what do you miss the most?

Question

I am not a vegetarian, though i would like to be. I have three small children though, and dont feel that i should put it on them. I am just curious about what meat you miss the most? I know i would miss salmon and tuna terribly, though i could do without the rest of it!!
And are any of you ever tempted???

Answer 1

so why not go pescatarian instead of veggie? That way, you could continue to enjoy your seafood and fish. I think its much easier to do it while kids are young. I was forced into vegetarianism when I developed an allergy to meat protein, and it was hell at first. Then, when I educated myself about meat, how cruel it is to animals, and how unsanitary meat really is, then it was much easier. I do not miss meat at all, and continue to enjoy my lovely seafood. My daughter, now age 10 went totally veggie (her choice) at age 9. She loves breaded mushrooms and okra much better than she ever liked chicken nuggets-in fact she commented last night how much better they taste. I make her tasty dunking sauces like cocktail or taco sauce. If you turn to ethnic cuisine, you will find a huge array of foods you may never have even heard of. Our diet is more interesting than ever! Its much easier while your kids are young. You can easily just start adding things in that are not so familiar. The key is to NOT MAKE AN ISSUE out of it. Perhaps a spagetti fondue sauce, with interesting veggie dunkers, like rosemary steamed new potatoes, tater tots, mozzeralla cheese bites, brocolli, and cheese tortellini. (you can get fondue pots for a couple of dollars at thrift stores) Or an alfredo or cheese sauce. Put out a variety of interesting dunkers, and DONT MENTION that there is no meat. They will never notice, and the novelty of it doesnt wear off. My daughter has slumber parties every weekend, and fondue is always the hit-her non veggie friends have never noticed that there is no meat. Its only when its harped on that it becomes and issue. Email me if I can help the key to this is that it does not have to be an all or nothing type thing-just what works best for you and your family

Answer 2

I recently went to dinner at a friend's house who had three young children. They were all vegetarians. I was surprised how the kids kept asking for more tofu. Vegetarian and vegan food can be very tasty and very easy if you find the right recipes. You and your family will be healthier for making the switch -- just think of all the hormones in meat and the mercury levels in fish.

I missed tuna the most, and when I started out, I cheated a couple times. Just take it one day at a time, and remember that you're doing a good thing.

Best of luck!

Answer 3

It was a personal choice of mine to become a vegetarian at age 11, and I have never really missed any meat. Also I used to eat eggs and drink milk, then became allergic to milk. But you can still have fish and everything if you want since it is your choice. If you have your children do it too, then make sure they get enough calcium because that can become a problem especially for small children. Also after awhile, the smell of meat will probably start to make you feel sick. So if you do choose to do this be careful because if you accidentally eat meat after awhile of not eating it, you will get sick.

Answer 4

I've been a vegetarian for almost 13 years now. I don't miss any meat at all. I don't remember missing anything when I first started either. I'm never tempted--yuck!

I'm the only vegetarian in my family. My hubby and kids all eat meat. I wish they were vegetarians, but I'm not going to force my lifestyle on them.

Answer 5

I used to miss chicken soup out of sentimental reasons, something that has to do with my cultural background. I have found however the way to make a vegan "chicken "soup that tastes as good as a real one. Since I never liked meat anyway, it was never a problem, and having many friends over for dinner, nobody ever complained about the lack of it in the menu. I cook a lot of Mediterranean, Asian and Oriental dishes that often are based on vegetables alone anyway.
I used to love fish because I spent half of my life in Greece with the freshest fish available, but having seen lots of dolphins as well and knowing they often end up in cans as well, cured my appetite in no time.

Answer 6

Not even fake meat tempts me! I now realize what I missed when I was a meat eater: discovering all the wonderful colours, flavours and tastes of fresh fruit and vegetables without them being overpowered by meat dishes and sauces.

By the way, your children could also benefit from a vegetarian diet. Have a look at these websites:

http://vegsource.com/parent/growing_vegans.htm
http://www.vnv.org.au/10ReasonsVeggo.htm#2%20Elixir%20of%20Youth
http://vegweb.com/

Answer 7

Well, I don't like red meat and pig, so that stuff isn't tempting. When I decided to become vegetarian, I cut out chicken and turkey also, even though I like both. So chicken still tempts me. I still eat seafood though, but I don't like tuna.

Answer 8

Sometimes I am tempted, but then I only need look at the meat and remember how most animals are slaughteres and in what fashion to make me feel repulsed by the thought of eating meat again.

There are times however, where I miss eating teriyaki kebabs of all things.

Answer 9

i'm a new vegetarian (5 weeks tomorrow). i miss chicken the most--fried chicken was one of my favorites (i'm a southern girl!). i also miss the sesame chicken from my old favorite chinese restaurant. i am happy that i gave up meat, though. i can deal with the little cravings that i have by just having the boca meatless products every once in awhile. i am committed to remaining a vegetarian (striving to become a vegan in the very near future) because of my compassion for living creatures.

Answer 10

I miss chicken soooooo much.
sometimes I am tempted, but then I remember one thing that always stops me; the fact that the chicken was tortured for it's whole life and then was killed brutally. That helps me everytime. I never really miss any other meat, though. I don't know why....