So you have decided to start following a vegetarian lifestyle. People adopt a vegetarian lifestyle for many different reasons. Some become vegetarian because of religious convictions while others want to take a stand against animal cruelty. Still others feel that a vegetarian diet offers healthier choices for their body.

Whatever your personal reasons may be, there are countless resources out there to assist in successfully integrating from a diet of meat and/or dairy products to a diet abstaining from these products. In addition to the books on vegetarianism listed below, there are countless web resources with helpful tips, recipes and even online support communities. 

1) Being Vegetarian for Dummies ~ Yep that’s right, the “Dummies” series has a book on almost every topic including vegetarianism. If you are considering a vegetarian lifestyle and don’t have a clue on where to begin, this book is for you. Books for “Dummies” strive to reach even the most uneducated audiences on topics with a simple and sometimes humorous approach. This book is a complete resource including a section on the various types of vegetarian lifestyles including vegan, lacto-ovo, etc. “Being Vegetarian for Dummies” also includes simple recipes and complete meal recipes as well as a guide to help you follow your guidelines when dining out.

2) Madhur Jaffrey’s World Vegetarian ~ Americans consume more meat than people from any other country. Taking a look at the diets consumed by those around the world is a helpful way to find tasty and creative ways to abstain from meat. Madhur Jaffray showcases  more than 500 meatless recipes from countries all around the world in her book “World Vegetarian”. Madhur Jaffrey’s book is a great addition to the vegetarian’s cookbook collection as well as an excellent way to add some variety to mealtimes.

3) How it all vegan ~ Written by Tanya Barnard and Sarah Kramer, “How it all Vegan” is a complete vegan resource guide to tasty meat and dairy alternatives. Vegans strive to abstain from all meat and dairy products including items such as mayonnaise or dressings that contain dairy. Ensuring that sufficient proteins and vitamins are consumed can be a struggle for those choosing a vegan lifestyle. Barnard and Kramer give readers delicious recipes to try that support this meat and dairy free lifestyle. A special section is included to discuss alternatives to cosmetic products that list animal by-products in their ingredients list.