Please take a moment to remember all of the lives that were lost on this day ten years ago. What happened on September 11, 2001 forever changed the course our lives would take.
Never forget to remember.
. – . – . – .
So we ended yesterday’s confessional with promises of protein [talk]…
While I wouldn’t say that I follow any sort of high protein diet (I’m a carbs and fats girl at heart), I do try to pay attention to my protein intake, especially on the days that I lift.
Some of my favorite sources?
Protein shakes…
. – . – . – .
Greek yogurt…
. – . – . – .
Eggs…
. – . – . – .
Cottage cheese…
. – . – . – .
Nuts and Seeds…
. – . – . – .
Tofu…
. – . – . – .
Beans…
. – . – . – .
Whole grains…
. – . – . – .
Cheese…
. – . – . – .
You probably notice the lack of meat/fish, and that’s because… well… I don’t eat them. I was never big on fish(I just can’t get past the smell), and I gave up meat around four years ago, when my eating disorder started getting really bad. Since then I’ve been eating a vegetarian diet which, over time, I’ve become a lot more relaxed about. I hate the prescriptive nature that comes with the vegetarian label, which is why I never call myself one, and also why I told myself that if I ever craved meat, I would allow myself to eat it.
Which brings us to my present conundrum…
See, I don’t crave meat exactly, but I crave something. My snacking has gotten a little out of control lately, and while I thought it was just my appetite going nuts at first, now I’m not so sure. It honestly feels like my constant desire to snack stems from the fact that my body isn’t satisfied with what I’m feeding it, and that it’s not getting something that it needs. Have you ever tried to satisfy a craving for chocolate by eating a bunch of carrot sticks? If you have, then you probably know what happens when you try to do that. You can eat carrots until you give yourself a stomach ache, yet you’ll still be unsatisfied.
That’s how I’ve been feeling. And, quite frankly, I’m sick of it.
Is meat the answer? I don’t know, and I won’t know unless I try it and see what happens. It’s been so long since I’ve eaten meat, that I probably wouldn’t even know a meat craving if I was hit with one. Does the thought skeeve me out? A little bit, yes… but I remember experiencing the same kind of feelings when I gave up veganism, and that’s a decision that I never regret, as I’ve only seen positive improvements to my health as a result.
So there it is. My last confession – I’m thinking about giving up my vegetarian diet. Or, at least, I’m thinking about introducing some chicken/turkey back into my diet for a while and seeing what happens. I’m tired of playing with protein powders (which, in all honesty, do NOT fill me up at all). I’m tired eating different meals than the rest of my family. And I’m tired of feeling constantly munchy.
Maybe meat isn’t the answer, but maybe it is. I’ve voiced my concerns to those close to me, and they’ve all pretty much confirmed my suspicions. They basically told me that they have a much harder time feeling full/satisfied on days where they don’t eat meat… maybe the same is true for me… I don’t know. I do know that I’m tired of wondering. I haven’t done it yet, but it’ll most likely be happening soon. If I don’t like it, I can always go back… nothing is set in stone.
. – . – . – .
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you ever gone through anything similar? Do you think that protein is protein, no matter what the source? Do you think that anyone can follow a vegetarian diet if they get enough protein from alternative sources?
I’m glad that you’ve been thinking about this Amanda. For the longest time I didn’t eat eggs and earlier this year I was just craving something. I decided that I’d give them a shot and I’ve never regretted adding them back into my diet. The same goes for fish (although the selection I’ll eat for taste reasons is more slim). I actually tried it by accident and ended up saying “what the heck!” It was definiately strange to give up the vegetarian ways I’ve had for years, but I think you get to a point where the label doesn’t matter so much anymore. I think what matters at this point is feeding yourself and feeling satisfed. I have had the same experience with fats and carbs. I used to load up on veggies until I felt stuffed and bloated but never feel “satisfied”. Now that I’m eating more carbs and fats, I feel like I’m done when all the food is gone- something that I never felt before I started allowing myself to be nourished. I’m still working on this of course, but it’s helping a lot.
