I tried going vegetarian for a week to see if I would be able to find meatless meal options and see if I feel a physical change. On my last night before becoming a temporary vegetarian, I had a cheeseburger. For lunch, I typically have a turkey BLT. For dinner, I usually have some sort of meat-based entree liked grilled chicken. Over the course of the week, I consume two or three burgers.

Day 1: September 27, 2017

• Breakfast: 2 coffees
• Lunch: Veggie sandwich (lettuce, cucumber, tomato), pretzel sticks, fruit salad
• Dinner: Tortellini with kale and parmesan bread crumbs

              Pictured: Tortellini with kale and parmesan bread crumbs. Photo Source: Olivia Edic

Summary: I felt hungry this morning, but my lunch and dinner were pretty filling. I also drank lots of water throughout the day, which made me less hungry.

Day 2: September 28, 2017

• Breakfast: Coffee and granola
• Lunch: Veggie sandwich and fruit salad
• Dinner: Vegetable fried rice with peas, carrots, and onions

Pictured: Veggie fried rice. Photo source: Olivia Edic

Summary: It was very difficult to eat my fried rice while the rest of my family enjoyed the same food but with chicken mixed in. I am craving a burger or grilled chicken, but so far I have maintained my vegetarianism. I feel more hungry than usual.

Day 3: September 29, 2017

• Breakfast: Coffee and a blueberry muffin
• Lunch: Caesar salad, fruit salad, and M&M cookies
• Dinner: Skip’s! (Grilled cheese and curly q’s)

Summary: I felt grossly full after Skip’s but having salad for lunch was a nice change. Craving meat!

Day 4: September 30, 2017

• Breakfast: Munchkins, fruit, and coffee
• Lunch: Omelette!
• Dinner: Mac and Cheese at Sea Level

Summary: Still craving meat, but persevering through this week. The mac and cheese from Sea Level was great!

Day 5: October 1, 2017

• Breakfast: Coffee
• Lunch: Japanese Sweet Potato Sandwich and fries
• Dinner: none, I was at a concert!

Pictured: Japanese sweet potato sandwich and fries from Clover. Photo source: Olivia Edic

Summary: I tried food from Clover Food Lab in Cambridge, and it was delicious. For once, I was not craving meat because the food from Clover was actually filling.

Day 6: October 2, 2017

• Breakfast: Coffee and blueberry muffin
• Lunch: Veggie sandwich and two granola bars
• Dinner: Zucchini Tostada Taco from Sea Level!

Pictured: Zucchini Tostada Taco. Photo Source: Olivia Edic

Summary: Although I’m still craving meat, I’m adjusting to not having it in my daily diet. The Zucchini Tostada Taco from Sea Level was, in my opinion, a great vegetarian alternative to tacos with meat.

Day 7: October 3, 2017

• Breakfast: Coffee
• Lunch: Veggie sandwich, fruit salad, banana muffin
• Dinner: Veggie Quesadilla

Summary: My last day being vegetarian! I feel like I have been relying on carbs to compensate for the lack of meat I’m eating, so I’m excited to go back to eating meat.

Final review: Being vegetarian for a week was an interesting experience, and something I’ve never done before. I am proud of myself for trying vegetarian meals, but I am sad to that I felt no major physical and/or mental changes. However, to anyone looking for a new challenge, I recommend trying vegetarianism, and I fully support all vegetarians for being committed to their dietary preferences and ethical beliefs.