Can I get some advice from the "regulars"?

Question

I know that many of you have been vegetarian or vegan for a very long time, so I was hoping you could help me.

I have been having a hard time with willpower lately.....I have absolutely no desire to eat meat, but I'm sick of the inconvenience of being vegetarian in an area that isn't very conducive to it. IMO convenience is NOT a good enough reason to go back to eating meat because I feel very strongly against it. I know if I stick with it this annoyance will pass, but have you had any rough patches like this? What helped you get through it? Any advice?

Thanks in advance for helping me stay strong!

Answer 1

I have been a vegetarian since I was about 8 years old, and the only other person in my entire family who's vegetarian is my mother. I'm very grateful that I wasn't alone.

It IS annoying to go out with friends to fast food restaurants and find that everything has meat in it.

One thing that really makes me mad is, I'm vegetarian and everyone just automatically assumes I eat nothing but vegetables. A guy once invited me over dinner and told me his family grew their own vegetables so I would have something to eat. I told him, "You know, I eat spaghetti and pizza too." All he had to say was, "Huh?"

I'm fairly certain where ever you are from has a pizza shop somewhere. Meat eaters eat plain pizza too. If you want spaghetti, just spaghetti without any meat. Cheese sandwiches, peanut butter sandwiches. I could go on forever.

But as for the whole fast food thing... when I go to Taco Bell, I get tacos without meat. Just cheese, lettuce, and mild sauce. It's good enough for me. When I go to McDonalds, I get a bigmac without meat (make sure they make it fresh and don't just pull the meat off an old one) and I do get stares, but I'm just the type of person who doesn't care.

Burger King does have a veggie burger which is really good. It's Morningstar Farms brand. Wendy's you can get a burger without meat as well but they also have a really good side salad and baked potato.

If I go to a bigger restaurant and like a dish that does have meat in it, I just ask for it without the meat. You shouldn't feel funny, you're the one paying for it.

I hope this helps somewhat with the inconveniences.  

Answer 2

It is totally normal to feel that way. I was just thinking about that the other day - how my food life would be so much more convenient and easier if I ate meat. Grabbing a burger on the run, not having to ask restaurants to hold this or that. (sigh) I'm also getting burned out with the "usual" dishes that I cook at home.

When I think about all the animals, just knowing that by me not contributing to the demand for their lives might help them live one day longer, it's worth it. I unfortunately don't have any particular advice for you and I'm sorry for that.

It will most likely subside over time. I might suggest that you try some new easy veggie dishes. This might reaffirm for you that meatless food is tasty, filling and quick too.

Good luck!

Answer 3

There are meat substitutes.

Answer 4

i live in a small town and at the grocery store there is only about 3 2feet shelves with soy products on them. the only thing is they are really bad brands that taste B-A-D. the rest of my family also eats meat and sometimes their dinner smells so good i think about quiting being a vegiterian. but i dont becasue i think of why i became a veggi in the first place and that gets me through

Answer 5

I'm being completely honest here, I have had times when I thought about eating meat again simply because it's easier to eat out etc.

But then I just think of the suffering involved with the slaughter process, and that always puts me off straight away as soon as meaty thoughts arise. I personally don't think I could go back to eating meat. I'm not going to judge you whether you decide to stay veggie or not, because it's ultimately your decision. It's whatever you are personally comfortable with. Best wishes with your decision. :)

(((FabulousinIndy)))

Answer 6

I have had similar issues with dairy, being a vegan.

I have found that you just need to stick it out, the craving will pass with time.

If that doesn't work than I suggest, as depressing as it is, thinking about the animals and what they are going through in the slaughterhouse. It is a lot worse than the inconvenience you have to suffer through being a vegetarian.

Definitely not talking down, we are all with you in hoping you overcome your momentary lapse of willpower.

Answer 7

All I can say is just hang in there because it gets easier with time.  Into my seventh year of vegetarianism I never think of it as an inconvenience.  I think a lot of it may have to do with the way my body has gotten trained away from animal products.  I did have rough patches in the first couple of years in which I would smell something and feel like I missed it.  Now I cannot handle the smell of animal products.  So basically what I'm saying is just hang in there.  The carvings go away.  Remember food in and of it self is a drug.  It alters the body's chemistry. For that reason it takes most of us a good amount of time to totally withdraw and get the cravings out of our system.  