Point here is, I think if your body is telling you to change your tune, you ought to listen to it and give it a try. One bite of meat doesn’t sentence you to be a carnivore for the rest of your life, but if it works for you, roll with it!!
I tried sooo hard to give up meat when i first started blog reading, it didnt work!! I was always hungry and always tired!! Something about meat protein just satisfies me. I still dont eat read meat, but about once a week ill have a turkey sandwich and im good to go for another week!! Maybe some peoples bodies can go without meat, i think you just have to listen to your own body and what its telling you 🙂
I think it’s important that you listen to yourself and your body. I would say give it a shot- maybe start with some chicken or turkey bacon (or whatever skeeves you the least) and just take it slow. If it doesn’t work out, then you can always go back.
It’s hard and I feel you because my diet revolves around carbs- it’s just always been that way. I’m not the vegetarian who wants to eat eggplant rollatini- I want pasta and pizza! I do see the importance of protein and I get it in the same ways as you. But every once in a while when I feel something is just not right, I’ll try a piece of turkey bacon. Or a bite of chicken. And honestly most of the time I get grossed out and stop, but feel better that I listened to my hunger cues and tried.
I dont eat much meat compared to your average person but when I dont get enough my body craves it. A lot of the time i’ll have a meat free lunch and meat with dinner (turkey wrap, turkey burger if im REALLY craving meat, or a chicken salad). I’ll be honest, sometimes my body craves red meat and that’s been a hard one for me to give into but I can have some roast beef if I really need too. To be honest? I like the taste of fish but my BODY never craves it. I’ll eat it but I never feel like I NEED it. Weird? I dont know! Proteins powders do not fill me up at ALL, I dont get it/them. I just eat them sometimes for taste haha hope that helps some.
I’m gave up being vegetarian not too long ago because I felt the same way – just plain unsatisfied, like something was missing. I started eating fish and now I’m hooked. I eat it just about every day now and I feel satisfied. I still snack ( a lot) but not like I used to. I don’t eat other meats but that’s just because I have A) fish doesn’t take as long too cook and B) My mom used to cook chicken/turkey so much that the thought of eating it completely skeeves me out.
Give it a shot! If you don’t like it, don’t eat it again. Plus, it will probably keep bugging you until you do 😛
I hope you’re able to figure it out :] I can’t really relate because being vegetarian came sort of naturally to me. When I was a kid I hated eating meat. My mum would have to force me. Later on I found out that meat simply didn’t work for me. I’m very conscious about getting my protein though. I used to think I couldn’t go without getting my five meals in, but since I started school again I can’t get all five of them in. I looked into my breakfast and made it more substantial and it’s now able to hold me over all the way until lunch. So I do think it’s possible to get enough protein on a plant based diet, you just have to be conscious about it. We’re all different though and what works for me might not work for someone else. I hope you can sort your thoughts out :]
You are so right, what will it hurt to try? I think each person is SO very different, some may thrive on meat while others not so much. This is evident in my family even, one of my cousins has meat with almost all meals, bacon, ham, chicken, turkey, beef, etc. while another is vegan and feels sick with any dairy or meat. I think each person needs to find what works for them at that time in their life, sometimes thing change and what once worked great now needs to be adapted to your life now. I personally grew up veg so I don’t even think I would know what it was like to crave meat, I did eat it for a few year during middle school and high school but rarely (just at a friends house, bbq, etc.) but never enjoyed it. Even though you don’t like fish, it is known to be really healthy. I have been thinking of trying to add it into my diet too but I just can’t seem to want it haha. The most important thing is you and your health, so however you can live happiest and healthiest is the way to go in my opinion 🙂
I was vegetarian for awhile but like you I never felt satisfied.
I gave up vegetarianism and went back to eating total crap.
