What if you don't like meat?

Florida_Superstar

I'm interested in Primal/Paleo, but as a non-meat lover I'm afraid I would starve. I've looked around at others' diaries for some ideas of what you all eat. Very meat-intensive as expected! Is there any hope if I don't like meat? Thanks for any input.

Akimajuktuq

Eat more plants.

I personally don't think Paleo is compatible with vegan diets because Paleo is about attaining ideal health. Based on detailed experiences shared by previous long term vegans that i am aware of, they became increasingly unhealthy; some destroying certain aspects of their health permanently. There is not one known historical human society that was vegan. I'm very sure that there's a reason for that.

Generally, Paleo people eat a higher volume of plants than animals but often animals make up the majority of the calories.

I think if you intend to avoid animals you would be better off with a different lifestyle. You may need some foods that Paleo excludes such as grains and legumes to at least get a bit of protein, even if it's not the most biologically appropriate for the human body.

Florida_Superstar

Thanks for the reply. I'm definitely not vegan or vegetarian. I just don't like meat very much. I get enough protein now, but a lot of it comes from Greek yogurt, whey protein powder, and peanut butter -- all of which I would leave behind on a Paleo diet. Maybe you're right and it's just not the right lifestyle for me.

Gianfranco_R

What about fish? Anyway, if you cannot get enough protein on a strict paleo, you could simply go "primal" and eat dairy if you tolerate it. Many people on the paleo/primal community eat also some legumes, if properly prepared (soaked at least 18 hours before cooking)

Gianfranco_R

I took a look at your diary, and your protein goal seems pretty high, maybe you can rethink that.
Here it is the primal macro breakdown:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/definitive-guide-to-the-primal-eating-plan/#axzz3USAN8gkU

Florida_Superstar

Gianfranco_R -- Thanks for looking at my diary and for your comments. I appreciate the link to the macro breakdown for primal. I'll read it shortly. I haven't actually tried to commit to Paleo or Primal but have just been interested. There is so much information about nutrition online that I don't know what to trust. I'm not trying to lose weight. I'm fit and very athletic. I just want to see if I can be a little leaner (fat loss, not weight loss). And that's how my protein goal became so high -- I changed my macros in MFP based on an article I read about fat loss vs. weight loss. I have never once hit my protein goal! Those following Paleo/Primal seem to have a lot of success stories about fat loss and that was what got my attention.

Gianfranco_R

You are welcome, Xtrain, and I see you look great, congratulation! I also started paleo with no need to lose weight. It is worth to give a try to it because paleo/primal, regardless from weight loss, can actually improve your health (as it did for mine, dramatically)

cindytw

So, just a thought...but I thought I didn't like meat for a while. I just didn't like meat the way I had had it prepared! So try different things, different restaurants for inspiration, maybe cooking classes or something. I did learn a lot by trial and error but also by cooking classes at our local grocery store my job provided.

Florida_Superstar

Cindy, thanks for the idea! You're right -- I don't really know what I'm doing with meat. I actually only recently discovered that I like a lot of seafood, so maybe there's hope for meat too. Also, someone else pointed me to the macros for Primal, and the protein recommendation is actually very reasonable--I think I can work with it...however I'll probably be back on here asking how I can possibly consume that much fat! Ahh, one step at a time. Thanks for the comment.

Dragonwolf

xtrain321 wrote: »

Gianfranco_R -- Thanks for looking at my diary and for your comments. I appreciate the link to the macro breakdown for primal. I'll read it shortly. I haven't actually tried to commit to Paleo or Primal but have just been interested. There is so much information about nutrition online that I don't know what to trust. I'm not trying to lose weight. I'm fit and very athletic. I just want to see if I can be a little leaner (fat loss, not weight loss). And that's how my protein goal became so high -- I changed my macros in MFP based on an article I read about fat loss vs. weight loss. I have never once hit my protein goal! Those following Paleo/Primal seem to have a lot of success stories about fat loss and that was what got my attention.

You might be interested in this article, then -- http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

cindytw

xtrain321 wrote: »

Cindy, thanks for the idea! You're right -- I don't really know what I'm doing with meat. I actually only recently discovered that I like a lot of seafood, so maybe there's hope for meat too. Also, someone else pointed me to the macros for Primal, and the protein recommendation is actually very reasonable--I think I can work with it...however I'll probably be back on here asking how I can possibly consume that much fat! Ahh, one step at a time. Thanks for the comment.

Yeah truly there were times in my life I thought I could only tolerate chicken nuggets and cheeseburgers from a fast food place. Why? Because no one ever cooked it properly for me! Plus there are a million ways to prepare things! I watch a lot of cooking shows, do a lot of trying things out, use techniques and then adapt the seasonings to my taste. For example, I made Corned beef and cabbage at work yesterday. But I HATE boiled meat and veg, so I made it MY way. I cooked the meat in the crockpot, without the seasonings I dislike, I roasted the cabbage with basting oil and seasonings, I roasted the potatoes, onions and carrots separately and then put it all together into a dish that I liked that had flavors I liked that I previously hated.

I also find that quality is an issue. If I get good, quality, pasture raised and organic meats and poultry it has such better flavor!

GrokRockStar

I have the same issue where I give some meats a break, mainly beef and pork. Chicken makes me nauseous, so I avoid it anyway. I don't give up eggs though, so I supplement my protein that way, and I’m learning to love fish.

Cindy, I agree with the quality of meats. I’ve noticed a huge difference eating a high quality ribeye versus the factory/farm brands.

KombuchaCat

Do you eat pasture raised animals? If not give that a try. I bet you will notice a huge different in flavor and texture plus they are WAY more healthy! Personally I believe that whether or not you choose to eat Paleo everyone should strive to eat pasture raised animals as much as thier budget allows.

KombuchaCat

Also wild caught seafood, don't forget about that! Farmed fish are possible even more troubling from a nutrition and humane raised environment perspective than land animals.

Akimajuktuq

^absolutely there is nothing more important than what animals one eats. Pasture raised, start to finish and wild are the only way to go and it can be affordable. It might take quite a bit of effort to find those sources, but perseverance pays off. I live in the Arctic and have no direct access to farm animals and limited access to wild since I do not have the resources to be a hunter but after a couple of years of looking I did find a ranch in Alberta that will ship their products to a community south of me where I can fly the items the rest of the way. These animals taste nothing like what's available in our local stores.

A well nourished body requires less volume of food that a malnourished body and for me, even with higher quality food items, it means a smaller grocery bill over all. You don't need huge amounts of animal foods to be healthy, but I will always maintain that eliminating animals entirely is not healthy.

cindytw

@Akimajuktuq‌ I really feel spoiled when reading your posts! I guess that is good as it makes me thankful!! I can literally walk out my door to a farm about 1/8th mile away! Matter of fact, its Maple Weekend, when they roll out the fresh batch of maple syrup! I don't use a lot but told the hubby to see what SMALL bottles were there. Same farm in the summer has all manner of fruits and veggies at a roadside stand, As do their elders in the family on the other side of the block...a bit different crop. Then I go down the road a few miles to a WONDERFUL stand that has like almost everything I ever wanted except meat but I did ask and they do whole animals and maybe shares if they have interest!! I SEE their animals grazing every time I go to the store I pass by! So I know they are legit! And the answer the lady gave me when I asked was priceless!! i asked if they were organic, she said "if you mean Certified, no. But I am not going to put any CRAP in my food, we eat this *kitten* too!!!"