The Adventure of the Vegetarian Year

In which I reflect on a year of being veggie...

It's now been a year since I decided to become a vegetarian. It still feels like something of a novelty but I suppose that can be put down to the strange sensation of time passing ever more quickly as you get older. 

It all began in last year's searingly hot summer when I realised meat consumption was probably the biggest part of my carbon footprint and therefore cutting it out would be a step I could make against climate change. This year's summer couldn't be more different with the UK experiencing slightly lower average temperatures and much higher amounts of rainfall than normal. This has been down to relatively local climate conditions and the world as a whole has had by far the hottest year in human history. Much of the world has been struggling with temperatures around 40 degrees C and the dramatic events that come with them such as devastating wildfires and tropical storms and hurricanes. I may not have personally been affected by climate change so much this year but my reasons for becoming vegetarian feel more valid than ever. 

One question people like to ask is whether being a vegetarian is hard. There's a perception that we spend our days helplessly craving for bacon. Perhaps it helps that I am not ultra-strict- I will admit to having consumed sweets containing gelatin on occasion and no one is making me give up my love of cheese. There was a horrific day when someone on TV mentioned that Camembert isn't vegetarian and I uncovered the fact that many varieties of cheese aren't vegetarian- they apparently contain 'animal rennet' whatever that is. But no, I don't really wake up in the morning with a desperate desire for a BLT. 

The world of vegetarian substitutes is ever-growing and that makes life easier. Virtually every meat product I used to buy regularly has a decent vegetarian equivalent made by the likes of Quorn and various other companies. My weekly shop required a couple of substitutions and then has simply carried on as normal. Eating out can be a bit of a gauntlet. I don't really eat out too often but restaurants have all had a decent selection of vegetarian options. I've been to the occasional social event where dinner is provided and the vegetarian option with these can be quite variable- I've learned to eat beforehand if I'm not sure. Pleasingly, I can still treat myself to the occasional McDonald's due to the pleasingly tasty McPlant (and indeed other options too). 

I've always been quite a fussy eater and quite particular about what I'll eat, especially when it comes to vegetables. Whilst I suspect that will always probably be the case, since becoming veggie I've become more flexible. There are occasions when the choice is to eat the vegetable-based dish in front of me or not eat anything and you only have to take one look at me to realise that the second option is not one I tend to go with. 

The biggest challenge is eating enough. Meat fills you up and therefore not having it means I don't always feel full. What you should do is adjust portion sizes and have healthy snacks but it is difficult when you've eaten dinner and don't feel completely full not to make up the difference with junk food. I assumed that I would naturally lose weight by becoming vegetarian and in hindsight that would be far too easy. 

Physically, I definitely do feel better for cutting out meat. I don't generally get that heavy stomach feeling after a meal and my day-to-day energy levels have been much higher. The year has pushed me in so many ways and I've almost always had the energy to deal with them.

After a year, is it time to take the next step and go completely vegan? The short answer is no. A good portion of my diet is vegan, it's somewhat inevitable, but I can't see myself going out of my way to avoid animal-derived ingredients. Being vegetarian limits your options but being vegan cuts off nearly all of them. I think it's really difficult to generally be vegan because so many products, especially fruits, require animal involvement in one way or another. You have to draw the line somewhere and I'm happy where my line is right now. 

That's it for today. I'm hoping to write a little more regularly over the coming months and my aim is to post something here every other week, though time will tell if that is a little on the optimistic side.