I started eating healthy (including lean meats) and I had the same unsatisfied/’weak’ness I experienced with vegetarianism.
I’ve since realized that while vegetarian and while eating healthily at first I was missing one common thing…. FAT!!
Now I eat vegetarian some days and some days I don’t. As long as I get fat into my diet I don’t feel lacking either with or without meat!
All protien is definitely NOT created equal! Studies have confirmed that animals protien, not plant protien, causes disease and cancer. They did numerous (often sad) tests on rats to discover this. And though rats are not people, they are similar enough that it translates to humans, as they have proved.
Perhaps if you are feeling unsatisfied, it may be that you a) actually need more calories or b) eating more is way of negative energy? I have been having a tough personal time lately anh have been feeling like binging all the time.
On the subject of calories, meat is a concentrated source of energy, and naturally when people cut it out of their diets and don’t replace the calories, they would feel less satisfied than usual. Humans have no biological need for the flesh or fluids of other animals. What we DO have a biological need for is calories. I know you may not agree with this, but I think the reasons you saw improvements in health when you stopped eating vegan is because it came with an increase in energy consumption, meaning that you would naturally see an increase in health.
I hope I don’t tick you off with any of this! I think we just may differ in opinions here. You know I love ya! 🙂
Just thought of something– if you are looking for more protien, perhaps eating beans a couple times a day (more than just a spoonful of hummus for instance) will help. They are very filling, very high in protien, and fight many diseases! Eco-friendly too ;).
No worries, hun – I respect your opinions and appreciate the advice 🙂 I would eat beans more often, but the reason I tend to limit them is because my stomach doesn’t handle them well in larger quantities. Every once in a while is okay, but any more than that and I just start feeling not so hot.
I think you’re right to listen to your body Amanda, although personally, I truly don’t believe that animal protein is the way to go. I often have days where I feel unsatisfied – but when I look at my actual, calorific intake, I realise that I maybe didn’t eat enough to sustain what I did that day. I experienced a coule of weeks like that a few months ago, so made a deliberate effort to eat more calories, and it worked a treat 🙂 No more not-satisfied feeling!
Also -What about lentils? I find that beans can bloat me, but lentils don’t seem to have the same effect. I also find that tofu isn’t always that filling, but tempeh is REALLY filling.
(ps. well said Vegirl 🙂 )
I was vegetarian for a little over a year before I realized I was constantly hungry, despite being full. I could pounds of tofu, cups of nuts and yet feel lacking in satiety. I still eat a very plant-based diet, but adding in fish, chicken, and occasionally grass fed beef (or buffalo–even tastier!) and I am satisfied. Give it a try! If it works, great! And if it doesn’t… extra ice-cream might just do the trick 🙂
You’ve listed some good questions here, and to be honest, I have no idea! I’ve always been a meat-eater and probably always will be.
But to me, it is worth a shot. Maybe if you start eating meat again you’ll see that you’re just as snacky, and then you just have to decide if you want to continue with meat or go back to a veg diet.
I do think it is smart that you’re thinking about it!
I think its important to just do what YOU want- at the end of the day it is just food and I know for me, being over-analytic with these issues just creates even more problems.
I was veggie for ages but didn’t have any real reason to be one( I know some people have strong opinions on eating animals but to be honest I don’t, and I do try to eat ethical animal products),and then one day I decided I wanted a tuna sandwich-a much loved staple from my childhood- and I enjoyed it immensely. No I didn’t turn into a raging carnivore- some weeks I eat meat, some I don’t. I experimented with trying different meats and discovered the only type I ever want is fish. Maybe you could experiment to see if there are any meats you enjoy and any change in diet is never set in stone anyway.
