I've been going off and on vegetarianism for the past 4 years because sometimes my body just craves meat again. Sometimes it's your biological makeup that you can't go completely vegetarian without having some problems. I have friends who tell me that we can get everything from plants and supplements. It may be true, but it truly is the fact that you want to stick to the plant-based diet. I made some mistakes going vegetarian that caused some health problems in the beginning. I wouldn't want anyone to make these mistakes.
1. Don't forget protein.
Lentils
If you do your research, you should be able to see how much you need. You have to consider your lifestyle (outside of food), your age, gender and height/weight. It will truly help you so you don't feel hungry. I know when I eat plant-based protein that I do feel full, but lighter then I would if I ate meat. Don't subject people to your attitude because your "hangry". My favorite form of plant protein is Lentils. They have the most protein and are super versatile.
2. You will get a headache; don't drink extra caffeine.
headache
Your body is going through a process of only eating plants. With your body being used to animal protein, it will take some time getting used to. Don't fuel it with more caffeine. Keep drinking water. The headache goes away in a few days because your body gets used to it. Caffeine will make you more thirsty and too much can cause other problems.
3. Be aware of what vitamins and nutrients you need to sustain yourself.
You don't have to get all of your vitamins from pills.
As you've probably figured out, you have to do a lot of research before committing to this lifestyle. You need to know what vitamins and nutrients that you lack before going forward. You can go to the doctor so they could do a blood test and they could tell you. You could also do research on medical websites to see what you need. As we age, our bodies need different vitamins and nutrients. I made the mistake of not getting enough iron in my diet and it resulted in dizziness among other things. As your body becomes deficient, it can cause other problems to arise.
4. Don't rely on processed vegetarian food.
tofu
I wouldn't rely on the processed "vegetarian" food that you see in the freezer section. Companies take advantage of those wanting to go towards the plant-based diet. Next time you see "chicken nuggets" in the vegetarian section, know that they overpriced it and that it won't taste like a chicken nugget. That is why you gave up meat, so why would you want to eat a "chicken nugget"? More than half the time, you can make meals that are way tastier than those in the freezer aisle. That section is good when you need a quick bite, but you shouldn't rely on it. I wasted so much money wanting to have my "quick fixes" and meals are way better prepared outside of the freezer section.
5. Don't eat a lot of processed carbs.
Bread
UnsplashProcessed carbs are fine in moderation, but due to the high sugar content could lead to diabetes. I went through a period where I would eat mostly pasta and bread. That isn't good because it fills you up for a short time before you are hungry again. It's better to have a well-balanced meal and its less caloric.
6. Pay attention to your body.
body
Just as I mentioned before, your body is going to go through changes. Being vegetarian means that you can have animal by-products such as eggs and milk. Being vegan is being completely plant-based with no animal by-products. As you are going through the plant-based transition, you have to see what works well with your body. Can you have regular milk? Can you have soy milk? Can you have almond milk? Some people experience what allergies they have by going plant-based.
This article is about mistakes. I would recommend everyone to try going vegetarian for a while because there are a lot of benefits. Every new diet change is going to do something to your body regardless. A plant-based diet helps you lose fat and become calmer. I've noticed that I don't lash out on people if I'm scared and that I keep my composure easily when I do things I'm scared of. I can go as far as saying that my plant-based diet has changed my body for the good. For those who want to try this out, just do your research before attempting this.
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