Four Vegetarian Options for Non-Vegetarians

Posted on Sep 8th 2009, 10:30 am, under Nutrition

We’re all familiar with the advantages of a vegetarian lifestyle: lower cholesterol, a decreased risk of heart disease, a reduction in anxiety and obesity, and overall increased health. 

However, going vegetarian can be really difficult for some people. It can be tough sticking to a vegetarian diet when you’re trying to replace your thick steaks with tiny salads. But maybe you just weren’t aware of all the options yet. Even if you don’t go completely vegetarian, you can still enjoy some of this lifestyle’s many benefits with the following tips:

1. Try some veggie meat.

Try cooking and eating your dishes with soy or wheat gluten in place of meat products. Many vegetarian recipes are now able to replicate the flavor of your favorite meat dishes through creative use of texturing, seasonings, and sauces. These can taste just like the real thing when done right. 

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried a healthy serving of veggie meat “barbecue” in place of your regular hotdogs and burgers. You’ll avoid the carcinogens and unhealthy additives that come with typical packaged meats.

2. Cut out the animal fat.

If you find yourself craving for meat, it’s actually the fat you desire, not the protein. You can substitute for animal fat by eating healthier alternatives such as avocadoes and nuts. 

3. Eat more raw food.

Cooked food lacks important enzymes your body needs for better digestion. Luckily, adding raw food to your diet is easy. Have a salad with Thai- or Greek-style dressing, minus the cheese, and sprinkle on some nuts.

4. Explore international cuisine.

There is a greater variety of food ingredients available today than at any other time in history. Take full advantage of this by checking out what people from other parts of the globe are eating. 

Go beyond ordinary meat and potatoes and look at recipes from other cultures, such as Indian curries and Middle Eastern rice dishes. You may be surprised at the huge variety of meat-free dishes out there. Make mealtime a chance to experiment and enjoy yourself, not a mere refueling point. Take the time to savor new dishes; you’ll be feeding both your body and your mind at the same time.