All the pictures in this post are gorgeous! Who make a great advert for vegetarianism ,meat eater or not:)
Xxx
My appetite has been out of control for the past two days. I blame it on being gluttonous (that would be the ED’s lovely contribution to my thought process), but maybe my body really is craving something more. I hadn’t really thought too much about it until you brought it up…
I don’t think there is any universal diet that will satisfy everyone. Maybe those massive muscles you’ve been building just need that extra protein boost.:)
Czesc 🙂
This post was awesome because I feel that I’m going through something similar to you — though not entirely because I was never exactly vegetarian at any point in my life. My family in general though eats VERY little meat. We eat fish from time to time, and chicken and turkey. But it’s always in small quantities and not really the main focus of any dish. And lately, while giving recovery my 100% (meaning I’m eating when I’m hungry or even if I’m just craving something, and not worrying about calories or having to “make up” for eating by exercising), I’ve noticed that my hunger is quite hard to stifle or satisfy! I too snack on a lot of things, but the snacking doesn’t seem to help much…
Lunches during my ED consisted of rice cakes and a banana or something equally as paltry and I avoided cheese and meat like the plague. Lately though, all that ED bs is out the window and I’ve been making much more substantial lunches, like cheese sandwiches with tomatoes alongside a cup of fruit, yogurt or granola bar, etc. HOWEVER… this may seem like a healthy, balanced meal, but I find myself hungry afterward each time! It still tends to freak me out a bit because it feels like going from one extreme to another. It’s weird how easy it used to be to just chug diet Coke throughout the day and not feel so hungry.
At first, I thought maybe my lunches were lacking in overall caloric content (which that might be the case partly because I tend to stick with the lower-calorie breads and Laughing Cow cheese wedges which are only 50 cals, etc.) but… I spoke with a dietitian and after telling her everything I eat — including the constant snacks I have to fulfill my hunger and cravings — she pointed out that I’m not eating enough protein. Protein takes longer to digest so it can make you feel full longer. My meals and snacks are mainly carbs… sugary ones at that! (Okay, so my oatmeal with a dried cranberry and nut mixture maybe isn’t sugary, but the snacks I eat in between meals are things that are easy to grab from our kitchen cabinets, like granola bars, handfuls of cereal, or graham crackers…) My dietitian said that I should try to mix up my lunches at least by making turkey or tuna sandwiches and see how that goes. Or even packing a few slices of turkey and crackers as a snack in between instead of something carby/sugary! I’ve only done this once because I just barely went grocery shopping to pick out some protein-rich foods, and I added a small can of tuna and crackers in with my lunch. AWESOME snack. If you don’t like fish though, this probably doesn’t help much… but you could maybe try making your own tuna salad for example to mask up the fishy taste? Or at least try to make turkey sandwiches or something… or a turkey meatloaf for dinner 🙂
And isn’t balanced eating all about NOT restricting certain foods from your diet? (Unless you’re allergic or intolerant of them.)
So good luck and sorry for this monster of a comment! 😀
I haven’t gone through anything similar with meat because I’ve always eaten it. I know exactly what you mean though about eating something other than what you’re craving and being completely unsatisfied- that just never works so I’ve tried to stop doing that. I say try eating meat again for a little while, and if you feel better that’s great! If not, then there is no harm in going back to not eating it :). But I definitely do know that when I eat a vegetarian meal I am less full than when I eat one with meat incorporated!
I get this all.the.time. Although I have never actually been vegetarian, I generally prefer to eat a plant-based diet, and only eat meat if I know it’s from a good quality, cruelty free source. But every now and then I just want it, and can’t get enough. I still usually stick with lean proteins – chicken, turkey, fish – especially fish. I hate diet labels, for this very reason. It’s too restrictive, and I want to make sure I’m eating what my body needs.
This was me a year ago, and I’ve found that some chicken, fish or turkey just 2-3 times a week really helps! Good luck!
This is a very interesting post and it sounds like you are right, but I also think that this feeling of unsatisfacation may stem from the fact that you do seem to eat a lot of healthy foods and your body wants more not so healthy foods as well.
