I have been a vegetarian for 30 years.For me I never liked meat,back then it was really hard my family all ate meat and there wasn't the vegetarian alternative food like there is now. I've never liked the taste and I've never craved it so for me being vegetarian is super easy.But I have seen many people try convert to fast and its very hard for them.You also really have to eat properly and make sure to have supplements I am suffering now 30 years later.My iron is very low and I have to take phalpher(iron supplement)I wish I had of taken supplements and ate more iron enriched food.Very interesting article by the way! I've never seen this one.

@takanikki - I agree. I tried a 2 week vegetarian experiment a few years ago and the transition was difficult. Not just the craving for meats, but I did feel my energy sap. I also didn't know that much about vegetarian cuisine so I'm sure I could have done a better job of it, but that's part of the reality of switching, too! Until you really know what you're doing, switching to any new diet regimen (not just vegetarian) can be hard on the body. This is especially true if you go cold turkey (pardon the pun) instead of a really gradual change.

I'm trying vegetarian right now. I thought it was only me who was still feeling peckish after a sizable meal. It's not that I'm completely converting. I'm just trying to avoid meat as much as possible. I really do respect how vegetarians keep at it, it is rather tough. :)

Try reading the book "Thrive" by triathlete Brendan Brazier - even if you
want to keep eating meat but just eat healthier. It helps explain how
your body uses food, energy, stress, work, workouts, etc.
He is vegan and eats mainly raw food and is a superb athlete, but the message of the book goes way beyond that and can be applied to any pantry.

Fantastic responses! Thanks ladies :)

To reiterate what Ali has mentioned: It wasn't meant to highlight vegetarianism as a whole, but rather what my personal experience, as a meat-lover, was like. It was fun to have a challenge and to try out a completely different lifestyle than what I'm used to. You're right, you have to make sure you are eating the right kinds of food and enough in order to keep your energy levels at normal. And I can assure you, I did just that (with the help of Trainer George). I'm glad that you are so passionate about your lifestyle and you are lucky that you were able to stick with it. Having been raised in Alberta and BBQ's every Sunday, I'll always be a sucker for meat.

Thankyou for all the amazing tips for anybody that is seriously considering the change to vegetarianism. It will be incredibly helpful. Any more tips, ladies?

- M

Thanks for your comments!

In response to Little Moron, the idea of this article wasn't to 'represent' vegetarianism or be a 'how to' guide, rather it is an opinion piece not a guide for becoming a vegetarian, which is why we called it "Going Vegetarian: A Confessional". This is one person's experience with an experiment. I love that you brought this up though, because it's a great discussion opportunity for others who have gone vegetarian or are considering it.

Personally, I don't eat red meat or pork and haven't in years. I do eat fish and the odd bit of chicken but my preference is vegetarian. I actually feel better not eating meat and no longer miss those big juicy steaks.

Anyone else?

Oh come ON! I'm aware that Chickadvisor is not a political space, but if you're going to talk about vegetarianism, at least get a vegetarian to represent. I'd like to see what kind of 14 day vegetarian diet left the writer of this article famished and exhausted, because if that was the experience, then she wasn't doing it right.

I have been a vegetarian for 10 years and a vegan for two years, and I can tell you this much: YES, at the beginning, you have to do your research but given the wealth of amazing vegetarian and vegan resource books out there, that shouldn't be a problem. Here are just a few that are easily accessible and very informative:

Becoming Vegetarian AND Becoming Vegan, by Melina, Davis and Harrison
Any Moosewood cookbook
The Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romano (also, just google these two gals for some great advice, information and recipes)
Vegetarian Times magazine
Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer
Any number of internet resources

I can also say that if you're eating ENOUGH FOOD (never mind enough protein, as it has been confirmed that vegetarians and vegans who are doing it right get more than enough protein in their diets, and generally a healthier level of protein than people who consume meat), you shouldn't feel hungry. If you're feeling tired, then you should get your blood tested. I have admittedly tested low for Vitamin D and Iron, which is typical. What I do is take supplements and eat lots of beans, lentils, nuts and other iron-rich foods.

I'm not sure why the writer of this article went veg in the first place, as she clearly values the presence of meat in her diet and doesn't seem to mind the fact that her food once had a heartbeat. I'm also not sure why she is the one representing vegetarianism, and in doing so, giving it a bad name in the process, and possibly deterring aspiring vegetarians from making the transition. Articles like these are frustrating because they are not balanced and not representative of the truth, which is that vegetarianism can be, if done right, the healthiest and most sustainable diet, good for the body, the earth and the animals.

For me what started as a movie screening in class which made me rethink my dinner became my lifestyle choice for the last 4 months and counting. I have never been a huge meat eater to begin with, a few years ago I've reduced my intake of red meat to almost none and stuck to chicken, turkey and fish as my sources of protein and iron.

I came out of class after having watched Food Inc, so disgusted and absolutely in shock of the treatment of animals - it felt wrong to be eating something that was treated that way when it was alive and killed in such a completely brutal manner. I still can't look at the meat department at the grocery store.

The fact that I don't cook most of my own meals (the perks of still living with my parents) presented a big challenge. I made the decision for myself and had to start cooking a lot of new dishes, with my parents questioning my habits and my brother being as supportive as he could be "for all the meat you're not eating, I'm going to eat twice as much!" was his response.

After 4 months here is what I can say - you have to do your research before you change how you nourish your body in order to prevent any deficiencies of vitamins, protein, etc. Make sure you know why you are doing what you are doing. And most importantly, if you feel you've made a choice that isn't right for you, there's no harm in going back to consuming all food groups again.

Miss K