In the summer of 2017, I decided I wanted to become a vegetarian. I did well until I got back to school. I found it hard to get a lot of protein at the dining halls by being a vegetarian so I had some meat sometimes. Although I ate some deli meats and chicken tenders, I could not stay away from fish. I love fish so much. Sushi is one of my favorite meals to eat (especially a sushi bowl from Love Art Sushi)!

Then when winter break started, I really wanted to remove meat from my diet for good. Since I still wanted and loved to eat fish, I decided to become a pescatarian.

One of the reasons I wanted to stop eating meat was because I am a picky eater. I have never really been a fan of steak or burgers, pork has a weird taste and they can give you parasites or other diseases (yes, I am aware eating raw fish can give you parasites), and I was just getting sick of eating chicken all the time. A lot of processed meats like deli meats or sausages are so yummy but so bad for your health!

Another reason I wanted to stop eating meat was because of the amount of environmental damage and pollution it causes. I learned a lot in classes and from the news about the pollution it causes, what happens to the animals, and where the waste goes. As someone who loves nature and cares about the planet, I knew I couldn't eat another piece of meat after learning all that I did.

Since I love fish so much, it's going to take a bit longer for me to give it up. I have learned a lot about food depletion in the ocean and that there are some fish that you should and should not buy right now. So I understand why I should limit my seafood intake. I use this guide to help me figure out which fish to get and which to avoid.

With all of this in mind, I do hope to maybe one day cut out fish, but until then, I plan on eating it maybe once every other week, maybe even less than that.

Don't worry, I did plenty of research on other viable sources of protein! I actually really love tofu and beans. I also think veggie burgers (depending on which kind) are actually tastier than regular burgers, but then again I never really liked the beef burgers to begin with. At some of the dining halls they serve sesame nuggets and they are so delicious! They're just as good, sometimes even better than regular chicken nuggets. Since I am not eating real meat and eating more plant-based meat substitutes, I am taking B12 vitamins. If you are a vegetarian you need to take these!!

At first, when I decided to do this I was worried I would just eat carbs, but I am eating more veggies and fruits than I ever have. I am even starting to like some fruits and vegetables that I used to hate. It's a miracle! Since I am eating so many more vegetables and fruits, I feel really good! I don't feel my arteries clogging up every time I eat a sausage or a really meaty sandwich. I hope I can continue this lifestyle while remaining healthy and doing my part to help the environment.