{"id":45061,"date":"2022-07-15T19:01:20","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T19:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=45061"},"modified":"2026-01-12T18:36:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T18:36:59","slug":"becoming-a-vegetarian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/","title":{"rendered":"Becoming A Vegetarian: The Beginner&#8217;s Guide (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Get_your_personalized\" >Get your personalized<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Step_1_Dont_Go_Cold_Turkey\" >Step 1: Don&#8217;t Go Cold Turkey<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Step_2_Educate_Yourself\" >Step 2: Educate Yourself<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Step_3_Find_Some_Recipes\" >Step 3: Find Some Recipes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Step_4_Learn_How_To_Shop\" >Step 4: Learn How To Shop<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Step_5_Be_Prepared_For_Social_Situations\" >Step 5: Be Prepared For Social Situations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Step_6_Talk_To_Your_Doctor\" >Step 6: Talk To Your Doctor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Benefits_Of_Becoming_A_Vegetarian\" >Benefits Of Becoming A Vegetarian<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Good_For_Heart_Health\" >Good For Heart Health<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Aids_In_Weight_Loss_And_Maintenance\" >Aids In Weight Loss And Maintenance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Reduces_The_Risk_Of_Certain_Cancers\" >Reduces The Risk Of Certain Cancers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Lowers_The_Risk_Of_Type_2_Diabetes\" >Lowers The Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Lower_Blood_Pressure\" >Lower Blood Pressure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Reduce_Inflammation\" >Reduce Inflammation<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Is_Being_A_Vegetarian_Healthy\" >Is Being A Vegetarian Healthy?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Nutrient_Deficiency\" >Nutrient Deficiency<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Unhealthy_Foods\" >Unhealthy Foods<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#What_Happens_To_Your_Body_When_You_Become_Vegetarian\" >What Happens To Your Body When You Become Vegetarian?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#Is_Becoming_A_Vegetarian_Hard\" >Is Becoming A Vegetarian Hard?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#How_Do_I_Start_Being_A_Vegetarian\" >How Do I Start Being A Vegetarian?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re thinking about becoming a vegetarian, congratulations! You&#8217;re taking a big step toward improving your health and protecting the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n    <section class=\"ad-single-wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"ad-single-text ad-title-wrapper\">\n            <h3 class=\"ad-single-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_your_personalized\"><\/span>Get your personalized<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n            <span class=\"ad-single-sub-title color-green\">\n                <svg class=\"icon-sparkle\" width=\"36\" height=\"21\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 21\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                          d=\"M34.6837 0.515943C34.8247 0.835947 34.9421 1.16291 34.9891 1.48987C35.1417 2.64466 35.3179 6.51949 35.2592 7.29863C35.2592 7.53515 35.1887 7.7995 35.0243 8.01516C34.7307 8.39777 33.9791 8.4256 33.5681 8.07081C33.4154 7.94559 33.3215 7.77863 33.2745 7.61863C33.1453 7.15254 33.0396 6.68645 32.9809 6.22035C32.8165 4.81512 32.6638 3.40293 32.5581 1.9977C32.5229 1.53161 32.6051 1.05856 32.6991 0.592466C32.7695 0.244637 33.251 -0.0197144 33.6973 0.00115537C34.2257 0.0289818 34.5546 0.230723 34.6837 0.515943ZM18.6184 9.78225C18.5734 9.67557 18.5344 9.57528 18.4971 9.47956C18.4178 9.27568 18.3465 9.09257 18.2426 8.91267C16.7159 6.24133 14.2615 3.86217 11.4665 1.60128C11.1377 1.33693 10.7267 1.08649 10.2687 0.919531C10.0221 0.829095 9.52885 0.843009 9.247 0.933445C9.03562 1.00301 8.88295 1.27432 8.92992 1.42736C9.01213 1.71954 9.18828 2.01868 9.4349 2.28303C11.0555 4.02913 12.6879 5.76829 14.3437 7.50048C14.8308 8.0068 15.3395 8.50887 15.8473 9.01L15.8473 9.01001C15.9883 9.14921 16.1293 9.28833 16.2697 9.42746C16.4811 9.64311 16.7159 9.85181 16.9626 10.0466C17.2327 10.2692 17.6437 10.4014 18.0547 10.2553C18.0691 10.2501 18.0836 10.245 18.0981 10.2399C18.1097 10.2358 18.1213 10.2318 18.1329 10.2278C18.3785 10.1424 18.6184 10.0589 18.6184 9.78225ZM1.98942 20.1407C2.17783 20.1221 2.37674 20.105 2.58175 20.0875C2.99012 20.0525 3.42272 20.0154 3.84492 19.9598C6.34632 19.6259 8.84771 19.292 11.3374 18.9442C11.8776 18.8676 12.406 18.7355 12.8875 18.5824C13.5334 18.3807 13.7566 18.0954 13.6509 17.7824C13.5452 17.4694 13.1224 17.2746 12.3826 17.2676C11.8776 17.2607 11.3374 17.2676 10.8559 17.3372C7.69683 17.8102 4.5378 18.2972 1.3905 18.7911C1.03819 18.8468 0.674137 18.9442 0.404034 19.0833C-0.2771 19.4242 -0.065712 19.9598 0.803314 20.092C1.01858 20.1228 1.25262 20.1258 1.51135 20.1291C1.66195 20.131 1.82092 20.133 1.98942 20.1407Z\"\n                          fill=\"#17B991\"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n               meal plan!\n            <\/span>\n        <\/div>\n    \n        <div class=\"ad-single-text ad-desc-wrapper\">\n            <p class=\"ad-single-desc\">What's your main health goal?