| Why go vegetarian? | | | | gradually eliminate meat products, starting first with |
| - Your health. Vegetarianism ranks as one the best | | | | red meat. Try switching your meat and vegetable |
| ways to eat a healthy diet--as simple as eating more | | | | portions. Make meat the side dish and feature |
| salads and another apple every day. | | | | vegetables as the main course. Asians typically eat |
| - Want to follow a trend? For instance, Hollywood | | | | this way, especially in stir fry dishes. |
| stars jumping on the bandwagon. | | | | 7. Watch total calories - limit sweets and fats. Don't |
| - Fanatic devotion, near religious status. Deeply into | | | | let your veggies swim in cream sauce or your fruits |
| the animal rights movement, some dedicated | | | | smother in sugary syrups. |
| vegetarians won't even eat in restaurants that serve | | | | 8. Plan your menu. Either: |
| animal products. | | | | 9. - Simple--stick with basic fruits, vegetables, nuts, |
| Getting started | | | | and whole grains. Three vegetable side dishes make |
| A vegetarian diet produces benefits no matter how | | | | a meal. Eat a large salad with shredded vegetables. |
| you approach it, so don't worry about doing it wrong. | | | | Serve fresh fruit in a fancy dish for dessert. or |
| Your body will appreciate any fruit or vegetable you | | | | 10. - Complicated--experiment with exotic items such |
| send down! Just take that all-important first step! | | | | as tempeh, tofu, wheat gluten, or seitan. |
| If you currently consume lots of high-fat, high-sugar | | | | 11. Buy most of your groceries in the produce aisle. |
| junk food, it doesn't make sense to debate the | | | | Visit the dairy aisle if you decide to consume cheese, |
| merits of vegetables versus meat. | | | | milk, eggs, or yogurt. |
| The typical vegetarian diet meets or exceeds the | | | | 12. Serve a colorful plate: |
| recommended daily allowance of vitamins and | | | | 13. - yellow corn |
| minerals, anyway. | | | | 14. - green spinach salad with red tomatoes |
| Tips for success | | | | 15. - light brown whole grain bread |
| | | | 16. - red cherries |
| 1. Decide what version of vegetarianism suits you: | | | | 17. - orange oranges |
| 2. - Vegan or total vegetarian - Includes only foods | | | | 18. Find out if your community hosts a farmer's |
| from plants: fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, seeds, | | | | market. |
| and nuts. | | | | 19. - Farmer's markets create a fun shopping |
| 3. - Lactovegetarian - Adds cheese, milk, yogurt, and | | | | experience, almost carnival-like. |
| other dairy products. | | | | 20. - You'll find the freshest produce available - |
| 4. - Lacto-ovovegetarian - Also includes eggs. | | | | probably just picked that day. |
| 5. - Semi-vegetarians - No red meat, but includes | | | | 21. - Feel good about supporting your local economy. |
| chicken and fish. | | | | See, that wasn't so hard! Start today--your body will |
| 6. Start all at once or gradually - totally your choice. | | | | thank you! |
| Sick and tired of meat? Just dump it all together! Or, | | | | |