Danielle is a 24-year-old from Wales who has embraced vegetarianism since 2019. From a young age, Danielle never found pleasure in consuming meat and couldn’t comprehend why others enjoyed it. The very texture of meat alone unsettled her, not to mention the distressing realization of the suffering animals endure for the sake of a meal.
Meatless Movement had a chance to chat with her recently.
For Danielle, the decision to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle was a straightforward one. She didn’t worry about the variety of meals she would have or the potential lack of ideas. The mere thought of consuming meat was unbearable, and that compelled her to make the conscious choice to become a vegetarian.
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Tell us more about yourself, please
My name is Danielle and I’m a 24 year old from Wales.
I have been vegetarian since 2019 but have never really enjoyed eating meat. Growing up my family would try and serve me meat but I could never understood how anyone enjoyed eating it. I was very disturbed by the texture of meat alone, let alone thinking about what animals go through for the sake of a meal.
Going vegetarian was a no brainier for me, I wasn’t worried about what meals I will have or if I would be stuck for ideas. I couldn’t be stuck with the thought of eating meat for much longer and that’s why I became a vegetarian.
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I also feel a lot healthier and cleaner being a vegetarian than how I felt when I was eating meat and that’s saying a lot!
My partner went vegetarian at the same time as me. We enjoy being able to prepare nourishing meals together which is why I have set up my Instagram page so that I can showcase our delicious meals. Also to show that us vegetarians don’t just eat grass!
What are some common misunderstandings or false beliefs people have about vegetarians?
I find the biggest misconception about being a vegetarian is that we don’t have enough options at meal time and that we can only eat salad etc.
As much as I do love a salad, I have found that there are SO many options when it comes to cooking as a vegetarian. Which is why I have made my Instagram page, so people can be educated and possibly persuaded to change their dietary choices. I personally enjoy seeing other vegetarians/vegans posting their meals on Instagram so it was a no brainer when I decided to make my own. Hopefully I can influence other people like I’ve been influenced.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting to transition to a meatless diet?
My advice would be not to worry that you won’t have many options when it comes to cooking. Back in the day they didn’t have all these vegetarian alternatives to try, but we do and we should justifying the animals who are killed everyday by atleast trying them.
I would also advise if you’re struggling with meal ideas, just check instagram. I enjoy seeing everyone’s meal posts and add their ideas to my list if I’ve never tried it before.
Honestly, pasta will be your best friend when you turn vegetarian, the amount of recipies you can make with pasta! Lasagna, bolognaise, tortellini, spaghetti the lot, and that’s not a bad thing because pasta is quite simply life!
I’m also a massive fan of a vegetarian Sunday roast, you really can’t go wrong with a Quorn chicken roast.
I enjoy experimenting with curry, making tofu curry, jackfruit curry and then using mealy alternatives to make vegetarians chicken curry. The possibilities are endless as a vegetarian!
I really enjoy eating at Wagamamas and The Hub Box, I find they both have a lot of vegetarian/vegan options and the flavours never fail you!
I am a massive burger fan, so any burger I can get my hands on I’m getting my hands on. Whether it be a meat free burger, a lentil burger, jackfruit burger, I love them all.
Advice I have given to friends/family who considered going vegetarian
I have had many conversations with people around me about my reasoning for being vegetarian & I have passed on my good advice.
I like to advise them not to feel any pressure, going vegetarian doesn’t happen overnight for anyone, but as long as you’re making the steps to change your diet by decreasing the amount of meat you are eating, then that’s good enough.
I have advised them not to worry about struggling for ideas because I am never stuck for ideas as a vegetarian, I have advised them that there are many pages, recipes and ideas online.
And lastly I’ve advised about the vegetarian market to date, about how many options there are for meat alternatives, and that having these meat alternatives mean we don’t have to continue killing animals for food.
I’ve never been one to force vegetarianism upon someone, but if anyone ever queries with me why I’m vegetarian or why they should be, I’m always happy to share my reasoning. I’m happy just to be here to lead by example and hopefully have people try a vegetarian diet and make the world a better place.
A bit extra –
I always feared travelling and struggling for meal options whilst I’m away but let me tell you firstly that vegetarian food abroad is not a struggle! And secondly, it tastes sooo good!
I have been to a few differently places now, I’ve been to Prague and different parts of Italy and I really enjoyed the vegetarian cuisine they have to offer.
Dani🌱
I hope you enjoy looking at my veggie food as much as I enjoyed eating it ◡̈
all images courtesy of Dani🌱