When you first became a vegetarian?

Question

- did you ever want meat really bad and have to force yourself away from it? im having trouble with that but i havnt cheated. did that happen to you, any tips?

also did you lose weight?

Answer 1

When I first became a vegetarian I lost a few pounds, but gained them soon afterward.  I guess this weight loss occurred because I eliminated the meat portion of my meals without replacing it.  Then I replaced it and gained the weight.  I don't get any real meat cravings because I eat some fake meats.  Also, the thought of what the animals must have gone through keeps me away from real meats.  Also, the environmental impact of the meat industry keeps me away from real meats.

Answer 2

I've been a little hungry lately having been in a family of meat lovers. However, last night we had hamburgers and I was able to fix myself a little salad, a hard boiled egg and some fruit and I've never really been a fan of red meat which I gave up at age 7 before becoming a vegetarian at age 13. I haven't lost a lot of weight yet, considering I am still a new vegetarian but I am curious as to if I'll shed a few pounds. I am underweight and so I am slightly concerned about this.  

Answer 3

I don't remember much b/c I was 12 but at first I went to mcDonalds and ate a salad with chicken in it. I picked some out but then I ate some too. Then later that week I got a hamburger and after I ate that I was really disgusted with myself for eating it after I was trying to be a vegetarian. The thought of the slaughtered animal and its flesh grossed me out and from that day on I have never eaten meat.

I would never eat meat now. Like there is no want at all for it and having learned all the grossness of meat.. no chance!

you can do it! just stick with it :)

Answer 4

yes I lost weight and no I never wanted meat good luck and stay with it http://www.peta.com/

Answer 5

if you are choosing to be a vegetarian just to lose weight, it's not a good option. when i went vegetarian i made 'meat-like' things. i soaked almonds overnight and then blended them in the food processor to make it the consistency of tuna. yes, you will never get the same meat again but if you're having troubles giving up it try and make vegetable or nut alternatives! you still need to eat healthily and enough calories to sustain life and make sure that you are getting enough protein from other sources. rice and beans is a great alternative.  

Answer 6

Been a veg for a long time. I teach people how to transition from the Standard American Diet to a healthier one - preferably mostly vegan.

Remember, meat is addictive - so are certain aspects of cheese and other dairy products.

The most important thing is to make sure your body has all the nutrients it needs. Eat a huge variety of foods! High fiber, low fat, moderate sodium, very low in any animal products. Eat LOTS. Make sure you eat loads of raw green veggies and fruit. Watch your sugar intake, too. Drink lots of water.

check www.sdachip.org for info and recipes.

Answer 7

Im not a vegetarian but if you want meat try those meatless burgers that taste like meat

Answer 8

When you look at meat, just think about what the animal had to go though to get it to your plate.

If you need to be reminded, you can watch Earthlings.

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

Not long after you've stuck with it, you should stop seeing meat as food and it won't be tempted by it anymore. Just because something smells good, it doesn't mean you need to chew it up and swallow it.

Answer 9

I gave up meat because of the taste.

I can't stand it.

So i never wanted meat badly.

But my tip would be

go on peta2

they have stuff about animal cruelty

and the process of it all.

Its really off putting.

Also, i didn't loose weight when i first transfer-ed

Answer 10

no cravings. and a 10 lbs weight loss. which is weird since i didnt really eat meat to begin with.

Answer 11

I am a vegetarian by birth and proud of it.

I think non veg is not required for human being.

http://indian-veg-food.blogspot.com

Answer 12

I've always been a vegetarian and please don't think going vegetarian means you'll lose weight. You might have to couple it with exercise .  I've had weight problems myself and excersise was the only way I could control it.

Answer 13

Yes, odds are you will loose weight, assuming you have a well-balanced vegetarian diet.

If you are having difficulty not eating meat, I recommend 3 things:

First, keep a food journal for a week or so and make sure you are getting all the protein and nutrients you need.  If you are craving foods, it could be that you are not getting enough of certain nutrients. Fitday.com is a FANTASTIC website for this!

Second, Morningstar makes very tasty "veggie bacon" and "veggie sausage".  You can find them at almost any grocery store.  

Third, do not try to eat what you normally do, just without meat.  Try new things and make sure you use lots of spice and seasoning.  A lot of Asian foods etc are vegetarian friendly etc and finding new favorites will keep your taste buds satisfied.

It is normal to miss certain foods when starting a new diet.  With time, your cravings will completely subside and you will be happy with your new-found, animal friendly diet!  

I have included a link to get PETA's free vegetarian starter kit.  It is a good kit and should help you find foods to eat!

Good luck and kudos!

Answer 14

Buddhist, was born into it and will remain so for life. I simply can NOT imagine putting a piece of animal flesh in my mouth... the very thought of it simply makes my skin crawl.

But that does not help you with your problem.

Are you getting enough protein, calcium and iron? Sometimes you can crave things when your body is running low. Try having some hummus and perhaps a boca burger (if you tolerate soy and gluten) or a grilled portabella to help you past the cravings.

Also, look into thai and Indian dishes to expand your vegetarian food base. If you eat lots of tasty food you will not think about the meat as much.

Answer 15

I've been a vegetarian for 2 years and I've lost 5lb, but you just need to have a balanced diet. Try eating peanut, they are a good source of protein. Also there are fake meats. Quron has all fake chicken products that contain eggs. Where I live there is a great vegetarian restaurant. Try looking to see if there are any near where you live.If you really want to have some kind of meat then try being a peskatarian, a peskatarian is a person who eats only fish and seafood. that's how I started out because I was only 10.  

Answer 16

Once I gave up meat I was done. I don't ever want to eat it again.

I lost some weight, but it took a while.

Answer 17

I only thought about going back to meat once.  Then I forced myself to watch "meet your meat" (www.meat.org) all the way through.  That video is what made me decide to become a vegetarian.  I have been vegan for a year now and I would never go back.

It helps some people to think of it this way:  We are animals and we are made of the same things as other animals...flesh, blood, bone, muscle...Eating animals is like eating humans.  Yuck!

Good luck to you...and stick with it.  In a few months you will never crave meat again.  Try smart dogs, veggie burgers, veggie lunch meat, and veggie chicken patties.  That will help ease your urges.

Answer 18

you do lose weight..

and feel more healthy..

cause your getting rid of the fat and other things from meat

if you have trouble becoming a veggie..

you best off thinking about why you wanna be one..

because you wanna be healthier [such as diet]

or you think about what happens to the animals..

for me its the animal one..

i think bout meat and just.. i dont want it.. simple.

Answer 19

When I stopped meat, I never went back to it or even wanted to. I did not lose weight, too. Losing weight is not the best reason to go veg anyway, but it certainly does good things to the hair, nails and skin. Your friend probably just cut out meat without adding sth else to her menu, or is just not too good with combining foods. Or she went on a diet and did not tell.  Or there are hormones involved. It can be anything.

Answer 20

I didn't have meat cravings & I didn't lose weight.

Answer 21

I started out going vegetarian about 8 months ago and moved on to vegan about 6 months ago. I've needed to lose weight and actually have lost 36 lbs since starting this.

I have also started walking a lot more, so that helped. But I guarantee that I wouldn't have had the energy to even start walking if it wasn't for going veg.

Giving up meat was the hardest thing I've ever done... have you eaten it? lol... but for my convictions and health it was best decision I've ever made.

What's helpful is finding tasty substitutes for the meat, there area plenty of them out there... if you're some place lucky enough to have a Trader Joes or a Whole Foods take a look around... there are some great ideas... or I've found http://www.theppk.com/ to be helpful.

Good luck!