Vegetarianism

sarahsmart88

Three months ago, I decided to become vegetarian. I made this decision because I could not stand how the animals we eat are mistreated and because they are often injected with hormones and other substances (god knows what, sometimes).

However, I am recently craving meat like no other. Beef, in particular, and beef flavored fake meat isn't hitting the spot.

Have any other vegetarians gone through this phase? Does it get easier? Did you ever "slip up"?

I could use some veg friends to talk to, my husband is a huge meat-eater, which doesn't help my willpower right now smelling his steaks!

thetrishwarp

I'm not vegetarion, I do eat chicken and fish, but not red meat.

I've had a few slip ups. On Sunday, I was feeling very weak and had ham/beef at each meal to up my protein and energy levels. It happens. For me, I don't find it a big deal, because I know that in the big picture, I'm still doing well.

purpleipod

My vegan friend once told me, "if you're craving meat, it's for a reason, and something your body needs".

kdelost630

I've been a vegetarian for over a year now, and it definitely gets easier. Sure, I've slipped up...but like the person previously said, in the bigger picture, you're still taking a stand. Of course, there is still bacon/pepperoni that KILL me every time I smell them, but even now, I've learned to pass them over. Keep at it!

ak_in_ak

why not get some local, grass fed beef you know was treated right and feed without chemicals. You would also be supporting local farmers and their practices.

Jycooper

I'm not a vegetarian but I eat chicken and fish. I dont eat red meat or pork. Thinking about becoming one --need more fruits and veggie sin my diet, but I love myself some chicken.

kenzietea

My vegan friend once told me, "if you're craving meat, it's for a reason, and something your body needs".

Definitely not true! It means your body is craving protein and iron. Take an iron supplement or add more iron-rich veggie foods (broccoli is one, believe it or not) and start eating more protein. It took me about 6 months to have beef completely cut out before I was absolutely repulsed by it! Give it some more time, and you will look at it completely different. Or google some animal rights stuff that will gross you out for long enough to not give into temptation. I can send you a few links if you'd like

rachelelizabeth88

I've never had meat cravings, but I agree, if your body is craving it, it could be something you're missing.. are you getting enough iron?

VegGrrl

My vegan friend once told me, "if you're craving meat, it's for a reason, and something your body needs".

I have been vegan for 9 years and veg before that. If your body is being properly nourished your cravings for anything you'd rather not eat will go away. Unless it's strictly mental. Then you just need to tough it out and remember why you chose to not eat meat. I'm sure you can vividly picture the reasons why in your head when you need to. I was a cheesburger fanatic before I went veg - now the smell of meat cooking may as well be the smell of a pyre of human bodies - that's how disgusting it is to me. Burning flesh is burning flesh IMO. Hang in there and stick to your principles. It will get easier!

Moms3Kwa

I am a vegetarian of 6 years. When I quit eating meat I really craved chicken, but made the choice to not eat it. It gets easier with time. My husband and 3 boys eat a lot of meat and I cook it for them. I just tried to find other subsitutes for them. Stay strong. If you really want to stick to this choice, you will get through it. I don't know if this advice helped a lot, but who knows. Don't make a huge deal out of it if you slip, we are all human. Good Luck!!!

TinaMLT

Hi:

Vegetarianism has many forms. Vegan: no animal products of any kind. Lacto-ovo meaning they eat eggs and milk products and pescatarinism meaning they will eat fish.

Regardless of the choice, so long as you educate yourself and manage your diet these are healthful diets.

There is one word of warning: Watch your B12 and iron levels. You can get iron from non animal sources, but Vitamen B12 is ONLY available through animal sourced protein. In both cases, red meat provides the highest amount of each in the smallest portions.

Iron deficiency symptoms include pale skin, exhaustion, shortness of breath and restless legs at night when you are trying to sleep. These symptoms can begin to show within a few months for women and between 6-12 months for men.

