New Vegetarian? Vegetarians help please

[The Sum of Awe]

I can't take it anymore, I finally decided I'm going to stop eating meat...

Questions I have:


1) Being that I was just a meat eater up until now, how do I get off the meat addiction? I know it is sad that it kills living creatures and all, but it seems to have became a norm for me.

2) How do I avoid meat when my parents tell me to eat meat? I don't want to tell my friends or family that I'm a vegetarian, they'll laugh and mock me.

And in case I need more help, if you are willing, can I get your permission for emailing you? Thanks much, I'll try to keep it in the thread though, but in case this thread dies early.

 

[Breathe]

1) Being that I was just a meat eater up until now, how do I get off the meat addiction? I know it is sad that it kills living creatures and all, but it seems to have became a norm for me.

Either go cold turkey (probably won't work), or slowly. After a while you will find meat isn't as enjoyable as it once was.

2) How do I avoid meat when my parents tell me to eat meat? I don't want to tell my friends or family that I'm a vegetarian, they'll laugh and mock me.

In brief: screw them, it's your choice.

If you really want to, read up on some health benefits of vegetarianism, and just tell them you're avoiding meat because you either:

a) now consider it disgusting
b) are avoiding it for health benefits
c) trying to avoid it for a while because of a personal challenge
d) just going vegetarian

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Either go cold turkey (probably won't work), or slowly. After a while you will find meat isn't as enjoyable as it once was.

What are some ways you did?

In brief: screw them, it's your choice.

True dat

Thanks for your answers BTW

 

[Breathe]

What are some ways you did?

First I cut away from beef, then beef and pork, and then I was only eating chicken. Then I stopped.

Although technically I still eat meat sometimes: if someone prepares it for me if I'm visiting them, I'll eat it for a quiet life. I'm naughty, I know.

Thanks for your answers BTW

No problem.

 

[Madhuri]

I think Odion responded very well.

If you need to talk or have questions, I am happy for you to PM me Sum_of_Awe.

 

[Vinayaka]

You can PM me too. Been a vegetable (friends response to my 'carniverous beast') for 40 years now. I did go cold turkey, so that method isn't impossible. I would suggest buying a couple of good books. We used 'Diet for a small planet' to actually analyse our nutrition. You might be surprised on what's low and what' high already. There are other recipe books. I'm sure there's lots of on line resources too.

 

[Noaidi]

SumofAwe

The replies to you so far are worth taking heed of. I, too, went cold turkey, but I made sure I researched what my body needed before I did. It's too easy to overdose on dairy (especially cheese) when you first turn vegetarian, which can lead to a high fat and cholesterol intake, so it's important to research what alternatives are available (pulses, nuts, beans etc). A variety of different foods is the key.

Good luck

There is a vegetarians group here on RF, so feel free to ask or discuss anything there.

 

[doppelganger]

1) Being that I was just a meat eater up until now, how do I get off the meat addiction? I know it is sad that it kills living creatures and all, but it seems to have became a norm for me.

Find other things without meat that you really like. Expand your horizons and try foods you haven't before. Great opportunity to learn about other cultures' cuisine. And learn to start cooking stuff yourself.

2) How do I avoid meat when my parents tell me to eat meat?

Ask them to respect your wishes. Tell them it's important to you.

I don't want to tell my friends or family that I'm a vegetarian, they'll laugh and mock me.

So? Embrace it. Joke along with them. That defuses it and usually ends mockery. A little mockery might be worth feeling better, reducing your chances of digestive problems and various forms of cancer and heart disease.

 

[Secret Chief]

Been veggie now for more than 25 years. PM me if you want.

Look on the amazon (UK) site for a little paperback called Why You Don't Need Meat by Peter Cox. See the second review by 'Michael Esse'? That's my review. I even wrote to thank the author and he sent me a lovely letter back.

 

[Secret Chief]

Q1

It's not an addiction, it's a habit. We tend to eat what we're brought up on by our parents and carry on with it into adult life. The choices, preferences and dislikes are purely psychological (apart from such things as allergies). So if you have a strong enough reason to give up meat it will be easy. If you do not, you will lapse. As I said in my Amazon review, prior to that book I ate meat because food carried no ethical baggage; it was just tasty fuel on my plate. Once I had read that book (in one life changing evening) meat had been transformed for me into the poor disgusting flesh of another sentient being. The very thought of putting it in my mouth, chewing and then swallowing it made me feel literally sick. That was my sufficient reason.

 

[Secret Chief]

Q2

Well, I don't know how old you are and what sort of relationship you have with your parents, but here goes...

Try to explain the reason/s you wish to change your diet. Placate any anxieties they have (you may need to do a bit of research for this). Do it gradually, if you can, if that helps them in their concerns.

As for you friends. This is all about peer group pressure and being one of the crowd. Everyone needs to assert their own individuality in time. It's your body and you decide what food you put in it, not them. If they can't handle such a deep concept as that, they're pretty shallow friends to me, that need bringing up to speed on what 'friendship' means.

 

[Me Myself]

I went cold turkey.

