Vegetarian craving meat

[starflake]

I'm 9 weeks today, I'm craving meat now about 5 weeks. It's literally tearing me apart, today I nearly caved & bought a chicken roll in a deli!
Is anybody else Vege & craving meat? If so how do you get passed it!! I'm vegetarian around 10 years so I really don't want to cave in & eat it....

I didn't tell her to eat meat.

I suggested things with iron, protein and fats.

So Hot yes that's true about safe as well.

Sadly into overdrive a bit, often.

@Mamabear12 you know one vegetarian, and this is where you're getting your information from? I disagree. The only thing you'd be lacking is willpower, which I can totally understand having previously eaten meat - there isn't much that truly matches the taste/texture of it. I've had moments of craving cheeseburgers, crispy bacon, those sweet and sour chicken balls you get from the Chinese, etc etc etc - tell me, what exactly is in any of those "foods" that my body actually needs, other than fat, empty calories and carcinogens? Literally nothing - apart from the taste, which I don't mind admitting that I miss, and in two years of being vegan haven't been able to replace. I wouldn't be human if I said I hadn't craved those things, but I definitely don't need them. From a health and safety perspective, logically it's safer to eat plant based (especially when pregnant) as you're avoiding all of the foods they tell you not to eat (certain cheese, fish high in mercury etc) and not preparing raw meat at home, which significantly lowers the risk of anything you might pick up from these. You can get all of your nutrients from plant based food, either naturally or fortified or with a supplement. Cravings are just cravings, that's all

I have been vegetarian for around 25 years and had serious cravings for red meat when pregnant with dc2. the rest of my family are meat eaters and I found myself with my face in their lamb roast dinners devouring the smell and was so, so tempted to hide in the kitchen and eat some. I haven't felt anything like it before or since. I feel your pain. no advice but I hope the craving passes quickly for you.

aliensprig I know one who decided to eat meat while pregnant. I actually know 3 in real life, one is a man, the other two are women. One did not eat meat during her pregnancy and she did not crave it. The other craved it so gave in and ate meat. The additional people are ones I read about. And also, I have had three pregnancies (currently my third) and I ate meat, prepared my own meats etc and never picked up anything, was never sick etc (knock wood as I am currently pregnant). I follow the guidelines and am VERY careful about handling anything raw, washing hands after, cleaning up after etc. In fact, my friend said two of her friends got sick from eating SALAD! So plant based diet does not keep you in the clear. And don't get me wrong, I am big on eating loads of veggies, fruits and salads...I always wash them carefully. I am not against vegetarian diets, I just believe if your body craves something, its telling you something. Especially if you were a vegetarian for many years no problem, and then suddenly ate meat. When I was a child I was a vegetarian for a year at the age of 10, after a year, I craved the meat and decided that I would eat it. I do believe in getting loads of nutrients from fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds etc. I eat loads of that while pregnant, but I also eat meat. Anyway, the pp will do what they want and feel is right.

I do not want to eat meat, I don't think physically I would be able to & even if I could actually eat it id be very afraid of the consequences I would do to my body & digestive system after not eating it for so long!
I do not believe my body needs it, I'm not even going down the road of explaining why as having spent 10 years of being vegetarian I'm exhausted telling meat eaters that protein can be sought elsewhere! A simple yogurt can give me enough protein like chicken! I'm not vegan, so i do eat a minimum amount of dairy but not a massive amount. My diet is perfect, I eat buckets of fruit & veg daily, just need to cope with the craving of meat! I'm craving sweets, I give in at times, but not every time, the meat cravings are constant! Right now I'd do anything for a big Mac!!! Again can't remember what they taste like but I want it!

It is bizarre how keen people are to get vegetarians to eat meat. The triumphant “oh your body is telling what it needs!” posts are very tedious.

Who is triumphant

The idea that medicine knows everything about pregnancy childbirth and breastfeeding and women should ignore their bodies has led to no end of trouble over the years.

Op_ maybe because its easy calories, with the salt fat protein combo that makes human brains think its Xmas (hence junk food is addictive!).

Oh and sugar mustn't forget that!

I'm not a vegeterian but ate very little meat pre-pregnancy. Now pregnant I get regular cravings for meat and I just can't say no. Hubby is a vegetarian but he says nothing bless him! I know I will go back to eating less meat once baby is here but now it is what it is. I would try to be relaxed about it. Cravings are almost impossible to ignore in pregnancy so if you want it, go for it!

Aw that sounds tough @starflake - I've been veggie for 11 years and like you am trying to cut down on dairy. My favourite "meaty" options are Linda McCartney pies and quarter pounder mozzarella burgers; Quorn southern fried chicken bites and Fry's schnitzels (frozen section at Sainsbury's).

100% listen to your body more than ever when you're pregnant. You're likely lacking protein.

I know a woman who is veggie and later on in her pregnancy she got quite ill and the doctor advised her to start eating meat until after the birth.

Worry less about the meat and more about you and the baby ☺️