<\/p>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\" class=\"btn-ad btn-green\">Lose weight<\/a>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\" class=\"btn-ad btn-green\">Feel great<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <img class=\"ad-single-img\" alt=\"health-food\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"395\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/themes\/gridlove-child\/assets\/img\/ad\/health-food.webp\">\n    <\/section>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/collagen-rich-foods-vegetarian\/\">vegetarian<\/a> you want to be. There are different types of vegetarians, and each one has its own set of principles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lacto-vegetarians don&#8217;t eat meat, fish, or eggs, but they do consume dairy products. Ovo-vegetarians don&#8217;t eat meat, fish, or dairy, but they do eat eggs. Lacto-ovo-vegetarians don&#8217;t eat meat or fish, but they do consume dairy and eggs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pescatarians don&#8217;t eat meat, but they do eat fish and seafood. Flexitarians are mostly vegetarian, but they occasionally eat meat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you&#8217;ve decided what kind of <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/pescatarian-vs-vegetarian\/\">vegetarian<\/a> you want to be, you can start making the switch. Here are some tips to help you make the transition:<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_1_Dont_Go_Cold_Turkey\"><\/span><strong>Step 1: Don&#8217;t Go Cold Turkey<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big lifestyle changes are usually easier to make <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/can-vegetarians-eat-fish\/\">gradually<\/a>. This has a lot to do with cognitive dissonance, which is the psychological stress that comes from holding two conflicting beliefs (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/cognitive-dissonance.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you believe that meat is delicious but also believe that eating meat is wrong, you&#8217;re going to feel a lot of cognitive dissonance. This stress can be so uncomfortable that it can actually prevent you from making changes in your life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may decide to give up all meat right away, but whether you stick to your new diet is another story. If you&#8217;re not ready to completely give up meat, try slowly reducing the amount of meat you eat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by having one meatless meal per day, then two, then three. Or you can start by cutting out certain types of meat, like red meat and then poultry. Finally, you can transition to a vegetarian diet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/ovo-vegetarian-meal-plan\/\">Ovo-Vegetarian Meal Plan And Diet Guide<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44687 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207640-1024x576.png\" alt=\"becoming a vegetarian\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207640.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207640-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207640.png 768w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207640-1635x920.png 1635w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207640.png 1729w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_2_Educate_Yourself\"><\/span><strong>Step 2: Educate Yourself<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the best things you can do when you&#8217;re making any kind of lifestyle change is to educate yourself. This is especially important when you&#8217;re becoming a <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/vegetarian-macro-meal-plan\/\">vegetarian<\/a>, because there&#8217;s a lot of misinformation out there about vegetarianism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may have heard that being a vegetarian is expensive, that you won&#8217;t get enough protein, or that you&#8217;ll miss out on important nutrients. None of this has to be true! With a little bit of knowledge, you can easily make sure you&#8217;re getting all the nutrients you need as a vegetarian (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/nutrition-and-healthy-eating\/in-depth\/vegetarian-diet\/art-20046446#:~:text=To%20get%20the%20most%20out,fruit%20juices%20and%20refined%20grains.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are plenty of resources out there to help you learn about vegetarianism. Books, websites, and even documentaries can all be great sources of information. Once you know more about the subject, you&#8217;ll be able to make informed choices about your diet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_3_Find_Some_Recipes\"><\/span><strong>Step 3: Find Some Recipes<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the best ways to stick to any kind of diet is to have some delicious recipes on hand. This way you won&#8217;t be tempted to cheat when you feel hungry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The internet is full of great <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/vegetarian-vs-pescetarian\/\">vegetarian recipes<\/a>, so there&#8217;s no excuse not to have a few meals in mind before you make the switch. You can even find vegetarian versions of some of your favorite meat-based dishes. chili, for example, can easily be made without meat (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pinchofyum.com\/vegetarian-chili\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are also plenty of cookbooks devoted to vegetarianism, so you can find a recipe for just about anything you&#8217;re in the mood for. Whether you want something simple or something a bit more elaborate, you&#8217;re sure to find a vegetarian recipe that suits your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>If you tend to let yourself off the hook, raise the white flag when things get tougher than you expected, send yourself on an unconscious binge-eating trip \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\">BetterMe app is here to help you<\/a> leave all of these sabotaging habits in the past!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44643 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207633-1024x576.png\" alt=\"BetterMe\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207633.