Some people decide to switch to a plant-based diet instantly; others move to a vegetarian diet gradually or go through stages. If you're not keen to give up your favorite food, try changing everything but that. Do what works best for you. Even if you feel that being vegetarian is not really your thing, reducing the amount of animal foods you eat, or opting for organic and free-range animal products instead, can make a huge difference.

If you're interested in going veggie, you can make a start by vegging-up your favorite dishes - add more plant foods and then try swapping animal foods with some of the great substitutes that are available. There are healthy and tasty alternatives for all animal-based products, from 'dairy foods' (like yummy ice creams!) to eggs replacers and mock meats. The taste varies a lot with each brand so just experiment to see which ones you like best. Don't be afraid to check out international dishes because they often have great veggie meals that will open your eyes to how many awesome food choices you have.

When you are eating out, most restaurants have great veggie dishes on the menu, and those that don't will often happily accommodate special requests. If you're dining at someone else's house let them know in advance about your preferences, or even better, take your favorite dish along to share. A plant-based diet needs no more planning than any other diet. Vegetarian foods are easy to find, no more difficult to prepare than other foods, and veggie diets will even help you keep a little more cash in your pockets!

You can improve your health, help the environment and save animal in one simple step…why not take it? Go veggie - and eat for life!

A Few Famous Faces Who Never Eat Animals

Bryan Adams, Alec Baldwin, Drew Barrymore, Leonardo Da Vinci, Bob Dylan, Gandhi, Daniel Johns, Carl Lewis, Steve Martin, Paul McCartney, Martina Navratilova, Sir Isaac Newton, Moby, Natalie Portman, Prince, Pythagoras, Jerry Seinfeld, Alicia Silverstone and Shania Twain.

Resources/For More Info

101 Reasons Why I'm A Vegetarian

All 4 Vegan

American Dietetic Association

Animal Liberation

EarthSave

International Vegetarian Union

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Vegan Action

Vegan Outreach

Vegetarian Resource Group

VegSource

World Rainforest Information Portal

--Erin lives in Australia. She's been vegan for just over a year and vegetarian pretty much all her life. She decided pretty early on that she didn't want something to have to die for her dinner. Her favorite thing about being veg is that "even though it might seem like an insignificant choice to make, it can make such a difference to the world..and I think that's pretty cool."