Vegetarian Help?!
Answers: Ok so ive been a vegetarian for about 7 months. And my body is just like craving meat. I'm only 12 and like I see all this good foodd i really used to love alot. My friends say im missing out on alot of foods. But i feel bad for the animals and what they have to go through. Is there any way i can eat meat but not feel so bad for what they are going through?
maybe you could eat animals that have died naturaly so that there life was full and happy so you can not fealy guilty. personally i would stick with your belifes i am a vegetarian to and feal the cravings too. i just eat some chocolate when i have cravings though!
You can try eating fake meat?
It's good that you support the ethical treatment of animals, but the reason you crave these foods is because you're body is missing the nutrients you get from meats, such as protein, and certain amino acids. Many companies do take good care of their animals, so it's good to research who handles the death and the life of their animals in the most humane way. If this will help ease your mind, that they werent tortured, then I think it will help with this problem alot. Or, you can try eating protein rich foods like nuts. That might help curb the protein cravings.
You are probably just craving something in your diet. Protein perhaps, or maybe salt? What do you eat regularly? You could try eating a little more cheese and dairy products, and maybe some legumes.
honest answer to: "Is there any way i can eat meat but not feel so bad for what they are going through?" - no
firstly, i think your super cool and brave, for making a choice you believe in and not getting influenced by other kids/people.
there are many things you can try. in the grossery stores there are many options for vegetarains meals. there is a lot of soy / fake meat! and the only way you will realize which one you like is by trying them.
also figure out what it is you are craving, it is the texture? the favour? - or is it that most of your friends are going to places that you can not always eat something. - are you being teased for being different. -
thats the first thing. - once you work that part out, maybe you could post exactly what you are missing.
yes change is hard, but think about all th egood you are doing. plus, if you are a veggie, you can be good example to other people/kids that may be thinking of being a veggie, but are too scared to make that positive change. - good luck
Well eating meat is not a bad thing, just dont consume it at an exagerrated rate. Maybe 2 days out of the week will help you out. By da way if ur a vegetarian you know you need extra vitamins to help for the absence of meat.
I sympathise with you there. Maybe you need to put more plant-based protein- and iron-rich foods in your diet - eg. nuts, legumes, green leafy vegetables, soy products, seaweed etc.
Generally it's good to make sure you are getting enough from the main food groups: veggies (ideally the bulk of your diet), fruit, grains and legumes. There are extra foods like mushroom and seaweed, and of course, dairy and eggs if you're ovo-lacto vegetarian.
Do you have a good vegetarian cookbook with delicious recipes? That's a good way to maintain your interest in vegetarian food. There is such a range of wonderful plant based meals around.
Cravings can definitely take time to subside. I also stopped eating meat when I was 12(I'm 22 now!), and it was hard for the first few months. As time went on, I did not want meat at all. Looking at it and thinking about eating it made me feel sick. While I wouldn't want you to feel sick, I think that you too will eventually stop feeling the cravings. As others suggested, there are a lot of imitation meats on the market. The only one I have tried is Morning Star Farms fake bacon, and it is great!
I would also like the mention that counter to what some said, I seriously doubt your body is "craving protein". As long as you eat a fairly healthy diet, you probably get pretty of protein. If you are worried about it though, green vegetables, beans and nuts are great sources of protein.
Ultimately, choose what it best for you, but I think you should stick with your instincts and stay vegetarian! :-)
It might help if you focus on all the amazing food choices there are for vegetarians.
We can eat all vegetables, fruit (including dried fruit), cereals, grains, legumes and nuts. You can have many meals without meat including pasta dishes, nachos and tacos (with beans or refried beans), vegeburgers, falafels.
Make sure you are eating complete protein. If you are having legumes like beans or lentils, you need to accompany them with wholegrains like brown rice, pasta or bread.
There are so many curries, pasta type dishes you can make that use lovely herbs and spices and veges and legumes (such as chick peas, lentils, beans etc). You can add tomato paste, basil and garlic to veges and lentils to make a yummy pasta sauce - I also use dried organic tofu for a lovely pasta sauce with basil and tomato.
Add nuts to brighten things up - I add cashews to my tofu veggie stir fries to make them extra nice. Try pine nuts in a rice salad or pesto. Add walnuts and macadamias to salads, don't forget you can have avacados, which go gread with macadamias or chick peas in a salad. Don't forget to have hummus to add to your sandwhiches or on toast.
If you are still hanging out their is always subway's veggie sub with a veggie patty. Or the "fake meats" if you just can't beat the craving.
Also make sure you are eating enough iron, and vitamin c to help absorb the iron (that could be what you are craving).
Mock meats!! (aka meat substitutes)
I eat a brand called BOCA. BOCA is available at most grocery stores, they are in red boxes and are in the frozen food section. I love Spagetti so I use BOCA ground beef substitute that tastes just the same as real ground beef but its made from soy protein and no animals were harmed or killed to make these products. Also, the nuggets that are suitable for vegans taste really, really good. I usually cut them up and put them in a salad. They also have good soy burgers. Their products are very good and are suitable for vegetarians and some are suitable for vegans. I highly recommend them.
Don't give up!! Tell your friends you feel strongly about being a vegetarian and would appreciate it if they would be more supportive and not keep telling you what you are missing. Tell them you are proud to be a vegetarian and that you are doing a good thing!! Be proud!! Good luck. :)
I'm not sure on how true this is, but I've heard that when you really crave meat (especially red meat) it's really because your body is craving the iron that you get from it. Do you know how much iron you get on a regular basis? But be careful because you can overdose on iron if you take supplements.