How to Get More People Interested in a Vegetarian Diet

Do Not be Extreme

PETA loses some people's interest because many people get turned off by the extreme actions of this group (or other more extreme animal rights organizations).  By showing graphic slaughterhouse images many people are turned off the message, and not the meat.  The people become unwilling to listen and turn away; afraid of what they might see next.  You message may be good, and well intentioned, but if nobody wants to hear it you have lost.

One of the worst things a vegetarian can do is try to ram their information down the throat of a person who does not ask for it.

Try a Soft Approach

Rather than offering unsolicited advice it is better to lead by example.  When you are out with others casually ask the waitress if they have “vegetarian options” then order one so others can see how good vegetarian food can look, offer them a bite if they want, but do not start a lecture or debate.

If you have a dinner party, or are invited to a potluck dinner, cook a vegetarian item, but make it “normal” enough that people are still willing to try it, such as a vegetarian chili, vegetarian pizza, or vegetarian lasagna.  Avoid cooking something that people won't recognize because they may not want to try it.

If asked to share a recipe for your a school, or church, cookbook, pick an easy vegetarian one, one with common ingredients.  If the vegetarian recipe is too complicated pr requires too many hard to find ingredients nobody will bother making it.

Rather that pushing the full vegetarian agenda try a simpler step, suggest people adopt “Meatless Mondays”, a habit of having a least one meatless day a week, and encourage smaller portions of meat when meat is served.  This is particularly good if you are a parent, or child, trying to encourage eating less meat in your family.  Start by suggesting one meatless day a week and smaller portions of meat when meat is served.

Suggest a natural progression, first a lacto-ovo diet (one that includes eggs and dairy), then full vegetarian diet, never push a vegan diet outright, the change is too hard for people do adapt to, and most give up after a short time when faced with such a drastic change.

Lecture only when Asked

The only time you should really talk about the benefits of being a vegetarian are when you are asked.  When asked you should be direct and honest and avoid going over the top, answer the questions but do not get into a lecture, or preachy way of talking because unless people signed up to listen to you lecture formally they will tune out.

The right time to lecture is if you are actually giving a lecture; assigned to speak on the reasons for switching to a vegetarian diet.

Similarly you can write Internet articles, e-books, books, and so forth, where you actually can lecture to those who want the information you want to share.  You can also try to get articles written in your local newspaper, or submitted to magazines.