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207633-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207633.png 768w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207633-1635x920.png 1635w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-207633.png 1729w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_4_Learn_How_To_Shop\"><\/span><strong>Step 4: Learn How To Shop<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the biggest challenges to being a <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/types-of-vegetarian-diet\/\">vegetarian<\/a> is learning how to shop. This is especially true if you&#8217;re used to buying most of your food prepackaged.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you&#8217;re shopping for food as a vegetarian, you&#8217;ll need to pay more attention to labels. Just because a product doesn&#8217;t have meat in it doesn&#8217;t mean it&#8217;s automatically vegetarian.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many products, like bread and pasta, are usually <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/flexitarian-meal-plan\/\">vegetarian<\/a>, but some brands add animal-based ingredients like whey or eggs. So, it&#8217;s important to read the labels carefully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll also need to be careful about cross-contamination (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.food.gov.uk\/safety-hygiene\/avoiding-cross-contamination\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). This is when meat comes into contact with other food, often through shared cooking surfaces or utensils.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re cooking at home this isn&#8217;t usually a problem, but it can be an issue when you&#8217;re eating out or buying ready-made food.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost is another consideration when shopping. A common misconception is that being a vegetarian is expensive, but this doesn&#8217;t have to be the case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are plenty of ways to save money as a <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/vegetarian-weight-loss-meal-plan-1200-calories\/\">vegetarian<\/a>, like buying in season, in bulk or buying frozen foods that are cheaper yet just as nutritious.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/biotin-rich-foods-vegetarian\/\">Biotin Rich Foods Vegetarian Should Add To Their Diet Plan<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44415 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207607-1024x576.png\" alt=\"becoming a vegetarian\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207607.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207607-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207607.png 768w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207607-1637x920.png 1637w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207607.png 1729w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_5_Be_Prepared_For_Social_Situations\"><\/span><strong>Step 5: Be Prepared For Social Situations<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the hardest things about being a vegetarian is dealing with social situations. Whether you&#8217;re at a party or a family gathering, there&#8217;s bound to be someone who doesn&#8217;t understand your diet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s important to remember that you don&#8217;t have to justify <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/vegetarian-vs-paleo\/\">your choices<\/a> to anyone. If someone asks why you&#8217;re a vegetarian, you can simply say that it&#8217;s a personal choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don&#8217;t need to go into detail about your reasons unless you want to. In most cases, a simple explanation is all that&#8217;s needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, there will be times when you&#8217;re put in a tough spot. If you&#8217;re at a barbecue and there&#8217;s only hamburgers and hot dogs, for example, don&#8217;t be afraid to speak up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can either bring your own food or ask the host if there&#8217;s something else you can eat. Most people are happy to accommodate vegetarians, as long as you&#8217;re polite about it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_6_Talk_To_Your_Doctor\"><\/span><strong>Step 6: Talk To Your Doctor<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re considering becoming a vegetarian, it&#8217;s a good idea to talk to your doctor first. This is especially true if you have any health concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your doctor can help you figure out if becoming a vegetarian is right for you and can give you advice on how to do it in a healthy way while meeting all your nutritional needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They can also recommend supplements to make sure you&#8217;re getting all the nutrients you need . For example, vegans may need to take a vitamin B12 supplement (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/nutrition-and-healthy-eating\/in-depth\/vegetarian-diet\/art-20046446#:~:text=To%20get%20the%20most%20out,fruit%20juices%20and%20refined%20grains.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), since this nutrient is found mostly in animal products.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44404 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-5907-1024x576.png\" alt=\"BetterMe\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-5907.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-5907-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-5907.png 768w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-5907-1637x920.png 1637w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-5907.png 1729w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Benefits_Of_Becoming_A_Vegetarian\"><\/span><strong>Benefits Of Becoming A Vegetarian<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People become vegetarians for many reasons, including religious convictions, concerns about animal welfare or the use of antibiotics and hormones in livestock, or a desire to eat in a more <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthy way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One major benefit of vegetarianism is that it tends to be a healthy lifestyle that may have the following benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Good_For_Heart_Health\"><\/span><strong>Good For Heart Health<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The vegetarian diet has heart-protective benefits. Studies have shown that vegetarians have a lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6089671\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10479225\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One meta-analysis <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">found that vegetarians are up to one-third less likely to die of ischemic heart disease than non-vegetarians.