How do I reincorporate meat into my diet?

Question

I have been a vegetarian for 7 months now, and although I prefer this lifestyle I will not have vegetarian options during the summer (I'm spending 6 weeks in a rural village in Ethiopia and cannot be picky about what I eat). I have had a couple of friends who got sick from eating meat after having been vegetarian for a while, and I'd like to avoid that. When should I start eating meat, how often should I eat it per week, and which types are not as heavy?

Answer 1

Wow, good luck in Ethiopia! I am assuming you have done some research into the area you will be, to find out if this is really going to be a problem. If not - I would check into it first. Once you are sure you will need to incorporate meat, the key is to do it slowly and build your portions over time.

First, start with broth, eat some soup that does not have meat but is a chicken broth base. I doubt this will make you sick at all. Then incorporate some fish, and finally begin to add poultry. The hardest step will be going from fish/poultry to red meats. Do this very slowly, starting with beef broth and work up with small portion additions. This step is the most likely to make you sick.

Much luck!

Answer 2

I think in Ethiopia they eat a more plant based diet anyway, but can't you bring some beans or other legumes with you, or purchase some after arriving? If not, I think the key would be to try and eat just a small amount of meat if no other protein sources are available-for just 6 weeks I don't think you will get seriously malnourished if your diet isn't perfect. You could also see about taking a protein supplement powder with you-I believe it can be mixed with food or liquid to add protein. Good luck.

Answer 3

Wouldn't you be better off asking a health question on a health board?

That's aside from the fact that in the rural areas of countries as poor as is Ethiopia, you're unlikely to see much meat, if any at all.

Answer 4

I think the easiest meat to reincorporate is fish. Try eating it once or twice a week and see how you feel. If it's not a problem, try incorporating a half or third portion of chicken or pork. I personally think that red meat can be hard on the system, so try to stick to white meat. After you get used to chicken/pork, then try adding a little beef. Just remember, the key is to add slowly and in small amounts so that your system can get used to it.

Answer 5

As if meat is more plentiful in the rural villages in Ethiopia than plant foods ... Bah. Disgusting.

Answer 6

just start super light, like chx noodle soup or something. or a tuna sandwich (if you didnt eat fish either...) and just eat it once a day for about 3 days, then move up to two meals and so on and so on. if you strat to feel sick, dont eat meat that day and maybe not the next. if it gets really hard, go see a doctor. just do not start with any red meat, that stuff will not go well with a stomach thats not used to it...

have fun in Ethiopia!

Answer 7

I wouldn't worry about it, all of the Ethopian restaurants I've been to or ever heard of are all mostly vegan or 100% vegan anyway. So, don't be afraid to mention it to people that you don't eat any meat etc., because it's quite usual and such things are easy to avoid.

Also, in most places around the world, food is served separately and not mixed in together so your grain, vegetables, and meat will be in different bowls for you to choose from, or in the case of Ethiopia, likely all on one platter.

Oooh, I'd love to go to Ethiopia just for the food experience. I also want to learn to cook injera at home too. I can eat stacks of those.

Basically Ethiopian food is highly influenced by their neighobours in India. Lots of lentils and dahl type dishes. I'd be more worried about farts if you don't already eat lots of beans, lentils, and the such, ha ha!

Maybe read this to set your mind at ease:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_cuisine

Answer 8

Fish

Chicken

Lamb

Beef and Pork

That is the order you should work in. Go from lighter to darker. Start with Fish twice per week, then after two weeks, increase to Chicken once per week and fish twice per week. Hold that for a few weeks then start intergrating the red meats.

Most likely, you will be fine. But people always react to a drastic change in diet, so don't be surprised when it happens in Africa. You will get over it in a few days.

Answer 9

Listen to the people telling you not to worry about Ethiopia!!!!!!!!

It may be poor (or that may be a reason why) but other than India and Bangladesh it's one of the easiest places to be veggie in! It's certainly easier than Amerika and most of Europe!

You should be more concerned about the rebels and bandits.

Enjoy your trip and stay safe!!!!

Edit:

This link might help.
http://www.ivu.org/results/result2.php?page=1

Answer 10

Oh, sorry.
I'd do very small portions of organic, grain fed meat only. Start with one portion per day and you should stop being sick after about a week.

Bummer man.