Question for the Vegetarians

[Christena]

I have recently (in the past month) started eating vegetarian. Intially I thought about it after seeing a PETA website. I'm not crazy about PETA, so I checked out some more websites (thanks to a poster on this board!) and eventually bought the book "You Don't Need Meat" by Peter Cox. I have lost some weight this month during the switch and I have found that my cravings/appetite are almost completely under control. Now, I'm one month into this and I'm not really craving meat but I'm just curious if I am going to keep this up. Initially, I started out because of personal reasons (after viewing the websites and reading the book). Now, I really feel like I'm in it for health reasons and because I feel so much better. However, my family is a little skeptical about it. They (and others) keep asking me "WHY?" and I don't want to sound "preachy" or anything like that. I still like meat--sometimes I still crave chicken strips or BBQ chicken, but only when I am hungry. I guess my question is---what do you tell people and it is normal to go through a period of second-guessing yourself?

[pammo]

I switched to veggie as an adult because I never really liked meatabout 9 yrs ago. But I didn't call myself a vegetarian because occasionally I would still have a bite of hamburger or peperoni. And fish and shrimp don't bother me. So I just say that I eat a vegetarian diet 99 % of the time. I, like you, still craved those salty, crunchy tastes that meat is seasoned with or batter that was fried.

Now, however, I have been veg for long enough that meat just makes my tummy feel sick. My digestive bacteria (those good little buddies) are not used to digesting meat, so now I don't even crave it anymore. BUT, I never really loved meat anyways. If I were you, I wouldn't burn any bridges by talking bad about meat or meat eaters! I know too many people who have turned back to meat and then have a lot of 'splainin' to do about those nasty comments!

However, this journey will teach you many different meal options that don't include meat, and you can be a veggie as often as you like. Stick with it and you may stay for life.

[Christena]

Pammo, thanks for the reply. I definitely have not been meat bashing, but I think you are right---it is not the meat I miss (I have never really liked it that much) but the salty/crunchy, FATTENING batter. The other day I thought I was craving BBQ and when I went I got a baked potato with BBQ sause and was fine---I didn't need the meat. Also, I ate a Chick-Fil-A chargrilled chicken sandwich--which was a staple before this past month---and couldn't even finish it because it just didn't taste right. I'm glad to hear you say that the shift was gradual. I am really liking all of the new foods I have been eating---lots of salads, etc.

[rincaro]

I've been veggie for a year and a half, mostly for ethical reasons.

For me, although I occasionally had meat cravings, they got fewer and far between fast. Now there a few flavors I miss, but I've become pretty good at making up veggie dinners to satisfy those taste cravings.

The most important thing is to eat a variety of interesting foods to keep you from getting bored.

[Joyfulgirl]

It's definitely normal to second guess yourself. I agree that the meat cravings gradually go away, though. It usually takes about a year to get some good substitutes for all of your favorite foods, and just like with WW, our tastes constantly adapt and change. After a few years, the thought of eating meat is enough to make you a bit ill. I think the lack of bacteria does play a big part in this. I remember my first thanksgiving I decided to try some turkey... even the thought of turkey now is enough to make me qeasy. The hardest thing for me wasn't giving up meat, it was giving up all of the yummy fried and battered foods that replaced it once I joined WW :p I'm still finding tons of new and interesting recipes to keep me satisfied, though.

As for dealing with other people, most people have weird preconceived notions of what vegetarians are like, and they can be defensive when someone close to them is becoming one. When people ask me why I generally tell them that it's for health and moral reasons. I usually follow that up by saying something about how I don't judge other people for their choices, but this is what works best for me. I hate that I have to tack that on, but I figure it takes away the debate aspect and it's good for public relations (hehe). Family is tougher, because a lot of the time they're just generally worried about you being healthy. I was raised vegetarian by my mom, but my dad was 100% against it, and it's taken a good 10 years for him to accept the idea. Now he's supportive, but it takes time and a lot of patience. Don't let them get to you. If you don't stick with it then you don't, but you deserve some time to make that choice on your own without them trying to influence you. The best way to do that is to keep your answers really vague and simple. Some people are really just curious, but some can be very argumentative. I'd tell the former exactly what you said in the OP, and avoid the latter completely ;)

[sayra156]

I've been a vegetarian for just about 10 years, and I don't get meat cravings. I might smell something meat being cooked and think it smells good (bbq mostly), but I have no desire to eat it.

My issue is with craving something healthy to eat at restaurants. Pre-ww, I would make meals of french fries and other unhealthy side dishes because that's all I could have on the menu (even though I now do it, I hate ordering salads at restaurants because I can usually make them at home myself). Now there are so few vegetarian choices and even less healthy choices, my husband and I keep going to the same restaurants over and over again.

[dgjp8991]

Im glad I found this board. I want to go veg, How do I totally do it?? I have been a ww for almost 2 yrs and Did'nt mean to go this way but thats what happened. If I eat meat now I get sick, However I do like meat but dont care to eat it anymore at all, I use morningstar farms and bocca. Any help you can give Thanks, GinaH

[Shayner]

I have been a VegHead for 6 months. My boyfriend is a vegetarian and a health nut, and really turned me on to it. I tell people the following: (which is totally true!)

