Written by Cove Johnson Rabidoux
Nowadays, more and more teens are choosing to transition to a vegetarian diet. While every teen goes vegetarian for their own reason, many teens choose to do it for health reasons, environmental reasons, and ethical concerns, such as animal rights. Making the switch to a vegetarian lifestyle can be exciting, but it also comes with some challenges. It can be overwhelming to know and have to consider which foods you can and "can't" eat. So, to help aid teens in their transition to vegetarianism, here are five essential tips teens need to know.
1. Research Before Starting
Before you officially start eating a vegetarian diet, it is important that you research. Vegetarianism isn’t just about cutting out meat, but it’s about replacing it with nutritious alternatives. That's why prior to eliminating meat from your diet, do some research on vegetarian-friendly foods that provide protein, iron, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Contrary to popular belief, countless plant-based ingredients provide these nutrients, including lentils, beans, tofu, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens. Overall, understanding your options before you actually become a vegetarian will better help you make a decision about what works best for you.
2. Do it With Others
One way to make transitioning to a vegetarian diet easier and more fun is by doing it with others. Whether you have a friend or a family member who is also interested in going vegetarian, consider making the switch together. Having someone to share recipes, try new foods with, and encourage you along the way can make the experience so much more fun and less intimidating.
Now, if you don’t know anyone personally who is vegetarian, here at Piece of Cake, we are always open to providing inspiration, encouragement, and helpful advice in the comments.
3. Remember to Eat Protein
For a lot of people, their biggest concern about going vegetarian is getting enough protein. It's understandable in our society protein is commonly portrayed as almost being exclusively found in meat. Protein is crucial as it aids in building and maintaining muscles, supporting immune function, and keeping you full and energized. So, while you may associate protein with meat, there are tons of vegetarian-friendly protein sources to include in your everyday meals. Foods like beans, lentils, tofu, quinoa, nuts, seeds, Greek yogurt, and eggs are excellent protein sources. Incorporating a variety of these foods into your diet ensures you’re getting enough protein to stay strong and healthy.
4. Look For Accidentally Vegetarian Products
You don’t have to completely change your diet overnight—start by finding foods you already enjoy that just happen to be vegetarian. I promise that you will be surprised by the ones you find. Many popular foods, such as Oreos, peanut butter, hummus, cereal, and chips, are naturally vegetarian. Plus, most restaurants and fast-food places now offer vegetarian-friendly options, even if they don’t advertise them. For example, you can order a bean burrito at Taco Bell, a veggie sandwich at Subway, or an Impossible Burger at Burger King. Learning to spot "accidentally" vegetarian foods can make the transition less overwhelming and actually more engaging, like a scavenger hunt.
5. Enjoy Some Sweets
Lastly, going vegetarian doesn’t mean giving up all your favorite treats! Plenty of desserts, such as cookies, brownies, ice cream, and cakes, can still fit into a vegetarian diet. When you first go vegetarian, it is especially important that you eat the foods you enjoy. So, if you love baking, consider experimenting with plant-based recipes. Many traditional desserts can be made vegetarian (or even vegan) by swapping ingredients like gelatin, margarine, and honey. Not only is eating dessert a great way to explore new flavors, but it also makes for a fun and creative way to ease into vegetarianism!
Becoming a vegetarian is a big step, one that doesn't just involve shifting the way you eat but also how you experience. For instance, you may have to start packing snacks if you want to ensure you have vegetarian options available. This might also mean bringing your own lunch to school. Overall, going vegetarian is a process filled with both ups and downs, but to help you along the way are the five tips listed above. Just remember that while it may be difficult at first, it will ultimately become easier over time.
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