Congratulations! You've made the first inquiry into vegetarianism. You want to make this world a better place, and how better to do that simply by modifying the way you eat? If you are passionate about animal rights, want to end (or at least ease) world hunger, wish to do your part to clean up the environment, or simply desire to nurture your own body and soul, then vegetarianism is for you. Rest assured that it can be done while bunking in a dorm. Why not begin the switch to vegetarianism right now? Here's the college student's guide to "going veggie."
Once you've begun the process of making the switch, get to know the resources on and off campus. Find out if a vegetarian group exists on campus or if nutrition counselors are available to meet with students. If no group exists, form one yourself. At my university, the Vegetarian Advisory Board composed of students and nutritionists, meets monthly to discuss meals and general ideas for the dining commons with the head chef.
In terms of eating, we'll tackle the cafeteria first. Utilize the resources given to you. If you are unsure, plan ahead. Check to see if the menus are posted online as well as on the walls of the dining commons themselves. Labels on foods may be present. If not, don't be shy; ask the servers if the dish contains meat. After all, they are there to help you.
Above all, be creative in the cafeteria as well as in restaurants and your own kitchen. If no obvious options exist, use your imagination. Make a meal out of the salad bar! Creative options include tofu, pasta sauce, and/or cheese in the student microwave or oven: instant tofu parmigiana!
Be sure, however, to get enough protein, iron, and calcium, three major components of a healthy diet. To ensure adequate nutrition, take a multivitamin supplement with no more then 100% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of these nutrients. The supplement is not meant to replace nutritious foods, merely to at as insurance. Vitamin B12 may be the only nutrient deficient in a vegetarian/vegan diet, as it is found solely in animal products. Dairy and eggs provide B12, but vegetarians and vegans alike should take a B12 supplement, often found in multivitamins, to avoid potential nerve damage from lack of B12.
Out on the town, there are probably a plethora of options available, although this again may require some planning. Be pro-active. Check ahead at restaurants: call, stop by, or get a copy of their menu. Once there, be politely assertive and ask questions. You have a right to know what is in the food you are paying for, after all. Most places will willingly accommodate you. Even the most carnivorous of restaurants offer some veggie fare.
Last fall, I ventured with my cousins, aunt, and uncle to Beulah's Barbeque in downtown State College, PA. I must admit that I was genuinely afraid that nothing would be available to me after seeing the cartoon pig in the restaurant's advertisements. I ventured there ahead of time, checked out their menu, and, with a few modifications and well-meaning jokes from my family, had a great time at dinner that night. My meal consisted of a large spinach-mushroom salad (hold the bacon), a baked sweet potato, onion rings, and corn bread - not necessarily well-balanced but a great supper nevertheless. It meant ordering several side dishes, but that's when you make use of your creative side, as long as eating in a meat-based restaurant does not bother you.
The same was true when a vegetarian friend and I joined our cast members at a steakhouse: several appetizers, side dishes, and salads. According to my cousin's girlfriend, "Being vegetarian doesn't always mean eating healthy… [But it always means eating delicious foods.]"
Armed with this knowledge, you are now ready to embrace living animals and do your part to protect them, other people, and the world at large while eating tasty foods to boot! Whether you decide to make the switch gradually or overnight, vegetarianism is one journey that you will never regret. Accordingly, make your first move now towards a "cruelty-free lifestyle" (http://www.peta.org)!
--Natalie Melle McCabe is currently a sophomore theatre major with potential French and/or English minors within Shreyer Honors College of Penn State University (main campus). She "officially" became vegetarian at home outside of Philadelphia, PA on her eighteenth birthday. After college, she plans on acting, directing, and, ultimately, aiding the world with a graduate's degree in drama therapy.
