During my first semester of culinary school, I decided to spend some time cooking for myself as a vegetarian. I needed an opportunity to expand my knowledge of new vegetables and spices; going meatless and working with ingredients I was unfamiliar with seemed like the ideal challenge.

What I wasn’t aware of was how many remarkable benefits come with a plant-based diet. It’s been several months since my vegetarian challenge, so I decided to revisit meatless cuisine once again and delve into the perks.

Interested in the surprising effect that a vegetarian lifestyle can have on you and the world around you? Transitioning from omnivore to herbivore can be daunting; my findings, however, may convince you to incorporate new meat-free meals into your weekly routine.

Firstly (and unsurprisingly), the health benefits that come with vegetarianism are tremendous. Along with being a responsible and effective option for weight management, studies show that foregoing meat can reduce the risk of developing a variety of chronic diseases.

According to the American Heart Association, a diet that emphasizes consuming plants and plant-based foods compared to animal-based foods may lower the risks of dying from heart disease and stroke by up to 20 percent.

Another benefit that often isn’t considered is the overwhelmingly positive effect that vegetarianism has on the environment.

The next time you stroll down the meat aisle at the grocery store, briefly consider that those steaks and pork chops came from an animal. Animal rights aside (that’s an entirely separate argument, though one for another day) it’s also worth remembering that raising animals requires a staggering amount of resources.

According to an article from the Huffington Post, it takes approximately 1,847 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. This is overwhelming when compared to legumes such as lentils, which use only 704 gallons per pound. 

In addition to concerns regarding water conservation, livestock is also a large contributor to pollution. A study done by the EPA states that Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) in the U.S. produce more than 500 million tons of animal waste annually.

Consequently, AFOs are overwhelming contributors to nonpoint surface water pollution, which leads to the contamination of lakes, rivers, groundwater and so forth.

In the event that you’re still not convinced, here’s one final fact that might catch your attention; skipping the beef at dinner time could benefit your wallet.

Cutting back on or eliminating expensive cuts of meat from your grocery list can leave room for fresh fruits and vegetables in your budget while still providing a hefty cushion. According to Time.com, vegetarians save on average about $750 annually on grocery bills when compared to their meat-consuming counterparts.

There’s an astounding amount of information out there making a case for vegetarianism. It’s remarkable just how much a plant-based diet can impact you and the world around you!

Granted, I would be hypocritical if I insisted that the population eliminate meat consumption entirely. I personally would find it extremely difficult to give up my chicken and pot roast. However, experimenting with new vegetarian dishes, as well as exploring boundless vegetable-focused international flavors, has made reducing my meat consumption not only tolerable but extremely enjoyable.

I recommend it to anyone and everyone. Your body, wallet and planet will thank you!