Meatless ideas that a meat and potatoes man will eat

JillTwiss

Don't understand why you would want less meat (protein) in your diet. I can understand wanting to incorporate more vegetables and other things to get a better nutritional balance, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Most people don't get enough protein as it is.

Protein isn't a problem for me and I haven't eaten meat in almost 20 years. Iron's another story.

I make an awesome vegetarian chili if you're interested. My husband, also a huge carnivore, loves it as do all our kids (some vegetarian and some not).

fteale

You can try hiding vegetables like I do for my 5 year old - grilled cheese sandwich with sweet potato mixed in with the cheese, souffles, chestnut and mushroom bourgignon, most of these recipes http://www.vegetariancookeryschool.com/recipes/winter/

shaunshaikh

OK well that's obviously a personal choice to not eat meat. I'm not saying you can't get enough protein without eating meat. I'm saying why would you want to feed less meat to a person who obviously likes meat. Eating meat isn't neccessarily unhealthy. Why not just use something he likes (meaty dishes) to help him accept things that he wouldn't eat on his own (veggies, etc.) I was not trying to make a referendum on being vegetarian. I'm trying to understand why her husband liking meat was a bad thing or something to be reduced.

And for the person who said the average American eats twice as much protein than they need to -- I find that to be a highly dubious fact and I need some linked support. Everything I've seen is that Americans eat a very carb rich diet that is woefully low in Fiber and protein. And there are a ton of people on this website that put themselves through ridiculous workout regimens who only eat a tiny fraction of the protein that they are supposed to be eating.

fteale

Don't understand why you would want less meat (protein) in your diet. I can understand wanting to incorporate more vegetables and other things to get a better nutritional balance, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Most people don't get enough protein as it is.

On the contrary, most people in the West eat far far too much protein, and convert most of it to fat. Red meat causes all sorts of bowel problems. It's not an ideal food source.

shaunshaikh

Science is rapidly teaching us that the minimal amounts of protein recommended by the USDA are just that, the minimum amounts required to prevent malnutrition. The optimal amounts and intake of protein continue to be clarified by scientific studies and as of present, we know that many of us are not eating enough or are not getting the most out of the protein we eat because we are eating too much at one sitting.

http://www.nemechekconsultativemedicine.com/?p=1226

oceanrose78

I have recently cut all meat besides fish out of my diet. I'm lucky that I don't have a person who insists on meat, but am cooking for 2 other adults who happen to not be making the same choice as I am. But, I do all the shopping and cooking, so we've been eating meatless.

I have found vegetable soups to be super hearty and filling without needing the meat. I add a can of black beans, vegetable stock, and a bunch of veggies along with brown rice or barley. Lasagna is super easy to do without meat, I made one the other week with a pesto ricotta cheese, and sauteed carrots, red bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, etc to use as a layer with whole wheat noodles, spinach, and homemade sauce. It was amazing.

I am finding that it's not the meat we crave as much as the mouth feel and taste. Get the taste right, and they won't even notice the lack of meat!

fteale

Note the too much in one sitting part. You are better off getting constant low levels of protein throughout the day from vegetables, than you are getting whacking great hits of protein from a burger or similar.

Now about that bowel cancer thing.......

shaunshaikh

I don't think a burger has an overwhelming amount of meat in a single patty. A quarter-pound patty of lean ground beef only has 23 grams of protein.

I don't think I suggested that you should eat all your meat/protein in one sitting.

The protein in one sitting deal is true for anybody, veggie or not.

Eating meat doesnt' mean you have to be unhealthy about it. You can quite healthily eat lean beef, turkey, pork, chicken, buffalo, etc. There are some personal trainers that say you should have a gram of protein for every pound of your goal weight if you are working out a lot in order to repair your muscle adequately. Compare that to the minimum standards that the RDA set based on avoiding malnutrition which is 0.8 pounds per kilogram of body weight. It's a big difference.

dustyhockeymom

Thanks for all the ideas! Keep them coming. I just saw an really wonderful looking bean and corn burrito bake on cooking light that sounded like something that a lot of people mentioned.

dustyhockeymom

Don't understand why you would want less meat (protein) in your diet. I can understand wanting to incorporate more vegetables and other things to get a better nutritional balance, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Most people don't get enough protein as it is.

There are other sources of protein besides meat. I don't eat beef and rarely eat pork. I have several meatless days per week and I am usually over my protein goal.

That's an interesting personal choice. I still don't understand why she wants to take meat out of her and her husband's diet.

To the OP, I'm sorry I asked. You didn't ask for a referendum on meat in your diet, you just wanted to know how to feed a meat and potatoes guy without meat. Personally, what I think you really want to know is how can you give your husband a more balanced and nutritional dinner when he is only comfortable with meat and potatoes type meals. My fiancee is actually pretty good at doing things like this. She'll use the food processor sometimes to hide vegetables in places you wouldn't often expect them. She loevs to watch me eat something and then ask me what was in it. Lasagna, chili, pasta with meat/vegetable sauce all have opportunities to sneak vegetables in without making him broccoli raw by hiding it in other mediums.

