From McDonald's carnivore to vegetarian?

Question

Help! I am going crazy here! I have seen a horrifying video about animal cruelty, http://meat.org/

The problem is, I love meat,
grilled, fried, boiled, baked, steamed, microwaved, toasted.

It drives me crazy thinking of a juicy charbroiled burger, or fresh barbeque..., chicken sandwich, oh, my mouth waters!

But I have never eaten many veggies (Ugh!!!), taste funny!

Can anyone please tell me some meat alternatives, some delicious foods to eat INSTEAD of meat?

Please help, I am new to this, but I want to stop eating meat because the abuse is so cruel to animals. I love animals, both as pets and as food, but am trying to quit now that I saw how cruel it is.

I am ready for any suggestions or alternatives you have please!

Thank you!

Oh, and any quick meat replacements, or easy to fix snacks to replace meats will be appreciated too.

Is drinking milk considered abuse? It comes from cows, I think..., and candy bars have milk in them, so do cheese and bread.

Well, is it ok to eat breads? What are your suggestions/opinions?

Answer 1

I am going through the same thing with my 12 year old daughter right now. Relax, first and foremost. And congrats against taking a stand (be prepared, lots of people like to convince you that you MUST eat meat-you dont. I havent eaten meat or poultry in years. There are many websites dedicated to vegetarian living. If you go to peta.org, they will send you a great magazine for free that will help you find alternatives to meat. I missed it when I first gave it up, now I cant walk passed the meat counter without gagging. Not only are the animals treated badly, but the conditions are unsanitary, and the animals are often given growth hormones and steroids, which all end up in the meat. They are also sprayed with nasty chemicals to keep them fresh-totally GROSS! My 12 year old has been meat free for over a year now-and she loves it. You dont have to just eat veggies. Try some of the meat free veggie burgers and stuff-they are yummy! As for the milk, see if you can find a local dairy to provide you with raw milk, I am in a cow share program and get milk from a happy, pampered cow who is treated like a queen. I also use raw fresh butter and cheese. If you want to email me for more info you can. Here is a link to my blog, where I talk about commercial meat and milk.
http://360.yahoo.com/profile-8un2KqU5fqcymrT5VxB0z8D4HEMAF4PLG8OJLQ--?cq=1

Answer 2

There's a whole world of food out there my friend. The majority of what all humans eat in the world is already vegan. Go to any country from Italy, to Iran, Isreal to India, Russia to Japan, it's mostly vegan stuff. African; mostly vegan. Russian; mostly vegan. Middle Eastern, the same. Outside of N. America, nobody can afford to pig out on meat. Start getting into different cultures and you will discover so many wonderful foods, just skip the ones with meat and add the recipes to your repertoire. I went to my Iranian co-workers home for dinner and they, knowing my family is vegan, had no problem making a completely vegan meal. It was fanstastic and very interesting. Even the plain rice was great; prepared in a special way with a pillow thing on top of the pot; great stuff. They usually have a meat dish for their meals, but just skipped it that day, no problem. Most countries are like this; they do not eat 100% meat or sea food, but only a little, the rest is vegan. The entire population of China and most of the rest of Asia do not consume dairy. What on earth do they eat and drink instead? Go find out. Some great stuff man! So, get to know your neighbours, and whenever you meet someone from another culture, as about their food and I'm sure they'd love to tell you all about it. I do that all the time.

Answer 3

Considering how much you love meat, I suggest you take it slow so that you won't miss it, go veg for a week and then stuff yourself with meat the week after that. What I did was do away with red meat first, then pork, then chicken, then fish, over a period of two years. I used this time to learn about better alternatives to a carnivorous diet, and about getting all the nutrient my body needs without consuming meat. When I felt I have been armed with enough info on a vegetarian diet, I gave up meat altogether, and I never looked back. I don't even miss it now.

By all means, please start substituting your present meat consumption with healthier, more compassionate alternatives.

AllVeggieLinks.com contains a directory of these food manufacturers, try checking it out.

Good luck on your new-chosen diet and lifestyle. Stick to it, and I promise you you will be healthier for it, and no more animals will die just to feed you.

Answer 4

Go to your local grocer and look in the freezer section for the green boxes of MorningStar Farms products and the red boxes of Boca products. Problem solved!

Edit: Since you appear to be new to the world of 'vegginess' take things slow while you learn about living healthier. Use the resolved questions here as a great source of information!!

