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Becoming a vegetarian has been a thought I've had for quite a while. It's always been something I've wanted to try, but when it came time to make the change, I often fell back into my regular meat-heavy habits due to convenience. Having grown up in a household where meat was always the main event—red meat, seafood, and poultry were staples—this shift wasn’t easy. But as I became more aware of the environmental harm caused by eating animals, the idea of transitioning to a more plant-based diet became more pressing. While I haven’t fully eliminated meat from my diet, I decided to give myself a challenge with a three-week trial, which turned out to be a great opportunity to learn and grow. And to my surprise, going vegetarian was far easier than I expected.
For three weeks, I cut out meat completely and kept track of my experiences. Here’s what I discovered along the way.
1. My grocery bills became much more affordable
I was amazed at how much more budget-friendly my weekly grocery shopping became when I stopped purchasing meat. Choosing economical beans and legumes, along with fresh fruits and vegetables, significantly lowered my expenses. At Whole Foods, I found a one-pound bag of lentils for $5.99, which provided enough cooked lentils for about four meals. I also discovered that Trader Joe’s offered a wide variety of ready-made meals and vegetarian options, which made preparing quick, easy dinners a breeze on nights when I wasn’t up for cooking from scratch.
2. I realized that there are many different types of vegetarians
Contrary to common belief, there are multiple types of vegetarians. Lacto-ovo vegetarians refrain from eating meat but still consume eggs and dairy. Lacto-vegetarians include dairy in their diet but exclude eggs, while ovo-vegetarians do the opposite. Pescatarians mainly follow a plant-based diet, with seafood and fish included. Vegans completely avoid animal products, including dairy and eggs. Finally, flexitarians primarily follow a plant-based diet but incorporate meat and other animal products occasionally.
3. I found myself eating mostly vegan foods
Although I initially chose a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet, including dairy and eggs, I quickly noticed that most of the supermarket offerings were catered to vegans rather than vegetarians. More often than not, I ended up opting for vegan options, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Additionally, it’s important to note that dairy products, including milk, have been linked to health risks such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease, while also playing a role in climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.
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4. My digestive system felt incredibly grateful
Let's dive into the big topic—number two. Indeed, switching to a vegetarian diet has greatly improved my digestive health significantly. One of the greatest benefits of becoming vegetarian has been a happier, more consistent digestive system. With the addition of many fresh, fiber-packed foods, I’ve experienced much less bloating and significantly fewer issues with acid reflux.
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5. I realized that some ingredients I loved weren't actually vegetarian
It was a surprise to learn that Parmesan cheese, which contains rennet (an enzyme from a calf's stomach), is not considered vegetarian. Other popular cheeses such as Pecorino Romano, manchego, gruyère, and gorgonzola are also off the list because they use rennet in their production. While collagen offers benefits for skin and bones, it is derived from animal products and is not vegetarian-friendly. Additionally, some candies like gummy bears and marshmallows contain gelatin, which is made from collagen. And surprisingly, some tortillas are made with lard (animal fat), which makes them unsuitable for vegetarians. Who knew?
6. I came to the realization that I wasn’t getting enough protein
A few days into my new vegetarian lifestyle, I began feeling hungrier than usual and a bit jittery. After evaluating my daily intake, I realized I wasn't getting enough protein. Vegetarians often rely on protein-rich foods such as seitan, tofu, lentils, nuts, and beans to meet their nutritional needs. Despite incorporating these foods, I wasn’t eating enough of them. For context, a cup of cooked beans provides roughly 15 grams of protein, while seitan offers about 25 grams of protein per 100 grams. To give you an idea, women should aim for 52 grams of protein per day, and men should consume 63 grams. Thankfully, this just meant I got to eat more!
7. My subconscious started steering me away from meat
Before going vegetarian, I would’ve happily devoured a double-double animal-style burger from In-N-Out any day of the week. However, after a few days into my experiment, I found myself less tempted by meat. As time passed, this craving diminished. As my body began to thrive on my new plant-based meals, my desire for meat decreased, and I found myself craving more plant-based protein.
8. I started craving more sweets than usual
Although my meat cravings diminished, by about day three of my vegetarian journey, I started finding myself longing for more sweets than usual. Typically, I lean toward savory snacks, but during those initial days of my vegetarian diet, all I could think about were cookies and cake. This likely happened as my body—and its response to satiety—adjusted to my new eating pattern.
To combat my sudden cravings for sugar, I found it helpful to take a step back and evaluate how balanced my new diet truly was. I checked if I was getting the necessary nutrients or if I was replacing whole grains, fruits, and vegetables with more refined carbs. I discovered that the best way to fight these sugar urges was by enjoying a bowl of wholesome fruits such as apples, bananas, and berries. This left me feeling completely content afterward.
9. Finding take-out options was surprisingly easier than I thought
Almost every restaurant I tried offered a variety of vegetarian choices. If a dish sounded tempting but wasn’t entirely vegetarian, all I had to do was ask for a simple alteration, and they were more than happy to accommodate. However, I realized that some dishes I assumed were vegetarian, such as soups and stews, were made with beef or chicken stock. Additionally, I found that restaurants focusing on healthy, vegetarian-friendly meals were more expensive than other options, likely due to the quality of their ingredients. This encouraged me to cook more meals at home instead of dining out.
10. I had to be more mindful of not overeating junk food just because it's "plant-based"
Many tasty treats, such as french fries, bagels, chips, and even some doughnuts, are technically plant-based. How convenient! I indulged in these foods but soon realized I needed to be cautious not to overeat them, despite how easily accessible they were. I learned that these nutrient-poor options not only went against my health goals but also made me feel sluggish, foggy, and hungry. I decided that moderation was key when it came to junk food.
11. I felt incredibly inspired by the positive difference I was making for the planet
Sure, I still experienced cravings from my old eating habits, but I quickly found comfort in knowing the positive impact that cutting back on meat (or eliminating it) has on the environment, which motivated me to stay committed to my journey. An Oxford University study, published in the journal Climatic Change, reveals that meat-eaters contribute nearly twice as many dietary greenhouse-gas emissions per day as vegetarians and about two and a half times as many as vegans.
Adopting a vegetarian diet turned out to be much simpler than I had expected. Looking ahead, I’ll probably stick with a flexitarian diet, focusing on reducing meat consumption and increasing plant-based food intake.
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