Pescetarian experiencing meat cravings?

graelwyn
graelwyn Posts: 1,340 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I have been vegetarian, or pescetarian for most of the last 24 years, and generally have had no issues with avoiding meat.
However, last night, out of the blue, I had the most intense craving for the liver and bacon my bf had leftover from his dinner, just before I went to bed, and yes, I ate some.

I avoid meat due to ethical reasons, as a lot of it seems to be cruelly farmed, and yes, fish is the same in many cases, unless one gets wild salmon etc.

I don't know if I am low on iron or something, to have made me crave so strongly. I have noticed a lot in the last months, since cycling a lot, I seem to get some cravings for meat, but my dislike of partaking in the less than kind farming methods used to produce meat puts me off going back to it.

Replies

  • VirginiaWoof
    VirginiaWoof Posts: 147
    I'd definitely suggest taking some iron supplements. Also try upping your protein intake...your body is clearly deprived of something if you are experiencing cravings
  • graelwyn
    graelwyn Posts: 1,340 Member
    Yes, I had tuna and beans tonight which seems to have helped a little.
    I am sure I do not need meat to be healthy.
  • VirginiaWoof
    VirginiaWoof Posts: 147
    Yes, I had tuna and beans tonight which seems to have helped a little.
    I am sure I do not need meat to be healthy.

    No you don't need meat to be healthy but you need to make sure you're hitting your protein and iron requirements :) I used to be a vegetarian- I ate quite poorly though and ended up in hospital with Leukopenia.
    Good job on the beans and tuna...see if you can get some iron supplements next time you go to the supermarket...they're pretty inexpensive. Leafy greens and fortified wholegrain cereals are also great sources.
    Healthy fats, too, like those found in nuts and olive oils, will do you a world of wonders.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    I used to be strictly vegetarian and was insanely anemic, especially around TOM. When ever I was craving liver I was running very low on iron. I started taking an iron supplement, eating more beans and spinach and it helped a great deal.
  • graelwyn
    graelwyn Posts: 1,340 Member
    Yes, that's why this is weird because I had loads of spinach a few days ago, and I tend to have broccoli a lot also, and fish. I do take a multi vitamin supplement most days (sometimes forget). I don't tend to eat beans very often though, or eggs. I stick mostly to white fish so maybe that is the issue.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    I had fibriods that made mine worse. If you have very painful cycles and no matter what, you always look bloated, you may want to talk to your doctor to see if you have them. When I had my hysterectomy it cured my anemia.

    If you are around your time, then that makes it worse too. Try going ahead and getting an iron supplement. They are cheap and will make up for your iron loss. The mulit vitamin was not enough for me.

    Good luck.
  • kalynn06
    kalynn06 Posts: 368 Member
    I track iron now, and I'm also a fish eater. I got to the point where my hair fell out due to anemia, and I was craving steak and meatloaf which I always hated. I now watch my iron and B12 (that could also be an issue for a vegetarian). I take a iron every other day and every day during my TOM and B12 every day. I also make sure not to take my iron with meals containing a lot of calcium as that can really reduce iron absorption. Vitamin C is also at play, but I get enough of that,and I'm sure you probably do as well. Good luck.
  • ScreenGem
    ScreenGem Posts: 52 Member
    Not craving meats but started eating fish a year ago (vegan for years). I'm just hungry all the time :-D
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