I was a vegetarian for about 5 years through high school and beginning of college. I loved how I felt, but I just couldnt keep up the lifestyle through all the late nights and eating out in college. Recently, through trying to lose weight, I've been trying to decide if a vegetarian lifestyle would work for me again.

Anyone out there ever "gone" back to eating vegetarian after a long absence? Any ideas or tips?

I was vegetarian for almost six years before I met my husband. He's a meat lover and I eventually began eating meat again.

Two years on, I've decided that eating meat isn't really for me. I don't like it and it makes me feel sick when I eat it. I've started cooking meals that I can easily substitute meat (ie curry with lentils instead of chicken) and its working well. My husband really hasn't missed meat yet.

I went back...wasn't really anything different than the first time, I just stopped eating animals. I wish I had thought it out more. My husband and I talked it out and just went cold turkey (no pun intended!) with the next meal. If I had planned it out better, done some research, read some cookbooks, and cleaned out my cabinets in advance, then I probably would not have packed on about 20 pounds. Toooooo much pasta, tooooo much french fries, too many cheesy veggie casseroles!

So my one bit of advice is get some cookbooks and find a healthy way to do it before you find yourself planning meals on the fly.

Good luck!

Jennifer, I think that is great advice. Planning definitely is key. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains and try to limit dairy fats. I love this way of eating.

I was veggie all through school then gave up when I became an idle uni student. I went veggie again when I got together with my current OH who has been veggie all his life. He wouldn't kiss me if I'd just eaten bacon I've now been veggie for 12 years straight!

I found the toughest thing was that I tended to eat quite high fat to start with, in order to get enough protein I was putting away lots of dairy. I've now weaned myself onto soya milk and half fat cheese and learnt how to cook tofu. Things are much easier and I feel better for it. I also had to teach myself to eat beans. I used to loathe them because I associated them with baked beans and school dinners, but now I think they're great! (not baked beans though - ick!)

I guess my advice would be - try and cultivate an open mind when it comes to new flavours and textures, than transition will be easier. Good luck!