Best of LUCK TO YOU FABULOUSININDY

Answer 8

When I start doubting my vegetarian-ism I do a couple things. First, I visit PETA's website goveg.com and look at the "meet your meat" section. It reminds me why I'm vegetarian. I also talk to my vegetarian friends...they really support me. Sometimes its hard beacause I dont have any veg friends that live nearby, but its good to talk to them on the phone.

Answer 9

"Finding" vegetarian food is not really a matter of convenience, it's a matter of experience.  Once you learn to identify vegetarian options, it becomes much easier, but it takes practice.  In the beginning, you feel like there's no vegetarian food around you, but you slowly start realizing that it's there, you just need to identify it.  For example, almost every restaurant will have vegetarian options, that the waitress can tell you about.  Even In-N-Out, which appears to have no vegetarian things on the menu, will make you a grilled cheese sandwich if you ask for it.  If you're at someone's house and the only entree is meat, you can make a meal out of the side dishes.  

It takes practice, but once you get experience it's not that big of a deal.

Answer 10

I know I've been extremely lucky in that my sister went vegetarian with me and my mom was really supportive (and became pescetarian in response to our diet changes.)  Also, I've lived up and down the West Coast my entire life.  Without those two facts, it would have been much harder, especially in the early years.

How is your support system?  Do you know local veg*ns that you spend time with?  If not, check meetup.com and see if there is a veg*n meetup group in your area.  Little things like going to a potluck where you can eat *everything* are refeshing and spending time with like-minded people might help you recharge.

Volunteering with animals might help keep you present to your goals, too.  At the least, shelters are always needing help, but if there's any kind of sanctuary for livestock near you, spending some time connecting with the animals you're not eating might be good for you.  My vegan grocery is a non-profit that supports a pig sanctuary.  I'm dying to go out there some time and bond with some piggies.

My other advice is cook, girl, cook.  Even in Seattle where there are tons of veg-friendly restaurants, the pickings are slim within walking distance of my office.  I could either have the same tired burrito or Subway sandwich over and over again and let it wear on me, or I could bring fabulous leftovers from home and have tons of delicious variety in my diet.  Trying our lots of new recipes is fun, too, and might distract your from your rough patch.

Stick with it!  I know from all you're written here that your convictions are strong... you'll make it.

Answer 11

i recently developed gluten intolerance and it made it really tough to be vegan. i added dairy back into my diet for a while but i'm back to veganism for now. what helped most was cooking my own food. going out  to eat when you're a vegetarian means your options are limited but when you can't eat anything with wheat it's near impossible.

i think what helps most is to not expect food to be like your old favorites. find new foods you really like that happen to be vegetarian. cheese pizza,  bean burritos, vegetable soup, garden salad, baked potatoes, spaghetti with marinara sauce.

it really helps to treat yourself. make yourself nice meals. plan ahead. bring food if you know there won't be sufficient options for you. it can be a little annoying but it's better than going hungry.

Answer 12

this should encourage you, just think how our animals are slaughtered just for the sake of your convenience. not are you only helping a animal stay alive but you are doing your body a world of good you will never have a colestoral problem that comes from eating meat  unless of course you are indulging in pastries and frys. Be strong go to stores that sell Tempe a soy product  its wonderful, start using Tofu in your cooking ...... you will get respect from people who know you are a veggie believe I have been a veggie for 20 years    

Answer 13

All of us have, but it will pass, and you won't want to anymore.

Answer 14

I know exactly what you are talking about!!!!! It can be so frustrating, especially when the people around you aren't vegetarians. When you get frustrated with it, try to remember how good what you're doing is for you, animals, and the environment.  

Answer 15

Sorry to hear about your problem... do you cook?

Cooking usually helps in these situations. I know its tough when there are no choices. Believe me i never ate meat so its easier as i dont have any other choice but I lived in michigan for a bit and the only vegetarian i could eat out was Subway

America is not very veggie friendly at all it sucks

but hang in there... you will figure it out  

Answer 16

I understand what you are going through.  I have found that I have to just make my own food and take it with me where I am going if I need to.

Stay strong because you are definitely not alone.  

