Former vegetarians--how did you get used to meat again?

[Nan'sMom]

I've been vegetarian or vegan for 29 years. I tried fish once 3 years ago while pregnant and I kept tasting it for days (not in a good way). This weekend we tried making turkey chili and the texture, taste and smell of the turkey, not to mention the thought of it, were a big problem for me. I did eat a bowl of it, but it was hard to do.

I am committed to trying out a new diet for the family (and open to going back to vegan if it doesn't help, although it hasn't seemed to be working for dh and I, even with a very healthy diet). It makes sense from what I've read and I know a lot of people who have done better on a healthy omnivorous diet than a healthy vegetarian or vegan diet.

Any ideas or suggestions or BTDT on this would be greatly appreciated.

[mamaberd]

Have you tried bone broths? You could use them in cooking rice or noodles or quinoa.

Eating chicken meat again was very hard for me. I think once I had ingested enough bone broth, my body identified with the meat as minearlized too- but it took a few times of eating it.

I was craving red meat (while BF) so I can't help there except to say that I only eat wild game and avoid cow. It helps me with the ethical hurdles.

[Nan'sMom]

Thanks. I'm going to try bone broth--just haven't quite figured out how to make it yet. I have a copy of Nourishing Traditions on order though, so that should help.

Thanks again!

[jocelyndale]

I just stole a bite of my husband's chicken marsala one day.

Then I stole the rest of the bowl.

Meat did seem to sit heavier in my stomach. And beef definitely sits longer. But I really just jumped right in.

[gardenmommy]

For me, it was hard. I just forced myself to try small amounts over a period of time. I used lots of bone broths as well. I felt so much better after eating meat, that it was worth the effort. 2 yrs. later, I still feel funny occasionally, usually while cooking meat, but don't have any trouble with eating it. I can def. tell when I need more, though, because I start to have cravings for beef and lamb.

Soups, stews, casseroles, etc. were easiest for me. Dishes where the meat isn't the main event, but only a part of it.

[mamaMAMAma]

I was veggie for 11 years before switching back. I had a skin rash around the mouth that just would not go away (for a year and going to different alternative practioners and MDs). Anyways, I made chicken soup first. Somehow it was easier to drink the soup for me. Good luck!

[newcastlemama]

I just jumped right into the beef eating. I was so anemic that I was craving it everyday. I agree with the bone broth suggestion. I can get a bag of grassfed beef bones from my butcher for $4 so it is economical too. You could also put little pices of meat in soups and stir-frys.

[karlin]

I was a vegetarian for 13 years before going back a bit over a year ago. It was pretty hard at first, but I was not eating TF yet, so I started with breaded meats (which were less "meaty" to me). At this point, I am cooking it as well, and it's getting way easier. My hubby still needs to make the broth after we bake a chicken, but Sunday I actually reached inside and pulled out the neck and organs. It wasn't nearly as bad as I'd imagined it to be.

[stellimamo]

I got pregnant. I was a veggie until I got pregnant w/ dd and then there wwas no holding me back. I craved cheeseburgers and ham....: I really think that if I had never had those cravings I would have never started eating it again.

[twinkletoes]

veggie my whole life until pregnancy too.. soups were what I first made at home and felt just right (I would plop a whole chicken in and then make lots of soup to freeze). As I realized how much better I felt it became easier to cook and eat.

[Nan'sMom]

Thanks very much for all the help! I found Sally Fallon's broth recipes on the WAPF site http://www.westonaprice.org/foodfeatures/broth.html
and they look easy enough. It's funny--I've been handling raw meat for years to feed to my cats so I don't mind handling it, it's the cooking and eating bit that's new to me!

I think starting with the broths might be best and easiest for me to handle.

Thanks again!