Vegetarians/vegans, meat craving

[footballfan993]

Vegetarians and vegans, do you ever have meat cravings?

I'm starting to have meat cravings again, and I don't know if it is because I work in a restaurant that serves mainly meat based foods, or because I am the only vegetarian in my family.

But what do you do whenever you have meat cravings?

[Anonymous]

No, not really. I usually don't have cravings for non-vegan things. But when I do, its something dairy based, especially chocolate (but there is vegan chocolate, so I can get some), and cheese. oh, cheese, my previous love in life. lol cheese is so serious. you don't understand. I was a cheese on everything type.

especially because there are few good cheese substitutes and almost none taste exactly like cheese. which I don't mind anymore. after 5 years of being vegan, I just look for things that taste good and not things that taste like dairy and meat exactly. However, there is some tiny, overpriced faux cheese wedge from a company called dr. cow that I want to try. they have a few flavors and theyre supposed to be tangy like real cheese and good with wine and fruit. so I will get some of those soon. I think they have it in some whole foods locations, but you can also order online from one of the mass stocked vegan sites like pangea or vegan essentials. id rather get it in the store or from the company though.

anywho...meat is kind of disgusting to me. I guess because I'm an ethical vegan, so even when meat smells good (and I will concede that I loved my meat, dead animal carcass cooked the right way can smell and taste delish) I think of the cruelty and murder behind it and that solves that issue.

i will say the smell of crabs and seafood still gets me sometimes. seafood is meat still in my book, animal parts/animal flesh, but it was much harder to get used to being without that than beef, pork, or poultry. but to be fair, while I've been vegan for 5, almost 6, years, I started phasing meat out when I was around 13. (im 23.) beef and pork were the first to go at that age and I don't recall having many issues with that. then I gave up chicken in high school, and all poultry. seafood was the last to go when I was 18, along with the rest of the dairy in my diet. so you're looking at a 10, 11 year process. time helps, but commitment is key.

the restaurant may do that if you're around it a lot.

whenever I have cravings, I either a. look at recipes and plan to make something (im trying to get more into cooking lol) or b. go to a health food store, trader joes, or a vegan/vegetarian restaurant and get something to satisfy my cravings. if I get something that tastes really good to me, that usually takes care of it. but again, I usually crave things that are not meat. cheese type things or chocolate, candy, marshmallows, I have a sweet tooth.

[Opinion Owner]

hey by the way, if you want to try the "looking up recipes and cooking more" route, there are so many good vegetarian and vegan blogs online. making your own food can be fun and just allows more control over your options and expands them. one place you may want to start is pinterest. a lot of women on pinterest, but guys can go there too. people get obsessed and pin lots of recipes from different blogs. not me, of course...

[Anonymous]

When I have meat cravings I just go to a Vegetarian restaurant that makes soy/seitan based "meats". A meat textured "burger",or "shrimp",or "beef/chicken" properly made nips any random although seldon cravings in the bud.

@Hannyelsedso

He is NOT a vegan.He is a vegan only if he doesn't consume dairy products as well.That means milk and eggs etc.To take it a step further,also...if he decided to not wear anything made from an animal either like leather etc.So,there's more to being a vegan,and he isn't it.

[DanAG]

I was a veggie for five years. I never once had any cravings to eat meat. After a while meat didn't even seem like food any more. It would have been like eating rocks or the tires on my car. It just wasn't something that had any appeal to me at all.

But then even before I was a veggie I wasn't really into meat. Like I've never been able to figure out why people make such a big deal out of steak. To me is just dry and chewy. I'd rather eat a salad any day, they taste 10x better.

[martyfellow]

This shouldn't be a problem! Get some vegetraian 'meat loaf' or other veggie dishes taht mimic meat dishes, and have similar textures.

You might not be getting sufficient protein in your veggie diet, and that causes these cravings. So get yourself some yougurt or other protein-rich nourishment; dark green veggies, beans...I make smoothies ot of yogurt and kale and such things.

[HannyelSedSo]

YES! I do. I see these commercials where the meat is on the grill and it looks soooooooooooo good *wipes drool*, but I can't swallow it.. and what I can swallow doesn't remain in my stomach for long :( Not a vegetarian by choice.

Are you a vegetarian for a particular reason? If its because of weight issues, then there are healthy swaps you can make that taste just as good and are just or more healthy.

[footballfan993]

i'm a vegetarian, because it's better for the animals, planet, and yourself!

[HannyelSedSo]

Then you're a vegan, if its all about beliefs and for the animals and all that... jazz.. Just snack on other things, and don't give in to the cravings :)

[DivaPrincess]

I was a vegan for 6 months and a vegetarian for years. Didn't crave meat during those times but now I crave it a lot. Turns out according to the blood type diet I shouldn't be a vegetarian. Anyhow I crave mostly chicken.

[xzinax2]

i don't have them. keep yourself full,and remember link

[maiez]

Thats a psychological drive wanting you to take in some protein or a nutrient you aren't getting enough of.

[Anonymous]

Portabella mushrooms are good for meat cravings. Stuffed baked ones are especially great.

[Anonymous]

Complete opposite, I don't want any.

Could be many things, cover the basics, get more protein, B12, and iron.

[Anonymous]

well what do you expect with all those darn fast food comercials!

[Anonymous]

Yes because I miss ribs