Tags
food, health, life, vegetarian
Sooooo … it’s been exactly 6 months since I went vegetarian. Correction: flexitarian. Except, as it turns out, I have been less than flexible and more of a strict pescatarian. Whatever. You say tomato, I say veggies and rice with an occasional side of salmon.
Initially, I wasn’t flexible because I was afraid if I started blurring the line too early I would just eat whatever and not really give this experiment a chance. However, the longer I went without meat, the weirder (and, frankly, grosser) it seemed to me. I simply had no interest in going back. Some people seemed baffled by my preference for kale over chicken, and I was equally baffled that it is normal to eat dead flesh. Sorry. It was less of a value judgment and more of a weirded-out-I-can’t-believe-I-used-to-eat-that judgment.
The pendulum has slowly swung back and I had my first post-vegetarian meat dream a few weeks ago. (Dirty!) The entire dream consisted of me eating prime rib. I woke up hungry. Actually, I’ve been craving meat since Christmas and don’t know if it’s due to all the Christmas goodies or (more likely) because I’m iron deficient. I admit I haven’t been good about taking supplements or educating myself on complete proteins – despite the great resources out there (hello, No Meat Athlete!). I think I was a little cocky and figured I eat pretty healthfully so I don’t need to worry about it. I do. So, that’s my bad, and hopefully once I get back on track I will stop having dreams filled with juicy filets and game day hotdogs.
Now that I have 6 months under my belt, I thought I’d answer the five most common questions I’ve heard since quitting cold turkey (pun!)
1. Why?
This is the question I always try to avoid. My answer is pretty straight forward: part health, part distaste of factory farming, with a dash of “why the hell not?” I do believe the American diet is too meat-heavy, and all of the hormones, antibiotics, and chemicals involved in the process scare me. Especially the hormones. Of course, I could just buy organic meat, but then most is still raised and processed in a factory. This is where I start feeling awkward. Because my answer is pretty hippie, and living in Oklahoma I have a hard time not feeling pretentious when I talk about it. I know the problem is in my head, but terms like “ethically slaughtered” are just not that prevalent in the Midwest (although things are changing). So, when I respond that I don’t eat meat because I believe the standard process is inhumane and disgusting, there is a voice in the back of my head telling me that I will be judged. Of course, I just need to get over it and OWN IT because it’s my belief and my diet. I don’t judge others for eating meat, so I hope they won’t judge my choices, too.
2. Don’t you get bored?
Hmmmm … my initial reaction to this question is always a resolute NO! I am actually less bored with what I’m eating now than when I was a carnivore. I used to approach a meal in the standard way: pick a protein, then sides. I ate “chicken and _____” or “ham and _____” etc. But when you remove what used to be the basic building block of a meal, your options open up and you’re forced to be creative. Now, instead of having baked chicken and veggies again, I might have coconut and red curry rice or leak and parsnip stir fry or roasted acorn squash. Of course I don’t have to be a vegetarian to have those meals, but removing what used to be the centerpiece of a meal made me a lot more creative and excited about what I’m cooking!
Of course, it’s still easy to slip back into a rut, and when I decided to change my diet I wanted to be sure I didn’t just end up fixing salad and stir fry every night (shut it, Eric). I’ve had a lot of fun trying out new produce and cooking styles. My M.O. is just to find what’s on sale and buy it. Even if I don’t know what the heck to do with it, I can figure that out when I get home. This way I’ve tried new (to me) things like roasted beets and rutabaga and various grains. A lot of the time my problem (and I think it’s the same for most people) is that I have a kitchen full of food that doesn’t add up to any actual meal. If you’re thinking of being a vegetarian (or just wanting to try healthier foods) but don’t know what to buy to actually create whole and varied meals, I highly recommend checking out this post from Katie at Sweet Tater. It’s basically my kitchen bible!
On the other hand, I am getting pretty bored with restaurant food. In some ways being a vegetarian is easier – at least, I can look at a menu and eliminate 98% of the meals and badabingbadaboom I know what I’m ordering. Of course, living in Oklahoma this often means that I’m getting another salad or another veggie burger or another grilled cheese sandwich. Gah! I mean, I like salad and grilled cheese is damn good, but consistently having one or two options can get old.
To be fair, I might be being a little hard on my home state. Part of it is that I get lazy and go to the same four places (in my neighborhood) all the time. If I venture further into the city there are options and it’s just getting better. I’m pretty impressed with how many new vegan and local restaurants are popping up, plus we have had a slew of natural and specialty grocery stores open up this last year, so I think we are trending toward more veggie-friendly options.
Edited to add: Friday night Eric and I tried out a new Spanish restaurant, Très, and holy god it was delicious! And they had a ton of vegetarian options – even an impressive amount of gluten-free meals. I do think things are getting so much better, and so I eat my words – or my veggie polenta cakes and sticky black rice. Mmmmmmm…
3. Isn’t it expensive? Or have you saved money?
No and no, or yes and yes – depends. I am definitely saving money not purchasing meat from the store, and once in a blue moon a restaurant will actually lower the price if I request something sans chicken. However, I am more than making up for it by shopping at Whole Foods and buying things like goat cheese and organic kale. I haven’t done an actual budget comparison (although I’ve thought about it) but I am pretty sure it has equaled out.
