The Transition to Vegetarianism

Abstract

The transition to vegetarianism—during which old food habits and tastes are replaced by new vegetarian ways of eating—is a critical period. For some, the change is simple and painless. But for others it constitutes a mini-crisis. In this chapter, we explore how people go about making the transition from omnivore to herbivore. Trying to describe how people “arrive” at vegetarianism, however, is like photographing a moving object, for many people continue to change their diets, attitudes, and lifestyles long after they banish meat from their kitchens. Accordingly, it is necessary to consider not only where vegetarians come from, but where they are headed.