That is exactly what happened to me. I found myself snacking all. the. time. I couldn’t stop eating. I was constantly starving. One night, I found my Mom in the kitchen making some chicken cutlets, and decided to have some. It was like a switch got turned back on. I know a lot of vegans disagree with this, but I honestly do think a little bit of animal protein is not only okay, it’s healthier for you.
Has the thought of introducing more beans, nuts and veggies crossed your mind? I frequent your blog and I often find myself thinking your food looks incredible, but they are, for the most part, all sweets. Lots of oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, etc… I just don’t see those as substantial, healthy foods. They are great to have for say, one meal a day…But you seem to have cereal & oatmeal several times a day. I think before you reintroduce meat into your diet, you should perhaps try and base most of your meals around beans & vegetables. If that doesn’t work, then I guess try meat and see how you feel.
The reason I don’t eat more beans and veggies is because my stomach doesn’t like them that much, and while sure they might fill me up, it’s because they make me feel bloated rather than truly satisfied.
Canned beans seem to make me bloaty, too. But there are a few tricks to reducing the sugars in the beans that cause discomfort– such as soaking before you cook them, and when you do cook them (making sure to boil them tender), you add a piece of seaweed.
For me, I have noticed that when I eat sugar-free (no added sugars, fruit is fine for me) that I can digest other foods better– like and nuts, veggies, and beans!
Giving up a vegetarian (especially raw vegan) saved my life.
I do believe it’s possible to get enough protein (and be satisfied with it!) from a vegetarian diet, but everyone is different. I was skeeved out by meat long before I stopped eating it, and if I ever craved it, I’d probably eat it — since my reasons for not eating it aren’t ethical! But it’s possible that I’m just saying that because I honestly never crave it.
That said, since everyone is different… bodies can be weird sometimes, and need something even though you don’t necessarily crave it. I think it’s awesome that you’re willing to give it a shot to see if this is what your body really wants!
<3 <3
I haven’t ate any meat besides fish for the past year. I tell myself the same thing you said above: if I ever crave other meat, I will eat it. However, I will say that it is sometimes hard to allow yourself to add something to your diet that you haven’t ate in a long time — especially if you aren’t used to craving it.
I was in the same situation as you over the summer. I felt like I was craving something more when it came to meat. At the time, my main protein sources were soy and other meat alternatives that are on your list. I ended up trying a turkey sandwich to see if it was what I needed… and I found out that it wasn’t. I did not enjoy it at all. Later, I started incorporating more salmon and tuna in my diet, and I discovered that I really liked it. It satisfied my meat cravings and I was comfortable eating it. Now, I enjoy eating all kinds of fish, but not every day. Most days I go meatless, but when I want something more than Greek yogurt, protein powders, beans, nuts, etc., then I eat fish… and I don’t think anything else of it! It’s just what works best for me. If I ever crave chicken or beef in the future, I won’t deprive myself, but I don’t see that happening any time soon… and I’m fine with that.
I think you should give meat a go if you believe your mind or body may be craving it. It won’t be the end of the world if you or I have a bite of chicken haha. And if you find out that adding meat to your diet improves your life, health, or state of mind, then I think you should eat all the meat your heart desires! 😛 Everyone’s different and everyone is going to have different preferences in their diet, so just eat what works best for YOU 🙂
I went through the same thing. I’ve been both a vegetarian and a vegan in the past, and transitioned out of both lifestyles at separate points. I’m happiest now with eating meat on occasion. I have a lot of vegetarian days, but not necessarily on purpose. I think you’ll be similar in that respect. Like you, I was never a big meat eater, and I don’t think I ever will be. It’s nice to have the option, though. I feel much less restricted than I used to. It also makes eating out a lot more satisfying.
I do not think protein is protein, regardless of the source. Some protein sources are more absorbable than others. While I truly believe it is possible to get enough protein on a vegetarian or vegan diet (there are many vegans and vegetarians that function perfectly well without any animal sources of protein), the lifestyle wasn’t for me any longer. Something just wasn’t working, and it was obvious to everyone I knew. Once I started eating meat again, I put back on a lot of necessarily muscle that had somehow melted off my body.
