Vegitarians: psychological hurdles?!
Answers: I'm a basic chicken and fish eating non-vegitarian but would like to try going veggy. The problem is, every time I do, say for two or three days, I get a really strong craving for red meat which I suspect is purely psychological. Any advice for getting over this hurdle?
First, congratulations on your decision and persistence in trying to be vegetarian! Think about what it is that you are craving. Most people really only crave the spice combinations and texture not the animal itself. Morningstar's steak strips are a great substitute. I'm sure there are brands as well that have faux steak. It also may help you to watch video's of what happens in slaughterhouse's and read up on them. That's what I did when I got cravings for sausage. What helped most in the end was just repeating to myself why I do not want to eat animals. Repeating "pigs are intelligent sweet creatures and do not deserve to be eaten" helped me get over it. Also, you might not be getting enough protein. Track what you eat for a week and that should show you what nutrients you need get more. Hope this all helps!!!!
Take it slowly. Try giving up chicken first, then fish, then shellfish. Stock your freezer with veggie burgers, sausage, pizza.
When you crave red meat, eat something fattening, like cheese or ice cream. When people say they're craving "protein," what the body actually wants is fat.
Good Luck!
I don't entirely believe that it is completely in your head. If you normally eat a good amount of meat, and all of a sudden you stop, your body isn't getting the animal proteins that it expects, hence the craving.
Of course, being a firm believer that humans are supposed to be omnivores, and I don't think you can get all the nutrients you need from vegetable matter(without supplements), I don't really agree with vegetarianism, unless there is a GOOD reason to do so.
its like any diet hurdle some of them you just have to suck up...a good thing to do is try and keep urself occupied..i did this when trying to lose weight and find it takes my mind off food...and remember alot of signals we interpret as hunger are actually thirst so drink a big glass of water and generally the craving and feeling go away...try picking up a hobby that will keep u occupied thats about the best you can do really.
Why on earth you would want to change your meat eating ways, I have no idea, but you are craving meat because your body needs something in that meat that veggies cannot provide. Its your body's way of telling you that your lacking the right diet.
Additional details:
I wouldn't troll on the religion section of Yahoo answers, due to the fact that I'm a Christian.
Secondly, my answer was an honest answer and opinion from my standpoint.
Thirdly, this is my only account on Yahoo Answers sweetie.
Any advice for getting over this hurdle?
Yes. You are craving a nutrient you normally associate with meat. Get used to finding it elsewhere.
Question: If you only ate fish and chicken, why would you be craving "red meat"?
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Before you take out all meat, star teating more and more vegetarian foood. Don't commit your self to anything yet, decrease your meat intake each week. And stop thinking about meat all the time. that will only increase your cravings
first week, five meals with meat
second week only 4 meals and so on... so your not shocking your system.
This way you will eat healthy. Plus when you crave red meat, eat loads of vegetarian foods with iron.
here are some sites to help you get started.
http://www.vrg.com
http://www.goveg.com
http://www.vegetariantimes.com
good luck! - you can do it!