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AIBU?

To start eating meat after being veggie for 27 years

74 replies

Sleepswithbutterflies · 11/07/2014 11:34

I became veggie when 4 years old.

Sadly over the last few years I have developed allergies to soya, quorn and nuts.
We are struggling massively to get pregnant and at our last ivf cycle my eggs were completely screwed.
I'm wondering if it is to do with the fact I basically have no protein in my diet. In studies high protein diets have shown to increase egg quality quite well. I'm only 31 and have good egg reserve so in theory my eggs shouldn't be so useless. I've checked and I'm supposed to have about 40g a day for my weight. I reckon I manage less than half of that on a normal day.

I'm contemplating eating meat (even though it goes against everything I believe in and I don't even like the smell / taste of it very much from what I can remember) - would it likely make me ill after not eating it for such a looonnng time? I remember liking turkey and sausages but not fish, beef or lamb. I'd probably only eat white meat tbh.

Shall l do it? Fertility wise I'm in last chance saloon.

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Misspilly88 · 11/07/2014 11:35

I have no advice but I'm excited for you....meat is great! And surely worth a try :)

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Sleepswithbutterflies · 11/07/2014 11:37

And I know loads of people seem to get pregnant in the blink of an eye regardless of diet / general health. God I work with drug addicts who have horrific health problems and get pregnant accidentally easy peasy. So I conclude for most people general health and diet doesn't matter.

But I guess I need to feel I'm doing everything I can.

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ObfusKate · 11/07/2014 11:39

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Lottapianos · 11/07/2014 11:40

I started eating meat recently after about 5 years of bring pescetarian. It feels good! Go for it, eat what you fancy. Just expect some weird comments from people who can't get their heads around it. Ignore them, obviously

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Middleagedmotheroftwo · 11/07/2014 11:40

There are other ways of increasing your protein intake than eating meat, aren't there? Or is something lke protein powder manufactured from meat?

My other concern (sorry OP) is that your eggs are already formed (aren't they?), so would it make that much difference if you increase your protein intake at the age of 31?

(Disclaimer - I know nothing really!)

If you do decide to go for it, and start eating meat, I would start very slowly and increase your intake over several weeks/months. Your digestive system may need some time to get used to the idea.

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ObfusKate · 11/07/2014 11:41

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fedupbutfine · 11/07/2014 11:41

I was veggie for 20 years....and then when pregnant with my 3rd child, the only thing I wanted to eat for the whole pregnancy was bacon (don't ask me how I knew, I just did!) . It didn't make me ill and although I still eat nearly all vegetarian, I do have meat as well. Maybe start with one meal and see how it goes? I can appreciate you need to feel like you must do everything you can...but very hard as well when taking into account your beliefs that made you veggie in the first place. Good luck!

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LastTango · 11/07/2014 11:41

I was veggie for about 20 years. I now eat chicken, bacon, pork (occasionally). Mainly chicken. No, I don't think it will make you ill, but take it easy to start with until your system gets used to it. Good luck.

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RufusTheReindeer · 11/07/2014 11:42

Agree with middle re working your way up slowly

Although I do have a friend that had a massive steak as her first meat meal...she was absolutely fine

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Sleepswithbutterflies · 11/07/2014 11:42

I don't know - apparently high protein diets can make a difference. You're born with all your eggs but the quality can vary month to month. Seemingly you can make better or worse ones depending on the circumstances.

I'm eating eggs and yogurt and drinking milk but I'm still nowhere near the recommended amount of protein.

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Sleepswithbutterflies · 11/07/2014 11:44

The clinic recommend upping protein so conclude it must do something!

