I try to be veggie or vegan but I need help and advice.?

Question

I want to do this basically for health and moral reasons, but every time I go a few days without eating meat (or greatly reducing the meat intake), I feel a terrible compulsion to binge on the meat. Maybe it sounds silly but it is a physical compulsion, its not really mental. I'm actually quite a decent cook, and I can make more than a few vegan or veggie meals that I like that I think should be giving me everything I need, but it really seems like something is missing from that diet that is only satisfied by the meat products. Has anyone had this experience (maybe when first starting out?); I appreciate any advice.

Just so people know, I am put off by meat (for the reasons described above), but I am having a specific physical reaction; its not a moral or will power dilema (I actually prefer the vegan meals that I make).

Answer 1

First of all, congrats for making such an intelligent, compassionate decision! Second, you have to realize that your body doesn't need meat, milk, or eggs to be incredibly healthy! Then, find some motivation. If it's animals that are motivating you, put a picture of a cow on your refrigerator. Think about the animal you are eating when you eat meat. If having a healthy body is what motivates you, put up a picture of someone who looks healthy to remind you :)

Eliminate animal products from your home. Gradually replace them with vegetarian items. It helps many people to gradually cut out animal products rather than go vegan over night (although some people do find it easier to give it all up at once - do what is right for you).

I think what you might find you are missing is that over-full bloated feeling meat gives you. Being full feels different, lighter, on a veggie diet. Give it some time, you'll get used to it.

Make sure you are getting everything you need in your diet. Replace meats with beans, legumes, nuts, tofu, etc.

And lastly, stick to it! Resist the temptation to eat meat - your body is going through changes and may feel strange at first. If you stick to it long enough you will reap the benefits and soon meat will not even look like food to you any more.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I'm 13 and I became a vegetarian about 6 months ago, it was hard for me at first because i really liked meat, but after a while it was ok. Now I don't miss it at all. Being a vegan is a bit extreme for me as I'm still growing, but my mum buys products like free range eggs so we can be sure the animals don't suffer. My family weren't keen on me being a vegetarian either, because I won't get the right nutrients. Now I have QUORN, it's tastes like meat a bit, but it isn't. It's really nice and does contain the nutrients meat has, although it is safer to get the vitamins from other foods too. I know I made the right decision about becoming a vegetarian and I like to know that I am helping reduce the number of animals being killed for their meat. My advice is that if this is really what you want then go for it! It is hard to start with and your immune system is low (when I became a veggie I got the flu) so you will proberly become a bit ill, but your body will become used to the change and then you will be ok :) . Sorry my answer is long and I hope I help you. Good luck if you do decide to become a vegetarian or a vegan. :) Oh yeah, being a vegetarian/vegan is supposed to be a more healthy diet.

Answer 3

The idea of slowly cutting out your meats is the best way to go. Being vegan is really difficult if you've been eating meats and such your whole life. If it's health you're concerned about then I would suggest switching to mainly organic produce, dairy, etc.

Being a vegetarian now is a lot easier than it was say 15 yrs ago I started being a veggie in 1989 and stayed that way for 13 yrs - now i'm working my way back to veggie - it's a slow process but if you stick with it it'll happen.

I agree with the previous comment about fake meats, as well. There are a ton of options to fall back on...I would look into the Master Cleanse too - couldn't hurt to try it as it will clean out your body really well...

Answer 4

Try reading the book called "Diet for a New America." The facts in that book really stick in your mind and can help you stay strong when you have those meat binging urges. It definitely is tough. I stayed vegetarian for 5 months, and when I had an urge to eat meat, something from that book would just pop up in my mind.

I can relate to you though. Since I grew up on meat, it has been really hard at times. I've now gone back to eating meat occasionally. Hey, it's better than nothing, right? :) Good luck.

Answer 5

i did it immediately, cut out all animal products, products with animal ingredients in them, products from companies who do animal testing -- no dairy, no meat, no nothing as they say. It's been about 12 years now.

If you want to quit, just quit. It IS that easy. However, since everyone is different, if you want to become vegan gradually, try something like "only eating chicken as your 'meat' for the first stage"..that way you can still satisfy your craving for meat in the interim.

However, there is a plethora of things to eat without meat. Now, are you going to eat dairy, or no animal products whatsoever??

rice, beans, salads, veggie stir frys, most restaurants have veggie burgers now (BK, A&W etc even sit-in restaurants have veggie choices), pastas, bagels, peanut butter, all kinds of snacks and on and on.
You can get a double chocolate dairy-free cake from a bakery, you can get recipes online, you can completely alter your diet, have tons of variety, still go to restaurants, satisfy your sweet tooth and still be a vegan or vegetarian and not miss meat. Since you are doing it for compassionate reasons, the sooner you switch the BETTER YOU WILL feel.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU

Answer 6

I tried the vegan thing for a while. I was really weak most of the time and couldnt seem to escape the want to eat meat. I gave up after 4 weeks

Answer 7

I never had that problem while going vegan...so I'm not sure what to tell you except to just avoid having the meat around...

Try the mock meats and see if those satisfy it...

Try as many recipes as you can...

I don't really know what else to tell you, sorry I can't be more helpful.

Answer 8

go and look up information on meat (or if you want to go vegan, also look up info on milk and eggs). the info is enough to put you off those foods. i mean, come on. once i learned that milk has pus in it, i was thoroughly grossed out. also, if maybe cheese is stopping you from going vegan, remember that a lot of cheeses use animal rennet so its not vegetarian to begin with. another thing that helps me stay on track is that my sister is against mr being vegan which pisses me off and just encourages me to keep going. maybe you can find a motivation like that? oh, and when you look for information, dont just limit your self to peta (since i still cant figure out if they really are good or bad). here's another site that can help you get started :
http://www.afa-online.org/starterpack.html

Answer 9

Try making some seitan?? It's a pretty popular meat substitute that isn't difficult to make at home. I'm pretty sure that there're several recipes for it online. Sadly, I haven't tried any yet but I have seen some delicious looking pictures of it. *drools*

I know how you feel though. It makes me feel like I'm a rabid wolf. o_o

Answer 10

I had the hardest time giving up chicken when I went vegetarian. When I get a craving, I use Quorn tenders. They are so similar it's scary LOL

You also need to include other proteins in your diet like whole grains, beans & other pulses and brown rice.