Three years ago I decided to change my diet. I wanted to be vegetarian or at least follow the raw food diet. At the beginning It was very frustrating trying to find vegetarian or vegan food when out. I was living in Turkey at that time and everywhere you go, you see nice Kebabs and Fish. I wasnt really a big fan of green salads, so I had to order Smoked Salmon Fish or Sea Food Salads for a while. These were the only meals I could have out. I had also difficulties eating at home, because I cut many things out of my diet. Cakes, biscuits, meat, reduced cheese and eggs. My breakfast options were quite limited and still struggling until this day. It is very easy to have a cup of coffee with pastries or cakes, than a healthy oatmeal bowl.
Why I chose to be vegetarian! A huge deal of shame and guilt that made me ascribe little value to myself. The big topic of the food industry and the animal abuse. Giving up animal products is not the hard part of being vegetarian. In such a short time I learned how to make different sauces, desserts and even spaghetti, using only fresh fruits and vegetables. There are many options if we are creative enough :)
For the longest time I used to think that is it difficult to survive without meat or eggs. But it wasnt that difficult to replace them with other new products. I started spending more time in the grocery stores reading the flipping ingredient labels, which can be sometimes embarrassing. I remember in one of the shops when I wanted to buy sugar-free jam and the shopkeeper had to tell me again and again that all his products are new. Actually he didnt understand what I was looking for. It is very difficult to maintain a proper diet, when 90% of the people in my country are least bothered.
I have learned to listen to my body and hear what it needs. So I decided to keep it simple for the now. I don’t want to have to think hard about what I can and can’t eat, but took a decision. No red meat, no chicken, no salt and no sugar. I might become weak once in a while and eat seafood or occasionally eat cake. I dont like eggs that much, so I will have it once in a while. The real struggle is with cheese and yogurt, because I dont find any other replacements at the moment.
Is it good to be a vegetarian! This question seems simple to answer on the surface, but is in fact more complex than you realize. I feel healthier, more energetic and have a better skin than in the last years. I am not trying to convince you to become vegans, but sharing my experience :)
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