Giving up Meat

melitsace

I have slowly been giving up meet since August. I gave up red meat and starting today, all meat together. I have never been one to really enjoy any bean recipes, but I am willing to give it a try!! If you know any great vegetarian dishes or ways to get more protein, please share!!

sagetracey

I'm curious as to why you have given up meat.

clocklady

Vegetable chili with bean of choice (or no beans), quinoa, chickpeas in indian dishes are one of my favorites, nuts (in moderation), Black bean burgers are yummy.

Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole: http://fatfreevegan.com/blog/2010/03/24/vegetarian-enchilada-casserole/

Vegetarian Jambalaya: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/vegetarian-jambalaya/detail.aspx

"Hamburger Helper": http://thepeacefulkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/06/vegan-hamburger-helper-style-recipe-and.html

Mini quiches with zucchini, carrots, and Parmesan are good if you aren't trying for vegan. Even my picky kids eat those!

I can recommend some good cookbooks too if your interested.

melitsace

Well, I gave up red meat because it really just seems to not be that great for my health. It's been tied to cancer etc. Then, I just decided I wanted to give up the rest of it and really focus on getting a lot more veggies into my diet. I don't know if I will keep it up forever, but I just needed to shake up my diet a bit so I can lose some more. : )

melitsace

Thank you!!!

nikkikickinfat

Hi I am 20 weeks post op from the RNY and a vegan i am down 144 pounds from 369.2. I have been small before and I am happy to be back to clean eating. I have a set 12 week plan in place goal is to be healthy...

melitsace

Great job!!!

tashazzz

I've been vegetarian for four and a half years and I never found it hard to stick to. Have you ever tried Quorn? They have replacements for chicken/turkey/ham/beef etc etc so you can eat the same meals as you normally would and just replace the meat.

I love to make spaghetti with chopped peppers, quorn 'chicken' pieces, mushrooms and jamie oliver tomato and chilli sauce - unreal. haha.

FitAtFifteen

I'm a vegetarian as well. Well, it's for the animals rather than my health...Though health is a great reason as well.
http://www.vrg.org/ is usually what I look at.

nikkikickinfat

-thank you. I am just really trying to fight this. I lost a lot but still have a lot too still lose 1 pound at a time

melitsace

Thank you!!

FearAnLoathing

Wow props to you!!! I could never give up meat,I love thick juicy meat

tidmutt

Well, I gave up red meat because it really just seems to not be that great for my health. It's been tied to cancer etc. Then, I just decided I wanted to give up the rest of it and really focus on getting a lot more veggies into my diet. I don't know if I will keep it up forever, but I just needed to shake up my diet a bit so I can lose some more. : )

Totally understand where you are coming from, I've considered a juice fast, drastic calorie reduction etc. in order to lose weight, but don't cut out meat for your "health". Those "links" to cancer are simply not proven, they are nothing but correlations which mean essentially nothing. By all means increase your vegetable intake, eats loads of vegetables but eat some meat too, your body will thank you.

melitsace

I've lost 101 but I still have 109 to go!! And you are right 1lb at a time : )

blueyegrl

Here is a "starter" list of veg proteins to help you out...I also have a list of cookbooks I could suggest, and also there is a vegan group and vegetarian group on MFP, you might find some answers there too! (I'm a vegetarian (for three years now) and just about vegan, about 95% of the time, though going for 100%!)

Protein in Legume: Garbanzo beans, kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, navy beans, soybeans, split peas

Protein in Grain: Barley, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, oatmeal, ouinoa, rye, wheat germ, wheat, wild rice

Vegetable Protein: Artichokes, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, green peas, green pepper, kale, lettuce, mushroom, mustard green, onions, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, turnip greens, watercress, yams, zucchini

Protein in Fruit: Apple, banana, cantaloupe, grape, grapefruit, honeydew melon, orange, papaya, peach, pear, pineapple, strawberry, tangerine, watermelon

Protein in Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, cashews, filberts, hemp seeds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts (black)

nikkikickinfat

Congrats!!! I know I am doing all I can do and that is the best I can do. I workout hard and stick the plan get my 60 grams in of Prot, and 60 ounces H20 and 90 -120 mins of workout 5x's a week

melitsace

Wow!! Thanks : )

nikkikickinfat

due to my gastric bypass I can 't eat a lot of things. I purchased a WLS cookbook for WLS patients. I was a vegan many years ago for 7 years, but just happy this surgery got me back on track

3dogsrunning

I am not meat free but I did start incorporating more meat free dishes. I did go meat free for awhile but didn't maintain it.

Here is a good website that gives you a lot of info on how to eat a balanced diet and recipe suggestions. So much information including restaurant info for you.
http://veg.ca/content/view/26/56/

I also bought Get Healthy Go Vegan by Dr Neal Bernard book. He also covers basics of eating healthy and meat free with recipes. As noted it is vegan but I enjoyed all the recipes I tried.

My favorite vegan blog, I bought her newest cookbook but haven't tried a lot so no reviews on it
http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/

A few recipes -
Loved this, I put chicken in this for my other half.
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1124/moroccan-tagine

My favorite stir fry (tons of other recipes on this site)
http://www.ivu.org/recipes/chinese/five.html

nikkikickinfat

For me, I don't like meat etc anymore and with my new pouch I had to go 4 months without it so I just don"t want it in my diet anymore. I am also back to migraine free

kaleas

You'll have a lot of people tell you that you need to eat meat, but becoming a vegetarian 7 years ago was one of the best choices I had ever made. I stopped having as many intestinal problems, and it made cooking at home more adventurous and in turn, sparked my love of healthy eating.

