Are you a ‘fickle’ vegetarian? Our recipes are here to help

Having trouble sticking to your veggie diet? New research suggests that over a third of ‘vegetarians’ go back to being carnivores within a month – but with our meat-free recipes, you’re bound to last longer…

Volatile veggies?

New temporary tattoo brand Fickletattoos.com polled just shy of 2,000 UK men and women to find that 38% of vegetarians go back to eating meat ‘within a month’ of attempting their new eating regime. Only 18% stuck to vegetarianism ‘for a prolonged period of time’ (over a year). 

Why? Because of a lack of willpower; loss of interest; or difficulties trying to fit a new diet into an already established routine, according to the survey. Vegetarianism was the third most popular diet/food fad undertaken by the respondents, with 23% having tried it, while the Atkins diet (34%) and the Dukan diet (24%) came in first and second place respectively. 

In answer to the question, ‘What were your main reasons for becoming a vegetarian?’ 53% of respondents referred to ‘a love of animals’; followed by a bid to ‘reduce weight’ (43%); then ‘vegetarianism is fashionable’ (32%); and finally, because it made you ‘look like a nicer person’ (16%). 

Lovelood loves veg 

David Wain-Heapy, co-founder of fickletattoos.com, said of the results: “You would like to think that the majority of vegetarians undertake it as a point of principle, rather than in a bid to look fashionable! It just goes to show, though, that people change their minds and habits on a regular basis and often at a whim.” 

But here at lovefood, we don’t see the difficulty in sticking to a vegetarian diet [some of us do -Ed.] – there are so many delicious dishes to try that avoid meat and fish completely. So if you’re a struggling vegetarian, take a look at some of our meat-free round-ups below for fresh inspiration.

Top 10 vegetarian pasta recipes

Take your pick from Antonio Carluccio’s pappardelle con frittedda; bean and pasta broth; avocado, mint and feta bows; pappardelle with tomato and basil; pumpkin cannelloni (pictured); penne with oyster mushrooms; spaghetti with garlic oil; or mushroom and red wine ragu. Plus much more!

Top five vegetarian pies recipes

From ‘bourguignonne’ to nutty mushroom (pictured), Mediterranean and sweet beans, you’re bound to fancy one of these delectable pies. You don’t need meat to make a pie – just plenty of hearty veg, perhaps a few nuts, a well-made pastry crust and perhaps a splash of booze.

Our ten favourite veggie recipes 

It was tough to pick just ten recipes from our huge veggie collection. But crackers like Luca Hollweg’s aubergine, courgette and basil gratin, or Maria Elia’s honey and harissa kataifi-wrapped aubergines (pictured) are pure bliss to eat, as are simpler dishes such as chickpea and potato curry.

Bumper vegetarian collection

Every single recipe we have on lovefood. We’ve everything from salads to stews, burgers, risottos, light lunches, snacks and even party food, so you won’t be disappointed. How about kicking things off with a pumpkin soup from Marco Pierre White? Or perhaps some wild mushroom arancini (pictured)?

Are you a vegetarian? And if so, how long have you been one for? Is it easy to stick to? Talk to us in the comments box below.

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