I have been debating a vegetarian lifestyle for over a year now. I’ll admit the sole reason I haven’t tried it yet is that I’m scared of failing. I refuse to be that person displaying their new, wonderful vegetarian journey – only to be silenced a month later when tagged in a picture eating a chicken wing. I’m pretty sure that’s how my vegetarian attempt will go. There isn’t a secure way to transition to vegetarian. But luckily I have Bailey for help.
Bailey is a dedicated vegetarian who just so happens to sit next to me at work every day. Her transition included a few failed attempts that she has no problem discussing. Allow me to share three mistakes Bailey made during her transition that can also handover as tips for anyone aspiring to be a vegetarian.
Bailey’s Tip #1: Connection & Research
Have an emotional connection to vegetarianism. Bailey admitted that her first attempt at being vegetarian was due to her relationships with friends who were vegetarian and vegan. Without an emotional connection to a vegetarian diet her discipline was lacking and she gave in to old eating habits. She suggests researching vegetarianism first by watching documentaries or reading studies. It made the emotional connection stronger for her with future attempts. Here are three (all of which can be found on Netflix) that she found useful:
Forks over Knives – “When I became more serious about transitioning to a new diet/lifestyle, this was the documentary that motivated me the most.”
Food, Inc. – “I watched this my first year of college for a class. I remember not going out and being vegetarian immediately after watching this, but it did get the ball rolling; I started to become more conscious of my eating habits.”
Cowspiracy – “This is a more recent documentary I’ve watched since being vegetarian for a year. It’s a reaffirming reminder of why I am doing this and why I’m sticking with it. It is also a great insight into how beneficial a vegan diet/lifestyle is.”
Bailey’s Tip #2: Vegetarian Friends
You should always be mindful of the company you keep. Great friends are hard to find. Friends that support your vegetarian diet may be even harder to find. Bailey advised staying aware of the peer pressure some friends may give when it comes to your eating restrictions. If your will to resist eating meat isn’t stable, consider staying away from those friends for the time being. Since being vegetarian for over 2 years, she’s found that it’s not a problem to hang around (and even live with) friends who eat meat.
Bailey’s Tip #3: Bring Your Own Food
Do not expect others to accommodate your diet restrictions. She suggests bringing your own vegetarian dishes to parties and holiday gatherings. Not only does this guarantee you have something to eat, but it also gives a chance for friends and family members to try vegetarian dishes. In most cases, people are against vegetarian dishes because of the “healthy taste” stigma attached to it. They have never actually tried vegetarian dishes.
As I stated before, there isn’t a secure way to transition. Everyone works at their own pace, so don’t feel pressured to rush your transition. If it is rushed, the chances of you sticking with it will be unlikely. Therefore, I take any advice that I can. Do the same, be resourceful, and ask any vegetarian friends for tips. If you don’t have any, Bailey is always here to help.
