Media Credit: Shaun Stewart

For 27 years, music junior Marco Pennetta was a self-proclaimed meat-lover. His Italian childhood - a carnivore culture hard to ignore - was filled with steaks, sausages and chicken.

"I would be the disgrace of my family if they could see me now eating tofu," Pennetta said. Two years ago, he decided to start a new chapter in his life by becoming a vegetarian.

It was an uphill battle for Pennetta against greasy burgers at lunch, and juicy briskets and homemade chicken dishes at dinner.

"I am always eating when I am stressed, anxious, tired, sad, happy; all the feelings that a college student constantly has" he said. "It was easy to give into the temptation, more if you have these meals within easy reach."

It can be near impossible for a meat-lover such as Pennetta to become a vegetarian, but if becoming a vegetarian is something you want to try, loving meat doesn't have to keep you from it.

Here are seven recommendations to follow to be more successful in this process:


Learn all about the veggie style.

If after that you still want to become a vegetarian, the first thing to do is research. There are three principal kinds of vegetarians: the lacto-ovo (eats dairy products, eggs and plant foods), lacto (dairy products and plant foods) and vegan (only plant foods).

"You have to be sure which one you are going to be in order to know what you should eat or which vitamins could be deficient," Brandy Shih, dietitian of UT's Division of Housing and Food Services.

"When you accept this style, you need to learn how to read labels."

In theory, vegetarians are healthier, because they are "more aware about what they consume and eat more vegetables and grains than an average meat eater," Shih said.


Being a vegetarian doesn't necessarily mean you're being healthy

If your only motivation for becoming a vegetarian is the health reason, you should be careful. Eating meat is not unhealthy. In fact, the proteins and vitamins that come from meat are good for you. When becoming a vegetarian, you have to make sure you are getting these nutrients elsewhere in order to be healthy.

"You could be a vegetarian that eats fatty cheese and salads full with dressing," Shih said.


Decrease meat gradually

It doesn't work to just cut meat from your life one day and eat some the next. That's why Shih suggests to do it step by step.

"Cut meat from one meal at a time," she said. "First you can get rid of your least favorite and the next week the other one and so on."

There are many vegetarians who only eat fish and seafood in general, so that could be another option. Besides the flavor, this food has some elements that really help to keep you healthy, such as Omega 3 or B12.

Robert Merril, president of the Vegetarian Network of Austin, didn't hate meat when he decided to become a vegetarian. He was against animal torture.

"This helped me to make the decision, because I really loved meat," he said. His transformation happened gradually. At first, he eliminated chicken and beef but stayed with fish. Then he became a vegan, but now he considers himself a half-vegan, half-vegetarian.

"But I don't miss meat anymore," he said.


Imitations are not always a bad option

Merril remembers that besides fish, he also ate some meat substitutes that adapted him better to the veggie life.

"I had some veggie sausages and chicken patties in the beginning," he said. Mushrooms, beans and even tofu can be cooked in a certain way that still contains a meat taste.

The most popular substitutes are made from soy and other components, which results in the texture vegetable proteins (TVP).

"There are more of these products in the market that can replace meat flavor, but don't forget to read the labels to see what their components are," Shih said.


Being a vegetarian is not just a matter of changing meat for tofu

Remember that despite the fact you could be eating less fat than when you ate meat, you are also consuming fewer vitamins and proteins if you don't balance your diet with other ingredients besides tofu.

"Meat and dairy products are the best sources for calcium, for example," Shih said. "You can find a considerable amount of this in green vegetables as spinach or broccoli."

The most important vitamin and mineral you lose when you are a vegetarian is B12 and iron, respectively.

"Eat a good amount of grains and cereals (protein sources)," Shih said.


Grab a healthy lunch

It is difficult to avoid fast food for lunch, because it is delicious, cheap and so close to you.

"You wake up late, rush to classes, don't have time for a good breakfast. So when the lunch hour appears, you are starving and tend to overdo this meal," Shih said.

She recommends to pack a homemade sandwich, a fruit bar, a granola bar or some nuts and seeds the night before to maintain good glucose levels.

Don't let fast food hinder your goal to become a vegetarian. A veggie meal doesn't mean a colorless and boring one. If you have to eat out, try one of the vegetarian restaurants listed below. They are close to campus and can sometimes be as affordable as fast food.

Peers make the way easier

Every hard task is better faced when you have someone with which to share it. If you want to join other vegetarians for advice, to hear and tell stories, and to learn more about this lifestyle, there is the Vegetarian Network of Austin.

"To be part of our group is easy. Even two members are not vegetarian but love our meals," Merril said.

They have monthly potlucks and restaurant visits. For more information see www.vegnetaustin.org. The table is set.

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