I just don't like meat, can anyone advise please?

[Sallygoround631]

I'm fairly healthy as far as i know, and slim, mid forties, relatively fit.

I don't need to alter my diet, but am noticing that I am not enjoying meat very much these days, and tend to eat it because it typically contains protein and iron. On the whole my meals are all homemade, even sauces, so it's fairly healthy by societies terms.
I usually buy organic chicken, wild fish or turkey, but am a bit fed up with all of it and crave to just throw some vegetables together with seasoning and whatever and make do with that.

And if I am so underwhelmed by meat, it doesn't excuse the bloody fortune I spend on it, either!

It may sound silly to many of you, so please go easy on me, but my reticence to give it up is purely for reasons of nutrition.
Is there a way I can directly manage to get protein and iron from non meat sources that would be as good for me? I am aware that heme (animal) iron is absorbed by the body more easily than veg, but am also aware that taking vit C with meals helps with this?

Can anyone suggest healthy foods to replace what I get from chicken and fish? I am happy to eat eggs and some cheese, but have not eaten red meat for over 25 years (never liked it).

I only very rarely get periods now, and they're usually light, so possibly not in need of massive amounts of iron but I have this insane fear of not getting what I need.

I love mediterranean style meals, and my current fave is spiralled courgette with mushroom, peppers, asparagus, garlic, tomato, seasonings, olive oil and my own pesto.
I also love avocado's and any kind of salad!

The only thing that doesn't agree with me is bread, thanks to IBS, but most other fresh stuff is fine so long as I don't overdo it (can only eat small amount of yogurt).

Any tips or advice would be massively appreciated. Please help me take the plunge..

I've been a vegan or vegetarian for years and my iron stores are fine. It isn't that difficult to get iron from a meat-free diet. You're right about vitamin C. I eat a lot of chickpeas, lentils and beans, tofu, leafy green veg, nuts, some dried fruit.

oh - and you mention protein too. Add eggs and cheese to the above list, most of which are good sources of protein too, apart from the leafy veg and fruit obviously.

If you’re making your own pesto could you shred some spinach in with the basil?

Middle Eastern recipes will use more lentils and chickpeas which are good sources of protein. Do you like humus?

What do you have for breakfast? Greek yogurt is a good source of protein and many cereals are fortified with iron.

Pulses (lentils / beans / chick peas) plus wholewheat grains provide the full range of amino acids / protein.

Try spelt or rye maybe?

Thank you!

I am not familiar with beans, pulses, etc, never really gravitated towards them and fear them a bit due to IBS.
I like spinach, nuts, most green veg.

Will definitely put spinach in my pesto!

I have a small breakfast usually, rise late-ish and wfh. So usually two ryvitas with cream cheese and an egg. Sometimes scrambled egg.
I actually love ryvita, which is just as well because oily crackers upset my gut.

What would be a decent example of a healthy meal, say, that would cover these nutrients?

Am interested in edamame beans, are these good?

Edamame beans are soy beans and yes they are delicious.

Orange juice with a multi vit if you are worried, cheese/eggs job done.
If you haven't eaten red meat for years and white meat isn't in any way vitl.. just drop the meat and embrace your inner veggie :) It doesn't need to be complicted!

(Family of veggies of several generations here!)

What about just taking a break from meat for a bit? I frequently have things in bed of and won't eat for ages and then it'll suddenly be back on the menu. Take a break, reassess later. In the meantime, enjoy those seasoned veggies!

I know, a change is as good as a rest, but have done this countless times only to end up here!

I will give it a go, i do like squeezed orange with some fizzy water and can take some vit C.
I think I've always feared giving up meat due to a short illness in childhood which left me anaemic. It was drilled into me to eat lots of healthy meat by the Dr, thankfully my parents were a little more balanced about it.

I was happy to find out a lot of my fave foods contain iron anyway, like nuts, figs, etc.

I love cooking and have the time to experiment, so do a lot of soups and so on. No matter how many lovely combinations of meat based meals I cook, I never really like them - just this sort of anti climax iyswim? I do like sea bass and salmon, but am often seriously underwhelmed and the stuff costs a fortune!

Could do with a good book with nutrition info for veggies!..

Thanks everyone.

well just been reading, seems there's more iron in handful of figs, nuts, than chicken. Interesting.

So don’t like meat either so I’ve not eaten it for about 30 odd years. Occasionally I try it. Still dislike it. I don’t understand eating something you’re not keen on.

@aibutohavethisusername

So don’t like meat either so I’ve not eaten it for about 30 odd years. Occasionally I try it. Still dislike it. I don’t understand eating something you’re not keen on.

what are your alternatives, mainly? A typical meal? i am a bit clueless to be honest, but learning!

I eat a lot of tofu, edemame, chickpeas (in form of hummus or crunchy).

I also try to incorporate lentils but I'm not a big fan of beans generally so don't eat them. So I sub with a shit ton of the other stuff.

Eggs can also get boring, and I find I'll rely to heavily on halloumi cheese so having other sources to rely on to hand is much easier. I really enjoy the ready marinated tofu that I can throw on the air fryer.

Anita Bean has a good book for veggies - and try the Doctors Kitchen website for recipes