How do you go back to meat without getting sick?

[minkajane]

I always said that if I traveled out of country, I would eat meat while there. There are several reasons. First, I want to appreciate the culture, including the food. I don't want to limit the experience to entirely vegetarian food. Secondly, vegetarianism is not very common in many countries. Food without meat just may not be available. Thirdly, there will be a language barrier. It would be a huge hassle to try and figure out if something is made with meat broth or whatever.

So anyway, DH and I are going to Italy in around six months. So I figured I will start eating meat beforehand, so that I don't get sick from suddenly eating it after four years. I'm going to get grass-fed organic meat at first, since I figure it has less of the extra junk in it (like fillers) that would make me ill. But I'm not sure how long beforehand I should start or how gradually I need to build up to it. Anybody who's gone back to meat have any tips?

[susumama]

Sorry I have no idea but I don't understand having to go back to meat when visiting a country such as Italy as it has such a long tradition of vegetarian dishes. Meat is very expensive in most countries & therefore it is used much more sparingly in most countries (other than the US, Australia, New Zealand & those countries whose climate make it impossible to grow much vegetation). The traditional cusine of almost every country contains many, many vegetarian & vegan recipes due to the cost of meat & having no refridgeration etc. In Italy the majority of traditional dishes are based around pulses, vegatables & pasta. We only think 'lasagne, bolognese & salami' because that is what is served in our countries & written in cookbooks meant for us because our culture idolises meat. You would have no trouble eating vegetarian in Italy & you would actually be experiencing more traditional dishes by doing so!

[*LoveBugMama*]

Originally Posted by susumama

Sorry I have no idea but I don't understand having to go back to meat when visiting a country such as Italy as it has such a long tradition of vegetarian dishes. Meat is very expensive in most countries & therefore it is used much more sparingly in most countries (other than the US, Australia, New Zealand & those countries whose climate make it impossible to grow much vegetation). The traditional cusine of almost every country contains many, many vegetarian & vegan recipes due to the cost of meat & having no refridgeration etc. In Italy the majority of traditional dishes are based around pulses, vegatables & pasta. We only think 'lasagne, bolognese & salami' because that is what is served in our countries & written in cookbooks meant for us because our culture idolises meat. You would have no trouble eating vegetarian in Italy & you would actually be experiencing more traditional dishes by doing so!

This. Italy would be an easy country to eat vegetarian in, for sure. (Norway on the other hand... )

[NC EcoMaMa]

One thing I noticed when eating out in other countries and in nicer places here in the US is when I ask for a vegan meal at a place that doesn't have one, the Chef is always thrilled to do so. I found out years ago through some of the Chefs I was friends with in NYC it is because they have a set menu each day and being given the opportunity to create something on the fly was always such a treat for them. I don't think I have ever had a time where either the Chef sent someone out to ask how it was or came out personally to see if I had enjoyed my meal.

Just in case anyone was hesitating about asking for something along those lines. This was especially helpful when I used to go on conferences. There was always two dishes to choose from... and of course both were meat based.

One time someone made this Mediterranean style pasta and it was so amazing, I still make it for my family and for those who eat cheese, I toss in a bit of feta.

I am not sure how to go back without being symptomatic except to do it gradual. If it is something you really want to do, then go and enjoy yourself and maybe keep it to easier to digest proteins like fish or chicken?

Peace & Enjoy,

Jo

[minkajane]

Thanks for the responses. I did some googling and it looks like I won't have any trouble as long as I write down a few key Italian phrases like "Is this vegetarian?" I'll admit, I know very little about Italy (going to the library tomorrow for the travel books!) and I didn't realize how many vegetarian options there were. Yay!

[Sayward]

Originally Posted by minkajane

Thanks for the responses. I did some googling and it looks like I won't have any trouble as long as I write down a few key Italian phrases like "Is this vegetarian?" I'll admit, I know very little about Italy (going to the library tomorrow for the travel books!) and I didn't realize how many vegetarian options there were. Yay!

As a vegan, I've been told Italy is one of the *easiest* countries to travel through. You should be able to find tons of awesome stuff. Good luck!

[sassycat]

I spend several months in italy, and yes, it was very easy to find veg meals! I'd have to say, it was far easier than going out to eat around here. (was not quite vegan at that point).

As for going back to meat, I do have a little experience. I've been an (almost) life-long vegetarian. When I was 23, I developed severe food allergies to many vegetables and fruits. People I knew somehow convinced me I should start eating meat. Every time I had even a few bites, I would be sick for the whole next day. I figured it would just take time. I gave it like 8 or 9 months that I kept sampling little bits. Never got any better! Gave it up, and have been vegan ever since.

[Liquesce]

Well, as you've found, Italy is easy. But to be honest I do find the whole notion that eating meat = getting sick a bit silly. Certainly there are people with an ethical aversion who would feel ill in a certain sense about consuming meat, and there are other people who have intolerances that make eating meat difficult ........ but on a whole working up to eating meat isn't exactly like building up a tolerance to arsenic or something. If you could eat it before, if you don't object to eating it, odds are you'd be fine. (FWIW I was strictly vegetarian for well over a decade myself, moved to a country where eating vegetarian really would have been a rather huge social challenge, if nothing else, and was perfectly fine for the switch.)

