Why am I like this?

Question

I do not consider myself a vegetarian. Should I become one? I wouldn't be doing it because of killing of animal. I'd be doing it because of me.

When I was 13 I stopped eating meat for about 3 years. At 16, I occasionally had chicken or tuna. To this day, ( @ 35) I eat very little meat. I drink soy milk and eat alot of tofu, beans and fruits and veggies. I always listened to my body, when it craved certain foods, I eat it. ( not the pregnancy cravings either) I find that my stomach does not digest meats properly therefore I stay away from them unless I am mising something in my diet.
When I was pregnant, I craved hamburgers and seafood. Now, I don't eat seafood nor fish, and maybe once a month if that a burger.
Is there an in between point for someone like me?

Answer 1

Hi I was just like you.I never liked how meat tasted especially chiken.So I avoided it eating like the plague.Ate chicken once a month when I couldnt get out of it.lol

However I was eating alot of vegetarian food,drinking soy milk and eating tofu and stuff just like you.One day I said to myself that I would just cut out all the meat,however small amount that was and become a vegetarian.

I did not do it for killing animals as I think everyone is entitled to eat whatever they want to eat.I did it for me.

I am very happy with my decision.

I know what you mean about the "inbetween point".But whatever makes you happy do it.

Smiles and hugs,have a great day

Answer 2

A friend of mine keeps a similar diet - not much into meat - as he doesn't care for chicken, and just doesn't have a taste for most other meats.

He LOVES animals, but that has very little bearing on his food preference...and oh, don't EVER stand between him and bacon.

Why are you like this - you've already answered your own question:

"I always listened to my body, when it craved certain foods, I eat it."

Your body is pretty good at telling you what it wants. Go ahead and listen...the only time you should feel bad about what you eat is if you stole it from someone. You're fine - nothing wrong with you.

Answer 3

You seem to eat very little meat, and that's a good thing. If you no longer want to have the monthly burger, then don't have the monthly burger. Or have a veggie burger instead. You have to do what feels right for you.

And going vegetarian (or vegan) for you, because it's what's right for you, is the best reason I can think of to make such a decision.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Go with whatever feels right for you.

Just please don't eat animals and call yourself vegetarian; there are too many people doing that already.

I used to eat meat, I stopped by eating meat one day and not eating it the next. Then I ate meat one day and didn't eat for two days and so on. After a while I decided I felt a lot better when I wasn't eating it and I stopped completely.

Answer 5

You don't need a label to define who you are. You just don't eat a lot of meat ( just occasionally), my daughter and I are the same way. We only eat meat when we crave it, and sometimes not even then.

Answer 6

Not sure but I find myself becoming the same way. I can eat the occasional meat but my body can't handle meat as well as it once did. I have just learned to go with the flow and listen to what my body says. I think we actually fit the flexitarian label.

Answer 7

I am no expert, nor am i a nutritionist, but i think you're doing fine. You're getting your protein from soy, which is the best protein for a woman your(our) age, and you'r eating your fruits, and veggies, so you'r getting all your vitamins, and minerals. You are one of those people that can't digest meat, that's not abnormal, allot of people can't, but don't know it yet. I have a really hard time with red meat, my stomach feels so blotted after eating it, and my bowels don't seem to move. I don't eat allot of meat either, because i don't like the taste. But love my soy milk, and veggie burgers. I recently had blood work done, because i was worried about not getting the proper nutrition, and to my surprise, my cholesterol went down, and I'm no longer a borderline diabetic!

Now, my question to you is, do you eat eggs, and dairy products? How about potato's, peppers, or eggplant(Nightshade Veggies) ?
If you don't,or you eat very little, i would say your following a "Macrobiotic Diet", which is based on old Chinese principals of Yin & Yang. And by the way, it is very healthy.

"Lacto Vegetarian" is no meat, fish, poultry, or eggs, but will eat dairy.

"Lacto Ovo Vegetarian" is no meat, fish, or poultry, but will eat eggs, and dairy.

"Pescatarian" is no meat/animal flesh, but will eat fish, eggs, and dairy.

I persoally would say you are following a "Macrobiotics Diet", because you do eat fish, and when you'r body neads it poultry, allot of "Macrobiotics" eat poultry when neaded.

With all that said, you'r eating a very healthy diet, just don't forget you'r omega-3's like you'r fish, and you can get it from flax seed, i do roasted flax seed, ground in a coffee grinder to get my omega-3's and fiber.

The following is taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrobiotic_diet


Macrobiotic eating follows the principle of balance (called yin and yang in China). Products that are extreme are not suggested for regular use. No foods are forbidden, but better quality natural foods are always suggested.

*Foods that are overstimulating can exhaust the body and mind. These are classified as extreme yin (stimulating) in their effects:

Sugar
Alcohol
Honey
Coffee
Chocolate
Refined flour products
Very hot spices
Chemicals and preservatives
Commercial milk, yogurt and soft cheeses
Poor quality vegetable oils


*Foods that are very concentrated, heavy and dense, create stagnation. These have yang (strengthening but stagnating effects if overconsumed).


Poultry
Meat
Eggs
Refined salt


*Foods that create balance are whole grains, vegetables, beans, sea vegetables, fruit from the local environment, nuts, and seeds. Foods such as these are used in a macrobiotic way of eating.

Other naturally raised animal products may be included if needed during dietary transition or according to individual needs.

You'r stomach probably can't digest meat that well because of all the saturated fats in especially red meat.
I am eating basically the same way you are, only because i like to eat this way, and I'm lactose intolerant. I love my soy milk, nuts, grains, dried apples, & bananas. And my favorite is raw carrots, celery and cucumbers dipped in ranch dressing!

I really hope this helps you, i wouldn't change a thing, you are eating exactally what your body is telling you. Also....i would stay away from anything that has aspartame in it, and try Splenda.

I would love to chat with you, about what you/we are eating, and the effects food had on your/our bodies, if you would like to contact me, my e-mail is: tsdemayo@comcast,net
And i do have yahoo messanger, and AIM by A.O.L.
Good Luck with you healthy diet, and i hope to hear from you!

Answer 8

What do you feel you have to mark yourself as a vegetarian? You aren't one, since you still eat meat. Just be satisfied with what you're doing, you don't have to have a lable for that.

Answer 9

Of course. If you can go forward in life without the vegetarian or vegan status symbols. Eat what you want to eat. Eating healthy can be easily done whether you eat meat or not.

Answer 10

If your diet works for you, why change it. You seem like you know your body pretty well.