B12 deficiency symptoms include exhaustion, spoon shaped nails, fast heart beat. These symptoms take years to show because we use the vitamen very slowly so it takes time to use up what we have already in storage.

To get around these to issues some vegetarians use dietary supplements (vitamens, minerals).

My take on all of this: We are omnivors. That is we evolved to eat anything that we could catch or gather. So our bodies have developed systems to expect certain things from us. I believe that any diet that requires routine supplementation with pills cannot be a balanced diet. We should be able to get the vast majority of our nutritional needs simply by eating the right foods the proper proportions.

kenzietea

why not get some local, grass fed beef you know was treated right and feed without chemicals. You would also be supporting local farmers and their practices.

Or if you have to eat meat, do this! The reason I became vegan was because of the meat and dairy industries, its disgusting! If slaughterhouses had glass walls, we'd all be vegetarian!

limismith

I just passed the year mark since giving up meat, for the exact same reasons you are doing it.

My struggled at times for lots of reasons: it was hard to come up with new satisfying foods, its harder to eat on the run, and sometime you just miss the comforts you used to know.

I never slip up... the truth is, I know exactly where the burger came from and that thought has always stopped me. The most I can say is after a while you find new favorite cravable foods, and in the case of my spouse we were even able to find foods we both like. As for the idea that you crave it because your body needs it, if this in a moral issue for you then stick by yours guns., If you are on the fence or just trying something new (like some people thing vegetarianism is practically a form of dieting) then you might want to decide whats acceptable in your book, or if you will eat meat X # of days per week..

I have some good suggestions and recipes, if you want them. Friend me, I can share!

check out the no meat athlete website too, awesome info!!!

swisspea

Hi! I've been a pescetarian (I eat fish and I hate to admit it, but do allow myself candy with gelatin). When I was a nanny for a meat-eating family, I found myself absolutely craving salami (and other salted meats) like the children were eating for lunch! It drove me CRAZY! I had to take a step back and evaluate WHY my body was suddenly craving salty meats- and I realized I wasn't getting enough protein at all!! Also, my sodium intake was crazy low. I started eating more fish and soy products, and the cravings went away. Your body is supposed to stop "craving" meat after 1 year, as you no longer produce the enzymes to digest it, however I think these cravings can give us insights into what our body really needs. Try to up your protein intake, have some eggs and soy products and see what happens after. Good luck!

limismith

My vegan friend once told me, "if you're craving meat, it's for a reason, and something your body needs".

I was a cheesburger fanatic before I went veg - now the smell of meat cooking may as well be the smell of a pyre of human bodies - that's how disgusting it is to me.

I COMPLETELY AGREE!! Not knocking the carnivores.... I just have the same experience when I am around meat cooking. Esp ground beef!!

Vegan_Chick

Try some seitan! It is really similar to beef

snowsflake

I became a vegetarian about 3 1/2 months ago. Mine was a gradual thing. My body slowly was no longer "craving" meat and then when I would eat it my body felt "depressed" and my stomach took a beating from it. Since it was done over time I haven't really had any cravings.

Usually a beef craving for me, when I was still eating meat, was due to lack of iron in my system...usually around that TOM, but I haven't had a craving for beef since I started eating this way or any other meat. I do still like how it smells, but then I remember how awful I feel afterwards, so I just pass it up.

A long time ago I tried to just quit cold turkey and I was back to eating meat a month later. This time was gradual and was thought out. I was actually "unofficially" a vegetarian for about 2 months or so, incase I ate any meat. Also, there are great books out there on how to switch over to a vegetarian diet - which have been helpful. I do still eat eggs and a little bit of dairy - half & half for my coffee, cream cheese for my bagels and some cheese. Bottom line is I did what was right for me.

When I stopped eating meat I was a bit sluggish, but now I feel great. Other good sources of protein are beans, hummus, nuts, nut butters and seeds - especially pumpkin. Good luck!:happy:

_Sally_

I could use some veg friends to talk to, my husband is a huge meat-eater, which doesn't help my willpower right now smelling his steaks!