This will be similar to what others have said but, here's how I've managed.

You can still eat eggs, and get a lot of protein from them, as well as cheese and milk.

Please try and stay away from all the "fake" meat products such as Boca and Morning Star. They're chalk full of sodium and they're really not that great for you. If you enjoy cooking, there are tons of recipes online for making your own. Here's one of my favorites.

http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/03/homemade-sausages.html

You can use his recipe for almost anything and really play with it.

Tofu can take the place of the meat in many of your dishes. Pan seared tofu with onions and mushrooms, served with A1 can become a delicious steak. Summer time makes for great grilled tofu and corn on the cob.

Come winter, instead of Chicken Noodle Soup, you can make Veggie Noodle Soup using Imagine Brand No-Chicken Broth, which mimics Chicken Broth. I will use tofu pan fried with poultry seasoning as the meat, and then follow the recipe normally.

Please feel free to friend me and/or message me if you need any websites, recipes, or help!

nikkikickinfat

I personally do not eat anything fake. I am strickly veggies, soups, teas, and I enjoy it...

stylistchik

Way to go! Way to focus on veggies, and there are lots of like-minded people on here so don't let anyone get you down. If vegetarians are unhealthy then I can't figure out why I have the greatest immune system ever! :drinker:

melitsace

I already don't eat fake food and don't plan on adding any fake food to the way I eat. Thank you all so much for your ideas and encouragement!! My mom has battled breast cancer and her docs were pretty adament about doing away with red meat for sure so, I'm ok with listening to them : ) I am also pretty independantly minded and when I put my mind to something it usually happens : ) Thanks again, this place is great!!

Raclex

You'll have a lot of people tell you that you need to eat meat, but becoming a vegetarian 7 years ago was one of the best choices I had ever made. I stopped having as many intestinal problems, and it made cooking at home more adventurous and in turn, sparked my love of healthy eating.

This will be similar to what others have said but, here's how I've managed.

You can still eat eggs, and get a lot of protein from them, as well as cheese and milk.

Please try and stay away from all the "fake" meat products such as Boca and Morning Star. They're chalk full of sodium and they're really not that great for you. If you enjoy cooking, there are tons of recipes online for making your own. Here's one of my favorites.

http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/03/homemade-sausages.html

You can use his recipe for almost anything and really play with it.

Tofu can take the place of the meat in many of your dishes. Pan seared tofu with onions and mushrooms, served with A1 can become a delicious steak. Summer time makes for great grilled tofu and corn on the cob.

Come winter, instead of Chicken Noodle Soup, you can make Veggie Noodle Soup using Imagine Brand No-Chicken Broth, which mimics Chicken Broth. I will use tofu pan fried with poultry seasoning as the meat, and then follow the recipe normally.

Please feel free to friend me and/or message me if you need any websites, recipes, or help!

Very well put.

I also cut meat out (well, still pescetarian but will eventually transition) and I have never felt better. My family MD actually suggested it since I've struggled with many digestive issues, for many years. At last, I am 90% better and haven't felt this great in years! I also have a hard time with the moral and environmental issues so it's a win-win situation ;-)

nikkikickinfat

Wow we have a lot in common after 10 tumors from my breast removed I too only listen to my dr's

dalgal26

I am not vegetarian, but I must say that all of you have given some great alternatives to meat. I may even try to lessen my meat intake and add more of your ideas to my menu. Don't know about the tofu, but hey, anything is possible. I do like the idea of still being able to eat eggs, cheese, and milk. That seems like it would give you more of a variety.

Have enjoyed reading the posts.

shannonichole

Well, I gave up red meat because it really just seems to not be that great for my health. It's been tied to cancer etc. Then, I just decided I wanted to give up the rest of it and really focus on getting a lot more veggies into my diet. I don't know if I will keep it up forever, but I just needed to shake up my diet a bit so I can lose some more. : )

Totally understand where you are coming from, I've considered a juice fast, drastic calorie reduction etc. in order to lose weight, but don't cut out meat for your "health". Those "links" to cancer are simply not proven, they are nothing but correlations which mean essentially nothing. By all means increase your vegetable intake, eats loads of vegetables but eat some meat too, your body will thank you.

I've been vegan for 12 years and I am doing fine on it. You will be amazed how easy it is too get enough protein plus more. My body is clearly getting enough nutrition (obviously since I am on here trying to get less ) without meat. I will also add that asa child I was chronically ill, but when I gave up meat that all ended.

HealthyAcademic

Just to let you know, the 21-day vegan kickstart starts tomorrow.

I know you aren't vegan, but it's a great way to get motivated on your new commitment.

I eat a mostly vegan diet for health reasons (I say mostly because I am human and slip but I try my hardest) -- I have definitely noticed an improvement in my health and my medical tests.

tecallahan

You might want to check out the book "Eat To Live" by Dr. Joel Furhman. It is loaded with ideas for vegetarian eating. I tried it for a while and really loved it, but I am insulin resistant and it was just too many carbs for me. He has tons of great recipes, too. He does say not to eat grains or dairy - so it's a big change.

NaytM84

I know ya said not a bean fan but I have a recipe somwhere for black bean burgers which are amazing! and im not a fan of black beans! I Will have to find it and give ya the recipe