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Aids_In_Weight_Loss_And_Maintenance\"><\/span><strong>Aids In Weight Loss And Maintenance<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vegetarian diets tend to be lower in calories than diets that include meat, which can help with weight loss or weight maintenance (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7533223\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). A vegetarian diet can also help you maintain healthy weight because it&#8217;s typically high in fiber and low in saturated fat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>BetterMe app is a foolproof way to go from zero to a weight loss hero in a safe and sustainable way! What are you waiting for? <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\">Start transforming your body now<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44398 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207617-1024x576.png\" alt=\"becoming a vegetarian\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207617.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207617-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207617.png 768w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207617-1635x920.png 1635w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207617.png 1729w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reduces_The_Risk_Of_Certain_Cancers\"><\/span><strong>Reduces The Risk Of Certain Cancers<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A plant-based diet with heavy fruit and vegetable intake has been linked with a lower risk of some cancers (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/cancer\/in-depth\/how-plant-based-food-helps-fight-cancer\/art-20457590\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), including ovarian cancer and colon cancer. This is because fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that may help to protect cells from damage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lowers_The_Risk_Of_Type_2_Diabetes\"><\/span><strong>Lowers The Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vegetarian diets may also lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These diets are rich in fiber and low in saturated fat, both of which are important for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6153574\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is especially true if you choose more low-glycemic foods like whole grains,legumes, fruits, and vegetables.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some research has also shown that a vegetarian diet can help to improve blood sugar control in people who already have diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lower_Blood_Pressure\"><\/span><strong>Lower Blood Pressure<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vegetarians tend to have lower blood pressures than meat-eaters, on average. This may be due to the fact that vegetarian diets are typically high in potassium and low in sodium, which is a key factor in blood pressure regulation (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/heart-health\/vegetarian-diet-linked-to-lower-blood-pressure-#:~:text=People%20who%20follow%20a%20vegetarian,legumes%20(beans%20and%20peas).\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vegetarian diets are also rich in magnesium, another mineral that helps to keep blood pressure under control.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reduce_Inflammation\"><\/span><strong>Reduce Inflammation<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inflammation is associated with many chronic diseases, including heart disease and arthritis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eating a vegetarian diet might help reduce inflammation, as plant-based foods often contain beneficial plant compounds which can have anti-inflammatory properties (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7005174\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some research has shown that a vegetarian diet may even help reduce the symptoms of arthritis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44378 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207568-1024x576.png\" alt=\"becoming a vegetarian\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207568.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207568-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207568.png 768w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207568-1636x920.png 1636w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207568.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Being_A_Vegetarian_Healthy\"><\/span><strong>Is Being A Vegetarian Healthy?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, being a vegetarian can be very healthy. However, there are a few potential downsides to consider.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nutrient_Deficiency\"><\/span><strong>Nutrient Deficiency<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, if you don&#8217;t plan your diet carefully, you may end up missing out on important nutrients, such as protein, iron, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/familydoctor.org\/vegetarian-diet-how-to-get-the-nutrients-you-need\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Make sure to talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to make sure you&#8217;re getting all the nutrients you need.