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Original poster

Eating meat after 20 years

35 replies

Led921900 · 29/12/2023 10:21

Hi all, I’m considering eating some meat after 20 years being a vegetarian.

My issue with eating meat is the ethics of farming and abattoirs. If I could farm and kill things myself I’d feel much better about it (of course not sure I could quite bring myself to do it when the time came but feels more respectful etc).
I’ve been looking at buying chicken from ethical farmers where they’re free range and grass fed, ideally though I’d like them to be slaughtered on site but don’t think there’s anywhere that does (or could legally) do this… does anyone know?

Just not sure I can eat it after all these years?! Anyone had or done similar? It’s so weird but it’ll be such a big thing to eat meat after all these years of carefully avoiding it!

OP posts:
ThreeRingCircus · 29/12/2023 10:23

Is there a reason you have chosen chicken as your first choice of meat to eat? I'd have thought grass fed beef would be better nutritionally and personally I think the method of slaughter (bolt) is kinder than chickens being hung upside down before being stunned?

MiddleagedBeachbum · 29/12/2023 10:27

What about trying wild game like pheasant, deer, rabbit etc?

I’m sure there’s a rule that stops farmers killing and selling the meat themselves as our local sheep farmer has to do it very discreetly and via the back door.

Original poster
Led921900 · 29/12/2023 10:27

I don’t really like the taste of red meat anyway and just don’t think I could eat that after 20 years as the flavours are so strong! Quorn is textured like chicken I’m not sure it’d be such a big jump.
I thought poultry and maybe salmon might be a place to start. If you can buy wild salmon?
I would like to find free range chickens raised and killed on a farm but I don’t think that’s legal in the UK for commercial chickens which is a shame as I’m sure the fact there’s no travel involved would be less distressing for the chickens?!

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AvengedQuince · 29/12/2023 10:30

I'd go with venison or locally raised beef. The bigger the animal the more people it will feed for one life taken.

DearMartha · 29/12/2023 10:31

20 years is a long time to be veggie, can I ask what makes you want to eat meat again now?

Original poster
Led921900 · 29/12/2023 10:32

MiddleagedBeachbum · 29/12/2023 10:27

What about trying wild game like pheasant, deer, rabbit etc?

I’m sure there’s a rule that stops farmers killing and selling the meat themselves as our local sheep farmer has to do it very discreetly and via the back door.

Yes I don’t think they legally can.
its just about the flavours if its strong I think it’ll be a bit much to start?! But definitely idea of wild food sits much better with me!

OP posts:
AvengedQuince · 29/12/2023 10:33

Just saw your update. Do you eat dairy? If so, you should consider rose veal. It's milder tasting than beef and it means that male dairy calves get to live longer. If there is not enough demand for veal then they are killed at birth.

Heyhoherewegoagain · 29/12/2023 10:33

I think chicken is probably a good start in terms of digestability…I’m far from an expert on it, but I think that’s the issue a lot of people can have if they’ve not eaten meat for a long time.

I have no comment to make on ethics as I do eat meat!

tinyracoon · 29/12/2023 10:34

I'm not veggie, but I do really care about animal welfare for meat.

I live rurally and through asking around I've found out about a small local farm that meets my standards for welfare, although the meat is expensive! I'm talking £18/20 for a chicken but for me, I'd rather eat chicken once every 2 months and know it's been ethically produced than twice a week.

I also listened to the Chris Van Tullekan series on chicken, and he visited Daylesford organic who do slaughter in-house - not sure if it's possible to order direct from there!

Original poster
Led921900 · 29/12/2023 10:34

DearMartha · 29/12/2023 10:31

20 years is a long time to be veggie, can I ask what makes you want to eat meat again now?

I have young children who eat meat. I did used to like the taste but not the ethics. I’m trying to eat healthier and lose some weight but I’ve always struggled to feel satiated on veggie protein sources unless I topped things off with cheese which (even reduced fat) isn’t great for dieting!
I can see my kids chicken in the fridge and think it’d be much better to have some of that with veggies. And I used to like salmon steaks so I just wonder whether it’s time to bring back some meat if I can try and do it as ethically as possible.

OP posts:
Original poster
Led921900 · 29/12/2023 10:36

tinyracoon · 29/12/2023 10:34

I'm not veggie, but I do really care about animal welfare for meat.

I live rurally and through asking around I've found out about a small local farm that meets my standards for welfare, although the meat is expensive! I'm talking £18/20 for a chicken but for me, I'd rather eat chicken once every 2 months and know it's been ethically produced than twice a week.

I also listened to the Chris Van Tullekan series on chicken, and he visited Daylesford organic who do slaughter in-house - not sure if it's possible to order direct from there!

Of that’s great thanks, will have a look!
i don’t mind the £20 if it’s been raised and killed well! This would only be occasionally.

OP posts:
HairyToity · 29/12/2023 10:38

No idea. My cousin is veganish. She eats mostly vegan diet but will have occasional fish, grass fed high animal welfare organic beef/lamb, free range high welfare eggs locally sourced via someone she knows etc. Maybe she has one or two meals a month that aren't vegan. Works for her. The purists would be outraged.

