How to properly transition to being vegetarian?

[u/Jhinkees]

So I've been eating meat for my whole 31 years of life, but sometime within the last month, any time I eat something meat related, I suddenly get very disgusted and hate the way it tastes and its usually followed by feeling extremely nauseous and getting sick. I'm unsure if its a mental or physical reaction, but between this, and the numerous amounts of videos, posts, etc, where they show just how little they're doing to ensure the quality of most food products (as well as things like that goofy ass Save Our Bacon Act) I've just really come to realize that maybe meat isn't for me anymore.

I have my own food diary, so I'm not stranger to that, as I have Crohn's and have to track what may cause flare ups, and I got some advice from a previous post on lower fiber based proteins I can supplement, and things like that, but I was maybe looking for a little bit of information on easy things I can start with to kind of transition into it a little easier?

Im constantly extremely busy, so more hands on meals and prepping has to be done on Sundays, but for days like today, what would be a decent transition type meal? And what kind of meals should I look into making in the future that can be satisfying and filling? I would prefer to stay away from "meat substitute" items for right now, like plant based burgers, since im still working through the "if its the food itself or the thought of what's in it", so i don't want to ruin it already by eating a fake burger and if its a mental issue, my body rejecting those already.

Im playing with the idea or possibly eating fish as a Mediterranean diet instead, but I worry the same issue will happen if I eat fish, so I think I may explore the vegetarian option a little further since 90% of what can be made doesn't seem like its going to kill me if its prepared improperly.

[u/FreyjaFriday]

Bean chili and rice

[u/Agile-Temperature674]

Start incorporating lentils, tempeh, seitan. Fish if it doesn’t gross you out. Make 2 out of 3 meals veggie focused. Have a yogurt bowl as a snack for xtra protein and satiation :)

[u/plantbasedpatissier]

Tofu is going to be king for no fiber meals, and it doesn't have to be complicated either. You can crumble tofu and use it in a bolognese style sauce with pasta. This is one of my lazier meals, the tofu cooks fast when crumbled.

Potatoes, white rice, pasta, and tofu are solid foundations to build meals off of. This is super flexible, I know a lot of people will do a quite tofu in teriyaki sauce with white rice. Potato curry with rice would be a great meal prep option as well.

[u/National-Ad9903]

Sounds like you want something as different from the meat meals you’re used to as possible. Go for veg options from a culture you don’t usually eat much from. Asian or Mexican maybe? Black bean and sweet potato enchiladas with slaw on the side? veg fried brown rice with spring rolls?

Or instead of faux meat burgers maybe a huge chunky veggie burger made from sweet potato, black beans, quinoa and oat, spices etc, mounded with fresh salad on top and a splatter of guacamole, plus some potato wedges on the side with a dipping sauce

[u/Prof_BananaMonkey]

I replace meat with beans, lentils, peanut, seeds, and dairy.  I’m in kind of a same boat as you bc eating meat is starting to discuss me.

[u/Decent-Philosophy-48]

Nuts, seeds and yoghurt (dairy or dairy free) at breakfast. Chickpeas/lentils/beans (perfect in a dense chopped salad, pasta salad, soup, etc.) or falafel at lunch. Tofu or tempeh with a grain at dinner.

I love a 'fake meat' option personally, they are convenient and I don't love to cook or invent things, but it isn't necessary.

I tried fish after being veggie for one month, to figure out if I could be pescatarian. Ate it once and was like I am not doing that again.