I have often been asked by clients as to whether it is necessary for improvement with their health to become a vegetarian.
Any positive changes that you implement to improving your diet such as eliminating processed, takeaway and other fast food choices will bring about positive changes to your health.
If after making these changes you feel that eliminating animal food is of benefit and you would like to do this. Then my answer would be if it is for health benefits, then it will benefit you.
When making any changes to your life or lifestyle it is important to do this gradually.
What I am saying here is if you go from today eating a diet of mainly animal foods to tomorrow one of eating just plant based foods. You may well find that this will be too much of a shock to your body and your mind.
It is also about learning about the whole foods you are going to need to obtain the best nutritional value from your plant based diet.
So if you are prepared to go on this learning journey and adventure to either eliminate animal protein altogether or to minimize it then you have come to the right place. 
Here I am talking to you about -
Increasing your intake of plant foods whilst decreasing your intake of animal based foods. This will benefit you by improving your health and decreasing your risk of disease. It is of no secret these days with all the research done, that a diet of 75% plant based foods and only 25% animal based foods has been found to support healthy aging, reduction in disease and supposed age related illnesses such as Heart disease, High blood pressure, Alzheimers. There has been noted significant decrease in mental health problems, fertility problems and cancer due to an increase of vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds being included into daily eating habits.
You will find that you will have more Energy, Feel more Vital and suffer less from common ailments such as allergies, colds, flu. Even from aches and pains. Your body will recover so much quicker from from any health hiccups along the way.
The First Step is to -
Eliminate animal foods that you don't eat on a regular basis. For me this was red meat. In my early adult life red meat just didn't seem to agree with me. So it was easy not to choose it.
Add more plant foods to your meal. Such as sweet potato, parsnips, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, beans, peas, broccoli, kale. Also foods such as Quinoa, Brown rice, Black rice these are great sources of nutrients, fibre and protein. See below for further suggestions and health benefits.
Nuts are a great source of nutrition, protein and fibre. They also aid healthy digestion. These include either roasted or raw unsalted - Cashews, Almonds, Pine Nuts, Walnuts etc.
Gradually moving away from say chicken or fish. If you do choose to go totally vegetarian then you could say go alternate days to begin with, including either fish or chicken in your meal. Whilst decreasing the portion size. Then you may work toward just having one or two of these meals per week, to fortnightly, monthly until you feel quite happy to eliminate them altogether.
Eating out can be somewhat of a challenge even though many restaurants are beginning to cater for vegetarians and vegans. The menu selection for these meals still leaves a lot to be desired. Don't be afraid to ask if you see a meal that you like but don't want the meat part of it, then ask for the meal without the chicken or beef. This will depend a great deal as to how strict you want to become, because quite often a red meat meal will be cooked with the vegetables or rice. But you can check on this and ask.
Be Prepared stock your fridge with plenty of vegetables and plant based foods. Your pantry with nuts, seeds, wholegrain rice, quinoa, rice noodles and spelt pasta. This helps you to stay on track.
You will find many of your non-dairy and vegetarian health food choices in your local health food shop and even at your local Fruit and Vegetable outlet.
Find some simple, yet yummy recipes that you like and use flavours such as basil, bay leaves, thyme, mint, garlic, fennel, onion, caraway seeds, dill and many more.
Top Plant Foods to Begin with:
All these foods are rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and bioflavonoids that are essential for healthy heart, digestion and metabolism.
Red Bell Peppers or Sweet Peppers – Red peppers contain three times more vitamin C than orange juice, according to some medical sources.
Berries - Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries you name it berries are great for you.
Citrus Fruits – Oranges, Lemons and limes, as well as peaches, nectarines and other fruits all contain vitamin C and bioflavonoid super oxidants.
Broccoli – This green vegetable has a lot of vitamin C, as well as some other essential vitamins for a healthy diet. As with other foods, use broccoli raw for best results.
Brussels Sprouts/Cabbage – For a hearty meal, include these cabbage type sprouts. Rich in antioxidants, they are also packed with their own unique taste for a delicious way to get bioflavonoids and vitamins.
Tropical Fruits – Exotic fruits, like mangoes and papayas, have a lot of bioflavonoids and other nutritional elements packed under their skins. These are becoming more accessible at supermarkets everywhere. Don’t miss out on what they have to offer.
Garlic – By most accounts, garlic is a superfood. Our food culture has long been aware of its anti-inflammatory properties, but now scientists are counting it as among the natural foods rich in bioflavonoids, and therefore able to deliver the antioxidant values we associate with “healing foods.”
Sweet Potato -has been found to support healthy blood pressure, maintaining healthy insulin levels, healthy bowels. Nutrient packed with Vitamin A, Fibre and Beta-carotene.
Spinach – Popeye wasn’t kidding: this stuff has all of the qualities you would associate with a green vegetable rich in antioxidants. Spinach and Kale are packed with nutrition improving detoxification and brain power.
Now I am not here to tell you what you have to do. Far be it that I should lead you, you are your own leader and food plays a very important part in life. From it either being your "Best Friend or Worst Enemy" to enjoying family get togethers and other social activities. Like all areas of life I believe it is important to find balance and this depends on each individual.
So if going totally vegetarian is right for you, then begin with these simple, yet effective incremental changes. I must point out here an important fact - DON'T REPLACE ANIMAL PROTEIN - WITH PASTRY, CAKES, BISCUITS & BREAD. Otherwise you will be defeating the purpose of improving your health.
By For Now
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Empowering You to Optimal Health     Julie Doherty N.D

Author's Bio: 

Julie Doherty is acknowledged as Worldwide Leader in Healthcare by The Leading Physicians of the world. She is an exceptionally experienced naturopathic health practitioner with a vast expertise in traditional medicine, herbal medicine, and homeopathic medicine. Julie has over twenty-six years in practice and currently maintains a position at Julie's Naturopathic Health Care Services, her private practice in Hackham, South Australia, Australia, where she provides an extensive array of safe, effective, individual, and non-invasive therapies to assist with overcoming health issues that affect the body and the mind.
Julie graduated with distinctions from S.A. College of Botanical Medicine and Natural Therapies and is an accredited member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. Her professional qualifications include Naturopathic Doctor, Herbal & Homoeopathic Practitioner in Diet and Nutritional Medicine, Remedial & Therapeutic Massage Therapy, Body Mind Balancing Cognitive Counselling, and Healthy/Lifestyle coaching and Natural Beauty. This solid education has enabled Julie to provide an extensive range of multidisciplinary modalities that are safe, effective, individual and non-invasive to empower each person to optimal health. Julie credits her success to determination and dedicates to her family and traveling in her spare time