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Over the past few years, vegetarianism has gone mainstream in a big way.

Wherever you look there are delicious meat-free recipes being shared and more and more vegetarian restaurants opening their doors. In other words, there’s never been a better time to go veggie.

If you’ve been thinking of becoming a vegetarian or even just trying it out for a spell, National Vegetarian Week 2018 (14–20 May) is a great excuse to get involved. To help you get prepared, we’ve put together a list of five things you should do to make your week a great experience. Read on to find out more.

Do some research beforehand

While you might be tempted to think jumping straight into being a vegetarian is easy, to get the best out of the lifestyle, you’ll have to do a little research beforehand. If you’re new to the diet, it’s important that you’re able to get the right balance of nutrition that you’re used to, so take the time to find out what foods you might need to include.

For instance, meat is a regular source of protein for many, so knowing what vegetarian options are available will allow you to adapt. Beans, nuts, nut butters, peas, and soy products are great sources of protein that are suitable for veggies, so be sure to pick out recipes that contain them.

Stock up on fresh local produce

When it comes to buying your ingredients ahead of Vegetarian Week, you should aim to pick out the freshest produce you can to ensure your meals are as tasty as possible. If your usual shop involves picking up the nearest pre-packed fruit and veg, you should read Kitchn’s guide to selecting the best produce to brush up on your selection skills.

If you’re able to, it’s worth buying your veggies from a local green grocer or farmer’s market. This way, you can be sure your ingredients will be as fresh as possible, as well as support your community by keeping business local.

Keep your produce fresh

Once you’ve stocked up on your ingredients, you’ll need to keep them as fresh as possible through the week ahead. Though it can be tempting to put everything in the fridge or cupboard, many types of food may require different methods of storage to keep them in the best condition.

Eating Well have a handy chart that you can refer to when you’re unpacking your shopping. Follow this and you can bank on your ingredients being extra fresh and ready to be prepared.

Kit out your kitchen with the right equipment

Unless you’re an avid chef, you might have to stock up on a few kitchen items to really get the most out of your Vegetarian Week. For instance, the Vegetarian Times’ list of essential tools a cook needs recommends that you need a quality chef’s knife to ensure quick and easy preparation, as well as a potato ricer to create velvety mash.

If you plan to share your handiwork on social media, you’ll also need specialist equipment to ensure your presentation is on point. Investing in a good spiraliser, such as this Zyliss hand held model from Alliance Online, is a must-have if you want to create dish arrangements that really stand out. You’ll be left with scrumptious strands of your favourite veggies, ready to add the finishing touch to any salad.

Make your work meals in advance

When you’re considering the lunches you’ll be preparing for work, preparing some veggie meals in advance will ensure you’re not subjected to the depressing and often limited vegetarian sandwiches, salads, or pasta dishes offered in supermarket meal deals. With a little bit of extra effort, you could be enjoying a delicious homemade dish instead. If you need a helping hand, Happy Kitchen Rocks have put together 20 healthy veggie meal ideas that are completely lunchbox friendly.

Take our advice on board and you’ll have everything in place to get the most out of Vegetarian Week 2018. Then, you can decide if you want to continue the lifestyle having experienced the best of it.

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