How to stop being a vegetarian?

Question

Does anyone have any tips on how to stop being a vegetarian?

I need to 'convert' from vegetarianism, and start eating meat.

I'm 18 and I've been brought up as a strict vegetarian. I tried to eat meat the other night for the first time(chicken dippin' from pizza hut), and it tasted ok- but not more than 20 minutes later I became really ill and threw it all back up again. ( on someone I liked, actually. )

It's for a foreign exchange placement, and I really want this, I just don't want to seem fussy and rude. The people I'm going to be placed with do not understand vegetarianism.

Answer 1

Could you please explain to me how this question of yours correlates to the answer you gave to Lizzi just a few questions back? How about with your answer to Gator G? You also say you tried meat and threw up but then indicate it was someone else that did it???? In the two referenced answers you indicate you're veggie for health reasons and you also indicate a shocking lack of respect for other animal life!

When my son participated in the Foreign Exchange program one of the subjects covered was dietary restrictions! If you were *really* in the program you would NOT be placed with folks that don't understand vegetarianism!

Answer 2

You are going to have to start slow, VERY SLOW!! Your body and digestive system doesn't know how to break meat down proteins. You've all ready gotten sick and that is sign # 1 of taking it too fast. Dont go above 1 oz of meat to start with and stay the course until you think you can handle more.
Start with fish and processed meats -I hate recommending processed foods as it defies everything I believe in, but these meats have already been broken down. They will be easier for you too handle, but start with fish. Start incorporating hard cheeses. Go for ground meats-start with turkey. Turkey is lowest in animal fats. Get deli sliced very thin and incorporate it into your sandwiches. Make sure you accompany your meat with easy to breakdown starches.You may even need to consult with a doctor about getting some enzymes that will help your body breakdown meats to start with.
Ask your doctor or a nutrionalist.

But, on the other hand if you were raised vegetarian and you believe that being vegetarian is humane or that it is the best diet-then you shouldn't have to compromise your way of life for others. Realizing however, that keeping your beliefs and not offending others may be a bit scary, it is who you are.

Good luck

Answer 3

I vote for throwing up once at your host's house; it shouldn't seem rude to decline meat after that.

It is, after all, supposed to be about exchanging cultures, right? Not about leaving yourself at home.

I want to scream 'Good god, no -- you're probably all healthy now; you'll regret the hell out of it when you're middle-aged and fat.'

That said, I have three siblings who were vegetarians, but who started eating some limited amounts of meat in their teens. I think they all did so via things that aren't exactly meat, but which do contain it -- gravy, say. Poutine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine) was apparently pretty tasty, and did not cause any physical upset. Soups with beef or chicken broth. That sort of thing.

Answer 4

Firstly if you are going to try meat try "REAL" meat and not the garbage you buy in pizza hut etc. All of that stuff is usually mechanically recovered and absolutely disgusting. Try some steak, grilled chicken, pork chop, bacon etc something which has been cooked plainly. Try the meat with NO ketchup or any of that other crap. You'll probably like it, your stomach is just not used to it perhaps and it may take a little time. Don't gorge on it at first. take your time, good luck

Answer 5

If you're getting sick, that's a sign from your body to stop! You are putting something in your body that it's not used to and you will do a lot of damage to yourself by trying to eat something it doesn't agree with.

Don't try to change your diet based on how people might perceive you. They don't have to accept your reasons for being a vegetarian, just respect it.

Answer 6

If you are going to try to be a flesh eater I suggest you start off with organic meats/poultry etc.. NOT fast food garbage. No wonder you were ill.!!!

As far as the people you will be staying with, they may surprise you. They can learn from you & may really enjoy the experience. Give them a chance. They wouldn't be having you in their home if they were not interested & open minded.

Answer 7

If you really would "like" to eat meat, try a bacon, (1 slice) sandwich with some brown sauce and progress from there.
Good luck, but just be yourself, others will accept this.

Answer 8

take an afternoon trip to your local slaughterhouse.

examine the health risks of eating dead animals.

don't eat meat just because of a foreign exchange program, i had a vegetarian exchange student from Belgium, and she actually made me reconsider what i was eating, and i later realized that eating meat is unnecessary.

stay strong, unfornix, your host family will enjoy having cultural differences, isn't that the point?

Answer 9

Get a burger. Move to a cattle ranch (nah nevermind that'll drive you back to vegetarianism). Eat meat, small portions tough, don't go out and get a 20 oz. ribeye, that'd tear you up!

Answer 10

If the meat makes you sick, then why change? They won't think you are fussy and rude, for you can now simply say, "meat makes me ill. I cannot eat it."

You will be telling the truth, and they will be understanding.