Beef to Broccoli - Making the switch to Vegetarianism by Allein Moore

Beef to Broccoli - Making the switch to Vegetarianism by Allein Moore Before you make any major change in your life-whether it is to give up smoking or stop eating meat-you must be convinced in your own mind that you want to take this step. Or, like me, it may take you three attempts to move to a vegetarian diet. This is not the place to go into the full arguments of why vegetarianism is both healthier and morally better way of life. Read some books (Diet for a New America by John Robbins is a good source) and you will learn about the harm that meat eating does to the body. You'll find that meat contains no fiber but lots of unhealthy fats which causes many problems. You may be shocked to realize the cruel way we imprison animals and birds and then slaughter them. You may be surprised to learn of the extent of damage and waste involved with the huge livestock industry and the damage it is doing to our environment. You will become aware that nobody need starve in the world today if all the crops grown for cattle were used for feeding humans. Whatever the reason that makes you decide to switch to a vegetarian diet, you have a lot gain-including a longer, healthier life according to statistics. So get prepared. Some vegetarians will tell you to give up meat overnight. Like cigarette smokers, they feel you will slide back if you have just one cigarette or eat a few pieces of meat. It also gets results quicker. Do it this way if you can. It depends on your strength of will or a pressing reason. You may even feel a little unwell as your body rids itself of the toxins from past meat eating. Personally I'd advise you to start slowly. Introduce meatless meals into your diet every other day. Meanwhile choose fish over beef or chicken. Chicken, by the way, contains nearly as much cholesterol as red meat and often has a few extra nasties added. We've practically fished the oceans "dry" so much of the fish we eat today has been kept in ponds and factory farmed like most livestock. Shellfish is often contaminated so is best avoided from the start. Fish should be continued only for a 'weaning' or temporary period while you learn to prepare vegetarian meals. When you become vegetarian, you are in fact gaining a new culinary experience. Vegetables taste wonderful and as you regain your taste buds you begin to appreciate them more and more. You can have so much variety and soon not notice that there is no dead flesh on the plate. Indian vegetarian food in Singapore is marvelous and most Italian restaurants have a good pasta dish or two for vegetarians. Many people enjoy Chinese vegetarian for its variety. Learn to cook yourself. This way, you ensure you get fresh vegetables and less oil. There are many good vegetarian cook books out there in the book shops. European recipes tend to be a bit bland for Asian taste, so add spices if you wish. Vary the menu by eating Italian, Indian, Chinese and European over the week. Soups make a wonderful start to a meal and suit vegetables well. I'd advise buying organically vegetables and fruits when possible. Yes, they will cost more but savings on meat purchases and future doctors' fees will far outweigh the extra expense. If you are cooking pasta, choose whole grain products. Eat brown/unpolished rice and grains. The goodness is striped off by further processing. Should you find it hard at first to get used to brown rice, then mix it with white at first and then gradually cut down. Soya, in its many forms, will be a welcomed guest in lots of dishes. I take Soya milk over my cereal in the morning. Experiment with products to find the taste you like. I must emphasized that eating a variety of food is important. (This is true of a diet containing meat too). Do not suddenly try to live on salads or fruits alone. Make sure you eat plenty of grains , rice or oats. Whole meal bread is good too. Fill your self on as much vegetables as you like. Leafy green vegetables and broccoli are particular rich in vitamins. These and fresh fruits (not tinned) are full of fiber so they not only nourish you but appear to protect you from colon cancer. Munching nuts between nuts between meals is far more healthy snacking on chocolate bars, but note some are heavy in fats, so take it easy. Some vegetarians still eat butter and cheese, drink milk and eat eggs. Diary products are full of fat and strict vegetarians are concerned about the exploitation of milking cows. However, you may find it easier and more convenient when eating out to continue with these in moderation when you first move into vegetarianism. It is not difficult to become a vegetarian and certainly it is no sacrifice to stop eating dead animals and birds when you a wonderful choice of wholesome fruits and vegetables. Vegetarianism is becoming more popular both here and worldwide. I invite you, for the sake for your health and call upon your compassion for the other creatures with which we share this beautiful planet, to make this uplifting and energizing change in your life. Article by Allein Moore, President, Vegetarian Society, Singapore. Copyright Dec 1999 Top Back to VSS Column.