You can do it if you want, but honestly I don´t think going slowly would be any bad either (it´s not like youar ekilling them yourself, if you were I wuold go cold turkey on that part at least )

I would say go slowly and if you eat meat again don´t be hard on you. Don´t turn it into a "forbidden fruit" were it doesn´t need be. Remember that you are doing this because you want to.

Something that helped me was that when I wanted meat I would look at it and really feel and accept my wanting of it while thinking honestly and unjudjamentaly: if you had infront of you the cow, would you slaugther it to feel this flavour you want know? Would you feel it is worthy?

I think it´s very important that you feel comfortable, becase that way you can stick with it.

If you ask me, eating meat only once a week or something like that would be far better than being full vegg a year/month/day/hour or two and then going full back to the old self.

I hope more people do this and feel this way, because even if we ate only once a week meat all of us, it would still mean an incredible amount of less animals being slaugthered without purpose.

Oh, very imoprtant:

Be more concious with the nutrition. It´s not just cutting out meat, now you get your proteins and other nutrients from different sources. Pay attention to what your body asks and if you can call toa nutritionist so he can advice you on how to keep on healthy.

Things you have to be very concious about:

-Iron: Now your iron comes from veggies, and to the boddy it is a little bit harder to asimilate than meat it has been proven that vegetarians have a greater asimilation rate because their bodies learn to do it, but at first you gotta be more careful to be sure you are getting enough iron.

-Vitamin C: vitamin C is very important for iron assimilation to us vegetarians. When you have good amounts of vitamin C it is easier to asimilate vegetable iron than without it, so be sure to be eating your oranges or apples, or what you prefer for this vitamin. Actually, brocoli and tomatoes are the best for iron intakes in Vegetarians as they have both iron AND vitamin C.

-Don´t smoke or drink coffe: it eat away your vitamin C so to speak. I drink some coffe from time to time, but rarely do so and well I never smoked so that never been a problem for me

Do go to a Nutriologist some time after you go veg, 3 months, 6, something like that so he can check your blood and tell you how you are doing.

If you are having a good vegetarian diet you shouldn´t become pale or anything similar, people amaze when I told them I was a vegetarian because I look "red" ( "rojito" in spanish is like saying you are redish, but it´s not literal like tomato xD it´s more like saying you are not pale as they think vegetarians should be)

All in all, and while probably all this people know better than me, you do can PM me for any question, if I don´t know the answer I´ll look it up, and well you can use everyone that has already told you was available for your questions

 

[Gaura Priya]

There are so many good responses... but I have to say, welcome to the club! You will feel more inclined to compassion being a vegetarian, and there are many of us on here.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Try feeding this to your family but don't tell them its vegitarian.

This is an old favorite that I have recently redesigned for vegetarians and is now a huge hit at all our parties. Note, not all refried beans are vegetarian so check the labels.

Charlie's Mexican Chili Cheese Dip

2 cans of vegetarian chili (I use Amys)
2 cans refried beans (Old El Paso)
1 block Mexican Velveeta
1 jar Picante sauce (I like Pace Chunky)

Combine ingredients in a big pot and heat until cheese is completely melted and mixed in. Heat slowly and stir continually. Serve with tortilla chips. Feeds many.

Afterwords, tell them its a veggie meal and trust me, they wont believe it.

When your family gives you flack about going veggie tell them its something you're trying for healt reasons and you still eat lots of meals that taste like meat but are more healthy, like the one above.

Oh, and try not to come across as anti-meat as this will turn off your meatitarian friends and family very fast. When people give something up they often become very, VERY critical of those who have not. This goes for meat, ciggerettes or alcohol. So go easy on those who haven't made the same decision as you.

For some really great receipes check this thread:

http://www.religiousforums.com/foru...-whats-your-favorite-vegetarian-receipes.html

 

[Me Myself]

Oh, and try not to come across as anti-meat as this will turn off your meatitarian friends and family very fast. When people give something up they often become very, VERY critical of those who have not. This goes for meat, ciggerettes or alcohol. So go easy on those who haven't made the same decision as you.

That is very important. Reserve your debating urges for this forum

I know I probably wouldn´t have turned veg if the couple of veg friends I know had been militant about it.

Above all avoid giving to much "information" beause people immidiatly become defensive. If they ask you why a simple answer like "morals" might be enough. If they want to know further something like "I fell this is right for me" or "I have my reasons" cuts it most of the time.

Never start the subject yourself and just say you are veg when you need to, like when asking if something has meat for you to know if you can eat it and th like.

Whatever you do is much better to stay off discussing this subject in rl, it plainly doesn´t work and make people frown when looking at you, also make them think all vegetarians are judgemental bunch and etc.

You have your reasons, don´t make it into something that you want to justify yourself with with other people, that´s and easy trap to get into.

Then if you see persons genuinely interested talk to them in good terms and slow pace why you did this, this is better if it is one on one even, but well maybe at the begining just stay shut

 

[Jainarayan]

I tried going cold turkey but it wasn't working, after 54 years of being carnivorous. I definitely don't eat beef or veal; lamb is out of the question too; ham and pork are iffy, but I do shy away. I've eaten chicken, fish and eggs. I may or may not ever be able to eliminate them, but I'm not sweating it right now. I just avoid them if at all possible.

