To NEED to eat a nice juicy steak but to feel sick at the thought?

[WannaEatAJuicySteak]

Been a vegetarian for over 30 years and suffered what I know now are lots of issues due to it - low iron, hypothyroidism possibly due to years of low iron, lack of protein, obesity due to lack of protein and filling up on carby crap, extreme tiredness, dry skin and hair, crap nails, low immune function, stomach issues. The list could go on.

Latest is very low carnitine levels and you get carnitine from meat. I also do a lot of exercise so that explains why I’m not building muscle mass and my weight loss is so slow. GP doesn’t seem bothered but it was flagged up in a blood test for investigation into fatigue.

So enough is enough. I really NEED to start eating meat and I can envision eating a nice juicy steak in a peppercorn sauce in theory but I just find doing it in practise absolutely puke inducing! I’ve tried before with mince and chicken and I can’t get over the ‘stink of animal’ taste.

I cook meat daily for my DH and DC and they adore it. How such rabid carnivores came out of me I don’t know but I just can’t force myself to eat it.

I have a good vege diet now, lots of pulses, dairy products and veg, take supplements but it’s just not enough.

Please give me some tips on how to overcome this disgust. It is purely psychological.

How are you with spices?

I’d start with the least “meaty” meat possible. So chicken breast in a strong flavoured curry sauce, chilli made with mince and mince substitute (gradually adjust the proportions so you’re eating more meat) and then see how you go.

Bone broth?

Is it a taste or is it an ethical issue for you?

If the former, as pp said, spices. If the latter, maybe getting in really high welfare meat for you?

Ooh. I was veggie for 20 years and then got an urge to eat a bite of steak. Really primal urge. I ate one bite and felt better. Turns out I was pregnant. I’ve not eaten another bite since

Can you not just get it in pill form? Even if its come from animal products at least you dont have to taste it.
I can't imagine ever eating meat again but if you really have to would it be easier if someone else cooked it so you dont have to smell it cook then covered it in sauce?

I think you’re going too far too fast!

I’m a dyed in the wool carnivore getting plenty of carnitine (didn’t know it was a thing) and the thought of a steak often makes me feel ill too.

Why not start fish chicken?

Could you not sort your diet out without including meat? Lots of veggie things have iron and protein. I’m veggie, not had any issues (although we have well water that is overloaded with iron. Shall I send you a barrel!)

I'd take another look at your supplements and add a carnitine and possibly taurine supplement in there.

You do not have to source these from meat itself, there are supplements and if you aren't worried about being strictly vegetarian or vegan they are pretty easy to come by.

OP, what are you eating I’d you’re so low in all these things? My mother has been vegetarian for fifty odd years and while everyone is different her diet hasn’t stopped her from getting any vitamins or nutrients. I’m just wondering if you’re eating a very restricted diet?

It is also in cheese and milk and some veg so you certainly don't need to dive straight into eating steak to get it.

I would think if your GP were concerned, after having evaluated your diet, they would investigate further as to why you aren't getting enough, your body makes it after all, and stores it from food so if you don't have enough you are probably not making it, or unable to utilise what you do make/consume, which suggests something is wrong.

I am of the opinion you need to see a good dietician. A proper rounded vegetarian diet shouldn't be leaving you with these issues and deficiencies.

Why not engage a good nutritionalist to help you?

My own suggestions;

Bone broth has so many nutrients in it. Could you make a good chicken or beef broth (you can buy it if that's too ick but it's more expensive) and use that as the basis for nice veggie soups and stews?

The other thing that occurs to me is would it be easier to work up from a tiny amount well disguised? If you eat quorn mince, how about making a veggie bolognaise for you, a meaty one for your DH and stirring literally just a teaspoon of the meaty one into your big pot and eating that. Next day two tsp and build it in gradually. That would probably be much kinder on your GIT too, as your gut flora will need some time to adjust.

I would be interested to see a truthful weeks food diary actually.

It started as an ethical issue but now is more of a taste and texture one.

I understand lots of vegetarians manage fine but I’m obviously not one of them! I read up on the blood type diet a few years ago, which rang true, and my blood type is definitely that of a carnivore.

I know supplements aren’t absorbed as well as real food which is why I need to stop relying on them and eat real food.

My diet isn’t restricted at all. I generally just have vege alternatives like nut burgers or soya sausages and eat the same as the rest of the family. Lentils in place of mince. Can’t stomach Quorn anymore as I literally throw up afterwards.

Did look into bone broth a while back but couldn’t find any bones. No butchers around here.

Will try the idea of adding a small amount of beef mince into soya mince, thanks. Chicken is more disgusting to me than steak!

I'm a bit ignorant about this stuff but would you get enough carnitine from something like beef/chicken soup or broth e.g. from Oxo cube or soup where you cook the veg in with the meat so all the juices soak in but then you can just serve yourself a portion with minimal/no meat? Could be a good starting point even if not enough on its own.

Other than that agree with pps suggestion of a mince/veggie equivalent mix Bolognese or kebab type thing....whatever sort of meals you usually eat but half and half meat and veggie substitute so it's not such a big difference. Also to getting someone else to cook it for you.

Carnitine is created by the body, as long as enough protein is eaten, no matter what the source.

You could look at eating more beans, tofu, eggs and vegetables that are higher in protein, and top up with maybe fish or chicken occasionally. It's pretty hard to not eat enough protein, so it sounds like this may be down to poor dietary choices more than it is about being vegetarian.

Pork might also be a good gateway meat if you don’t have any religious restrictions. It has a much milder taste than beef. Pork curry / sweet and sour pork might work?

Why did you become vegetarian in the first place? I've found for some vegetarianism is the acceptable face of eating disorders and restricted eating.

Could you try 'mushed up' meat like mince, burgers, meat balls and nuggets. All can be easily disguised in sauces or part of dishes.

When I was pregnant with my youngest I actually craved raw meat.

How are you lacking protein? It's not that hard to get. I'm another one who would interested to know how bad your diet must be tbh. Can you not just take a supplement if you can't face steak?

Oh and I am the carb queen and I have never been overweight in my life.

@WannaEatAJuicySteak check out foreign markets, they usually have it. Or de-bone some chicken thighs (use meat for other meals) and add oxtail. Bone broth is well known to be great for digestive and overall health.

My diet isn’t restricted at all.

^^.
but it obviously is? Not splitting feathers but you need to be honest about your diet

I’m doing 16:8 at the moment so today I had a two egg cheese omelette and baked beans with two slices of seeded brown bread after my exercise at 3pm.

A banana, apple, blueberries and a high protein yoghurt for snacks.

Sticky (soya) chicken pieces with rice, stir fried veg and sesame seeds. A Bounty for dessert.

I do an hours interval brisk walking/running a day. Before lockdown I was in the gym 6 days a week.

If I wasn’t doing 16:8 I would have porridge with fruit for breakfast.

I make sure I have eggs and dairy every day for protein as well as soya or lentils/beans with dinner.

The fact that your lacking iron is just because you -highly probably - aren't eating the right things. But I read that you already considering eating beef so I guess it is not an ethical thing.

If welfare is still a concern then I can assure you that locally grass reared beef will have had a much better life than chicken or farmed fish .
No advice on the taste issue but hope you find a solution.