or a roasted vegetable wrap. Snacks |
| start a vegetarian diet plan. So, now what? | | | | might be nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit, or trail mix. |
| It's all too easy to fall into the trap of eating lots | | | | Supper might be stuffed squash with a side of |
| of pasta, bread, and cheesy pizza when you first | | | | steamed asparagus and a salad, grilled portabella |
| start eating vegetarian, but that's no better for | | | | with a baked sweet potato and sweet-sour kale, |
| you than the fatty diet you're trying to get away | | | | or vegetable stew with fresh garlic bread and |
| from. For a truly healthy vegetarian diet, you'll | | | | corn on the cob. Dessert might be baked apples |
| need to learn to incorporate whole grains, leafy | | | | drizzled with honey, fresh strawberries, peaches |
| greens, and fresh fruits and vegetables in a way | | | | and blueberries topped with freshly whipped |
| that's satisfying and varied. It's easiest to balance | | | | cream, or a homemade rhubarb pie. |
| your vegetarian diet plan if you continue to | | | | Browse the cookbook section at your local |
| incorporate eggs and dairy (called ovo-lacto | | | | bookstore and pick up a couple of vegetarian |
| vegetarianism). Strict veganism requires some | | | | cookbooks that appeal to you, then use them |
| supplementation, notably with vitamin B12 and the | | | | during your brainstorming session to set up your |
| fatty acids DHA and EPA, in order to meet | | | | weekly vegetarian diet plan. Learn about the |
| minimum nutritional requirements. For this reason, | | | | seasonality of vegetables and fruits in your area |
| if you are set on becoming a vegan, it's wise to | | | | so that you can get the best prices, eat local |
| consult with your doctor or a qualified nutritionist | | | | foods, and support local farmers. |
| to make sure that your diet is healthy. | | | | Once you have your meals and snacks planned, |
| If you have concerns over the factory farming | | | | go through and list the ingredients for each one, |
| of eggs and dairy cattle, consider frequenting | | | | then combine that information to make your |
| your local farmers' market, where you will find | | | | weekly shopping list. Check your kitchen to make |
| sustainably produced eggs, milk, and cheese which | | | | sure that you have enough of all of your staples, |
| are free of dangerous hormones and antibiotics, | | | | and narrow the list down to things that you are |
| produced by happy animals eating appropriate, | | | | almost out of, plus the foods you will be buying |
| natural feeds. To many consumers, the difference | | | | fresh. Some things, like soups and stews, lend |
| in quality between these sustainable animal | | | | themselves to large batches which can be frozen |
| products and their supermarket counterparts is | | | | in individual containers for easy meals on busy |
| nothing less than shocking. | | | | days. Get in the habit of setting aside a weekend |
| Once you've decided on the type of | | | | afternoon for cooking slow foods in big batches, |
| vegetarianism you wish to pursue, it's time to | | | | then freezing them. Then you'll never be caught |
| devise a weekly meal plan. Write down ideas for | | | | flat-footed if an emergency comes up or |
| seven breakfasts, seven lunches, seven snacks, | | | | company arrives. |
| seven suppers, and seven desserts. Possible | | | | A vegetarian diet plan can be simple and |
| breakfasts include low-sugar, whole grain cereal | | | | stress-free; it just requires a bit of forward |
| (hot or cold), buckwheat pancakes with real maple | | | | planning. |
| syrup, whole grain waffles (can be made ahead, | | | | |