Besides the two brands listed above also look to Gardenburger for replacing the flesh in your diet. You've asked about quick snacks, MS Farms makes chik nuggets that you'll like, Boca does chili and lasagna, Gardenburger has a line of snack type items and Yves makes veggie tv dinners.

For fast food skip the burger joints and look to Subway and Taco Bell's meat free offerings. Skip the greasy meat laden pizzas and start looking to simpler combos like bell pepper/onion, pineapple/onion/tomato or the classic Pizza Margherita.

Since you're new I won't pick on you about dairy. Save that (and eggs) for later. But you really should pick up a carton or three of the different types of Silk (plain, vanilla and chocolate) since they are very accessible to 'standard' taste buds! Dark chocolate is much healthier than milk varieties so learn to enjoy the dark! Start trying breads other than the standard white 'goo' loaves whilst you adjust, you may find you like real bread a lot better!!

I think you will find that as your tastes adapt to being meat free you'll start to enjoy the taste of veggies! Try picking out a different veggie every time you go to the store.

For the first few weeks it's normal to experience some unpleasant side effects like gas or indigestion, it will pass as your body clears accumulated toxins. You'll end up healthier in time!!

Answer 5

"trying to quit", "want to stop"

Are you sure ?

Just stop, simple.

There is nothing compelling you to eat meat other than you lack of wilpower and an ingrained sense of society telling you meals include dead, decaying animals.

I think you need to get over this feeling that you are drawn to meat first, then you can think about all the great veggie food available. If you continue with the "its a struggle" theme it will always be difficult for you.

There is fake meat - those burgers and sausages may help.

Most people who have a successful vegetarian diet often cook from scratch using raw veggies etc.

Maybe try vegsoc.org or ivu.org or viva.org.uk....most veggie website have decent recipes on them and tere are a ton of books available.

Answer 6

Look for Morning Star Farms and Boca products. They simulate meat, and are brand-names (owned by Kelloggs, etc.) so you will find them in almost any shop! I am not crazy about store-brand meat simulators, as they tend to be gross.

http://www.bocafoods.com/
http://www.seeveggiesdifferently.com/

Answer 7

Please know the vast majority of animals in farms aren't treated in those thoroughly illegal ways (except maybe the chickens and things). Don't take that propaganda at face value, because that's what it is, propaganda, designed to disgust you and make you feel bad, but there's little truth in it. In most countries, farms caught doing those things to cows and pigs, etc, would be shut down, as in most countries there are laws against animal cruelty.

And, if you're worried about contributing to the abuse, don't, there's nothing you can do to stop animals dying or being abused. Less people eat meat, there's less demand, excess animals are killed (or more likely less are bred), no animals lives saved, and no animals avoid suffering except those which do not exist.

Answer 8

In US, you don't have many alternatives because almost everything is surrounded by meat.

If you don't midn changing your taste, I suggest you try Indian. Majority of INdian food is around vegitables, pulses and grams. It's a combination of bread (called rotis) or rice with curries. Curries are made with vegitables.

You may not like it as it is foreign to you. But there are plenty of varieties in India food for vegitarians. You just need to get used to it. Give it a little try in nearby Indian restaurent.

Mexican also have vegitarian component. You can get fajitas, burritos and quasidillos in vegitarian.

Answer 9

well first of all get it out of your head that being vegetarian means eating vegetables...i hate them and im vegetarian. as far as meat substitutes, go buy meat substitutes...they sell them at grocery stores:ribs, burgers, chiken nuggets, buffalo wings, etc. i suggest Morningstar brand for all fake stuff except for burgers, then you want boca burger brand

Answer 10

They ways you see those animals killed are indeed considered legal in most places and are not just *bad days.*

Often the easiest answer we like to give a person who wants to stop doing something is simply to stop. That is a ridiculous and somewhat pompous assumption. Whether you are smoking, drinking or eating meat, you are up against an addiction, and quitting can be a very difficult process. Unlike other addictions however, meat products have been shoved in our bodies since birth, are easily accessible everywhere we turn, and offered to us as the obvious, easy and necessary way to live.

