Pursuing a healthy vegetarian diet is a difficult but possible task. The benefits of such a plan are numerous: it is low in calories, raises consumption awareness, and limits the amount of harm done to living beings. Without a doubt, putting yourself on a regimen free of meat products requires some personal discipline, but there are numerous ways to pursue such a regime. One does not take a first time swimmer up to the ten meter diving board on their first day at a pool; likewise, if you are attempting to put yourself on your first diet, it may be advisable to take the endeavor in steps. Consider your options when first beginning to pursue your new healthy diet.

Though it has been associated with different religions throughout history, vegetarianism as a general dietary practice belongs to no specific religion or set of beliefs. One need only have a commitment to changing their diet and a willingness to address their own individual strengths and weaknesses in order to successfully eat as a vegetarian. Humans are omnivores, which mean they can properly digest both meat, and non-meat products. For thousands of years man has been altering his eating regime to fit the changing needs and situations of their environment. No one particular type of diet has ever been the perfect one, as the perfect way of eating has and will continue to change to be that which fits the needs and desires of a given individual. Some dieticians have suggested that man is more properly suited to follow a vegetarian plan, as meat eating tends to store more fat than is necessary or desirable. This is a contentious point, and as such need not be considered as an absolute truth in the decision to become a vegetarian. Surely, if one were to eat a vegetarian diet rich in fatty nuts and almonds one would end up consuming more fat than an omnivore. It’s not so much the fact of being a vegetarian in name that will give you the benefits, vegetarianism as a practice is a means to an end and not the culmination of the search for a healthy regimen.

The vegetarian diet is intimidating. For many individuals in western society, the exact foods (typically, meat) that are forbidden in vegetarianism are the most enjoyable. This need not destroy your decision to purse this plan because vegetarianism is not an all or nothing kind of deal. Take the weight off your shoulders by realizing that even lifelong vegetarians do not agree on a standard regime. Just a sampling of some of the more common vegetarianisms can convince one of the flaws of the way of eating. Vegans, one of the more strict branches, do not eat any products that have been made from animals, or from animal by-products, such as milk or cheese. Some other branches are more forgiving, such as fish/poultry vegetarians who do not eat red meat but will eat fish and poultry. Likewise, the pacing of your vegetarianism need not be a rigorous and painful one. For example, you can begin your regimen by first eliminating meat products that you do not enjoy, then slowly work your way up to a way of eating you wish to have.

A good rule of thumb to pursue is one month per eating stage. If you are working your way towards an all vegan diet, try cutting out chicken for one month, then cow products then next month, then fish the third month. In this way you will be sure to put only an amount of pressure on yourself that you can maintain and live with. Ultimately, being a vegetarian should be a healthy source of joy in your life and your solution to the healthy diet puzzle.