Last week I decided to take a different approach to Try It Tuesday. Unlike the paleo diet, where I cut out meat, dairy, and grains for the sake of a blog post, I decided to do a post on a very real dietary change I’m trying to make (if you didn’t read it, I was trying to get more vegetables in my diet by drinking a green smoothie).

This Try It Tuesday is no different. I’ve been eating less meat to the point where I’m a weekday vegetarian. I’m sure there are a lot of great reasons that people decrease their meat consumption, but for me, it’s a matter of convenience: My freezer is packed to the brim with food. And since I normally buy meat in bulk and freeze it, well … I just don’t have the capacity to do that until I eat what I already have.

Vegetarians, like vegans, do not consume meat. But unlike vegans, vegetarians will consume animal by-products such as eggs, cheese, yogurt, and honey. Compared to my usual diet, this isn’t much different than usual.

As you can see, my meals did not drastically change. The only difference is the meat. The only concern I had was to ensure I consumed enough protein with all nine essential amino acids. Luckily, along with dairy, I was able to fill in the gaps with whole grains and beans.

The whole week felt normal. No mood changes, no being consumed in thought about food, no counting down the days, hours, minutes, and seconds to when I can eat again. I succeeded in making pretty healthful dietary changes—like getting more fiber by eating whole grains, fruits, and vegetables—without suffering.

Oftentimes when we try to make dietary changes for the better, we become so consumed about what we can and can’t have. It makes eating frustrating and stressful, when it really should be enjoyable, especially if it’s going to be something you do a few times a day for your entire life.

This doesn’t mean that we should never enjoy sensible splurges, but all it takes is a few small dietary changes that can have a huge healthful difference.