My Vegetarian Strength Is Wavering!

[Gemini]

Hi guys,

I've been vegetarian for about 11 years, and have been quite content until the past month or so... I have started to have MAJOR meat cravings. Chicken, baked ham, steak, seafood. You name it, I'm craving it. I have to keep reminding myself WHY I'm vegetarian (for ethical reasons, not because I didn't like meat), but the cravings are getting out of control. My husband does eat meat (though rarely at home) and I'm even starting to covet his meals.

Help?

[kmeldrum]

Hello, Gemini.

What I would suggest is that you seek out other vegetarians to do things with. It always helps to be around people who share your ethical convictions - it helps to reinforce them. When you are around a lot of people who don't share them, you are not getting any support. Bay Area Vegetarians sponsors lots of get togethers at restaurants and vegan food parties all around the Bay Area. We'd love to see you there.

Another thing you might try is revisiting some of the great videos that are available, such as Meet Your Meat, or reading some of the flyers that are distributed to convince people to go veg, such as Why Vegan. Those make the case clearly and will stay with you to help you through the cravings.

At the following website, you can watch Meet Your Meat, or download it for free.

http://www.meetyourmeat.com/

Also, on PETA or Farm Sanctuary's websites, and many others, you can find lots of information that will help to reinforce your ethical aversion to eating animals.

One more thing - don't beat yourself up for having the cravings. Those of us who grew up eating meat have some residual pleasant associations with the sight and smell of it. As you said, you didn't stop eating it because it didn't taste good, but because you didn't want to participate in the violence that makes it available to us.

I wish you the best in staying the course.
Karen

[Gemini]

Hey Karen,

Thanks for your reply. I do have images in my head (factory farming, slaughter-houses, etc.) that I call up when I'm drooling over a roast chicken or what-have-you. Sad, but that's what it takes. I also call up the "experience" I had with a cow in Ireland. That cow literally turned me vegetarian overnight, after years of hemming and hawing. She was one persuasive gal!

I've also increased my protein this past week to see if that eases the cravings.

You're right, it will help to interact with more vegans and vegetarians. There will be a day when I make it to vegan, but right now I'm going one step at a time. Glad I found this place.

Thanks again,

mo

[kmeldrum]

I'm glad you found us, too.

It's funny how an encounter with a special animal can make all the difference. For me, it was my dog Coffee. She was so special and always seemed to know just what I was feeling. She made me stop and think - if this dog is so wonderful, why not a cow or a pig.

Have you been to Farm Sanctuary or Animal Place? They have many persuasive animals, there, too.

Hope the extra protein helps end the cravings. Maybe you're just hungry.

Karen

[Rocker]

Why don't you try some fake chicken, beef, etc? There are tons of meat alternatives. You can get fake bologna, ham, and turkey slices. And a bunch of companies sell veggie ribs, chicken, burgers, hot dogs, buffalo wings, etc. Go to a health food store, and use the replacements!

[tammy]

Hey Gemini

I noticed you are located in Montara!

Come join us for our next KFC Cruelty protest in Pacifica. It's a good way to educate others, meet up with like-minded folks, and exercise your compassion for animals.

The next one is next Saturday 7/9. Please come! We really need more support at these protests.

http://www.evite.com/sfbaveg@yahoo.com/kfc_072005

Cheers,
Tammy

[Gemini]

Hey guys,

I haven't been to any sanctuaries here in CA, but have been to others in NA and Europe. I've also volunteered at various shelters. My two WONDERFUL dogs are both rescues, and I've been around formerly-abused horses. Nurturing animals that need a little extra reassurance and TLC is one of my favorite things. It's amazing the difference one good animal can make in a person's life. (And yes, they're ALL good.)

I do keep the fridge and freezer stocked with meat substitutes (fake bologna, veggie Italian sausage, veggie bacon and Chik'n Patties are my faves), but during my meat cravings they don't do the trick. Thankfully, the cravings have died down for now. I was about ready to start stealing steaks off the neighbors' barbecues!

I'll pass for now on the KFC protest, but thanks for the invite and I'll keep it in mind. To be honest I have my reservations about how effective it is to confront consumers at the purchase point. Do you confront them at the door and yell as they leave, or is it more of a quiet protest?

[LHLisavegan]

I don't know if you'll find this helpful but when I was vegetarian I sometimes had cravings for turkey or hamburgers. I finally figured out what I was really craving was the spices and condiments: sage for the turkey and sweet pickle relish, tomato, onion, lettuce, jalapeno peppers for the hamburgers. It was easy to make dressing and other dishes with sage and have a veggie burger with hamburger condiments, and those totally satisfied all of my cravings.

When I first started being vegan, and even occasionally now, I have had cravings for sharp cheddar cheese, omelets, and an old dessert I haven't figured out how to make or get vegan. I then remember where dairy and eggs come from and how they are obtained, and my cravings tend to disappear within seconds. It's gotten easier and easier with time for me though, at least so far.

Some of my cravings are because of emotional memories: around Christmas I sometimes long for a gingerbread house cake that my mother used to make; it's not really about the food.

If the cravings continue, you might also consider checking in with a vegan RD to see if you might be missing some nutrient in your diet; it's probably not protein.

[Guest]

I think sometimes cravings can be a sign of detox. SOmtimes chemicals and animal fat etc gets stuck in our cells for years....then when they finally detox out theyre released into our bloodstream and we crave them. Others are emotional cravings..memories etc. I found by eating something similar, alternatives..making it with love and just the right seasonings..Im content. Perhaps adding some daily wheatgrass and sprouts and more fresh raw foods to your diet will help.
Shalom Namaste
John

[nirp1981]

hi
i dont think this craving can be caused by hemicals and animal fat etc gets stuck in our cells for years...its a theory that has never been proven..
i think that this craving is caused by the fact that by our nature we are carnivores
and stop eating meet by ethical reasons wont stop your body from craving for meet...
its like stop drinking from ethical reasons - it wont stop your body from craving it...
but thats just my openion.... nirp from DiscussFitness
bye bye

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