I don't mind that you asked. I don't want to eliminate meat entirely or even mostly. I just want to cut down because I know we are eating way over what we should. I want to go to maybe a single evening meal a week or every couple of weeks without meat and I needed some ideas. Many of the ideas on here have been very helpful. I will definately have to take the hiding the veggies approach as my husband is very picky about what veggies he likes, and is not very open minded about trying new things. I have been doing that with mushrooms for years though and he doesn't notice. I just have to be more creative.

tammyquinnlmt

I am pescetarian, and my husband is steak and tators all the way. I just cook two meals. Mine and his LOL. My son sometimes eats what I'm having and sometimes eats what daddy is having. I usually make sides we all will eat, and then either make fish or vegetarian main for me, and toss a chicken breast or steak or whatever on the george foreman for my husband. Doesn't really take much extra time and only adds one dish to the dirty dishes pile.

Lasa797

I make beef stroganoff substituting mushrooms for the beef and plain, non-fat yogurt for the dairy. It is hearty and filling.

laydeedancer

we are mostly meatless in my house, despite the fact that my husband is a huge meat eater. I use Morningstar crumbles in with chili and for things like stroganoff. I also find that mushrooms, especially portabellos are a good substitution for meat, as they add good smoky flavor. I make lots of soups - chili, white bean, split pea - without meat. I try to get as much protein from beans, almonds and whole grains.

I also make black bean sweet potato patties regularly, along with brown rice and veggies. My husband loves them and they are low calorie and tasty!

JohnnyNull

shaunshaikh: OP believes meat consumption to be contributing to weight gain/lack of weight loss, so I'm guessing portion control is not yet their forte.

1234lbsgone

I make beef stroganoff substituting mushrooms for the beef and plain, non-fat yogurt for the dairy. It is hearty and filling.

I'm confused. Yogurt is dairy. Did you mean soy yogurt? I didn't even know stroganoff had any type of dairy in it....

dustyhockeymom

shaunshaikh: OP believes meat consumption to be contributing to weight gain/lack of weight loss, so I'm guessing portion control is not yet their forte.

While shaunshaikh was giving his opinion and not focusing at all on the reason for the post or my request, at least he wasn't snarky about it. I don't need anyone to tell me what my forte is or presume to know anything about what I am capable or not capable of. I simply asked for a few new ideas on meatless meals. If you don't want to contribute to that discussion that's fine. I appreciate everyone else's efforts to provide me constructive information.

JohnnyNull

shaunshaikh: OP believes meat consumption to be contributing to weight gain/lack of weight loss, so I'm guessing portion control is not yet their forte.

While shaunshaikh was giving his opinion and not focusing at all on the reason for the post or my request, at least he wasn't snarky about it. I don't need anyone to tell me what my forte is or presume to know anything about what I am capable or not capable of. I simply asked for a few new ideas on meatless meals. If you don't want to contribute to that discussion that's fine. I appreciate everyone else's efforts to provide me constructive information.

Actually, he repeatedly wondered aloud why you'd want to cut meat in your diet. I gave a possible reason why, as many people eat meat and lose weight. I wasn't intending to offend you. Sorry.

oceanrose78

Wow - what a weird thread. If you don't want to cut out meat, don't, if you do, do It's a personal choice.

To the OP - what about doing eggplant parmesean? Or what about frittatas? If he likes eggs? I do frittatas quite frequently. I have one planned over the weekend that will have asparagus and smoked salmon in it. They are super filling, and easy.

I have been thinking more and more, that our thing with meat is a 'expectation' that it should be there. In reality, if we get over that, the need for it disappears quite a bit. I started cutting down on meat a year ago, by cutting our portions smaller and smaller. Then dropping it wasn't as much as a shock to our system. Servings for meat are in reality so small, I think when I started we were easily eating double that!

Lasa797

....in place of sour cream or heavy cream....

Lasa797

I make beef stroganoff substituting mushrooms for the beef and plain, non-fat yogurt for the dairy. It is hearty and filling.

I'm confused. Yogurt is dairy. Did you mean soy yogurt? I didn't even know stroganoff had any type of dairy in it....

I can see how that would be confusing. I guess I meant in place of full fat sour cream or heavy cream.

dustyhockeymom

shaunshaikh: OP believes meat consumption to be contributing to weight gain/lack of weight loss, so I'm guessing portion control is not yet their forte.

While shaunshaikh was giving his opinion and not focusing at all on the reason for the post or my request, at least he wasn't snarky about it. I don't need anyone to tell me what my forte is or presume to know anything about what I am capable or not capable of. I simply asked for a few new ideas on meatless meals. If you don't want to contribute to that discussion that's fine. I appreciate everyone else's efforts to provide me constructive information.

Actually, he repeatedly wondered aloud why you'd want to cut meat in your diet. I gave a possible reason why, as many people eat meat and lose weight. I wasn't intending to offend you. Sorry.

I appreciate that clarification. I didn't mean to be so sensitive. I am not used to this forum thing.

JohnnyNull

shaunshaikh: OP believes meat consumption to be contributing to weight gain/lack of weight loss, so I'm guessing portion control is not yet their forte.

While shaunshaikh was giving his opinion and not focusing at all on the reason for the post or my request, at least he wasn't snarky about it. I don't need anyone to tell me what my forte is or presume to know anything about what I am capable or not capable of. I simply asked for a few new ideas on meatless meals. If you don't want to contribute to that discussion that's fine. I appreciate everyone else's efforts to provide me constructive information.

Actually, he repeatedly wondered aloud why you'd want to cut meat in your diet. I gave a possible reason why, as many people eat meat and lose weight. I wasn't intending to offend you. Sorry.

I appreciate that clarification. I didn't mean to be so sensitive. I am not used to this forum thing.

Hey, no problem. And I don't mean to be so gruff, as I'm overly used to forums. ;-)