First, why? Is it for health, for animals, both? Its easy to be a veg*n for a little while, its harder to stay veg*n if you don't have good reasons.

I originally went vegan two years ago after reading "The China Study." it is a nutritional study that basically explained why modern dairy products and meat protein were so bad for you.

After a few months I finally realized what all the animal rights people have been saying, namely that biologically cows, pigs, and chickens are living beings just like cats and dogs. If I don't want my cat or dog to suffer and would not eat my cat or dog why would I cause the suffering of these other beings. That is what has made it easy for me to stay veg*n.

The hardest thing is dealing with friends and relatives that don't understand and are not supportive. Some will try to tempt you not to stick with it. Sometimes it works. It may take a few tries but stick with it!

PB

Getting started well varies depending on what you're up againstI have tried to do it suddenly and failed many, many times. It works better for me to go gradually:

1) Start basing your meals on grains and beans, using meat and cheese as condiments, not main ingredients.

2)Work up a list of plant-based foods you actually like! It's easy to burn out on being vegetarian or vegan if you eat the same two things every day.

3) Hit the used bookstore and find cookbooks to study.

4) Every week, try a small amount of a vegetable, fruit or grain that's new to you.

Sustitute all white grain stuff (bread, rice, pasta) for whole (brown) versions.

Eat lots of veg - raw-salads, veg stews, stir fry.Just do as you normally would but leave out meat. Fill up with beans. Use veggie stock cube.

Decide how much cheese, eggs and dairy you will or won't eat. Best don't overload with it.

Snack lightly on nuts.

If you think you are low in protein, (or if your fingernails get weak) look for a protein milkshake drink and have one a day. Gives you an idea if you lack protein if your body improves (e.g no spots, strong hair, strong fingernails).

And listen to your body. It is not veggie to forgo meat and fill up on chocolate!!! It is veggie to notice that lentils/beans (pulses) + wholegrain produts = protein that the body can easiy transform to human protein.

And research Quinoa - fantastic seed-grain that cooks quick like rice, and has all 8 amino acids that make up human protein.

xGood luck

I recommend the book "Skinny B*itch" to everyone who's just starting out. It gives sample menus and recommends products that are really tasty.

check out vrg.org or either .com...don't remember but a great resource to answer your question.

I just became a vegetarian and peta.com helped me out alot. it depends what type of vegetarian you want to be. I don't eat eggs, meat (including fish), and I limit other animal derived products (i do not eat gelatin) starting next January I will be a vegan but regardless you have to pay attention to ingredients and look for ingredients in products you don't want to consume and avoid them. Peta.com has some lists of which foods are suitable for vegetarians/vegans. Really you just have to have a good meal plan. For breakfast you can have cereal such as Regular cheerios with nonfat or soymilk or you can make vegan french toast or pancakes (peta.com has the link for the recipes) for lunch you can have something like a chicken salad but instead of realy chicken use meat substitute. I recommend morningstar brand which is very good and it is in the frozen food aisle and for dinner you can have a soy or veggie burger with fries mmmmmmm :) Hope this helps!! Becoming a vegetarian is a fantastic and great thing to do!!