Well I left the controversial one until last! Most hard-core vegetarian evangelists state categorically that you cannot be a semi-vegetarian. You are either vegetarian or you are not. From my perspective, becoming a vegetarian was a health and environmental choice. I am not evangelical about vegetarianism and I think I will always aspire to be vegan but never quite get there.
The easiest route to becoming a vegetarian is to start to exclude animal products from your diet one by one until you get to the type of vegetarian that you feel comfortable with being. So, at some 0point during this journey you are going to be semi-vegetarian. It is now widely acknowledged that a semi-vegetarian diet is actually the healthiest diet in the world. I believe that this is based on nutritional research carried out around the world that has identified the Southern Japanese diet as a particularly ideal one.
So, to clarify a semi-vegetarian is a vegetarian that includes a minimal amount of animal product in their diet. They may or may not consume dairy products or eggs but they will undoubtedly eat some poultry or fish or a combination of the two weekly/monthly.
Environmentally and health-wise, this is a sound option. You are still reducing your animal product consumption and are making a very positive change to your lifestyle. As with any major lifestyle change, it is always a good idea to speak to your doctor or nurse practitioner to make sure that the changes you are making will not adversely affect your health.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
A semi-vegetarian…I am one
I don’t eat red meat and I actually eat NO poultry but I can’t resist fish so I do eat those. It feels good!
A am thinking about becoming a semi-vegetarian….I love fish and i know that i could not resist eating it. I was detoxing three days a week and i felt so much better. I will be fifty this year and I haven’t started menopause just yet and I want to age gracefully.
I am just starting out as a vegetarian, right now I am semi-veg. It’s because I don’t want to waste any of the meat in my fridge, I am out of milk and will by Soy, once the eggs are gone they are gone, Finishing up the cheeses….so hopefully in about 6 weeks I will be completely a vegetarian…will have to evaluate then if I will have eggs, seafood or some poultry. Excited about getting healthier though.
I actually just became a semi vegetarian after reading Fast Food Nation. I hated learning about how the animals were kept and slaughtered, so now I only eat (very rarely) some types of non over-fished fish. I love that I no longer eat anything that was penned up and abused, and I’ve never felt better.
Hi Hannah!
I found it quite amazing just how different I felt, both from a mental and physical perspective.
For me the move to vegetarianism had to do with health, animal rights, and also to do with sustainability/environmental impact of farming. We don’t eat meat to the extent that we do in the western world because our bodies need it, but because as a society we have coveted it as a luxury item for generations. Now that the majority have access to plentiful meat supplies we gorge ourselves on it because we can.
Life is about being in balance and to me that includes what we put into our bodies. Sadly balance and moderation does not seem to be a natural part of the human condition, we bounce from one extreme to another.
How did you find the experience of becoming a vegetarian? Are your friends and family supportive of the change? Does Pittsburgh have good places for veggies to eat?
Really enjoyed reading your blog…
I have decided to become a vegetarian, so will be starting off with giving up meat. Once I get passed that then the rest will be easy. I never ate pork and rarely ate beef. Its poultry and seafood that will be a challenge but I’m sure that with dedication I can do it. As far as other animal products thats too easy. I’m lactose intollerent and can’t stand eggs.
Hi Tanisha
Sounds like you have a great plan going, let me know how it goes. Out of interest which products do you use as dairy substitutes? One of my household has presented as lactose, wheat and corn intolerant over the last few months. We have settled on rice milk for most things.
Good luck with you plan.
Kittie
x
I am getting closer to 40, both in age and waist size which is disturbing for me, as I lived most of those forty years at 150lbs ish. I served in the US Marines and stayed in a regimented exercise program until about 4 years ago, wow the lbns come on quick. I got back into the physical work of construction which helped. Down to 185, but want to get way heaslthier. I live in alaska and was raised on fish off all flavors. I began exp[loring Vegetarian diet and am seriously considering going
this route. What can you share that would help/
Hey Ryan,
I know exactly where you are coming from having hit 40 last year!
I’ve never been a big meat eater, although my family were into all kinds of meat from the standard to the exotic. My mum loved to cook and experiment. I have always liked seafood, so that was pretty hard for me to give up. So I know where you are coming from on that score too being from an island surrounded by lots of lovely fish.
Sounds like becoming a vegetarian could help you to get your health back on track and help you to regulate your weight. One of the biggest mistakes that people make during the transition is to go mad and pile on the carbs. If you are working construction, then you need to make sure that you have a high enough calorie intake. Make sure you start the day with a good breakfast and that you snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon as well as having a regular lunch and evening meal. What sort of foods do you like? I’ve done an example day of meals here but if none of those gets your taste buds going give me and idea of what does and I’ll put some ideas together for you.
You clearly have the discipline and mindset to get you there having been a US Marine. It is all about will power and determination, so I have no doubt you can achieve becoming a vegetarian if that route is right for you. A pescetarian diet is actually one of the healthiest diets in the world as long as the fish protein is done in moderation.
Happy New Year
Kittie
I will soon be 64 yrs old and just now considering becoming a vegetarian. My daughter and I watched a documentry on meat “glue” and almost became ill!! Not alone the way the animals are raised/killed. I am not a big meat eater, but love eggs and cheese
My daughter is thinking about this also. Can anyone recommend a good receipe site for us to look over? New year, new and better choices…
Hi Jeannie
There are lots of really good recipe sites that will help you to transition to becoming a vegetarian. I use sites from all over the world but I also love cookbooks like Color Me Vegan
that you can get some really good ideas from. In part I guess it depends on what kinds of food you like to eat, here are a couple of my favourite sites for you to explore:
US Sites
The Vegetarian Times
All Recipes
UK Sites
BBC Good Food
Jamie Oliver
I’d be interested to know which ones you liked the best and how your journey is progressing so, if you have the time stop by and let me know.
Kittie
Thinking real hard about becoming a vegetarian.Only thing is until now I never really gave it much thought. But I feel it’s time for a change.I want to look better and feel better about myself. I’ve gained weight over the years but I know it’s not too late. I’ m new to this so I will need help stepping into becoming a vegan.
Hey Anisha,
How is your transition going? Have you identified any of the foods that you want to try? Would you like any specific help?