Meat or no meat?

I’m a flexitarian.

Really.  I enjoy a great steak, a wonderful grilled chicken breast, and succulent pulled pork.  However, I also know that there are plenty of health benefits for ditching the meat.  And, as much as I LOVE cheese, cheese, oh glorious cheese, dairy really reeks havoc on the body.

So, I consider myself a…flexitarian.  A person who is flexible in her food choices and fully understands the impact of those choices.  I choose to lean into vegetarian and sometimes vegan eating habits, but refuse to completely give up being a carnivore.

Here are some quick ways to easily transform several meals a week into vegetarian or vegan entrees that will make even the most hearty carnivore into a satisfied diner.

1. THINK BIG PICTURE
When people pick out something to eat, they often decide on the meat item and then choose side dishes.  To readjust to a vegetarian or vegan diet, think about your meal from the overall big picture rather than seeing any individual food item as a star.  Treat your protein, complex carbohydrate, and veggies with the same amount of importance.  That way you will get a more healthy and nutritious meal.

2.  KNOW YOUR PROTEINS
There are fabulous tasting sources of protein other than animal flesh.  Beans are high in protein and if you mix beans with rice (use brown rice) then you have what is considered a “complete” protein.  Eggs, chickpeas, soy, cheese, and nuts are also wonderful sources of proteins.  Obviously, if you want to eat vegan, then skip the eggs and cheese.

Tofu is also a good source of protein, but honestly…. I haven’t met a version of tofu that I enjoy eating.  And, I strongly believe there is no reason to eat anything which you don’t enjoy.  So, for me, tofu is off the table…so to speak.

Good wheat and multigrain breads, oatmeal, cereals and other complex carbs also have decent amounts of protein, so if you pay attention, you absolutely can get plenty of protein from these sources.

3. GET CREATIVE
Meat is an easy way to You don’t have to eat proteins in their raw form so get creative when you add these items to your meals.  Replace cow’s milk with soy milk on your cereal.  Natural peanut butter and almond butter are fabulous.  Chickpeas are wonderful in salad and easily turn into tasty hummus that can be used as delicious sandwich spreads and dips.  Sprinkle cashews or chopped almonds onto salads in lieu of meat and toss beans into salads and side dishes.  Have edamame (soybeans) as a snack, in salads, or as a side dish.

If you are considering vegan or vegetarian diet or you just want to eat less meat, then start out by replacing one meal a day with some of the suggestions above.  It will force you to broaden your culinary experiences and change up your old routines.  It will also open you to new possibilities of eating that lead you down a healthier and more nourishing path.