Have you searched in the Groups tab for vegetarian groups to chat with? There are at least a small handful that I'm aware of.

Here are some links you can check out:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/62-happy-herbivores
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/236-mfp-vegetarians

dls06

My vegan friend once told me, "if you're craving meat, it's for a reason, and something your body needs".

Definitely not true! It means your body is craving protein and iron. Take an iron supplement or add more iron-rich veggie foods (broccoli is one, believe it or not) and start eating more protein. It took me about 6 months to have beef completely cut out before I was absolutely repulsed by it! Give it some more time, and you will look at it completely different. Or google some animal rights stuff that will gross you out for long enough to not give into temptation. I can send you a few links if you'd like

Taking Iron can be VERY dangerous if you are not Iron deficient.

kenzietea

Hi:

Vegetarianism has many forms. Vegan: no animal products of any kind. Lacto-ovo meaning they eat eggs and milk products and pescatarinism meaning they will eat fish.

Regardless of the choice, so long as you educate yourself and manage your diet these are healthful diets.

There is one word of warning: Watch your B12 and iron levels. You can get iron from non animal sources, but Vitamen B12 is ONLY available through animal sourced protein. In both cases, red meat provides the highest amount of each in the smallest portions.

Iron deficiency symptoms include pale skin, exhaustion, shortness of breath and restless legs at night when you are trying to sleep. These symptoms can begin to show within a few months for women and between 6-12 months for men.

B12 deficiency symptoms include exhaustion, spoon shaped nails, fast heart beat. These symptoms take years to show because we use the vitamen very slowly so it takes time to use up what we have already in storage.

To get around these to issues some vegetarians use dietary supplements (vitamens, minerals).

My take on all of this: We are omnivors. That is we evolved to eat anything that we could catch or gather. So our bodies have developed systems to expect certain things from us. I believe that any diet that requires routine supplementation with pills cannot be a balanced diet. We should be able to get the vast majority of our nutritional needs simply by eating the right foods the proper proportions.

You might want to check your sources. The common argument used by non-vegetarians is b12 can only be found in animal protein sources. Any vegan knows this is not true. I don't care how other people eat, it is a personal choice, I just want to point out this is incredibly untrue. B12 comes from microorganisms, aka bacteria, found on most foods. b12 doesn't even come from animals, it comes from the bacteria, fungi, and algae the animals eat and then store, so when we eat animals and their products we eat their stored b12.

sarahsmart88

why not get some local, grass fed beef you know was treated right and feed without chemicals. You would also be supporting local farmers and their practices.

Thanks! Yeah I have thought about that. THat if I WERE to indulge the craving, that I would at least try to be smart about it. I definitely would not go for some processed "meat product" or any fast-food meat. ALthough Chipotle supposedly has farm-raised meat, does anyone know if that is true?

sarahsmart88

Hi:

Vegetarianism has many forms. Vegan: no animal products of any kind. Lacto-ovo meaning they eat eggs and milk products and pescatarinism meaning they will eat fish.

Regardless of the choice, so long as you educate yourself and manage your diet these are healthful diets.

There is one word of warning: Watch your B12 and iron levels. You can get iron from non animal sources, but Vitamen B12 is ONLY available through animal sourced protein. In both cases, red meat provides the highest amount of each in the smallest portions.

Iron deficiency symptoms include pale skin, exhaustion, shortness of breath and restless legs at night when you are trying to sleep. These symptoms can begin to show within a few months for women and between 6-12 months for men.

B12 deficiency symptoms include exhaustion, spoon shaped nails, fast heart beat. These symptoms take years to show because we use the vitamen very slowly so it takes time to use up what we have already in storage.

To get around these to issues some vegetarians use dietary supplements (vitamens, minerals).

