All humans are born as omnivores. Omnivores are defined as any creature that eats a balanced diet coming from both plant and animal sources. Meat-eating humans are not carnivores, as carnivores survive solely on meat. If you have been living a vegetarian lifestyle, making the switch back to your natural omnivore diet should not have any side effects if done correctly.
Step 1
Substitute a meat protein for a plant protein once or twice weekly to start. Weaning back off the vegetarian diet can help prevent any sudden shock to the system from the influx of animal proteins and fat. Start with lean meats, such as skinless poultry, as opposed to the fattier, more dense red meats.
Step 2
Talk to your doctor if you have been taking any supplements for your prior vegetarian lifestyle. A well-balanced omnivore diet should supply all of the vitamins you need naturally, whereas a vegetarian diet is void of natural vitamin B12. You may no longer require these artificial supplements.
Step 3
Continue to make healthy food choices by adding lean animal proteins, not those that are rich in saturated fats. Aside from skinless poultry, add fresh fish and lean cuts of red meat such as sirloin. Avoid the ground meats, processed meats and prime rib cuts, as they contain more saturated fats, which can contribute to cardiovascular disease and may not have an appealing taste to the vegetarian palate.
Step 4
Watch your portion sizes. A serving of animal protein, such as fish or chicken, is about the size and thickness of a deck of cards. Pile on fresh vegetables, such as a spinach salad or green beans, to complement your new proteins.
Step 5
Experiment with tastes and flavors of the bounty provided by animal products. Milk, cheese, eggs and even meat broths may have been out of reach as a vegetarian.
Step 6
Progress your omnivorous meals as you leave vegetarianism behind. Follow the basic guidelines set forth by MyPyramid.gov -- keep the majority of your diet from plants and grains, followed by lean proteins. You can start by adding 3 to 6 oz. of grilled chicken or fish to a salad, or try using your favorite vegetarian protein recipe, such as a tofu recipe, with the animal protein instead.
Tips and Warnings
- Leaving vegetarianism behind doesn't mean you have to avoid good habits -- continue to use healthier oils, such as olive oil, for cooking as opposed to butter or animal fat.
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