Ashley Ashi
By Ashley Ashi
SYLP student
When I was 13 years old, I had a sudden revelation that eating animals was wrong and cruel. I would hear stories about the unethical treatment of them, and my heart would melt. Thus, I became a vegetarian.
Becoming a vegetarian is not for everyone, especially those who are devoted to meat. However, it doesn’t hurt to try. Some may say they don’t have enough will power or dedication, but I was the same when I first started.
The first few weeks were difficult since my family eats meat, but after my mother realized that I was not going to change, she started preparing separate meals for me.
The whole process of becoming a vegetarian takes some time to get used to. It will not come instantaneously. You have to be strictly devoted to the vegetarian mindset. If you just want to change your eating habits for fun, chances are that you will not last very long.
There are many reasons for becoming a vegetarian. An important one is the increase in nutrients and decrease in fat. Typically, vegetarians substitute meat with healthier foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.
If you eat the right foods, you will still get the necessary nutrients. Although you are relinquishing meat, you must figure out how to maintain protein intake, or else you will become sick.
To replace the protein in meat, you can substitute a variety of foods, including imitation meat, soy products, and nuts. All of these are great sources of protein.
While meat provides a lot of protein, it also carries a ton of saturated fat. By cutting out meat, you’ll be cutting out a lot of bad fat and replacing it with healthier substitutes.
I hope this article has given you some insight into the benefits of becoming a vegetarian. You may be reluctant to give up all the tasty meats, but after realizing the positive effects on your health, I hope you will consider this dietary change. ♦
Ashley Ashi can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
(The stories in this issue are written by SYLP students, not Northwest Asian Weekly staff. Opinions herein do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of the newspaper.)