I mentioned in my thread at the Introduce Yourself forum that I already have bad eating habits. Which are that I don't eat much. So cutting out all meat would make my diet and eating habits even smaller. I don't want that to happen. How can I gradually start getting an appetite for a vegetarian diet? That's my question. What should I start eating first?

Instead of just eating what you normally would minus the meat, add foods. Being vegetarian doesn't mean that you have to eat a side salad and steamed veggies every meal. Start by making 1 veggie entree a week (having a cookbook or looking at recipes online helps with this one) and then gradually cut out meat, with adding more veggie foods.

About two months ago i finally cut all meat, eggs, out of my diet. It was a long process. I started about 5 months ago, with red meats first, then gradually chicken, turkey, eggs, leaving only fish. Then finally fish. I did it over time and during that time i added and experimented with new foods. I've found out i really REALLY like soy milk lol Which is another recent addition. Another step to finally, in time, cut out dairy. I actually enjoy going to the grocery store and searching for new yummy foods. : ) I eat more now that i am vegetarian, then i did when i wasnt. Its amazing. And my energy level is amazing too. I found that it helped alot too, to always carry around food with me. In case i was somewhere, got hungry...and that way i wasn't tempted by what others were eating. I was so afraid i was going to starve if i didn't have meat in my entree. lol It never happend though, and after a few days it was so easy. Not sure i should be giving advice here, ive only been meat free for 2 months, but since u are just starting out too, i figured it would be nice to hear from someone who has recently been down that path. :) Good luck!!!!! You can do it.

I agree you have to start slow. Eventually you will have taken meat out of your diet and be completly vegetarian. I would suggest reading becomming vegetarian, by brenda davis. Its a great book.

i would first start by chaning your meal patterning and striving to get up to 1500-2000 calories per day. As someone said above, definately add in foods.

So, start with something like this:

breakfast: whatever you normally have for breakfast
snack: fruit and nuts (trail mix is good)
lunch: whatever you normally have for lunch
snack: veggies and hummus dip
dinner: whatever you normally have for dinner
snack: whatever snack suits you or dessert of some sort

watch this for a while, and make sure you're getting enough calories. Then, look on different boards, including this one, for vegetarian recipes. try a new recipe--for dinner or lunch--once a week. Find ones that you like, and then add them to your meal plan.

after a while, you can start to cut out the meat and whatever other products you like. Give yourself time, no big deal. :)

Like everyone said here, you get in your calories and vitatums intake. Then also, if you want some good vegan and Vegetarian stuff I would suggest going to a store that carries all Vegetarian and vegan. I tend to find most of stuff at the Indian stores asian stores etc.