 

[Penumbra]

I can't take it anymore, I finally decided I'm going to stop eating meat...

Questions I have:


1) Being that I was just a meat eater up until now, how do I get off the meat addiction? I know it is sad that it kills living creatures and all, but it seems to have became a norm for me.

2) How do I avoid meat when my parents tell me to eat meat? I don't want to tell my friends or family that I'm a vegetarian, they'll laugh and mock me.

And in case I need more help, if you are willing, can I get your permission for emailing you? Thanks much, I'll try to keep it in the thread though, but in case this thread dies early.

1) I basically stopped eating meat "cold turkey" when I was a teen. My plan was to reduce meat slowly, but once I went without it, I instantly didn't want it anymore and didn't pursue meat consumption at all. There were a few times initially when I reluctantly ate it for social reasons, but then stopped that as well. I'm not sure why it is that some people, when they stop eating it, begin to want it, while other people find it very unappealing as soon as they stop. You could try reducing meat one type at a time, like red meat, then pork, then poultry, then fish.

2) I just didn't eat the meat provided and ate my own stuff. You can present your reasons to your parents and show that you're serious about it, if you are. If you make it look like a fad, they may treat it as one. As far as friends go, the only advice I can really give is- be sure not to rub it in their faces. Don't create drama around vegetarianism, don't try to recruit them. That doesn't mean hide it; sooner or later people realize what you're eating. But present yourself as making a choice, and willing to explain to others why you made your choice, without being preachy about it.

Also, make sure to eat good amounts of legumes- nuts, beans, etc, in addition to fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, plus dairy or eggs if you're including those things. Not a ton of wheat products or processed carbs. Make sure to research it, and make sure you get iron, calcium, protein, and b12.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

1) I basically stopped eating meat "cold turkey" when I was a teen. My plan was to reduce meat slowly, but once I went without it, I instantly didn't want it anymore and didn't pursue meat consumption at all. There were a few times initially when I reluctantly ate it for social reasons, but then stopped that as well. I'm not sure why it is that some people, when they stop eating it, begin to want it, while other people find it very unappealing as soon as they stop. You could try reducing meat one type at a time, like red meat, then pork, then poultry, then fish.

I have a friend with a similar story. She always knew she was a vegetarian but her parents wouldn't let her choose her own meals. When she got to an age to make her own decisions she stopped eating meat and never had any cravings. Sometimes you just know.

 

[Me Myself]

I have a friend with a similar story. She always knew she was a vegetarian but her parents wouldn't let her choose her own meals. When she got to an age to make her own decisions she stopped eating meat and never had any cravings. Sometimes you just know.

I remember when I started.

First I researched for around a week, mostly just like having my mind around the idea. I wasn´t that sure I was going to make it then, neither I feel pressured (personally, I think that part is important). It was just something I was investigating kind of.

Once I saw it was viable (the American Dietary Association reafirmed that to me) I wanted to make a test of stop eating meat for a week, but first I had a dinner without meat (purposefully).

Every day I ate meat in one way or another and if there wasn´t meat on the plate it didn´t feel like a "food" to me, but now I wanted to experiment.

Basically the same week I researched was the one I experimented, and then by friday night I told my mom that I would try a week of vegetarianism and that there was a good chance that I might stay that way. She freaked out, and I needed to reasure her a lot, tell her I would go to a nutritionist if that made her feel better( I even wanted to go anyways. It´s just best to do so). Also I told her the thing about the ADA, when you quote sources, this can calm fathers, because they are worried you need to eat well and get your nutrients.

The deal was to start on onday, but I ended up not eating meat fromthat night until now. Why? well... meat didn´t look the same. I knew the cost, and it was just a taste. It wasn´t worth it.


Changes I can tell you is that I felt lighter after each meal, I started liking cheese (before that, I generaly disliked cheese with exceptions on pizza and burgers) now I love even strong cheese! Specialy with wine! I started ordering a lot more pizza than before (vegetarian pizza naturaly) and well...

Spoiler: warning: gross

When you don´t eat dead corpses your sheet doesn´t smell bad any more

Uhmm and well I didn´t care for meat most of the days. I don´t even care going to a burger plpace with my friends, I usually order fries or/and a sundae (it´s important to try not be a pickle(PUN!)).

Strange ecceptions happen when I kinda want meat again, it is generaly when i see some food that I was very used to eat with meat and that I don´t usualy see. but it´s okay, I´ve never eaten meat since I started (well, at least intentionally, there was this unholly acelga cake once... but they didn´t tell me it had jam )

I must ask. how you been with this? when are you starting to de-meat yourself some if I may ask?

 

[Breathe]

I have a friend with a similar story. She always knew she was a vegetarian but her parents wouldn't let her choose her own meals. When she got to an age to make her own decisions she stopped eating meat and never had any cravings. Sometimes you just know.

I know someone who told one of his kids some time ago, "While you are under my roof, you will eat meat. We need to. That's how the world works!".

I didn't understand why there was compulsion for such a thing.