I Think I Don't Want to Be Vegetarian Anymore...

[KnitterMama]

After 12 years of vegetarianism ... I think I want to go back to eating meat.
:::::::::: ::
Before it was an easy choice. I was by myself and the only person's nutrition I had to consider was my own. Now I'm married, have a baby, and it's just too complicated ... plus, I have to admit DH's meat dishes really smell good. :LOL I would just continue with my vegetarianism and raise DS vegetarian as well ... but DH and I recently discussed it, and DS would really be missing out on a lot of DH's culture if he didn't eat meat (DH immigrated from Turkey). Yeah, there are meat alternatives I could use in Turkish recipes, but it's just not. the. same. Also, mealtimes are really important bonding times for me, and DH and I never eat the same thing because he eats meat and I don't cook it...so now we don't eat together either (NOT helping when added to all the other problems we are having).

So, I dunno ... I guess I'll just be donning my : now.

[mama_b]

Don't feel bad. I started eating meat again when I was pregnant because I fainted if I didn't. I actually feel much better now and it is easier when we visit family because we don't have to worry about what we are going to eat. If it will work better for you then go for it.

Brooke

[Mizelenius]

I'm right there with ya, mama! I've been a veg. for 14 yrs and I wish I'd never started! I came very close to trying to go back to meat, and I just couldn't . . .so now I'm just trying to cook more interesting meals in general. DH's grilled meat smells sooooooooooooo good, though.

I advocate moderation more than giving up meat/poultry/etc. completely anyway, even though I don't eat any!

So, I'm with you 100% in spirit! Enjoy!

[Parthenia]

Don't feel bad, I've come full circle. I became a vegetarian at 14, started eating meat off and on when I was 24. Became a joyful carnivore at 30. But having been a vegetarian I couldn't bring myself to eat crappy meat, and tried to get lean cuts, locally raised, organically fed meat as often as possible. When I was pregnant, I craved meat. Now I'm 35 and mostly a vegetarian again. It started because I couldn't eat milk products because I'm nursing a baby with milk allergies. She still nursing, and I think her allergy is fading, but I've lost the taste for meat. I occasionally eat fish and use honey regularly, and that's about it. When I'm sure dd is no longer allergic to milk, I'll definitely eat cheese again, but probably not as much as I used to, and thus only the good and stinky stuff that costs a fortune, but is ecstasy to eat. I'm a cheese addict.
I think the key is to listen to what your body needs, as opposed to what it wants. If your body is asking for meat, there's probably a reason.

[KnitterMama]

Thanks for the support, everyone. I am totally guilt-ridden over this. I've been considering it seriously for about a month, really mulled it over. And yeah - I think it'll make my life easier, and I seriously think my body is asking for meat (strange as that sounds to me!).

Oh, man. It just occurred to me I have to learn how to cook meat now :LOL. I don't even know how to buy the stuff!

[Woodchuck]

Basically when I switched to eating meat I purchased the better quality meats. The best is if you can find a local farmer. I'll buy entirely grassfed beef or bison if I can find it. There is a local farmer to get the beef from. I found a local person for chicken. Also for chicken, Bell and Evans or Springer Mountain farm. There are some brands that say ethically raised, cage-free, those types of things. I don't buy the cheap stuff.

[darkstar]

I have been a veg since 14 too. Was vegan for awhile, and now mostly veg again. I eat fish, eggs and cheese. I would defintly make it important if I started eating meat again that it wouldbe all organic, free range etc. The grossest thing ever...when I am pregnant whoppers from burger king smell so good to me

Go with your instinct. If you feel that it will make your life better, by bonding at dinner etc, you know what is best fro you and your family


darkstar

[Mackenzie]

I don't feel so bad about wanting a steak at Thanksgiving then :

[Vanessa]

I was a veg for about 5 years in my late teens/early 20s. Eventually, I switched back to eating meat in moderation because it was a pain with family gatherings/getting married to a meat eater/etc. I was also a lazy vegetarian, and I wasn't making sound long term health decisions.

The hardest part was the first times I ate meat again. It made me pretty sick, but it didn't take me too long to adjust back. DH and I have both tempered each other a lot. The man balked when I wanted to add kidney beans to tacos when we were first married and is now upset if I don't add both colors to make it pretty.

[chiromama]

I've been a vegetarian off and on (mostly on) since my teens. Last year, I did a food based cleanse, and found that i was much more soy sensitive than i'd thought... so I started eating some meat, and found that I felt much better than i had in a long time. My allergies were less, i had better energy. on and on. we also only buy the best quality meat, and only eat it once or twice a week.
It was hard at first, but then I realized that I was listening to what my body asked for.. and was doing what is best for me, in this moment. Maybe some day, I'll go back to a vegetarian diet... who knows.

Don't let anyone beat you up over your choices. they are your choices, and as long as you're respectful in how you live your life, you deserve to be respected.

[CherryBomb]

I was vegetarian for a few years (and vegan for a few months) and fell off the veggie wagon for various reasons when dd was around 2. I hear you on the guilt thing. I live in Indiana too, so I see all the meat cows every day, growing from babies into big cows that get eaten! I don't eat beef much :LOL

[edamommy]

[midwestmom]

I have been there too. I was a vegetarian for 13 yrs and started to crave meat while preg. I didn't give in with my first preg, but did with my second. I am still eating meat but it is starting to gross me out again, so i warned DH that I may have to go back to veg or significantly cut down on meat. He is very sad, although he is hopeful that when we start TTC next month and get preg that I will get my meat craving back.:LOL

I also agree that if you do end up eating meat, go with organic! Listen to what your body is telling you and the decision will be a good one.

