My name is Patra Gupta, I am 30 years old. I turned vegetarian about a month ago. Three reasons why I turned vegetarian, firstly, I am Hindu so I was brought up not eating beef. Secondly, I do not really like eating meat since I was a kid but I have had to eat just culturally when you go over to someone’s house’s where they serve meat. And third and most prominent reason why I turned vegetarian a month ago was because, I read a book called Skinny Bitch and it talks about how you ought to eat and graphically describes how animals are treated in slaughter houses and that completely repulsed me and I just have not been able to eat meat since.
Since I turned vegetarian, I have noticed some changes in my lifestyle, for example shopping. I used to shop at places like Vons, Ralphs, Cosco, which are much cheaper to shop at. But now I seemed to shop at Trader Joes and Whole Foods which are known for their good qualitative organic produce. Price is a bit higher but I think it is worth it.
I have also noticed socially in my family, friend’s network that has change. They have not been as supportive as I thought it would be. I thought I was doing a good thing but what happened is, my boyfriend whom I lived with; I generally cook for him so omitting meat out of the meal plan, it has not been very good on him. So he has not been too supportive, and my friends, they tend to eat at fast food joints like McDonald’s and they think that it is a bit strange that I am not eating meat. So I do not feel supported by them. And also my mother, I called her and told her, “Mom, I am vegetarian now so when I come home for England, the meal plan is going to be different.” And she kind of thought that it is just going to be a passing phase and I am going to start eating meat as soon as I get back over there. But I am a vegetarian and I am going to stick with it.
So now that I have turned vegetarian, I find that I am eating a lot more salad and vegetables than I used to and definitely a lot more fruit. Just reading up, I found fruit is a really good source of vitamins and nutrients as well as vegetables, so I have bought upon them.
I generally did not eat meat before a lot but what I have done is instead of eating chicken with a stir-fry, I will substitute that for tofu. I also buy ground beef substitute, which is soy-based substitute for ground beef. And I am still learning, because I am a new vegetarian, I am still out there looking for new recipes to fulfill my dietary needs.
Since the month has passed of me being a vegetarian, I have noticed some slight changes in my health. For example, I feel like I am processing food much easier and I am going to the bathroom more efficiently. And also, I do not feel as tired as I used to. I think maybe I am just eating meat here and there, just maybe a bit heavier in my system so I just feel a little bit lighter. I do not know if it is psychosomatic, but I just feel cleaner inside.
Being vegetarian is right for me because morally, I am not contributing to the pain and suffering that animal experience for meat production that they have to go through. I am saving a lot more money. I am buying healthier foods that are organic which people think are much more expensive but it is much cheaper than buying meat and you are worth it, I are worth it, and I feel so much healthier. I feel like my body is running more efficiently and that I am sleeping better. I feel like I am getting the right nutrients and these are all the reasons I feel like vegetarianism is right for you.
To learn more about the natural living lifestyle, get a copy of The Beginner’s Guide to Natural Living at your Local Health Food store or Amazon.com.
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