Why are you vegetarian? And advice needed.

[biggirlknickers]

I walked passed the back of our local abattoir yesterday morning and I haven’t touched meat since.

The sounds of sheep bleating, a cow calling, men shouting and a couple of loud pops that I suspect may have been a bolt gun.

The sight of a van with empty meat hooks just waiting for the next carcasses.

The smells of a farm - but knowing that it wasn’t a real farm.

I think I’ve just become a vegetarian.

So tell me, why are you a vegetarian?

And what advice do you have for me as a newbie?

My main concern is that DP and DC all eat meat. Meals are hard enough to plan already with fussy children and busy lives. Secondary concern is that I know after a few days I’m going to start craving it! I really don’t want to give in.

If I can’t face the reality of what goes on in an abattoir I have no right to eat meat.

I've been veggie since I was 7, when I started to properly understand where meat comes from.

My advice is probably just not to overthink it too much! There are loads of meat substitutes if you have a meat craving (Procrastatron's list is pretty good!).

My family still ate meat when I was growing up and it wasn't too much of a hassle. My mum would cook veggie for everyone some nights and then just give me a substitute others (e.g. veggie sausages if they were having normal sausages). It doesn't need to be stressful! Just make sure you're getting plenty of protein, iron & vitamin b12.

I'm veggie. Just could never quite get my head around eating meat tbh. The Green Roasting Tin is an excellent cookbook - half veggie half vegan - if you're looking for some meal inspiration. Some absolutely delicious and really easy recipes.

I’m a vegetarian (actually close to vegan) because I don’t want to eat flesh, and because I don’t want animals to die to satisfy my tastebuds.

Best tip is - it gets easier. I missed meat when I gave it up but now several years later the thought of it really turns my stomach.

I'm 50, have been veggie since I was 12.

I simply cannot stand the thought of eating another beings flesh, I also hate the appalling cruelty of the whole process and more recently, am appalled by how eating meat impacts on the environment.

I've raised 2 dc as vegetarians and they're now 16 & 19 and thankful I've spared them from ever eating meat. They are happy remaining veggie and are both very healthy.

It's totally normal amongst my circle of friends and meat eaters are actually in the minority when we all get together!

Dh and I decided to gradually reduce meat to probably only once a week/10 days. We do eat fish a few times a week as well.

I’d love to go full veggie but hate the texture and taste of beans and pulses so I’m worried I’d just end up eating cheese to get protein, which I think would be unhealthy. I really don’t like meat. “substitutes”, I don’t see the point in pretending to eat meat.

I really don’t like meat. “substitutes”, I don’t see the point in pretending to eat meat.

You can’t see why people who like the taste and texture of meat but don’t want to eat animals might like to eat something similar?

I personally think killing animals to eat is abhorrent, however what I find even worse is the conditions animals are kept in. I always find it odd when we have threads on here about slaughter, yet those same posters who are meat eaters are generally happy to pay people to inflict cruelty on those animals for their entire life.

Agreed. I think there is huge cognitive dissonance going on for those who declare themselves animal lovers yet eat meat.

I am veggie because I respect all life, I try to avoid any killing of animals or insects. Why are we more important just because we are bigger and (mostly) smarter? Why do we have the right to eat them?

I haven't eaten meat since the foot and mouth crisis in early 2000s? I remember a local farm had to have their entire herd destroyed, and seeing the lorries lined up full of straw bales and railway sleepers absolutely broke my heart. I didn't sleep for days afterwards, I had a really strong reaction to it.

I will cook meat for the family still, but buy the most ethical we can afford and nearly always freeze it so I don't ever have to throw it away unused/out of date. 2 out of my 3 DDs are also vegetarian now they're adults. I also have oat milk/sunflower spread.

I’m a pescatarian - eat fish very rarely these days but do still occasionally have it.

I stopped eating meat about 5 years ago - there was a thread on mumsnet about halal slaughter and I started reading up on that, then slaughter generally, and I realised I couldn’t stomach the idea really. Red meat always triggered my IBS anyway so I decided to give that up then just thought why not give up the lot.

I have never missed it really, occasionally I miss the idea of eg a traditional Christmas dinner but I’m very happy with what we make instead.