Like you said, nothing is set in stone. We should all follow whatever diet suits our body as an individual. Do what feels right. If you think your body is telling you something, then listen to it! The smartest thing you can do is listen to your body. It’s not as if you’re breaking any rules by experimenting.
My diet is 90% vegetarian, I occasionally eat chicken, fish and turkey (never red meat). I went through a short period of strictly vegetarian and definitely felt like something was missing. Sometimes I just NEED a turkey sandwich or chicken taco. I’ll add whey protein to smoothies/yogurt bowls for the added flavor but they don’t seem to have an affect on my satiety. I hope you find what your body’s missing soon … and enjoy the meat experimentation! 🙂
I think it would definitely be worth a try! I know many of my most satisfying meals contain meat. Everyone’s different, so it’s just a trial and error kind of thing. Good luck and hopefully you’ll find something that works for you!
I think it is purely awesome that you’re listening to your body and letting go of your inhibitions. I hope you can solve the craving conundrum, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it’s meat!
I could never ever give up my glorious chicken, turkey, and seafood…especially the seafood 🙂 They’re all just so dang delicious!! And I’m with ya on protein powder not filling you up. Sure it makes a great addition for flavor, but gimme some substance!
I honestly think its up to you as well. If you do not crave meat, I would not force it down just because. I eat meat and fish because I want to, I find it does fill me up more than protein powders ( which do NOT fill me up at all also). 🙂
As a meat eater( chicken and turkey and fish) I have to say, te day I eat meat at lunch with a carb and fat it holds me over pretty well. On days I just eat dairy as my source I snack constantly.
I notice I’ll go a few days where I don’t eat meat And soon enough i find myself craving a piece of chicken/turkey. It’s worth a try if it doesn’t work out you can always take it back out of your diet 🙂
i’m incredibly strange and biased being as i was raised a vegetarian and been one my whole life for moral/spiritual reasons, but i can still totally empathize with that unsatisfied, insatiable hunger feeling. i’m currently marathon training, & august was out of control! peanut butterrrrr. (lol)
you absolutely must do what you feel is best for your body & mind. 🙂 i recognize the importance of protein and think i get enough of it in forms of tofu/tempeh, lots of nuts & nut butters, & whole grains. but i don’t think it’s the answer to everything & i don’t do “protein-enhanced” foods. most importantly i make sure i am getting adequate calories from good sources for all my training, it’s a lot, but i need every single one & my body feels great!
good luck xo
I’ve been having the SAME issue! Before, when i was vegan about a month ago, i would be starving beyond belief and i was even eating the right foods, like a TON of nuts.nutbutters.hummus.beans.tempeh.tofu,whole grains, veggies, fruits, etc. and then i started eating dairy and eggs again, and yet, i find myself to be a teeeeeny bit more full than i was before, but i still eat a LOT of nut butter and nuts because i crave it like crazy and i’m still not exactly full!
I cannot fully relate to you because I do eat chicken and turkey … just not red meat… so I get protein from meat sources. I read somewhere.. on some blog.. (can’t remember where) that the writer was going through similar issues – except she felt she was getting injured because she was getting her protein from non-meat sources and she spoke to the doctor. Protein wise – he had told her that what she was eating was fine and it did not NEED to come from meat to provide her with what she needed.
Personally, I love meat and I do choose to eat it. It’s a great source of protein and I don’t see the big deal if it comes from organic sources.
Your call 🙂
ditto! i dont eat gluten (allergic) or dairy but i DO eat tons of veggies, fruits, meats, nuts & seeds. i always say i eat like a guy (lamb and beef are my fave!)
