Each of us deals with change differently. Some people find it easiest to make a clean break with meat and go vegetarian overnight, while others prefer a gradual transition. You may want to start out having a few meatless meals each week or making certain exceptions for your favorite meaty foods. It's important to go at your own pace and choose an approach that you can sustain. Years' worth of eating less meat will have a much greater impact than a brief stint as a vegan.

Thinking about eating less meat or going veg? See these tips for making a fun and painless transition to vegetarian eating.

1. Make simple substitutions in your favorite recipes. Try chili with vegetarian crumbles (like BOCA® Ground Crumbles) and baked potatoes topped with soy "bacon bits." Replace the beef in burritos with beans and grilled veggies.
2. Try incorporating faux meats into your favorite meals to enjoy familiar tastes and textures. Ranging from "chicken" strips to veggie burgers, meat substitutes are often low in fat and high in soy protein. Not all brands are equal, so we suggest doing some taste testing to find your favorite products.
3. Visit ethnic restaurants when dining out and explore the many veg foods that have been popular in other countries for years. Bean burritos, chana masala, coconut curries, falafel, and veggie California rolls are just a few examples.
4. Always eating on the go? Check out this list of chain restaurants with vegetarian options, and visit VegGuide.org for a worldwide guide to veg-friendly restaurants and grocers.
5. Health food stores have a wide variety of meat-free foods, but you can also find vegetarian products in major supermarkets like Wal-Mart, Shaw's, Safeway, Target, and Albertsons. Ask a store manager about special ordering products for you if they're not available at your local grocery store.
6. If you're a college student living without a stove, or if you just need some really simple microwavable meal ideas, check out PETA's Vegan College Cookbook for lots of recipes.
7. Don't worry about obscure animal-derived ingredients, and try not to feel discouraged if you give into cravings or accidentally eat non-vegetarian food at times. Being vegetarian is not about achieving personal purity or perfection; it's about doing what we can to reduce suffering and protect our health.
8. Convenience foods save time! There are many packaged vegetarian soups, frozen meat-free entrées (like Amy's), pre-flavored tofu brands, and boxed vegetarian mixes that make cooking easier.
9. As you transition to a vegetarian diet, try not to focus on the foods you're giving up. Instead, savor the new flavors and culinary experiences that you're discovering.
10. By choosing a plant-based diet, you are protecting your health and saving the lives of over 100 animals each year. So, don't forget to congratulate yourself for each meatless meal that you enjoy!

See our More Info page for additional vegetarian-related resources. Good luck, and feel free to contact us at vegstarter@yahoo.com with any questions or concerns about vegetarianism.