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ObfusKate · 11/07/2014 11:44

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Sleepswithbutterflies · 11/07/2014 11:45
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MrsAtticus · 11/07/2014 11:47

I started eating meat after 20 years of being veggie. Completely different reasons to you and have no advice regarding your fertility. I found I needed to start having just tastes of meat, and gradually built up from there. I now eat a lot of meat, and I feel stronger. I know you can get protein and iron from elsewhere, but meat can be an easy fix.
If you have moral concerns then organic meat would be a good idea, and probably better for you as well.
One thing I found with getting used to eating meat was that I thought starting with chicken and stuff like that would be easier, but in fact that has more bones and other stuff that can freak you out if you're not used to it, whereas something like beef can be a bit easier as you can get slabs of meat without any bones or grissle in (sorry tmi!)

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piratecat · 11/07/2014 11:47

personally i couldn't touch meat after that long!

what about a little research into proteins

interesting article

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 11/07/2014 11:50

Most proteins powders are vegetarian (keep an eye out for soya though).

Seitan is also very very high in protein and very easy to make (the bought stuff can be pretty rank)

Then of course there are all the beans and pulses etc.

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Birdsgottafly · 11/07/2014 11:51

I'm Vegan, I have eaten meat in the past.

Oddly enough, when I was having fertility problems, I was advised to eat Clean Vegan.

I conceived twice.

Because you eat dairy products, you should be fine to eat meat.

Do you eat Fish? I would start off with Fish and then move to Chicken Soup etc.

But not daily, so you can judge where any upset stomach issues are coming from.

Can you not eat Chick Peas?

I don't understand how you are eating Vegetables, yet having no Protein.

I've been lucky to have Hindu Vegan Doctors, Nutritionists, so was given good factual information before I did my own research.

Don't assume the amount of meat that you are eating and the quality is providing all of the amino acids that you need (Protein level needs are a myth).

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Sleepswithbutterflies · 11/07/2014 11:54

Well I do eat vegetables but don't think the protein levels are anywhere near as high?
I need to log stuff I eat in the my fitness pal - thank you for that idea, hasn't thought of that!

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PosyFossilsShoes · 11/07/2014 11:56

If you would only eat white meat you might do better with protein powders. I had to eat a high-protein diet about five years ago when I was training for an athletic event, and although I do eat meat, I mostly eat vegetarian at home.

You can get them in all sorts of flavours, turn them into milkshakes and eat them in porridge. I would have a protein porridge in the morning and then a protein milkshake after training.

Is it all nuts you are allergic to? I ate a LOT of peanut butter but you can also now get cashew butter, almond butter etc.

Eggs are a really good source of protein. So are kidney beans. How about fish oil tablets? If you're willing to eat the product but don't like the taste…

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Birdsgottafly · 11/07/2014 11:57

Just to add if you want good advice about Vege high Protein diets, look at the Vegan athlete websites.

Eating meat isn't always the most efficient method of getting Protein.

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Birdsgottafly · 11/07/2014 12:00

You don't seem well informed about Protein levels in food.

But Lysine and the other animo acids are as important as Protein.

There are loads of information sites, even on FB.

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Sleepswithbutterflies · 11/07/2014 12:03

No I guess I'm not really.

I've just always known meat, cheese, eggs, nuts, pulses, soya etc to be good sources of it and some of those I can't or don't have.

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LadyGnome · 11/07/2014 12:03

I would consider starting to eat some oily fish if you want to include more animal protein in your diet. Omega 3 fatty acids can also be useful if you are trying to conceive.

I have conceived whilst fully veggie and whilst pescatarian both PG were similar, both DC's are healthy etc.

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MaidOfStars · 11/07/2014 12:05

Most proteins powders are vegetarian

This. There is a reason weightlifters neck whey protein drinks.

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dolicapax · 11/07/2014 12:06

It's really up to you but it does sound as if your intolerances are resulting in a rather restricted diet, which won't be helping your general health. My DH was veggie for ethical reasons for 25 years. He then started eating meat and fish because due to his working hours he wasn't able to get a balanced veggie diet. His health, fitness and appearance have improved as a result.

Vegetarian diets can be wonderfully healthy, but they do require a little more thought to attain the correct balance of nutrients, not just protein.

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