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unhealthy_Foods\"><\/span><strong>Unhealthy Foods<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being vegetarian doesn&#8217;t always translate into eating healthy. Just because a food is vegetarian doesn&#8217;t mean it&#8217;s automatically good for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, vegetarian junk foods, such as chips, cookies, and cakes, are high in calories and low in nutrients. And processed meat substitutes, such as veggie burgers and soy-based hot dogs, can be high in sodium and unhealthy fats (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3751311\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, if you&#8217;re thinking about becoming a vegetarian, be sure to do your research and make sure you&#8217;re making the best choices for your health.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-44377 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207567-1024x576.png\" alt=\"becoming a vegetarian\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207567.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207567-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207567.png 768w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207567-1636x920.png 1636w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Frame-207567.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about vegetarianism:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Happens_To_Your_Body_When_You_Become_Vegetarian\"><\/span><strong>What Happens To Your Body When You Become Vegetarian?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you become vegetarian, your body goes through a number of changes. First, your intake of certain nutrients, such as protein and iron, decreases. However, your intake of other nutrients, such as fiber and antioxidants, increases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your body also becomes more efficient at using the nutrients it does consume. For example, vegetarians have been shown to have a higher rate of iron absorption than meat-eaters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, becoming vegetarian can also lead to weight loss, as well as a lower risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Becoming_A_Vegetarian_Hard\"><\/span><strong>Is Becoming A Vegetarian Hard?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can be, depending on your lifestyle and diet. If you&#8217;re used to eating a lot of meat and processed foods, making the switch to a vegetarian diet can be difficult.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, with some research, planning, and preparation, it can be done. There are plenty of delicious vegetarian recipes out there, so you&#8217;re sure to find something to your taste.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, there are a number of meat substitutes available, such as veggie burgers and soy-based meat alternatives, that can make the transition easier.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_I_Start_Being_A_Vegetarian\"><\/span><strong>How Do I Start Being A Vegetarian?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re interested in becoming a vegetarian, start gradually and purposefully. This means slowly eliminating meat from your diet and replacing it with vegetarian alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you typically have a chicken sandwich for lunch, try swapping it out for a veggie burger or a hearty salad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over time, you&#8217;ll find that you&#8217;re eating less and less meat until it&#8217;s no longer a part of your diet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Becoming a vegetarian is a big decision, but it doesn&#8217;t have to be overwhelming. By taking things one step at a time, you can make the transition easily and effectively. Just remember to do your research, be prepared for social situations, and talk to your doctor before making any drastic changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Becoming_A_Vegetarian\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re thinking about becoming a vegetarian, congratulations! You&#8217;re taking a big step toward improving your health and protecting the environment. The first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of vegetarian you want to be. There are different types of vegetarians, and each one has its own set of principles. Lacto-vegetarians [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45062,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[],"coauthors":[45],"class_list":["post-45061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vegetarian-diet"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Becoming A Vegetarian: The Beginner&#039;s Guide (2026) - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u2605 BECOMING A VEGETARIAN \u27a4 doesn&#039;t have to be a difficult task. This guide will show you how to make the transition easily and effectively. What are you waiting for?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Becoming A Vegetarian: The Beginner&#039;s Guide (2026)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u2605 BECOMING A VEGETARIAN \u27a4 doesn&#039;t have to be a difficult task. This guide will show you how to make the transition easily and effectively. What are you waiting for?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"#\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-12T18:36:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/shutterstock_1812272386-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"BetterMe\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"BetterMe\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/5ebf2773ceb32ef6b8abc0c882459360\"},\"headline\":\"Becoming A Vegetarian: The Beginner&#8217;s Guide (2026)\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-12T18:36:59+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/\"},\"wordCount\":2112,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/shutterstock_1812272386-scaled.