My take on all of this: We are omnivors. That is we evolved to eat anything that we could catch or gather. So our bodies have developed systems to expect certain things from us. I believe that any diet that requires routine supplementation with pills cannot be a balanced diet. We should be able to get the vast majority of our nutritional needs simply by eating the right foods the proper proportions.

You might want to check your sources. The common argument used by non-vegetarians is b12 can only be found in animal protein sources. Any vegan knows this is not true. I don't care how other people eat, it is a personal choice, I just want to point out this is incredibly untrue. B12 comes from microorganisms, aka bacteria, found on most foods. b12 doesn't even come from animals, it comes from the bacteria, fungi, and algae the animals eat and then store, so when we eat animals and their products we eat their stored b12.

Exactly. Not worried about my nutrient levels at all. I take a multi-vitamin and track my intakes.

stefchica

i will get like that when i'm near period time. i just started about oover a month ago, so i'm still new so i have taken like a bite, but then after i chew and swallow, i'm like gross, i dont know where that chicken has been!!! i mainly used to eat turkey and chicken and still cook meat for my bf, i just make myself something else. i find that when i'm craving meat, its usually when i'm hungry or i remember the taste. i' grew up eating meat and chicken and pork but never really cared too much for beef or pork

but as someone mentioned if your body is craving a food really think about whats in tha tfood. lots of times its because your body associates that food with the nutrition it wants in it. this is WHY PICA HAPPENS!! ya know, people who eat ash or rocks?? SOMETHING in their brain ist elling them to eat it becasue of that vitamin or nutriet most of the time but its the same as cravings. so really analyze whats in that food your craving. lots of times if you make it and just take out the meat part and replace it with ahigh protein thing, it works. for me when i crave it lots of times its just for the chewy texture.

i know i'll get there eventually but i have cut it out of 99% of my diet. just try and find things to replace it texture and flavor wise, good luck!

kenzietea

My vegan friend once told me, "if you're craving meat, it's for a reason, and something your body needs".

Definitely not true! It means your body is craving protein and iron. Take an iron supplement or add more iron-rich veggie foods (broccoli is one, believe it or not) and start eating more protein. It took me about 6 months to have beef completely cut out before I was absolutely repulsed by it! Give it some more time, and you will look at it completely different. Or google some animal rights stuff that will gross you out for long enough to not give into temptation. I can send you a few links if you'd like

Taking Iron can be VERY dangerous if you are not Iron deficient.

Only if you take a large dose all at once. Taking one pill from an OTC iron supplement won't hurt you unless you are small child. To try it for a while to see how your body responds won't do anything- although I would recommend to get testing for an iron deficiency just to be aware of any health issues one might have.

smashatoms

I didn't read everyone's responses ahead of mine, so I don't know if I'm just saying the same thing they are, so I apologize if I am.

I was a vegetarian for a long time. I starting eating meat to help with weight loss, and once I've gotten to my goal, I plan on being vegan. Long story short-- you're craving B vitamins and iron.
Eat broccoli, lots and lots of broccoli. I would suggest sauteing it with some soy sauce, to heighten the umami factor that you're probably missing as well. You can also eat eggs (unless you're not doing those, either) which are high in both B and iron, like broccoli is.

Have you ever used TVP? Most vegetarians eat it without knowing that they are eating it, but you can get it in it's raw form and use it in place of meat for tacos and sloppy joe's. It's low in calories, carbs, and is fat free. It tastes like whatever you season it with (that's why it's good for tacos) and it's packed with protein. Thought I would pass it on, just in case you've never tried it!

ellisalockwood

I do pretty good, I don't eat meat because I had salmonella when I was 19, and I lived in England in 1984-1989, and mad cow disease scared the crap out of me. So I stopped eating red meat when I was very young, and then stopped eating chicken when I was 19. Now, I might try a little chicken, if I cook it, or rather if I over cook it (I won't touch it if it's the slightest bit juicy, we're talking jerky) but I don't actually put any on my plate as a serving, just a little taste. I don't remember actually craving meat, but I eat a lot of "meaty" veggies, veggie burgers, mushrooms, eggplant and what not. The rest of my family eats meat and I cook it every night for dinner and it smells really good, just don't ever want to put it in my mouth, the thought nauseates me most of the time.