Becoming a vegetarian is generally a moral or ethical decision. Despite what some in our culture still believe, you can get everything you need as a vegetarian.
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I am not sure how old you are, but the best way to begin a vegetarian life you can maintain is to get your own apartment. Just as it would be nearly impossible for an alcoholic to quit drinking while hanging out in a bar every day, it will be very difficult to stop eating meat in a home where it is constantly being served. In you own place you can do your own shopping and decide what food is served. As you become more secure in your diet and your body and mind quit craving that which they are missing, you can be in more meat situations.

Another great thing you can do for yourself is to learn how to cook quick and simple meals. I too was never a big fan of vegetables… it has taken me time to find ways I like to eat them. When you eat good food you do not feel as though you are missing out. Often vegetarians look for vegetarian cookbooks. I use regular cookbooks and substitute the meat. Morning Star Farms has great vegan chicken and beef substitutes, and Ives has great vegan ground beef and lunchmeat substitutes. I personally love tofu. It is great for making Chinese food. Know which restaurants have good vegetarian substitutes for when you want to go out to eat.

Try adding spinach, broccoli, peppers and onions into your dishes. You can even buy a juicer and eat a bunch of vegetables in a nice little glass.

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When you are trying to quit, the first time in a day you give in to your addiction in sets the mood for the rest of the day. If you break down and eat sausage in the morning, you will probably break down at lunch and dinner too. Keep substituting and try to make your first meat later and later in the day until you can go an entire day. Also, when we crave meat, we often crave the fat and grease. Fat is a highly addictive substance found in meat. A great fix is to cook a dish heavy in olive oil; you will get the fat you crave (but please don’t make a habit of it.)

Also, read some great literature and get a support system. One of the hardest (or most annoying) things you will deal with as a vegetarian is how meat-eaters will treat you. Know that they are doing this because your choice is inadvertently “calling them” immoral or telling them they are leading a bad life. You are of course not doing this, but some will verbally attack you. They will not know why, but the truth is that your choice is threatening to them. When possible, try to keep these people out of your life and DO NOT get drawn into arguments with them. You cannot win. Their only goal is to prove you are a hypocrite and flawed. Because you are human, you are naturally both of these things, but these are people who desperately need to prove it so they may never see these attributes in themselves. Sorry to be a bummer, but you need to expect these conversations.

Finally, don’t expect to change your life all at once. Start by only cutting out meat (yes, sorry, but a fish is an animal). Feel proud of your accomplishment. If you reach a point when you are secure in this lifestyle try taking away eggs. Later you can try to take the leather, wool, angora etc. out of your wardrobe. When this works you may choose to stop eating foods with egg products or chemical names that are code words for meat. You do not have to stop eating/ wearing everything to conform to such a vegan lifestyle you no longer live in a house because houses are built upon concrete, which is made in part by animal bones…. So don’t allow anyone to make you feel inferior in your choices. You are on a path and trying to make decisions that will help you become the person you want to be, not a person anyone else feels you should be. All of life is a process. We will fail on occasion and we will make decisions different from what others will make. Be happy and secure in the things you accomplish and keep going. If you only cut meat out of your diet and never take another step, then you took a great and difficult step and should be proud.

After several years of being a vegetarian, I have adopted this one quick and simple answer for why I am a vegetarian: I don't need meat to survive or be healthy; therefore it is a luxury, and no one/thing should have to suffer so I can have a luxury. It tends to be sufficient enough for anyone who asks.




Here is a great book for dealing with not letting people mistreat you for your views: "Living Among the Meat Eaters"
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Among-Meat-Eaters-Vegetarians/dp/0826415539/sr=1-1/qid=1171670018/ref=sr_1_1/102-8999441-6315311?ie=UTF8&s=books

A good good cook/lifestyle books
http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Vengeance-Delicious-Animal-Free-Recipes/dp/1569243581/sr=8-1/qid=1171669992/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-8999441-6315311?ie=UTF8&s=books


Here is a list of foods (in regular grocery stores) you may be surprised are vegan:
http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/

Here is the Vegan/vegetarian Food Pyramid so you can get an idea of the *optimal* diet. It also has a vegetarian starter kit.
http://www.vegsource.com/food_groups.htm

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I personally spent a few years feeling guilty about how animals were killed. One night I went to sleep and decided to stop, I woke up a vegetarian. The first few months were very difficult, passing up mom's bacon when i visited and passing up spicy chicken sandwiches. But I got past it. The best thing I ever did was learning how to cook. Fake meats were good for me too because I was actually quite fond of the taste of meat, I just couldn't face myself for eating it.