As mainstream as vegetarianism has become, the idea of a meatless lifestyle still faces many of the same grievances from people who eat a more omnivorous diet. The doubts about the healthfulness of a vegetarian diet, as well as the ever-growing variety of vegetarian and vegan foods, can make considering switching to a meat- or animal product-free diet a confusing one. 

These same questions plagued me in my first year of college when I became friendly with a three year meat-free vet Amber, meanwhile my friend Daniel switch over to a vegetarian diet. They were happy without meat, which was surprising to me even though I knew it was possible to live a full, happy life without ever touching a filet mignon or a seared tuna steak. In fact, not eating meat goes beyond caring for the environment, animal rights, or health reasons, it is also a vital component of some religious societies. One religion that is noted for its vegetarian lifestyle is Hinduism, which finds divinity in all living beings (found in the Yajur Veda, 12.32). Hinduism’s permeation of India has affected the country’s food culture (cow slaughter in banned in many of India’s states) and helped shape the colorful foods that the world enjoys today. 

Aside from religious faith, vegetarians have other personal convictions that sway them from eating meat, whether it be the harsh factory conditions many animals face before their slaughter for meat or concern over the hormones animals are fed to plump them up before they are killed. Other people who have left meat behind also cite that a vegetarian diet gives them plenty of protein (found in beans, tofu, tempeh, etc.) and calcium (found in green vegetables such as broccoli) without the fat found in meat. 

Despite my devotion to meat in my diet, I have always been veggy-curious, seeing the lifestyle as a challenge with plenty of culinary discoveries and health benefits. Plus, I enjoy testing my willpower against lifelong habits. Over the next few articles, I am going to explore and break down how to eat like a vegetarian from a dedicated meat-eater’s perspective. There are two ways I could go vegetarian: wean myself off of meat over time or go “cold turkey.” I don’t know if I have the staunch willpower to cut myself off of meat entirely in one day, so I think I will just wean myself off over the next couple of weeks, gradually replacing meat in my favorite dishes with tofu or other substitutes.

But where to start with vegetarian dishes? And what about tofu? Tempeh? Nutritional yeast? Going from meat to wheat could be confusing if one doesn’t understand meat substitutes.  For a first dish, let’s start with something simple and without meat.  Chili is one of my favorite foods and although it is known as a beef-heavy meal, there are scores of delightful vegetarian versions such as this easy, cheap recipe for black bean chili from Bon Appétit.