I always carry soy milk in our car.  I take the little single serve ones in case I need milk for my coffee, tea or oatmeal.  I also carry vegan friendly snacks with me too...such as nuts, dried fruit and crackers.

I am lucky to have a grocery store where I can get tofu, light life products, soy milk and all the fruits and vegetables that we need.  Hopefully you can get those things where you live.

I sometimes have to settle for food that isn't very exciting...like PB & J, but I reward myself once in a while with things that are really good like my favorite Chinese food or some light life faux lunch meat.

Often times I find myself in front of a bowl of rice and beans and I feel like I wish I had something better, but then I remember my cause and I get through it.  You're right.  Convenience is no reason to turn your back on vegetarianism.  It is difficult at times though.  I have found that nothing in life that is worth anything comes for free.

I hope you get over this bump in the road.  Just invest in a good thermal lunch bag, ice packs, and Tupperware containers.  Pack up your food at home and don't worry.  Find a few places that you know you can eat at and give them your business.  The other places should offer v/v food...but since they don't they don't deserve your business.  

Answer 17

Well, I'm not sure when you started, but after a couple years it was like "nuthin". I have been to some really good restaurants and different ethnic stores but I'm to the point now where I could live without any "traditional" foods most of the time and don't even like buying anything with a barcode on it.

I wish I had a clue where you lived because I feel kind of silly not knowing how different of an area you live in. I understand it that it can be totally different depending on the place you live and the people around you.

I don't know how often you go out, but I would just bring some things to snack on if I was going out to a place with nothing to eat. I go to steak and seafood places with the in-laws somewhat often and I usually eat before and after and settle for a lemonade. I don't even bother with salads. If something on the menu apparently conforms to your diet, you shouldn't feel uncomfortable ordering it from an ethical standpoint. I would have to say it's true that if you never ate anything from a restaurant again it wouldn't be a bad thing and restaurants usually attract people with food that isn't good for them in any way. If you think about it, you're not inconveniencing yourself at all in the long run.

When I first started, I'm sure that there were times when the only thing to eat was something I had given up and I was tempted, but the images of what animals go through to produce those things have always been the absolute. I still watch films such as Earthlings to affirm my commitment.

It can be very emotional seeing those things but it definitely makes all the inconveniences seem insignificant in comparison.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhxKnys7R...

If watching such things makes literally feel sick, I'm sure that you can stand to not watch it but if it makes you cry, I would say that crying is never a bad thing unless it's over material things, which this is clearly not. Showing yourself how far from dead you are inside can make you feel stronger soon afterward.

Answer 18

it just takes some getting used to. there's vegetarian options everywhere, but you just have to learn what to ask for and what not to. good for you for sticking to it. i live in alabama, and when people hear the word "vegetarian", they're like, "uhhh is that sum kinna anermal". idiots.  

Answer 19

I've been vegetarian, then quit. After quitting, I felt horrible every time I ate meat and I was also not feeling as healthy. Then I decided to take up vegetarianism and have been a vegetarian for two years and counting. I definitely have rough patches where I have huge craving for foods I used to love as a meat eater and the biggest problem for me with these rough patches was that I just wanted to eat something tasty that I loved having. What helped me through enourmously is making a list with all the vegetarian food that I couldn't get enough of, You know, those food that you absolutely love. Then whenever I hit a rough patch I  picked something off the list instead and had that, and it helped me realize that being vegetarian isn't really an inconvininence and that I can still really enjoy food, now without the guilt of having killed an animal.

Answer 20

I've been vegetarian for almost 2 years now and even though I haven't had a hard time with willpower, I completely understand you, as I also live in a place that doesn't help (I'm the only vegetarian I know!). You've got it right: convenience is not a good reason and the annoyance will pass. Just hang in there, there are plenty of us here!

Answer 21

It definately gets better. I'm not sure how it is an inconvenience? I guess when you go out a little bit but you'll soon find that it isn't too bad. When I first started I would sneak eating chicken out of a mcdonalds salad (lol i snuck it from my mom who didnt care if i was a vegetarian or not) Then I gave in ate a hamburger and felt reallygross because the entire time Iwas thinking of what it was - flesh. and that was the last time i had meat.

you do find more option as well as get over the fact thateverything is "gross" likeveggie meat. which you then come to REALLY really love. lol :)  

keep with it, its worth it