Being a vegetarian does not mean you have to give up your favorite foods. There are many different substitutes you can use that taste like the real thing. The first thing you want to do is make a list of your favorite foods that have meat or dairy in them and then write down the main ingredients (you will want a different list for the ingredients you are replacing). Take your list to the grocery store with you and find the section with tofu and all other vegetarian substitutions. There will also be vegetarian options in the frozen foods section.
After you have all your ingredients, cook your food the same way you would if it were not vegetarian, only with the substitutes. However, you will want to read the instructions on the package; for most vegetarian foods, you will not have to cook it as long as you would with meet.
There are more vegetarian options than you would think. Vegetarian convenience foods are a great way to start. Once you have gotten use to all the different types of vegetarian foods, you can start to experiment and make your own dishes. Try adding more rice, beans, and grains and use ingredients with protein. Also, don’t focus on the “meat” part of the meal. Focus more on vegetables, rice, pasta, and breads. Vegetarian meals can get expensive. There are many different ways to cook vegetarian meals. Many meals do not even require meat, so you won’t need a substitute.