I don't eat meat because for me it is a "gateway food" (like pot is a "gateway drug" LOL). When I eat a burger, I associate it with fries. When I eat chicken, it always has all sorts of sauces. For me, meat always had accessories. I just coincidentally hadn't eaten it in a few days, so I just kept going. I feel MUCH healthier for it.

I still eat shrimp. I eat a lot of tofu and egg whites. Protein is important. If you feel the occassional need for a nosh on some meat, do it. Who are you reporting to anyway, it's not a religion!

Meat is no longer my weakness. Now I just need to conquer chocolate....

[wwbabe]

Hi everyone,

I've been a noncommitted (on and off) vegetarian for many years, and this year my resolution is to be committed and stay committed. This is easier for me now, because the emphasis in my life is no longer on food, or to please other people.

I still get cravings for flesh (let's call it what it is), but I'm 100% satisfied by eating meat substitutes from Morningstar Farms, etc. In fact Quorn brand Naked Cutlets taste far better to me than a chicken breast ever did.

What's really turned me around is the wonderful, wonderful book by Matthew Scully titled "Dominion." When you really are taken inside the atrocities we commit against animals...well I personally want vegetarianism to be a way of life for me. I have chosen to be a lacto ovo vegetarian, as this worked well for me in the past, and left me feeling the most healthy.

I don't know if this is the correct thread to introduce myself, but I'm glad to meet you all!

[soya]

Hello All,

I have been a veggie since I was ten. My family became veggie, and I grew up in an intentional yoga community. Part of the philosophy was to live a non-violent life, which is where I got started as a veggie.... but when I was about 14 I did a lot of reading and research, and was interested in animal rights, and not participating in the torture that goes into producing meat and meat products. In essence, I really came to believe in vegetarianism for myself, not just as a family thing.

The health benefits are great, too, but for me, it is a moral thing. At this point, it has been over 20 years since I have eaten meat, fish, chicken or eggs. I do eat a bit of cheese, but don't drink milk, or use much butter.

I love using different beans, tofu, soymilk and yogurt and tempeh for protein, and have never been even close to anemic when I have gotten checked.

I think meat substitutes are great for those just cutting down on meats, or who are not into spending tons of time cooking tofu and beans. THey are getting better and better at making those products. Anyhow.... I think that checking out "natural foods" stores can be really helpful, as they often have more options than big chain grocery stores.

Good luck, veggies!
And check out our daily thead.

Soya

[seniorbiker]

I have been a veggie for roughly 10 years. I will admit, maybe once a month I will have a smidgen of poultry, but beef and pork have long gone bye-bye.

If people ask politely, I simply say I don't care for the taste. If they are pushy, then I start in on the food additives, etc.
If they are really rude, I continue with 'why are you so concerned with my plate, I am not looking at yours'.

A new neighbor who is trying hard to be friendly is a big carnivore, and was genuinely curious about my eating habits. So I just did the 'no longer care for the taste' and left it at that.

Eileen

[geonatio]

Hello everyone!

I am soooo happy to see that the veggies are out in force!! I went vegetarian about 3 years ago. I still have to answer all those 'WHY?' questions all the time, especially at work and family gatherings. I was raised by meat eaters and although my parents have accepted my choice, the rest of my family is a bit skeptical. It's a hard lifestyle to maintain AND be healty. You really have to pay attention to what you eat, making sure that you get enough protein, vitamins, minerals, omegas, ect. But it's worth it in the end!! I am starting WW again and I am very excited! I want to make it work, lose weight, and feel good!

Happy New Year!

[TexasT]

Hello everyone!

Over the past year or so, I've been contemplating going veg. Lately the texture of meat grosses me out and I just don't like it anymore.

Eggs and milk have never been a huge part of my diet and I do plan to include seafood in my diet from time to time so I guess I can't call myself a vegetraian. Although I have made the decision to cut out most animal products from my diet.

My question for those of you who have been a vegetarian from some time, is how do I ensure I'm getting enough protien, vitamins, etc. now that I am cutting out meat? I do like most of the Morningstar Farms and Boca products I have tried so far, but what are your secrets and tips?

Thanks for the help!

[rincaro]

When I went veggie, my whole family went veggie. My husband and my two sons who were four and five at the time. So for me my biggest concern was the health of my boys. I wanted them to grow up big and strong - you know?

So I did tons of research. I found it was super simple to get plenty of protein from tofu, seitan, tempeh, tvp, and beans. And then there is the wonderful added benefit that these protein sources are (in general) extremely low-fat and high-fiber.

The only common defiency for vegans (those who eschew dairy & eggs as well) is a B12 defiency. We aren't vegan, but we don't eat tons of dairy or eggs either. So we started using nutritional yeast. It's a cheesy tasting powder that we put in sauces, gravies, on popcorn, basically a sprinkle-all. Tons of B12, plus a good smattering of protein.

Plus I measured and weighed my boys compulsively for the first year. They are still growing like weeds. Now I'm way more relaxed about it.

[TexasT]

Thanks for the info Corrina. I did find a couple of links on one of the other veggie links that will allow me to do some research. I did just read about the B12 defiency problem.

I loaded up on tofu and veggies at the grocery this weekend, so I should be off to a good start.