I had always wanted to go vego for ethical reasons – animal welfare and the environmental impact of meat production – including food miles, and the ratio of feed to meat, gas emissions and soil degradation. I had made other little changes to be more environmentally conscious in many other areas of my life, but this was a choice that could possibly make the most difference.
I’m not sure why I hesitated going vegetarian for so long. I had wanted to, and some friends and my parents already assumed I was because I usually chose vegetarian meals when eating out. The turning point was my diet. Relying too heavily on meat and all the associated fats and salts for flavour, my diet became unbalanced and a bit boring. Not to mention nutrients and fibre were likely lacking. I ride my bike every day and eat quite a lot, but generally felt sluggish, and suffered from smelly body odour and breath. Feeling fed up, I already had all the other justifications to go vego so I finally did.
I have absolutely no regrets. My health has improved by eating less processed food (did you ever know that meat has been through several treatments before it gets to be food? Look it up!) and the range of tastes and textures on my plate now is way more diverse than it used to be. Vegetables and herbs can be savoury, tart and sweet, and experimenting with different flavour combinations in dishes is exciting.
I’ve also became much more motivated to grow some of my own food in whatever outdoor space I have wherever I’m living, big or small. I know exactly how it was grown, and that no fossil fuels were used on its way to my plate.
Check out I Spy Plum Pie for some great vegetarian recipes.
