Most people jump to assume that being a vegetarian or a vegan is completely challenging. After going on seven years of vegetarianism myself, I am here to make it known that this lifestyle is simple and easy. There are many different types of vegetarians, categorized based on what you eat:
Pescatarians- They do not eat the meat of land animals, but still eat fish.
Flexitarian- Someone that eats a mostly vegetarian diet, but occasionally will eat meat.
Lacto-ovo-vegetarian-This next sub group is the most common. These people do not eat any meat or fish, but they may eat eggs (ovo) and/or dairy (lacto).
Veganism-This is most extreme form of an animal free diet. A vegan does not eat any type of meat, fish, eggs, or dairy products. Some vegans will go as far as not using honey or wearing fur from an animal.
Now that you know all the different options involved in vegetarianism, let’s see how easy it is in everyday life.
Everyone I talk to assumes that by being a vegetarian or vegan, it is difficult to eat out at restaurants. In my few years of living in Tampa Bay, I have found that the community offers a huge selection of vegetarian/vegan restaurants. Creative Loafing recently published their compilation of “Best of the Bay” awards which included multiple categories involving vegetarian restaurants in the area. The “Best Vegetarian Restaurant Even a Carnivore Could Enjoy” category was won by the Middle Eastern inspired restaurant Meze 119 located in St. Petersburg. Recently I was in the area and decided to check it out and ended up ordering the Cyprus BLT, which was delicious! Many other restaurants included in the list were Cafe Hey, Consciousness-Blossoms, Ella’s Americana Folk Art Café, Evos, Grass Root Organic, Kaleisha Tea Lounge, and many others.
Some of my all time favorite places to go for vegetarian or vegan food include Taco Bus, Taqueria Monterrey, and especially Loving Hut. I am a sucker for Chinese food and Loving Hut makes it perfectly. They have over 120 branches worldwide and I have personally eaten at the Orlando, Tampa, and Madrid location in Spain. Each location of the Loving Hut slightly differs in what dishes that they offer, but no matter which you chose, you will leave happy. They offer many different types of vegan food, with some of my favorites being satay, philly subs, sushi, shrimp, and phad thai.Â
Not only are there a ton of restaurants to chose from, but you can also fine vegetarian and vegan food right here on campus! In 2009, USF was voted in Peta2’s contest as one of the most vegetarian friendly colleges and have continued adding more options for non-meat eaters. Proven by the “Meatless Monday” movement that was put into effect in Spring 2011, you can see USF’s dedication towards a healthier lifestyle.
So if being a vegetarian or vegan has always been something you wanted to try out, the time is now. If you have never thought about it, try challenging yourself to a meat-free day or week to see what you think about it. Don’t let the fear of not having anything to eat scare you away, because clearly that myth is not true. The diet of a vegetarian or vegan consists of more than just salads. Also, don’t forget to check out Tampa Bay’s Veg Fest for more information and support this month!