[kaydee]

Not sure what you are looking for, OP--feedback from people who have had the same experience, advice about how to make being veg easier, just venting?

I personally don't find being vegetarian difficult (I have been one for the better part of 20 years). I am healthy without animal products, have a broad repetoire of tasty and delicious plant-based recipes, and live in an area where its easy to go out an get veg food. My dh and ds are veg, and my extended family is supportive, which helps.


I think that for many people, the ability to commit to being veg*n depends a lot on what their motivation for being veg*n is. What limited research exists about retention of veg*n lifestyles indicates that the best predictor of successful adherence to veg*nism is a commitment to animal rights. People who go veg for other reasons are less likely to stick with it gets hard. (Note: this is not a slam against ex-vegs; just what studies seem to suggest. I am sure there are some people who feel strongly about animal welfare who also struggle with being veg*n.)

I think one pitfall in how people approach veg*nism is that they get hung up on labels. They feel that in order to be "truly veg" they must avoid animal products 100% of the time. They feel like failures when they can't live up to that standard, and just say :forget the whole thing." A much easier approach is to say, "well, I may not be able to completely *eliminate* my consumption of animal products, but I can commit to *reducing* my consumption, because I think it is important to (my health, the animals, the planet, or whatever initially moved you to go veg)."

If you are interested in continuing either vegetarianism or even just eating less meat than is in the standard American diet, there are many great resources out there, from books to websites to magazines.

If you are interested in adding animal products back into your diet but are concerned about health, environmental, and/or animal welfare issues, there are many certification schemes that help guide consumers to buying animal products (Certified Humane, Free Farmed, seafood labeling, etc.).

All anyone can do with the issues we care about is to try our best.

[KnitterMama]

So, I don't know if anybody saw the post in TAO, but I did end-up eating meat yesterday. I still feel fine with my decision, and our meal planning has become so much easier.

FTR, I didn't exactly ease back into it ... I bought a really nice cut of beef and made a pot roast. :LOL I expected to get sick or something but I haven't at all, thankfully. I'm really looking forward to trying DH's Turkish dishes this week, which I haven't previously gotten to try since I was a veggie. DH is really psyched that we can share food more now.

It's been really strange introducing the idea of not being a vegetarian anymore to my family. It's always been such a huge issue with them, and was such a large part of my identity at one time. I was actually pretty nervous about sharing my news with them but decided to just not make a big deal out of it and told them all very matter of factly that I am an omnivore again after 12 years of vegetarianism because it makes my family life much easier, etc.

[kaydee]

Originally Posted by swimmin_mama

It's been really strange introducing the idea of not being a vegetarian anymore to my family. It's always been such a huge issue with them, and was such a large part of my identity at one time.

Just curious--what was your motivation for being vegetarian originally? And what have you done with those feelings (which, presumably, were important since you say it was a big part of your identity) now that you are no longer veg?

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by kaydee

I think that for many people, the ability to commit to being veg*n depends a lot on what their motivation for being veg*n is. What limited research exists about retention of veg*n lifestyles indicates that the best predictor of successful adherence to veg*nism is a commitment to animal rights. People who go veg for other reasons are less likely to stick with it gets hard.

I must definitely agree with you and I sympathize w/ the OP. I became vegan almost cold turkey 4 years ago. My reason was not a commitment to animal rights but rather thinking that a drastic change to my diet would improve some health conditions I suffer from like severe allergies, acne and severe menstrual cramps. After 4 years of veganism, I have seen no real change and I spend more time worrying about getting all the nutrients I need. I am an extremely picky eater--I was when I ate meat and I am now. So, even though in theory I know how to do be a healthy vegan and I am pretty sure I am, it takes a lot of effort on my part. Now after having a baby, I'm concerned about him and I am leaning towards adopting a vegetarian diet with a little fish here and there. But Kaydee, you hit it right on the button. It's like being anti-vax or anti-circumcision . . . you must really believe in the "rightness" of what you're doing or else you will fall off or become disenchanted. So to the OP, when you find the diet that's "right" for you, you'll feel good about it and stick with it.

[edamommy]

I just knew I'd be back to this thread. ugh. I just have to say that I find it very disturbing at all the "laughing smilies" that accompany these posts (about being veg and going out and eating potroast immediatly... etc etc etc). Is it suppose to be an "uneasy" laughing smiley? What's up? Is it FUNNY to start eating meat again? really... why is it at all funny. To me the very idea of being veg for years and years and years and then throwing away that commitment and killing animals again is anything but funny.

[callmemama]

Originally Posted by kaydee

I think that for many people, the ability to commit to being veg*n depends a lot on what their motivation for being veg*n is. What limited research exists about retention of veg*n lifestyles indicates that the best predictor of successful adherence to veg*nism is a commitment to animal rights. People who go veg for other reasons are less likely to stick with it gets hard.

I don't know what the research shows, but for me personally, I disagree. My family has been vegan for 5 years and counting. Our initial motivation was health for ourselves. This is still a big motivator as are the environmental issues - huge environmental issues. And yes, I'm coming around to the animal rights pov too. I guess I get a little defensive when vegetarians (this refers to 'in general', not a specific person on these boards) tell me that I'm vegan for the wrong reasons and won't stick with it (wanna bet ), then they go out and consume dairy products. Anyone read about what happens to the male calves and the lactating milk cows? Ok, off my soapbox. Defensiveness aside, I do agree that we should all support each other in our veg*n lifestyles. As for the OP, I'm not sure if you're asking permission or looking for encouragement or what?

[Sharlla]

I went from being a strict vegan to doing the atkins diet :LOL