The Western diet has been focused on meat as the centerpiece of all meals for so long, the feeling that we are missing something essential when we switch to a vegetarian lifestyle can be very strong. However, many other cultures throughout history have made vegetarian cooking a core tenant of peaceful, joyful living. Additionally, cooking vegetarian has so many benefits---financial, environmental, physical, aesthetic---it can help you move into a whole new realm of appreciating and enjoying both cooking and eating.
History
According to the Vegetarian Society, not only did many ancient religions, such as Buddhism and Jainism, adhere to strict rules about not harming, killing or consuming animals, many ancient thinkers and philosophers felt vegetarianism directly contributed to human morality and happiness. The Roman philosopher Seneca wrote that abstaining "from the flesh of animals is to foster and to encourage innocence"; he later told followers that he delighted in eating no meat. Vegetarian advocates throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries also cited cruelty to animals as a main motivation and source of joy in eating no meat, but only recently have we discovered the numerous other benefits the lifestyle can bring.
MIsconceptions
One reason why so many people avoid becoming a vegetarian is that they believe vegetarian cooking to be difficult, time-consuming, lacking in certain essential nutrients and tasteless. Cooking vegetarian is, however not difficult and can, in many cases, actually require less time for meal preparation if you choose simple dishes and meal plans. According to The World's Healthiest Foods site, the previously held idea that vegetarians are deficient in nutrients that are found in abundant quantities in meat and animal products has been disproved by nutritionists. And vegetarian cooking is far from tasteless; most new vegetarian converts find that the aesthetic pleasure they receive from handling and preparing fresh fruits, vegetables and grains is greater than with traditional cooking.
Health Significance
Both the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association agree that a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, containing plenty of whole grains and little red meat can significantly decrease your chance of developing cancer or heart disease. All of these requirements are fulfilled by the vegetarian lifestyle. In addition, studies report that vegetarianism is linked to decreased risk of diabetes, hypertension and arthritis. If you are in good physical health, your mental health will also be better off---both can be directly affected by a vegetarian lifestyle.
Environmental Impact
The benefits of cooking and eating vegetarian don't stop with you, though---the environment as a whole is affected by the amount of meat versus plant matter that we consume. Large amounts of non-renewable energy goes annually into feeding, watering, maintaining and processing the cattle, pigs and chickens used to provide meat. These animals produce manure that must be disposed of, and which can often cause sharp spikes in microorganism growth. Additionally, land used to raise cattle often ends up depleted and useless due to soil erosion and massive deforestation.
Considerations
According to the Mayo Clinic, the best way to get the most pleasure and nutrition out of a vegetarian lifestyle is to plan to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and grains on a daily and weekly basis. Base your meals primarily on grains and a low-fat protein source such as beans; if you do choose to include milk, eggs and other dairy products in your diet, be certain to consume high-fat items, such as whole-fat cheese, sparingly.
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