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?

No, not really!! I started off with seafood, then beef, then chicken. I don’t often eat pork or lamb (although I really like lamb, it’s more of a bbq food for us). I don’t eat farmed salmon. In fact I rarely have it unless it’s sushi.

I like Meera Sodha’s Fresh India book for recipes and I also get new ideas from Jamie’s 15/30 minute books- i goby the idea that if he can make it in 15 minutes I can probably have it on the table in 30 and that seems to work! Obviously they aren’t all veggie in those books, but they do offer some ideas.

Having said that, I have a couple of friends who went back to meat for their health after being veggie or vegan for years and years. One developed an autoimmune condition and had to give up all processed foods- she can have homemade hummus again now but for a long time it was only simple food: plain meat or fish, steamed green veg, fruits, and unprocessed carbs like potatoes, cooked on their own. No dairy either. She’s ok now but is still off processed things and wheat, dairy etc and so still eats meat.

I’ve been veggie for 38yrs. It’s a big part of who I am. I would never go back to eating meat or fish. I don’t want to be part of that.

I became a vegetarian at the age of 11. I stopped around mid last year, at age 26. I had been trying to get pregnant and some blood tests revealed anaemia amongst other issues and I decided it was best for my health. I feel amazing.

I’m allergic to tomatoes/nightshades, can’t tolerate large amounts of carbohydrate and live in hotels for 2/4 weeks of the month. It’s not easy when I’m not at home.

The increase of fake meat and loss of things like bean burgers or salads with eggs and cheese has been really noticeable for me.

Personally I think that eating some meat or fish is healthier for most people.

I have been vegetarian for a while (a few months) and by the end of it I felt really tired. I think I was anaemic. I felt much much better eating meat again. But if you've been vegetarian for 20 years I assume that's not a problem for you.

I am also trying to avoid upf. I eat quite a bit of venison as I think it's more sustainable than farmed meat.

I know someone who was veggie, then vegan, then went back to eating meat. She raises her own animals now too as she owns a small farm.

I'd recommend reading the book 'Real Food For Conception' purely for the research on vegetarian vs meat-eating. I was shocked that so much research shows vegetarian women find it more difficult to get pregnant and more difficult to have a healthy pregnancy.

I think if vegetarian, you need to be putting very serious thought into supplements etc.

Do you not eat any eggs? Eggs are such a good protein source that are completely non UPF...

I was a vegetarian for 17 years and went back to eating meat. I don't eat meat for every meal but having the option makes life so much easier. I reached a point where I could afford to buy high-welfare meat and made my decision based on that. I wouldn't go back to being veggie now.

Meh, there are areas in India in which pretty much everyone is vegetarian. Doesn't seem to stop them from reproducing!

Surely the answer is learning to cook? Plenty of vegan protein options, and it needn't be carbohydrate heavy unless you want it to be. Good quality vegan protein is also cheaper than good quality meat (not to mention healthier, better for the environment and animal welfare)

Yes I was veggie from mid-teens to late 20s and went back to eating meat mainly to lose weight and be healthier. I know it is possible to be a thin and healthy vegetarian but I found it extremely hard. I ate far too much pasta, carbs, cheese etc.

I still eat a lot of vegetarian food but the introduction of fish and a small amount of meat into my diet transformed my eating habits and health.

If you say so my dear!🤣

Someone who eats meat and fish finds the fact that they aren't vegetarian laughable.

Oh definitely, it's obviously possible to get pregnant while a vegetarian, but research does seem to show it is harder. In a society where everyone is vegetarian, then there is a strong food culture built up. However, without that long-standing food culture I think it's quite easy to end up not eating enough protein, B vitamins etc.

I've never been officially vegetarian but went through a period where I very rarely ate meat. I ended up severely anaemic because I hadn't put enough thought into what I was eating.

@consistentlyinconsistent i love your post, thank you for the inspiration and support. I think a few Mexican dinners are in order!

Im also the only cook in our household (husband does lots of other chores) and I think that’s weighing me down too. Think I’ll ask him to start making a meal a week to take the mundaneness away!

do what you want OP; no need to wonder what other people think.

i was a veggie for about 13 years but since november last year thought how much i missed having chicken. chicken curry was always a favourite for me.

so now i have chicken, once or twice a week. i buy it from a local farm shop where i know the chickens have had a good life. I wouldn't be able to eat pork, beef or lamb though; for me that would be a step too far.

Correct.

I turned to meat after 20 years. First meal was half a duck. It was great ☺️. I now 'grow' my own meat as animal welfare is a top priority to me. We grow all our own beef, chicken, duck and venison. Industrial meat: avoid chicken and pork unless high welfare. Fortunately there is much choice around. However, please don't think cooking meat is about ease. It took me a decade to learn to cook meat to the standard I cooked vegetarian. It requires knowledge of cooking time, temperature and seasoning. However, you are correct to think it helps avoid UPFs. I love the natural, unprocessed nature of a steak for example or lump of roast. Lard is a great unprocessed cooking fat. It is certainly true that the average person isn't eating enough protein, especially as we age. Even today, I know I don't eat enough.

Forgot to add, yes, I used to eat so much carb when veggie, I see that. When I transitioned to meat I suddenly found portion sizes dropped a lot (eg a plate of spag bol was half the size 😊😂)

I did, can’t remember why. Was a strict vegetarian and went back to eating chicken then other meat but never ate lamb or steak just because I don’t like it
Funnily I’ve now not eaten chicken for over 6 months after food poisoning and am back eating quorn..

Could you introduce some fish? Its so easy to flavour and goes with most things, plus you can buy a lot of sustainably sourced fish

I’m 90% vegetarian but don’t have an issue with eating animals per se, I have an issue with industrial level farming/fishing

these days I am very careful and picky about the meat and fish I eat but when I do I enjoy it. I suppose you have to think if it’s a slippery slope to becoming a proper carnivore or not. It’s not been for me.

Perhaps, although I’ve had 4 pregnancies and 3 babies, all conceived within 4 months of TTC so I’m not sure. Issues with fertility and conception are certainly increasing for lots of women though so I’m sure there’s an issue, I’m just not convinced a healthy vegetarian diet could be a leading cause. I’m 39 and very grateful to have had zero serious illnesses, with the exception of hyperemesis gravidarum.

Im perpetually tired though, not sure if that’s a lack of iron or having 3 kids under 8!

I have and don’t regret it but I really l like vegetarian meals and often still make them / choose them if I eat out because love the variety and choice. I don’t see it as a binary or black and white choice - I choose to eat lots of plants but also enjoy meat and fish etc. I think as a teen in the 90’s I liked a label 🙈😝, (plus my mums cooking was pretty dire) where meat was concerned which probably put me off it too plus ethically. But these days I can see the benefits of choice.