To consider eating meat again?

[Werehalfwaythere]

Any long term vegetarians out there who started eating meat again?

Ive always enjoyed the flavour of meat but have been vegetarian for approx 20yrs. My husband and kids are vegetarian too by proxy and it’s been an easy way of life for us.

Im starting to get bored with the same protein options now though and the carb heaviness of our diet. I’m lacking inspiration and don’t have much time to cook with young children. Eating meat and fish again seems like a tasty and easy option.

But it feels incredibly weird to be considering it, even a nibble, and I’m not sure what to do!

Have you done it?

Did you regret it?

I've been vegetarian for a long time and don't remember what meat tastes like. I gave up eating animals because I didn't want to have anything to do with the cruel way animals are treated and killed.

However, if you don't have any ethical reasons for having given up meat, then I'm sure you'll be fine. I know people who have gone back to eating meat after being vegetarian and they coped.

@Maitri108 it was for ethical reasons initially, now as I age and become more tired and probably selfish, I’m wondering if the odd piece of fish or steak is worth it.

Am I missing out (and I do see it as missing out - I loved meat in my early life) for the sake of nothing? Am I actually making a difference?

Also, I’m starting to be more aware of UPFs, which I leaned on heavily in the past. So my diet now is more restrictive than ever.

Not keen on the idea of hormones in meat though 🤢

Depends on your ethical reasons.

Maybe just try fish.

Go for it. You’ll be far healthier

It's so much easier these days to buy good quality meat from ethical sources OP.

Honestly, it will be the best decision for you if you are trying to avoid UPFs.

British meat doesn’t contain added growth hormones.

Ive been veggie since 1980

I haven’t ever fealt the way you are at the moment but there are loads of alternative tasty food stuffs out there these days.

Perhaps treat yourself to a new recipe book or decide to try out new veggie dishes from different countries.

Perhaps this isn’t about eating animals again and more about being bored of your diet as you’ve got into a routine of eating the same stuff all the time. It’s quite normal for families to get into that sort of a food rut.

Of note if you’re eating a lot of carbs try cutting out carbs altogether a couple of days a week.

I stopped eating meat almost 40 years ago. Originally for ethical reasons as a teenager, but honestly, it's just habit now.

I don't think I could ever start eating meat again because I don't actually see it as food any more...I don't find it at all appealing, and the idea of it turns my stomach a bit. But I don't judge anyone who does eat meat and I don't think there is anything wrong with deciding to eat it again, if that's what you want to do. Just reintroduce it slowly, maybe, so that your body doesn't react badly.

Could you compromise and eat meat that you know has been produced as ethically as possible, even if it means paying more and not being able to have it as often?

That's rather a massive leap!

@APocketFullOfRye thanks, you’re probably right.

I feel like I lean too much on halloumi, paneer and tofu. I don’t have the time to cook much these days so I tend to think;

protein (cheese, tofu. chickpeas or lentils)

veg

carb (rice, pasta, bread, potatoes)

sauce (curry, Italian, condiment)

I think you’re right, I’m bored and maybe idealising meat. The ease of bunging a chop in the oven, fish in a pie, steak with some chips - all great meals in minutes. I’m also trying to heavily reduce UPFs

Agree @MrsBennetsPoorNerves
and obviously untrue since all research shows from a health perspective vegetarians live longer and healthier lives

but …..here we go again

I think I was a lot healthier when I was a vegetarian, I was certainly slimmer and my shopping bill was tiny!!

I started eating meat/fish again a few years ago when on holiday and fancied some seafood. I only buy free range organic, so it is expensive! I do enjoy it though.

@Coali did you feel guilty?

If you want to eat meat but you’re worried about how the animals are treated then avoid chicken and pork. Beef has the best life of any animal which is killed for meat. Lamb too but it’s life is just too short so even though I live on a farm I won’t eat lamb.

Maybe you're worrying too much about protein -very few of us get too little of it, but most people's diets in this country are lacking in fibre, which would be more of a problem if you went from a vegetarian diet to a "bung-a-chop-in-the-oven" mentality.
Given how expensive meat is, could you consider a plant-based meal subscription type thing instead (all plants is always coming up on my insta and looks delicious) or a new veggie cookbook - I like the Bosh! ones or anything by Meera Sodha?

I absolutely know what you mean by the comment ‘ the ease of bunging a chop in the oven’. We as veggies have to actually cook / or make up from scratch that thing that others can so easily just bung in the oven.

It’s at times like this that I would head off to Waterstones and browse over the many cook books there
Then Michael Mosleys books on cutting out carbs ( 5/2 diets etc ) ……just for some variety.

Go protein mad for a day a week with no carbs and you will feel quite invigorated.
Treat yourself to exotic fruit smoothies
Buy an ice cream maker

Treat yourself. Your saving loads not eating animals. It’s worth it !

I’ve been veggie for 36 years. I gave up meat because I didn’t like the taste or the texture. Have been reconsidering for the past few years as much veggie food seems to be a) mostly vegan, b) highly processed and c) designed to mimic meat. If it’s going to be like meat it would be more beneficial for me to just eat the meat! However there is a massive mental barrier because of the reasons I gave it up in the first place and a fear that my body doesn’t know how to process it anymore and it could make me ill.

Fake meat substitutes are for people who want the flavour and texture but without the cruelty.

Youre the opposite so I’d look at veggie recipes instead

Fish are the pork of the sea so make sure you cook them well. Could also try venison as it's the tuna of the forest so more bang for your buck.

Yes I did after about 15 years, because I never quite felt full and like you felt I was eating way too many carbs (in an attempt to feel full, especially in winter). I do struggle with guilt, but I buy my meat as ethically as possible, limit it to a couple of times a week and tell myself I'm an omnivore and my body is thanking me. I do feel better for it (and I really, really enjoy eating meat).

I’m a vegetarian but will eat meat/fish etc now and again for ease, mainly if we’re eating out at a restaurant and I don’t want whatever random veggie curry/pasta they’ve carelessly thrown together or I’m abroad in a country that isn’t so accepting of vegetarians. Ethically it doesn’t really sit right and I do have to try and take my mind off the fact that I’m eating dead bits of animal.. it’s not particularly enjoyable!

I was brought up a vegetarian, so had never had meat, but started too this year, taking it fairly slowly, started with fish and now having chicken soup etc

Entirely up to you OP you can try meat if you want to.

Sweet potato!