So, based on the title, you can get a small gist of what I’m going to talk about. I have just recently decided to try going, “vegetarian.” There are numerous reasons people choose to be a vegetarian, so we’re gonna talk about those, some yummy recipes, health effects, and more. Some people choose to be vegetarian due to animal cruelty, and not thinking it’s right to treat animals the way we do. Others do it for dietary purposes; meat can be very tough and heavy on the stomach and can cause a lot of unknown health effects. But me, I’m doing it for a different reason, that honestly might sound a little silly to the average person.
Eating meat is something I always grew up doing. My mom made some sort of meat every single meal. However, around the age of 18 I just randomly started getting a little grossed-out by meat. Just thinking about where it was coming from, the chemicals being put into it, etc. all just kind of made me “turned-off” from eating it. The more I pondered where it came from, how the animals were treated, what they were fed, and so on, I grew almost a “disgust” for meat. The best advice I can give, is just DO YOUR RESEARCH. A lot of companies that claim animals are “grass-fed”, don’t use antibiotics, etc. are not telling the full truth. Often times “organic” isn’t even actually “organic.” Make sure you are feeding your body healthy nutrients that will energize you.
Another reason I am interested in trying to be vegetarian, is the energy I have heard you get. Your body is no longer fueled off of meat but is fueled by the other healthy foods you generally consume as a vegetarian. I have had plenty of people tell me that they feel so much healthier, more energized, and happier. It has also been said that people that only do not consume meat are actually much lighter in weight by almost 20 pounds on average. I have always been very into health, fitness, and keeping my body in shape, so this obviously has been a positive for me, as I am making the decision to cut meat out of my diet.
But what do you eat for meals if you are vegetarian? Where do you get the protein you need? These are two very relevant questions that you might need answered as you ponder whether to go vegetarian or not. Many vegetarians eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, starches, nuts, etc. There are a multitude of delicious cook books and online recipes that are strictly for the vegetarian life-style. One of my favorites, quick-and-easy meals is avocado toast with veggies on top. It takes only a few minutes to make, and is filling, delicious, and healthy. It’s made with toast, tomatoes, onion, avocado, lemon, siracha, salt, and pepper. Healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and other food items are a good way to fill yourself up. But what about protein? Where does that come from as a vegetarian? Well, there are many, many sources of protein that are not meat-based. Some popular food items are: edamame, chickpeas, eggs, tofu, peanuts, Quinoa, oats, soy milk, wild rice, and others. It is definitely important when eating a vegetarian diet to get enough protein per day, so that is something to take note of.
A great place to shop if you are vegetarian is “Trader Joe’s.” Trader Joe’s is filled with healthy, organic, vegetarian food items and pre-made meals. I have heard that they carry a lot of different vegetarian brands like, “Amy’s” and “MorningStar.” Amy’s has amazing pre-made meals that are both delicious and healthy. MorningStar has a wide-range of vegetarian versions of meat foods. For example, they have vegetarian chicken nuggets. Apparently, they taste so good you can’t even tell they’re vegetarian. Some people say they actually even taste BETTER than real, meat chicken nuggets. These two brands, and Trader Joe’s in general is a great place to look into if you’re going vegetarian and are concerned about limited options.
So, Food Friendzy, if you are interested in going vegetarian, I think it’s a great option. There are a multitude of health benefits (loss of weight, protection against chemicals and bacterium, etc.), delicious foods that taste authentic but are veggie-replicas, and it’s a way to protect our environment and the animals in it. Before you make the decision like I have, do your research, consult other vegetarians, and truly consider your reasoning for doing it. It honestly is a really big decision. It isn’t even JUST a decision, it’s a new way of life. Happy researching ❤
If you have any questions about me or my vegetarian journey, please feel free to send a contact info card on the website, OR follow my Instagram and shoot me a direct message (@charlaurel).
Thanks for reading, Friendz. Enjoy YOOO weekend.
Until next time,
Your Veggie Lovin’ Friend (Charis)
Food Friendzy 