DH eats meat though he’s happy to eat the same meals as me (his dad is vegetarian so he’s used to eating this way). When I first made the change I would offer to do separate meals, or tell him when he was cooking to do what he wanted and I’d just eat the veg but he never really sees the point - very very occasionally he’ll get himself some meat to cook but usually just saves it for eating out and take always. DD started weaning 5 months ago and we offer her meat occasionally.

I’m not mad on meat replacements but I do like the cauldron Lincolnshire sausages as does DH. We sometimes get the Sainsbury’s frozen vegan ‘meatballs’ too. I like the Aldi veggie range of burgers, sausages etc which are made of actual veggies rather than soya and tonight we had Lidl vegan burgers which were made of chickpeas (actually the ingredients list was all ‘real’ food which impressed me).

Mary Berry does a great lentil cottage pie recipe - I use that lentil base for bolognase type pasta as well.

I like veggie fajitas with a tin of kidney beans or black beans too.

Actually during lockdown 1 we received some quorn nuggets as a really random substitution for something or other - waste not want not we had them with oven chips and ketchup and they were amazing I haven’t bought them again but I do think about it fairly often!

I’m vegetarian (I don’t eat dairy, but still eat eggs so not quite a vegan!) and have been for almost 40 (!) years. I find it really easy to eat out these days - it wasn’t when I was younger, but I can eat out anywhere now and there are so many options.

My main tip is: don’t bother with meat substitutes (burgers, veggie mince, etc). They’ll probably just make you miss meat. Eat naturally vegetarian food instead, there is so much of it! And it’s delicious.

Do you like cooking from recipes? If so, Hugh FW “Veg ever day” book is good. Also check out Bosh.

Or what about a subscription box? Gousto has a lot of veggie recipes, and there’s Mindful Chef, which is all vegan, and so many more. That might give you a head start in thinking of some new veggie favourites?

Forgot to add: I’m vegetarian (almost vegan) for ethical reasons - the cruelty and killing is too much for me to stand. And also, it’s much better for the environment!

Not only that, but eating (well) as a vegetarian / vegan is so healthy.

I do take B-vitamin supplements though.

I'm a pescetarian and I don't eat dairy ether. In my opinion the dairy industry is crueller than eating fish, so it makes sense to me.

I haven't eaten meat for so long that don't remember the taste (about 25 years). I like meat substitute foods although mainly for the convenience, eg veggie sausages on the BBQ.

@LizzieSiddal

Dh and I decided to gradually reduce meat to probably only once a week/10 days. We do eat fish a few times a week as well.

I’d love to go full veggie but hate the texture and taste of beans and pulses so I’m worried I’d just end up eating cheese to get protein, which I think would be unhealthy. I really don’t like meat. “substitutes”, I don’t see the point in pretending to eat meat.

Agree with you on meat substitutes.

Ella Mills (deliciously Ella) was on a podcast the other day talking about how you don’t find people who are protein deficient - it isn’t really a thing. It’s so much easier to get protein than we think. I haven’t looked into that claim, but I found it interesting!

I'm semi-vegan (one of two servings of cheese a week). There are just so many delicious veggies to eat. It definitely does take longer to make vegetables taste delicious. But I feel great not eating meat, and I don't often miss it.

I cook mostly veggie meals and add cheese or meat on the side for the kids.

*You can’t see why people who like the taste and texture of meat but don’t want to eat animals might like to eat something similar?

No because it’s usually got 101 ingredients in it, so is very processed.

Veggie 23 years. I was in a meat market in South America, there were cows heads hanging up and it just made me really think about what I was eating.
I'd feel sick if I ate meat now.

@LizzieSiddal

*You can’t see why people who like the taste and texture of meat but don’t want to eat animals might like to eat something similar?

No because it’s usually got 101 ingredients in it, so is very processed.

I agree that relying on them for most meals isn’t a good idea but there’s absolutely a place in my life for Richmond vegan sausages and fake chicken nuggets.

@LizzieSiddal

*You can’t see why people who like the taste and texture of meat but don’t want to eat animals might like to eat something similar?

No because it’s usually got 101 ingredients in it, so is very processed.

So do lots of foods. I don't really like them but can definitely see why people do.