At any rate. The real point of my posting is that, with regard to future travels, you'd be surprised at how easy it can be to keep to a vegetarian diet, or at least very close to one (allowing leeway for experiences like a chef who doesn't quite get that vegetarian means no meat stock or such as well ). Even in more out-of-the-way locations oftentimes the biggest challenge really is social ... a matter of whether or not you're traveling in such a manner as to create the risk of offending the hospitality of locals. (A vegan friend, for example, who found a small African community had slaughtered a goat in her honor certainly felt compelled to eat from it, even though there was plenty of other food present, kwim?)

If you're keeping it mostly to restaurants, self-prepared foods, that sort of thing, then for almost any country there are guidebooks that can help you in the cities, and you might want to check out other forums like Thorn Tree when looking for advice on places the books might not cover. It's cool if you want to experience the local fare, but you really shouldn't feel as though that by default means you have no choice but to eat foods that make you uncomfortable.

[ShadowMoon]

I have been to Italy, Peru, Equador, London, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands as a vegan. I had no trouble finding food to eat in any of these places (even while camping out in the bush of the Amazon). It is insanely easy to find vegetarian dishes in Italy. You will have a great time there and shouldn't have to consume meaty dishes in order to experience the culinary culture. Have a great trip!

[Amandamanda]

when i became pregnant with my 2nd and needed to eat meat after 5 years of vegetarianism (a personal choice that i do not regret) my doctor told me to start by having like noodles in chicken broth for a few days because the body actually builds up antibodies towards meat etc.
the soup made me slightly sick (but i was also pregnant) but after a few days of that i could handle the bigger stuff.

[shoes]

Originally Posted by Liquesce

Well, But to be honest I do find the whole notion that eating meat = getting sick a bit silly. Certainly there are people with an ethical aversion who would feel ill in a certain sense about consuming meat, and there are other people who have intolerances that make eating meat difficult ........ but on a whole working up to eating meat isn't exactly like building up a tolerance to arsenic or something.

Uh... I beg to differ.
My husband has been a vegetarian for 6 years. He out of the blue started getting very sick for a several hours randomly at work and into the evening. After many times of this happening, I found out he was going out for lunch at taco bueno for bean burritos every so often and it happened EVERY TIME he ate there. He didn't even know there was pork in it. Now he sticks with Taco Bell and there have been no incidences since.

[LeighB]

Originally Posted by Liquesce

Well, as you've found, Italy is easy. But to be honest I do find the whole notion that eating meat = getting sick a bit silly. Certainly there are people with an ethical aversion who would feel ill in a certain sense about consuming meat, and there are other people who have intolerances that make eating meat difficult ........ but on a whole working up to eating meat isn't exactly like building up a tolerance to arsenic or something. If you could eat it before, if you don't object to eating it, odds are you'd be fine. (FWIW I was strictly vegetarian for well over a decade myself, moved to a country where eating vegetarian really would have been a rather huge social challenge, if nothing else, and was perfectly fine for the switch.)

Not in my experience. I get sick whenever I eat beef or dairy. I tend to have issues with pork dishes too. This happens whether I know or not. I was always able to eat them before and not even think about it.

[MamaMelis]

FWIW, I was a vegetarian for 7 years and a vegan for 4 and honestly I never got sick when I did go back to meat. I didn't do anything special as far as reintroducing it to my diet, started with fish and went straight to beef from there (chicken skeeves me to this day, but that is mental, not physical .

Either way, enjoy your trip, Italy is one of my very favorite places to travel (and my VERY favorite place to eat!)

[wytchywoman]

I think reverting back to a meat based diet and having symptoms will vary from person to person. There are many people, myself included, who would spend hours if not days running back and forth to the bathroom if we ate meat. That's a big part of the reason as to why I became veg. Meat made me ill. I cheated once a few years ago and ate a steak from Outback. HUGE mistake, Gigantic!!! I was sick for over a week. As for people who are ethical veggies, it probably depends on how much fat you consume even without the meat. If you are on a relatively low fat diet, then you would probably do well to stick to small amounts of low fat prtoeins like poultry or fish, and I would keep it really minimal. I would also make sure to eat a ton of fiber containing foods to make sure that the meat didn't slow things down any, if you know what I mean.

[lrlittle]

He's pretty hardcore and way more health conscious than I'd be on vacation, but your post reminded me of Dr. Fuhrman's trip to Italy. Also a restaurant rec at the end...

http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives...-in-italy.html

[NC EcoMaMa]

Hi wytchywoman!

I have always wondered about that. Mine diet always tends to be lower fat so that makes sense about having problems digesting animal proteins when being away from them for awhile. That includes dairy like cheese for me. I have extreme reactions one way or another.

Another issue with eating meat in another country is that if you are used to meat say here in the states which is raised, fed and "prepared" one way is going to be very different. You will find that the textures and tastes will vary, and interestingly because most places are not as "industrial" with the way they raise meat, I found it sorta gamey.


Peace,

Jo

[Anna06]

Thanks lrlittle for posting the Dr Fuhrman link.

I love Dr Fuhrman!!

And it is possible to eat veg in Italy.

[almadianna]

Originally Posted by *LoveBugMama*

This. Italy would be an easy country to eat vegetarian in, for sure. (Norway on the other hand... )

ohman you are not kidding. I work for a company based out of Norway and wow... it is tough to not eat meat there.