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Vegetarian\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you're thinking about becoming a vegetarian, congratulations! You're taking a big step toward improving your health and protecting the environment.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of <a href=\\\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/collagen-rich-foods-vegetarian\/\\\">vegetarian<\/a> you want to be. There are different types of vegetarians, and each one has its own set of principles.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Lacto-vegetarians don't eat meat, fish, or eggs, but they do consume dairy products. Ovo-vegetarians don't eat meat, fish, or dairy, but they do eat eggs. Lacto-ovo-vegetarians don't eat meat or fish, but they do consume dairy and eggs.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Pescatarians don't eat meat, but they do eat fish and seafood. Flexitarians are mostly vegetarian, but they occasionally eat meat.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Once you've decided what kind of <a href=\\\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/pescatarian-vs-vegetarian\/\\\">vegetarian<\/a> you want to be, you can start making the switch. Here are some tips to help you make the transition:<\/span>\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>Step 1: Don't Go Cold Turkey<\/strong><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Big lifestyle changes are usually easier to make <a href=\\\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/can-vegetarians-eat-fish\/\\\">gradually<\/a>. This has a lot to do with cognitive dissonance, which is the psychological stress that comes from holding two conflicting beliefs (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/cognitive-dissonance.html\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">).<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">For example, if you believe that meat is delicious but also believe that eating meat is wrong, you're going to feel a lot of cognitive dissonance. This stress can be so uncomfortable that it can actually prevent you from makin ...\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/\",\"name\":\"Becoming A Vegetarian: The Beginner's Guide (2026) - BetterMe\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/shutterstock_1812272386-scaled.jpg\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-12T18:36:59+00:00\",\"description\":\"\u2605 BECOMING A VEGETARIAN \u27a4 doesn't have to be a difficult task. This guide will show you how to make the transition easily and effectively. 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This guide will show you how to make the transition easily and effectively. What are you waiting for?","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"nofollow"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Becoming A Vegetarian: The Beginner's Guide (2026)","og_description":"\u2605 BECOMING A VEGETARIAN \u27a4 doesn't have to be a difficult task. This guide will show you how to make the transition easily and effectively. What are you waiting for?","og_url":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/","og_site_name":"BetterMe Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","article_author":"#","article_modified_time":"2026-01-12T18:36:59+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1600,"url":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/shutterstock_1812272386-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"BetterMe","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@betterme","twitter_site":"@betterme","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"BetterMe","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/"},"author":{"name":"BetterMe","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/5ebf2773ceb32ef6b8abc0c882459360"},"headline":"Becoming A Vegetarian: The Beginner&#8217;s Guide (2026)","dateModified":"2026-01-12T18:36:59+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/"},"wordCount":2112,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/becoming-a-vegetarian\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/shutterstock_1812272386-scaled.jpg","articleSection":["Vegetarian"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you're thinking about becoming a vegetarian, congratulations! You're taking a big step toward improving your health and protecting the environment.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/collagen-rich-foods-vegetarian\/\">vegetarian<\/a> you want to be. There are different types of vegetarians, and each one has its own set of principles.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lacto-vegetarians don't eat meat, fish, or eggs, but they do consume dairy products. Ovo-vegetarians don't eat meat, fish, or dairy, but they do eat eggs. Lacto-ovo-vegetarians don't eat meat or fish, but they do consume dairy and eggs.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pescatarians don't eat meat, but they do eat fish and seafood. Flexitarians are mostly vegetarian, but they occasionally eat meat.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you've decided what kind of <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/pescatarian-vs-vegetarian\/\">vegetarian<\/a> you want to be, you can start making the switch. Here are some tips to help you make the transition:<\/span>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Step 1: Don't Go Cold Turkey<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big lifestyle changes are usually easier to make <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/can-vegetarians-eat-fish\/\">gradually<\/a>. This has a lot to do with cognitive dissonance, which is the psychological stress that comes from holding two conflicting beliefs (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/cognitive-dissonance.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you believe that meat is delicious but also believe that eating meat is wrong, you're going to feel a lot of cognitive dissonance. 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