Not RTFT as I can’t be bothered with the vitriol that veggies and vegans get on MN or the dull idiots with their “why would you eat a veggie sausage but not a meat one” crap.

But veggie most of my life and (nearly) vegan for 3 years (when drunk I have been known to have some cheesy chips)
It’s so so much easier than it was 10 years ago!
I don’t eat a lot of meat substitutes but the Richmond veggie sausages are very nice occasionally.
Have a look at BBC good food, vegan Richa, rabbits and wolves, oh my veggies for excellent meal ideas (OMV does really good meal plans too).
You shouldn’t dtruggle for veggie food in restaurants anymore but sometimes worth a quick check.

For me it's that I don't like the idea of what meat is, if that makes sense. Like, biting into a chicken leg turns my stomach as much as if I was going to bite into your leg. Yuk! Through not eating meat I've gradually gone off the taste of it as well, although very occasionally I will feel like eating some, then afterwards feel a bit sick again at the idea of what I've eaten.

@lastqueenofscotland

Not RTFT as I can’t be bothered with the vitriol that veggies and vegans get on MN or the dull idiots with their “why would you eat a veggie sausage but not a meat one” crap.

But veggie most of my life and (nearly) vegan for 3 years (when drunk I have been known to have some cheesy chips)
It’s so so much easier than it was 10 years ago!
I don’t eat a lot of meat substitutes but the Richmond veggie sausages are very nice occasionally.
Have a look at BBC good food, vegan Richa, rabbits and wolves, oh my veggies for excellent meal ideas (OMV does really good meal plans too).
You shouldn’t dtruggle for veggie food in restaurants anymore but sometimes worth a quick check.

When I was young, it was vegetarians who got all the hate. Now it’s vegans. It drives me crazy too. I think it’s people’s guilt making them defensive and a bit mean

I've been vegetarian for 5 years. My partner has been veggie all of his adult life, so when I moved in with him I suppose he converted me! I do believe it has a positive impact on animal welfare and the environment. Partner always says how much easier I have it compared to when he was a new veggie, as there are loads of really convenient options nowadays. I try to balance this with more homemade pulse-based dishes.

I was never a huge fan of 'meaty' tastes, steaks and such, would usually choose chicken or fish back when I did eat meat. Can't say I ever crave meat. When I eat with carnivore family members we either share a veggie option that they like (falafel, bean burgers) or I just substitute one part of the meal.

Recent veggie meals (I am not much of a cook so all very simple):
-The Great Escalope from the Vegetarian Butcher (tastes a bit like schnitzel) with fried potatoes and veggies.
-Green Cuisine no-meatballs in tomato sauce with pasta
-Green curry with chickpeas, rice and lots of veg
-Tofoo brand tofu in a stir fry with noodles
-Chili with black beans and kidney beans
-Shepherds pie made with green lentils as a mince replacement
-Aldi sweet potato pakora with salad
-Co-op Gro Incredible Burger (contains beetroot juice so it 'bleeds') peas and chips
-Quorn chicken style pieces in tortillas

You get the picture! Really most carnivore meals can be adapted with very little effort. I think going full vegan would be much harder work (I do drink oat milk but I love real cheese, yoghurt and eggs too much).

I live in rural England in a naice county and in my road is a barn where cows are kept. They are never, ever let outside and they cannot move more than a few steps. Lots of the time they are deep in their own excrement (mixed with hay). The farmer drives up early in the morning to feed them, he's gone after 15 mins. He comes back about 5pm to feed them again and then he leaves after a while. And that's it. They can't see out as their fenced walks are quite high (but I can see in as I walk past on a slope). So they literally just stand or sit in the same small space all day long for months on end. After a few months a lorry comes to take them to the abattoir and a couple of days later the next crop come in. The first few nights are awful... they 'cry' non stop until they get used go their little prison.
And that's it. The life of many cows in the UK.
Farmer is buying them young, fattening them up and selling them on. No calving or anything.

And what really irks me is I always wonder if he's selling to one of the farm shops or butchers round here and they sell it as "locally reared beef". But I like to hope they'd know their meat sources personally and wouldn't buy from him. Who knows.

I the term 'farmer' loosely there.

That's very sad