Vegetarian and Vegan Guide

Why Veg?

Going vegetarian  or vegan  is not only great for animals and amazing for your health, but it is the easiest way to help reduce land degradation, climate changes, air and water pollution, the loss of biodiversity, and the shortage of water.  The meat industry is "one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global," according to a 2006 United Nations report, and the statistics are alarming.  Raising meat for food requires vast quantities of water: you could actually go without showering for an entire year and still not conserve as much water as it takes to produce one pound of beef (nearly 19,000 litres)!  These farmed animals also need a lot of land for grazing.  Every minute, an area of rain forest the size of seven football fields is destroyed to make room for livestock, and when you think of all the excremental waste produced (roughly 40,000 kilograms per second!), it truly boggles the mind.

Show the world you care this Earth Day and every day.

Eat Your Greens!

If you're looking for an easy way to reduce or eliminate meat from your diet, read on.  The tips below will help to make the transition as painless and as enjoyable as possible.

• Try vegetarian versions of your favourite dishes: There are many different vegan alternatives available these days, so it's simple to replace the meat in your spaghetti sauce with vegetarian beef crumbles, or to top your veggies with margarine instead of butter.
• Explore new foods: Check out the organic section at your local market, and try something new each time you buy.  The helpful sites in our External Links offer hundreds of recipes and will often let you search by a particular ingredient so you don't have to spend a lot of time coming up with dinner ideas.
• Try fake meats and dairy alternatives: Many grocery stores now stock vegetarian meats such as burgers and hot dogs, and dairy alternatives, such as soy milk or yoghurt, are widely available.
• Try try again: If you've tried and hated a particular brand of veggie burger, experiment with different brands and different ways of cooking.  Remember that certain meat alternatives such as tofu take on the flavours of what they are cooked in, so break out the spices!
• Search online for the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants in your area: Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to be meat-free and enjoy a night out at a restaurant.  Most restaurants will offer at least one vegan dish on the menu, but if you don't see one, they will often be happy to accomodate you.
• Try other cuisines: Many ethnic cuisines are largely based around vegetarian options, so give your tastebuds a new treat!
• Be patient: If going vegetarian or vegan all at once is too difficult, try setting a reasonable schedule for yourself.  Eating one vegan meal a day is a realistic start and actually quite simple.
• Mix it up: Don't forget to eat a variety of whole grains, vegetables and proteins--the more exciting and balanced your diet, the less you'll be tempted by animal products!

Related Guides

Vegetarian Meats Buying Guide	Vegetarian Resource Page	Food Buying Guide	Eco-Fashion Buying Guide	Vegetarian Christmas

External Links

Resources

• GoVeg.com: PETA's guide to going vegetarian or vegan.
• VegSoc.org: The home page of the Vegetarian Socity of the United Kingdom.
• Viva.org.uk: The home pages of VIVA, the Vegetarians International Voice for Animals.  Also features recipes.
• NonViolenceUnited.org: An excellent informational video about the benefits of eating vegan.
• VeganVillage.co.uk: A guide to vegan businesses and charities in the UK.
• Oolong.co.uk: An extensive list of vegan ingredients.

Recipes

• VegCooking.com: Vegetarian recipes, products, restaurants and more.  Also has a great search engine that allows you to look up recipes by ingredients.  
• BBC.co.uk: Check the "Vegetarian" box to find great recipes.
• About.com: Easy vegetarian recipes.
• DeliaOnline.com: Recipes for vegetarian main courses.