I went through the same thing :l For awhile I was mainly eating lacto-vegetarian. Then I added in eggs and felt a million times better. But soon it wasn’t quite enough and I found myself craving fish. So I now periodically bust out the canned tuna, sardines, and kippers, and while I don’t smell terribly fabulous afterwards, it really does a number on satiation levels. I think it’s an individual issue, and some people can thrive on vegetarianism or even veganism, but for me I need something more. Not every day and certainly not every meal, but I do keep it on hand (and it makes eating at restaurants a heck of a lot easier–there’s only so many spinach salads a person can eat.)
I am the exact same way. I gave up vegetarianism for this reason. I still don’t eat meat all that often and I do stick to mostly fish, chicken, and turkey…but you should introduce it at a slow pace. When I first brought it into my diet too much too soon, I got physically sick. Take it easy and eat very little. A little goes a long way and definitely FILLS you up! It really does. I feel much more satisfied if I have chicken added to my huge bowl of veggies. Try 2-3x a week and then work your way up if you feel like you need to incorporate it everyday. (I only eat it probably 4-5 meals per week)
good luck!
– Sharelle
If it’s a possibility that your craving meat, I agree you should try it out! When I was craving fish, I totally took the plunge (no pun intended) and enjoyed every bite. I still don’t like the texture of meat or taste, so I’m not craving it…but if that craving ever comes or the suspicion of that craving ever comes then I will probably give it a second try. In the mean time I’m going to stick to fish and vegetarian sources. I think vegetarians need to be very conscious of their protein sources, it’s easy to not get enough 🙂 I can’t wait to hear how it goes 🙂
Hi Amanda! I didn’t eat meat, except the occaisional peice of fish for a LONG time, and after recently returning from a trip to Uganda and having my perception on many things changed, I ate chicken the second day I got home because it was offered to me and I couldn’t say no to the abundance of food in front of me after all I had experienced in Africa. To be honest, I’ve been loving it ever since. I am a runner and I honestly do feel more satisfied, especially while training. Some people claim meat and dairy makes them feel sluggish but I actually am feeling a bit more energetic. I say give it a try and do what works best for YOU, after all, we are all different and that’s a wonderful thing. I just feel blessed to have food on my plate everyday 🙂 Good luck!
i actually was having the same thoughts. i am constantly snacking and realized that my “meals” probably aren’t substantial enough to tide me over. My nutritionist actually begged me to eat meat again and I did give in to chicken. i’ve been a vegetarian for about 2 years now and was real nervous about introducing meat back into my diet. first time i had a piece, not going to lie, did NOT like it. I guess I just lost my taste for it because I use to be a huge chicken eater. maybe i just need to prepare it differently i don’t know. but i always looked at my vegetarianism like you do. if i ever wanted to eat meat, i would. however i would just need to make sure it’s organic because a. omg do you know how they process chicken/beef? it’s disgusting. b. i initially stopped eating meat due to the industrial farming cruelty. it’s just heart breaking to me. but right now, my health is more important to me so i’m kind of doing what i have to do.
just remember the decision is yours and no one should judge you if you want a piece of chicken now and then. it’s your body. your life. your happiness.
I think not liking it the first time is more a mental thing. I had the same problem with eggs when I first tried them again after being vegan – I almost gagged. But now I love them.
you are probably right. i am trying to re-introduce so many foods back into my diet and it is just a tough time right now. mentally. i almost feel like recovery is worse than when you are in denial of the illness.
girl i have been going through the SAME ISSUE lately snacking like crazy and i realize i am just NOT satisfied. my plan is to re-introduce fish back into my diet at least 3-4 times a week as i only eat it maybe maybeee once a week.
i really just have no desire to eat meat at all as it just seems to weigh me down and used to just make me feel energy deprived…
good luck girl!!!!
That’s interesting! I actually find that I can drink all the protein smoothies I want but I still find myself craving PROTEIN. Like, in FOOD form. Good for you for listening so carefully to your body. It’s a great decision, to at least try. Like you said, you can always go back 🙂 Can’t wait to hear how it goes!