I confess, I learned a lot through my mistakes over the years adjusting to the vegetarian lifestyle as a teenager and an adult. Now that I’ve settled into a way of eating that supports my lifestyle, I love it! There are so many places, now, to find great meat-free recipes online that I am never bored or tired of my options!
Hopefully this will enlighten you before choosing to try out the lifestyle 🙂
You will have weird cravings.
I know I did, and still do when my life is hectic, I’m stressed, or I lose track of time and don’t eat right! When you stop eating meat as your main source of protein, your body will send off weird craving signals. More often than not, you should be reaching for a substitute like nuts, or beans, or dairy. Many times, though, you don’t recognize these cravings as ones for protein and end up grabbing something filled with carbs or sugar for immediate satisfaction. (peanut butter toast and Jelly Belly Sours have both been my go-tos LOL) But this is a BIG MISTAKE.
Keep track of what you’re eating each day, and don’t let too much time go by before you have a heathy snack or mini-meal. Keep an apple, a handful of almonds, or a few cuts of celery in your purse for when you’re in a pinch. And be sure to make an effort to add a pure source of protein in each meal. You have to be proactive, or you’ll be perpetually hungry and miserable!
You’ll lean on carbs and sugar.
Without meat in your diet, what is left to fill up on? Vegetables, carbs, fruits, and dairy. Fruits and vegetables should make up the greatest percentage of your food. More often than not, though, they don’t. Why? Because you have to eat a ridiculous amount of them to feel full. It seems weird to pile broccoli high on your dinner plate, so you lean on a slice of bread, a cup of pasta, or a bowl of rice to feel full and give you a boost of energy. It’s a vicious cycle. In the end, you’ll gain weight, feel lethargic, and deprive your body of what nutrients it really needs.
Don’t be afraid to eat more than you used to before going vegetarian. Make your plates full and colorful. Have heaping portions of those vegetables. It will feel strange at first, but you will be full and satisfied!
You may drag at the gym and have a hard time getting lean.
This new diet can definitely leave you dragging at the gym if you aren’t careful. Sometimes I left feeling lightheaded, weak, and wondering why I couldn’t make it through the full hour class without feeling like I’d fall over. Without protein and other healthy, natural sources of energy and fat-burning foods, you may not power through your workout the with the same vigor, or even see the same toned results, as before going vegetarian.
I found work-arounds in soy, peanut butter, yogurt, green tea with matcha, and the occasional protein supplement. Try incorporating a few of these options in your diet, and see what works best for you!
Are you thinking of going vegetarian? I’d love to hear about your journey! What is your go-to meal or snack? Comment below!
Love this!! I was a vegetarian for years and I definitely struggled to find foods that would satisfy me. I basically lived on fake meat and pasta which wasn’t healthy. I eat meat now, but not super often, and I feel like my food choices are much more healthy. Thanks for sharing!!!
Love this! What made you go vegetarian? I sometimes think I could do it because I don’t eat a lot of meat, but I’ve never committed!
Xx
Hi Carolina! It’s funny, I actually became a vegetarian without realizing it. My mimi moved in with us when I was around 12. She was a vegetarian, and taught me how to cook! It was about a year later when I realized I might as well become a vegetarian in name because I was already living as one! LOL If you really want to switch up your diet, try it! It’s definitely easier nowadays then it was back when I started. I will never forget my Italian great aunt’s reaction when I first told her I wouldn’t be eating any of her lamb chops…
Love this! I could never go vegetarian, but this was really informative!
Such great advice! I do vegetarian stretches occasionally (like a few weeks not the gym workout. haha) and really have to remind myself to listen to my body and make smart choices. I definitely use carbs as a crutch to fill up when I could just be eating more delicious veggies!
I’m the same way!!! When I’m hungry I want toast or rice or wheat thins…Making a pact with myself to pile on the cauliflower instead! LOL
These are such great tips! Being able to recognize that your bod is craving proteins is key! Thanks so much for this! Will you share your online recipe sources?! We’re not strictly vegetarians but I’m always looking for new veg recipes! Thanks!
I will totally share some recipes! Maybe even some of my own 😉
I’m not vegetarian but I’ve been working on cutting out carbs and do find that when I “go” back to eat a carb I feel lethargic & have noticed weight gain. It’s such a struggle to make the best choice for your body.
Great tips! Legumes like peas, beans, and lentils are also great for plant-based protein!
It’s funny you bring up lentils. I’ve been on a major lentil soup kick!!! I’ll definitely post a recipe soon!
I’ve been a vegetarian for 22 years so I don’t remember another way. I do drag at the gym but haven’t really found a work around. I thought yogurt was slowing me down too. I’m going to start putting matcha in my smoothies. I saw Starbucks has a lemonade matcha, I’m going to try to make that at home without sugar. Yes I’m queen of keeping frozen broccoli in my freezer to fill up any plate. lol
I absolutely LOVE matcha!!! I really want to try a protein powder, too, but I’m so overwhelmed by the amount of choice there that I never commit!
I experienced all of these when I transitioned to vegetarian. Especially the carb part but once you got used to it you can adjust too. Thanks xoxoxo