kristelpoole

I eat seafood occasionally, so that helps. If I'm craving a cheeseburger (which is not a rare occurance...nearly 4 years veg and I still miss it), I will not have a veggie burger, I'll have portabello mushrooms, shrimp, grilled BBQ tofu, baked potato with toppings, tacos with TVP, cheese or veggie chili.

Basically, I have learned that my body is not craving beef or iron or whatever, it's craving comfort, depth of flavor, feeling really full and warmth. So I learned the other things that give me that warm, homey feeling and eat those instead.

You can do it, it gets better. You have to not only learn your body, but your mind.

nkziv

Don't give into it. Meat craving goes away after a month, or max 2 months. It went away for me about 2 weeks after becoming vegetarian. You will slowly forget what meat tastes like, or that you like it, even! Go eat something else delicious instead, and try to forget about the beef craving. I'd go for some spinach or other iron-dense food. It's also possible that you need iron (which is in red meat).

Lupiemomma30

You probably are low on iron...try taking a supplement.

gingerb85

I completely avoided faux meat products and just concentrated on fruits and veggies and grains. I also was vegan for well over a year before I tried a soy cheese (and didn't like it). I never had any cravings for meat.

I have heard that drinking artificially sweetened drinks makes you crave more sweet things. Perhaps the faux meats are giving you a taste for meat and are not satisfying that craving. I'd avoid them for now.

After about three months on a vegan diet for me, I did try Field Roast sausages and after about a year Field Roast Celebration Roast and do enjoy it. But those things are very rare treats in my diet. For the most part, I want my diet to be filled with whole foods that are as minimally processed as possible.

BirdGirlFit

I completely avoided faux meat products and just concentrated on fruits and veggies and grains. I also was vegan for well over a year before I tried a soy cheese (and didn't like it). I never had any cravings for meat.

I have heard that drinking artificially sweetened drinks makes you crave more sweet things. Perhaps the faux meats are giving you a taste for meat and are not satisfying that craving. I'd avoid them for now.

After about three months on a vegan diet for me, I did try Field Roast sausages and after about a year Field Roast Celebration Roast and do enjoy it. But those things are very rare treats in my diet. For the most part, I want my diet to be filled with whole foods that are as minimally processed as possible.

This this this! I think focusing on faux meat replacements as a main staple of your diet can backfire- you're changing what you eat (soy/seitan instead of animal flesh) but not really the package it comes in. I'd say try to limit these replacements to once or twice a week because they're highly processed for the most part and can make you want the "real" thing because they're not quite it.

There are a lot of great vegetarian recipes that concentrate on vegetables, whole grains, fruit and legumes for all the nutrients you need. A favorite of mine is:

Morrocan Chickpea Stew

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp chopped shallots
1 cup diced carrots
1 1/2 cup diced zucchini
1 cup diced sweet red peppers
3 cups chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon, ground
1 1/2 tbsp cumin seed
1 tbsp coriander seed
1 tsp turmeric, ground
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp salt

Saute shallots in olive oil. Keep adding the vegetables and cook lightly. Add your spices and chickpeas. Add the tomato paste, salt and pepper and approximately 1 3/4 cups of water. Continue to simmer with a lid until all vegetables are lightly cooked.

Here are the directions for serving this stew with couscous :

Using one cup of couscous, make a ring on the plate by creating a hole in the middle and fill it with the chick pea stew. Garnish with fresh herbs if you have them, especially cilantro.

One serving of stew is equal to one cup.

Number of Servings: 6

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user QUEENJADE.

Number of Servings: 6

more recipes here!
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/cookbooks.asp?cookbook=99687