I'm not vegan or vegetarian or pescetarian as I don't have time / headspace for doing myself separate meals to husband and kids. I can't face arguments of trying to get my family to he veganish with me.

I was on my own I would be veganish though.

OneMoreTime23 · 29/12/2023 10:38

Been having the same dilemma for the past 2-3 years. It’s 35 years since I ate meat and I gave it up because I don’t like the taste or texture.

unfortunately food manufacturers seem to be on a mission to make veggie foods mimic meat so even they aren’t a suitable alternative now. :-(

moosmama123 · 29/12/2023 10:46

@HairyToity that's not very veganish.

TheWeatherOutsideIs · 29/12/2023 10:49

I mean… if you’re buying chicken etc for your kids, are you buying all of the ethically raised stuff for them? You’re still contributing even if you’re not the one eating it?

I personally buy organic grass fed meat, dairy and eggs for the nutrient value rather than the ethics, but they are raised better and have a better quality of life.

leap salmon is wild Atlantic line caught and is all I buy.

be warned: it’s expensive! But imo you can’t put a price on your health. Forego the takeaways and junk food and it’s easily affordable.

AvengedQuince · 29/12/2023 10:49

moosmama123 · 29/12/2023 10:46

@HairyToity that's not very veganish.

I'd say one or two non vegan meals a month, so 98% vegan meals is very veganish.

Scampuss · 29/12/2023 10:51

I was vegetarian and occasionally vegan for around 20 years to before returning to meat. I started with lamb. We had a nearby farm shop who slaughtered/butchered on site.

Original poster
Led921900 · 29/12/2023 10:53

Also if I go for it can anyone recommend any easy but tasty chicken and salmon recipes. Maybe that oddly DONT bring out the full meaty flavour but offer a nice seasoning or marinade instead? I’m not used to cooking meat so would have to be simple!

I did previously buy a £20 high welfare chicken but”chickened out’ and fed it to the rest of the family instead!

OP posts:
MrGruber · 29/12/2023 10:57

Good suggestions on this thread .. on a more basic note , though ,OP (Emetophobia trigger warning )

  • watch out for possible unexpected digestive difficulties after this gap.. I remember after her 1st small portion of chicken after X vegetarian years . my friend spending an afternoon vomiting violently , no other digestive issues usually - I never asked if she persevered .

    btw I found with restarting eggs they can seem difficult to digest , even to a milk chocolate & crisps addict like me

tinyracoon · 29/12/2023 11:04

Ooh you could also try locally caught rainbow trout rather than salmon - it's very like salmon but has a milder taste which might be good to start with 😊

Cynderella · 29/12/2023 11:15

I don't eat meat, and I brought up my children not eating it either. I did used to like some meat, but not mince and burgers, so I didn't bother too much with soya which was pretty much all there was before Quorn. We used to have LM sausages in a toad in the hole, and one of my kids likes fakes sausages, burgers and nuggets. Once they were teenagers, it was up to them, but none of them eats meat or fish although they've been in relationships where meat's been cooked and eaten in the house.

My iron levels can drop, so I have considered re-introducing meat , but I feel bad enough eating dairy without further propping up the cruelty of the dairy industry by eating beef. And there is the environmental issue of cows and climate.

My compromise has been fish - it gives more options for some quick meals at home and eating out. I am also swayed by the fish oil argument although I know there are alternatives.

Original poster
Led921900 · 29/12/2023 11:59

My kids only had white meat and fish as they’re not suppose to have quorn under 3 “because it's very high in fibre and low in fat, it can fill your baby up without giving him the energy he needs. So mycoprotein isn't usually recommended for babies under three years old”.
but I found childminder and school as well as older family members really struggled and kept accidentally giving other meat so I gave up! They don’t eat it at home as I don’t buy or cook it except some chicken or fish fingers!
I’ve emailed a local farm and have also emailed Daylesford organic. So will see what they say, undecided for now! Eeep.

OP posts:
Original poster
Led921900 · 29/12/2023 12:03

MrGruber · 29/12/2023 10:57

Good suggestions on this thread .. on a more basic note , though ,OP (Emetophobia trigger warning )

  • watch out for possible unexpected digestive difficulties after this gap.. I remember after her 1st small portion of chicken after X vegetarian years . my friend spending an afternoon vomiting violently , no other digestive issues usually - I never asked if she persevered .

    btw I found with restarting eggs they can seem difficult to digest , even to a milk chocolate & crisps addict like me

I wonder if it was cooked right?!! But yeah I could imagine some of that even the high protein meal. I think my fitness pal puts my protein 20-30g a day so much less than most people I think! And upping that could cause digestive issues I’m sure!

OP posts:
Andthereyougo · 29/12/2023 12:10

Sounds like an awful lot of hassle to eat a dead animal. It’s still been killed for you to eat, no matter how it was done. Why not just stay vegetarian?

mynameiscalypso · 29/12/2023 12:12

You can buy Daylesford meat on Ocado.

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