Should I continue being a vegetarian?

Question

Lately I'm finding being a vegetarian extremely difficult. Nearby restaurants don't serve anything besides meat and my family is full of carnivores as well. I'm also finding myself tempted to eat meat on certain occasions. I think meat is wrong to eat... but lately I've been craving a burger or chicken and I can't figure out why. I've been a vegetarian for a year. I'd like to continue but I'm having second thoughts and don't know what I want anymore. Can anyone help me? Don't tell me it's my decision.. because I need opinions and suggestions and reasons why I should or should not.

Answer 1

Meat isn't wrong. You are craving meat because your body needs it. Just eat what your body tells you to eat. I know you sneak some meat once in a while.. don't lieee.. you neeed meaat.. eaaat moree meeeat

Answer 2

I went to a full vegan diet last February, and I still crave meat and cheese at times. My family are omnivores, and my boyfriend certainly is.

Some people are naturally vegetarian - having disliked meat since ever, but that wasn't the case with me. I even like extra rare steak. But i have some insight to cravings.

I smoked cigarettes for 17 years, and I quit them 8 years ago. To this day, when I smell someone light up a fresh cigarette, it feels like I'm melting, and I do crave a cig. But I know the craving will pass. And so do my cravings for meat and cheese.

It hasn't been hard since I focus on stuff I do eat, and I try to avoid eating out at places that have nothing for me.

Answer 3

meat.org-watch it

Answer 4

Dont let anything tempt you. Try ur hardest to countinue.

Answer 5

If you haven't seen Earthlings, I recommend that you do. Just thinking about it should help you resist meat.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=...

Are you eating enough? I can't imagine having this problem after a whole year. If you eat more filling foods like pasta and sandwiches, it'll be much easier for you.

Are you eating a balanced diet? If not, you may crave things that your body knows has essential nutrients that you're low on even if they can be found in vegetarian foods.

Bread, pasta, cereal, rice, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies can easily offer everything that you need except B12.

http://www.veganhealth.org/sh

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo

All vegetarians should take a B12 supplement regularly since most people eat meat, dairy AND fortified cereals yet still have a B12 status that is lower than recommended.

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/b12

It may help you if you see proof that vegetarians have the same potential as anyone else.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sto...

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

http://www.macdanzig.net/bio.php

http://www.scottjurek.com/career.php

If you need meat or dairy during any stage of your life or to live any certain lifestyle, why does the American Dietetic Association say otherwise?

http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada...

Answer 6

Don't give up on what you believe I just turned vegan after being veg for 3 years...take pride in what you are and don't fall to fast food consumer bullsh!t. But Schneider's Oh Natural chicken burger or veggie burger and make it at home, it's better than eating out and you won't feel like garbage emotionally or physically afterwards.

Answer 7

I think that you should at least eat one more hamburger before you make up your mind.

Answer 8

If restaurants dont serve you vegetarian options, you could always request something thats not on the menu, (Ive done it many times), or you could just not eat out and try out some vegetarian recipes. =) Thats always fun.

You may be craving meat because you are low on iron or protein. You can find iron in dark leaf greens and Im sure you know where to get protein, as youve been a veg for over a year. =)

If youd like to contimue, then continue. Being a vegetarian is a wonderful choice. Its a healthy chioce and saves animals. I think you should continue, thats just my opinion.  

Answer 9

Hang in there. A lot of the faux meats out there are almost like the real thing but I think they're kind of like cheating. So try them if you really want that burger.  

Answer 10

http://wwwvegetariandiet.com

http://wwwvegiemealplans.com

Vegetarian diet can work if you are consistant and stick with it.

Vetarian diets can be unhealthy if you compenstate by eating too many saturated fats and not enough nutrients, like nuts and fruits and grains.

    I believe a large part of North America and South America before the white man came ,some of the Indian tribes lived on a mostly corn diet.

Corn, squash and beans and corn oil. The body could exist quite well on that.

THe Europeans started feeding the corn to their animals, so infact we are eating a diet of corn.

Answer 11

Could be just that you are getting bored with the things that you are eating and need variety.

As to eating out, as a vegetarian it really shouldn't be a problem.  I have gone to places and ordered nothing but the vegetables, maybe a side of beans and/or rice.  Even at steak houses they have something there that you can order that doesn't have meat products - ears of corn, salad and fruit bar to make choice from.

In Louisiana, I even asked for food not on the menu and they made it for me.

The best choice is the one that you can live with and be the healthiest that you can be.  Talk to a nutritionist about it if you have to for help in addressing the issues that you have concerns about.

Answer 12

i think that if you've lasted so long being vegetarian are you really going to through it all away for a craving, think about why you became a veg in the first place...

Answer 13

I've been a vegetarian for two years, but the rest of my family eats meat. Sometimes it's really hard. But maybe you could take a break for a week or two and then get back on? But don't eat too much meat because your digestive system isn't used to it. And if you really want to keep eating meat, well, you can do that too.

Answer 14

Most restaurants are veg friendly. It's totally okay to ask for something without the meat on top.

Why did you go veg? If it's for ethical/moral reasons, I say stick with it. Is convenience really more important than your ethical beliefs?