Meat cravings (merged twice)

I've been a vegetarian for over a year--technically lacto-veg, I guess. I was diagnosed with mono about a week ago--I've had it for a few weeks now. That may be irrelevant, but anyway....For several weeks now I have been positively craving meat! Why in the heck would that be? Could I be deficient in a vitamin? Could it be related to the mono?? I'm scratching my head here, while I try to resist the urge to down a quarter pounder (just kidding).

 

You can always have my meat - it will satisfy your craving, and you can still consider yourself a vegetarian!

 

Hm, try perhaps reviewing whatever reason made you switch, if for ethical reasons, that would probably be the easiest to review, watch another video on the topic or read one of the tear-jerking exerpts. I haven't had a single craving since I made the switch, but I imagine it is just those darn fast food commercials Whatever the reason, I am sure the craving will pass, and just remember that cravings or no, you are making a world of difference. Just in case, pay more attention to your diet for a while, and perhaps take up a supplement or a daily vitamin if your cravings don't go away.

Best wishes!

 

I think a year after I became a vegetarian, I had a craving for clam chowder and ate some, four years later, I am still a vegetarian and haven't eaten meat intentionally since. We all have cravings and moments of weaknesses, but if they persist over a long period of time, then chances are you're not a vegetarian and should maybe consider changing your diet.

 

I had a major meat craving today... actually the first one I've had since I stopped eating meat almost two months ago. You know what I did? I just didn't eat any meat. I talked about it, and how much easier it'd be if I just ate meat, but in the end I don't want to live a lazy easy life, I want to be challenged and feel good about my decisions on a day to day basis. I guess the same went for when I quit smoking almost 9 months ago (wow, just realized big year for changes for this kid)... there were times where I wanted one, but I didn't take the *easy* way out. Just think about WHY you became a vegetarian.

 

It's normal to crave meat, especially since you've been eating it your whole life. Just stay strong and don't give in to your cravings! I've been vegan for two years and every now and then i get cravings for meat, but then i just think of where it came from and the amount of pain that animal went through and my cravings go away...then i usually feel guilty for even wanting it!

 

Your cravings are perfectly normal and natural since man is a herbivore.

You can remain a veg and still occasionally give into the desire for a nice thick juicy steak.

Perhaps some New Zealand Elk, Nigai Antelope, or even some Venison :drool:



Hotwater

 

hotwater that just made me feel sick tomy stomach
i guess my 1st year or 2 veg i had occassional cravings for things i once enjoyed..i think its part of the process
theres microscopic organisms that live inside u and breakdown meat..these die off over time..as theyre dying ioff theyre starving to death so they probly release some sorta substance that makes u crave theyre food
remember though..meat is theyre food, not yours..once theyre dead you can no longer diggest meat
by a year or 2 you'll get violenty ill if you attempt to eat meat..you just cant digest it snymore
after a few years, everything about meat will make u sick
its been 20 years now for me and theres no going back even if i wanted to..which i never would
your at the point now where u can decide wether your to stick by your conviction or go back to a more unhealthy and inhappy lifestyle

 

Where I used to live there was an active slaughterhouse where they herd the unfortunate cattle into and kill them...then butcher them...if you ever went inside the old building , you would NEVER look at meat the same way again ....it is not huamne in any fashion !

 

Hotwaters post made no sense..."since man is a herbivore"...!?
Herbivore meaning "eats plants and vegetables"...
Very confusing and misleading, aswell as contradictory.

Anyway, about the "craving" thing. I had it in my first year too...you could definitely be lacking in certain vits and minerals...it takes time and practise to learn how to balance a healthy vegan/veg diet after depending on meat for so long. Try eating a wider variety of vegetables. Also research vitamins and minerals and see which foods that contain them you arent taking in.

Otherwise, it could just be adjustment, or as someone else said, perhaps you need to review your decision

Xx

 

You could also try Quorn products, if youre lacto-veg. They taste wonderful and have the same feel and consistancy as meat. Oh, and do you eat many nuts and seeds?

 

I think cravings are a pretty natural part of going veg - although I haven't had one in forever. Now might be a good time to check up on your nutrition like drumminmama suggested, make sure you're getting all your vitamins. If you're vegan, B12 may be lacking, or perhaps iron. Research vegetarian nutrition & make sure you eat your greens - sometimes cravings can signal that your body is missing something. Hope you get rid of that mono & get healthy again soon!

 

Thank you all so much for your responses! (At least the ones that weren't off the wall )

I went veg for two reasons--I was grossed out by things I learned about the meat industry and decided that this was NOT good stewardship of the earth to be eating animals--particularly those killed in factory farming practicing. Also, I decided that for health reasons, I really did not need to be eating meat--certainly not to the extent that I was!

I have specifically craved chicken dishes, which is odd, because I've never been a huge fan of the particular things I was/am craving.

I have been eating oddly for me--waaaay more bread/sugar products and not cooking from scratch like I usually do. I've bought convenience foods that my kids and husband can easily fix while I'm out of commission. I have been in NO MOOD for greens/salads, so I've just been eating lots of starchy stuff.

I will try to find some easy, quick HEALTHY foods to eat, and I definitely need to research the vitamins. I normally take several vitamins, etc., but I haven't been doing that while I've been sick (when I probably need them most!). I probably ought to tweak what I take anyway, since whatever nutrients are available in meat are likely missing from my diet.

Thanks again, everyone!!

 

Sounds like you need some vitamins - most likely B12 since (I think) it's the only one you can't find in vegetables. Vegetarians, and vegans especially, need to eat LOTS of vegetable protein to offset the lack of HBV protein found in animals. Try this recipe (made it up myself) for yummy energy bars that give you LOADS of protein:
- 4 big handfuls of hemp seeds (raw or roasted, up to you)
- 2 handfuls raw soybeans if you can get them, if not add more hemp
- 1 handful chopped cashew nuts
- 1 handful raisins (or sultanas). Feel free to add any chopped dried fruit you like.
- a few tablespoons of Golden Syrup (dunno if you can get it in the USA). If not, try honey or maple syrup or a mixture.
Mix all the ingredients together in a big bowl, if the mixture seems too runny (should stay on the spoon when you lift it out), add more hemp seeds. Spread it into a baking tray and bake on a medium heat for a few minutes (about 10). Stick it in the fridge to cool, then slice and enjoy!

 

Man, that sounds delicious and I could use one right about now.

 

I'm with Ryno on this one... those bars sound delectable.
But yeah, I think it can be pretty common to crave meat for the first little while, especially if you're not eating properly. I did occasionally for the first year or so of being veggie. And I did a lot of that eating too much starch and such for the first couple years or so. I never got enough protein and, making up for it, gained lots of weight. Then I stopped eating almost completely and became anorexic for a couple years... and now, finally, I eat normally, and am healthy.
The End

 

You're most likely needing iron. I had mono a long time ago, and the doc perscribed iron pills for me. I don't think humans were actually meant to be strictly vegetarians, 'cause we DO have some carnivore teeth... And maybe you're lacking protein.

 

we dont exactly have carnivore teeth, we have root tearing teeth..
just try rippin uncoooked meat apart with your teeth... without fire, we never would have been able to eat meat...
unless it was fairly rotten

ok by now every1 who was craven it isnt & the rest of us r feelin pretty sick

i've accinently eatten it twice in 20 years and was the most horrible experiences...

 

You are probably lacking in some sort of vitamins. Be extra dilligent about what you eat and what you may need to supplement. Careful planning and you should be okay.