5 Reasons You Should Go (Almost) Vegetarian

I grew up in a family that doesn't believe in a meal without meat and where a breakfast isn't a breakfast without bacon.

Later in life, my friend and dating circle began to include more and more vegetarians. I would talk at length with them about how and why, and was supportive of their choices, but could never fully commit myself. After all, I was raised that the finest delicacy is a perfectly cooked steak.

But here's a secret a lot of people won't tell you: You don't have to be 100% vegetarian to truly make a difference. In fact, just like turning the lights off or lowering your thermostat or buying energy efficient appliances, every little bit counts.

So what if we all went semi-vegetarian? Let's assume you eat meat every single day. What if you cut out meat for two of those days? Now you're eating 30 per cent less meat than you were before. Cut out meat for five of those days? That's over 70 per cent of the time you're living meat-free.

Here's 5 reasons (and ways) you should go semi-vegetarian starting tomorrow.

1. Make Better Choices

Vegetarianism might seem challenging at first, but the key is to start small. When you have the chance to eat something meat-free, take it! Choose the salad instead of the wings, or the veggie wrap instead of the burger. Pay attention to the options you're presented with in the food court. Buy less meat at the grocery store. Plan your meals ahead and pack meatless lunches. Your body, the animals, and the planet will thank you for it.

2. Go Meatless at Home

The biggest challenge with being vegetarian can be the options when eating out. Sometimes there just isn't a good veggie option, and that's okay! Assuming you don't eat out for every single day, make a commitment to go meatless at home. No meat in the house means no temptations, and it creates a happier, healthier home.

3. Educate Yourself

Try to read one post a day about vegetarianism and animal cruelty. It will keep the facts fresh in your head and force you to reconsider that rack of ribs when the craving hits because you're building the mental groundwork for making different choices. Beef production uses 100 times the water that most vegetables do. Animals are often raised in cruel, factory farm conditions. Eating vegetarian reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease. Whatever helps you to resist that meat urge, find the articles or movies to remind yourself. As they say, knowledge is power.

4. Start with the Red Meats

Red and processed meats are the major culprits in terms of environmental damage and health risks. So if you have to eat meat, try and swap those burgers and steaks out for some sustainable Oceanwise fish. Find a new recipe you might like to try and change things up. Fish tacos instead of beef fajitas, salmon steaks instead of, well, steak steaks. Reducing your consumption of red meats is a very easy place to start.

5. You Can Avoid the Stigma (or Not)

Let's be honest, vegetarians (and especially vegans) can get a bad rap, especially in meat and potatoes families or at the holidays when everyone else is sitting down to a plate of turkey and ham. When you're semi-vegetarian, you don't have to tell people about it because you have a bit more freedom. It can be your little secret, knowing you're saving the lives of animals and helping the environment in your own way. Or you can scream it from the rooftops and encourage others to join your semi-vegetarian cause. The choice is yours.

Bottom Line

It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Set a goal, whether it's one day a week or six, and work your way up. But the key is to truly commit to that goal. Every day counts towards reducing your environmental footprint.