Have you vowed to eat less meat in 2014? Many people think about becoming vegetarian at this time of year, but quickly fail for various reasons. If you’re trying to eat less meat or become veggie, here are some tips on how to become a veggie for life!
1 –Remember why you decided to give up meat
Whether it is because you want to live a healthier lifestyle or because you have a moral objection to eating meat, always keep this at the top of your thoughts when you’re wavering in the supermarket and can’t
decide whether to buy that packet of bacon or not! Remember how you felt when you decided your new year’s resolution and hopefully that will help you make a vegetarian choice.
2 – Vegetarians help save the planet!
Raising animals for the food industry means that many thousands of acres of land worldwide have to put aside for grazing. It also uses up much more water and energy to feed someone on meat by grazing cattle than it does growing crops for food. For more information on how becoming a veggie helps saves the planet go to the PETA website. There is also an interesting Wikipedia entry on the environmental impact of meat production.
3 – A vegetarian life is a healthier life
I have read various studies from around the world documenting the fact that leading a vegetarian lifestyle means you lead a healthier lifestyle.
The vegetarian symbol
There is an interesting piece on the NHS website about a study of over 70,000 adults which points to reduced rates of early death in non-meat eaters.
Veggies typically eat lower levels of saturated fats and higher levels of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. There is an interesting section on the NHS Choices website about vegetarian and vegan diets.
4 – Vegetarians save money
Have you ever thought you were spending too much money on meat? When I ask friends of mine who eat meat how much they spend on food, I’m always surprised how much more it is than I spend. The cost of meat, particularly red meat, seems to form a large part of a carnivore’s weekly shopping budget. Give up meat and think how much money you’d save!
5 – Vegetarians sleep happy!
According to PETA, more than 27 billion animals are slaughtered for food every year in the USA alone! Just think how guilt free you can sleep when you know you’re making a difference to the numbers of animals who are cruelly slaughtered just for your sake! Human beings do not need meat to survive, so why not make a conscious decision to give up meat. You don’t need it, so don’t eat it.
Unless you have been a vegetarian since birth, most vegetarians have gone through a transition to giving up meat and some people struggle more than others. If you’re struggling to stay veggie, the Vegetarian Society in the UK has some good resources on their website on how to stay motivated.
Check them out and good luck – you won’t regret it.
I am a Vegetarian 