4. Did you lose weight?
Initially, yes, but I was also running. And I’ve put it back on over the holidays. I easily fluctuate 5 pounds or so at any given time and it’s been no different since going veggie. I personally think a vegetarian diet or minimal meat diet is healthier (obviously not an RD or anything – just my opinion), but anyone can eat well or eat junk regardless. I am pretty sure that my recent diet of (veggie) pizza and (veggie) grilled cheese and cookies has been substantially less healthy than my colleague who had baked chicken and salad at lunch. So, you know, it’s not a miracle diet or anything.
5. Do you think you’ll stay vegetarian?
Hmmmmm …. now this question … I don’t know. Meat dreams aside, this has all been somewhat of a big experiment for me. At first I thought I’d be super flexible, then I wasn’t at all but LOVED being vegetarian and was totally grossed out by meat, and now I’m kind of craving it. I think I will probably start eating meat again, eventually. In fact, I will probably become what I originally set out to be – a flexitarian – and have the very occasional hamburger when I feel like it’s ethical, like on an organic/humane farm or something. For now, though, I am still a little grossed out at the idea of meat and I want to be sure I don’t just need some vitamins!
Edited to add: I wrote most of this earlier in the week (today is Sunday). The last few days I have been conscious to eat healthier and more balanced meals and I don’t have that craving anymore. We’ll see…
Are you a vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian or other? Are you a proud carnivore? Why do you eat the way you do, and have you ever thought of trying out a new way of eating?
That first meal with the comment “I ate this” looks absolutely delicious. What is it?
I’m not a vegetarian. I like meat but I also love vegetables. I’ve thought about trying it out, but I’m afraid of not getting enough protein. (And as I am not queen of our budget, my mother is, the fact that tofu is so damn expensive IS an important matter.) `
I train intensively, so to me it is important to get enough protein. How do you do it?
You can get protein from eating nuts – a handful every day is enough. I make up a mix of almonds, walnuts, brazilian nuts, etc. As a vegetarian you can also get protein from eggs. Brandon Brasier, a succesful triathlete, wrote a book called The Thrive Diet which details his vegan diet. On his diet he has found he performs better, and is still able to build muscle. His book is worth reading.
Thanks for the book tip! I’ll check it out! 🙂
The first meal was veggie enchiladas at Javier’s in Newport Beach. We went there for Eric’s brother’s rehearsal lunch (you can read about it in my California trip posts). It was AMAZING and if you ever have the chance to eat there I highly recommend it!
As far as protein – it’s actually not that hard to get enough. I’ve been really lazy lately, but there is protein in a lot of food that people don’t realize – like spinach. Of course, you can get plenty of protein from beans, nuts, and dairy (if you aren’t vegan). I find it a little harder to make sure I’m getting enough vitamin B and iron, but it’s still possible. I don’t eat tofu at all – not so much because I don’t like it, but because breast cancer runs in my family and soy can mimic a surge in estrogen in the body (more complicated than that, but that’s the short of it). There is already so much soy in everything (it’s like corn in that way) that I don’t want to consume more than necessary. BUT that’s just me – some people believe it is fine. There’s really a lot of good info out there about how to eat vegetarian and still get all the protein and vitamins you need, so I definitely encourage you to look into it. Good luck!
Alot of what you have said sums up how I feel. When people ask “why” I tend to just say “why not” because I don’t want to start a big debate about farming and the environment etc but sometimes I think maybe a good rant would mean Im not asked again lol!
I also have been veggie for 6 months and I cant believe I used to eat meat, it seems weird to me now to see chefs on TV cooking it so much!
Regarding protein and Iron – things like tofu, beans etc have plenty of protein and also mixing dark green leafy veg like spinach and brocolli with a little lemon juice will increase your iron intake!
Goodluck with continuing to be veggie or flexible hehe 🙂 x x
Right?! I think we should just own it. Hey – they asked, if they don’t like the answer, tough. At least, that’s what I need to remind myself! And thanks for the tip about iron with citrus – I forgot about that but it would probably really help with iron absorption! I will try it!
I really identify with the struggle to express how inhumane the standard slaughter is, without completing offending an alienating the person who asked. After all, sometimes a person asks because she is thinking about going veg/flex too. At the same time, part of my attempts to eat ethically mean I am de facto trying to make a statement, so I want to shout long and loud about how grotesque factory farms are: for the animals there, the human workers, the human neighbors, and the humans who do the eventual mass slaughter is the fastest & least honorable way (many times).
It is always refreshing to read the similar struggle in someone else’s words, especially as I try to imagine the Oklahoma culture as you describe it.
I have gone back and forth and I am currently only eating pork products or a “new to me” Italian preparation. I never eat shrimp, chicken or tuna for ethical reasons, including overfishing.
Congrats and thanks for the good links.
Good point (re: sometimes people ask because (s)he is thinking about trying vegetarianism)! I should keep that in mind, because I know it helped me to ask or read about other people’s decision process.
Oklahoma is an interesting place. There is a lot of the good ol’ boy mentality where vegetarians and animal lovers are looked down on, but there is also a strong organic, local-food movement here, especially in the two metro areas (Tulsa and Oklahoma City). I think even I get stuck in a perception of Oklahoma that is based on how things used to be (quite closed and old-fashioned) and don’t give the state credit for the progress we’ve made.
terrific post. I laughed out loud at the idea of ‘meat dreams’.
haha, there is no way to say it without sounding dirty. 😉
Join the co-op, Kris and I have been members for 3 years+, and love it, and you know where your meat and eggs are coming from. oklahomafood.coop Its $40 for a lifetime membership.
Yes I should definitely look at that! I’ve thought about it before but never followed through because I’d get distrac- look, a shiny penny! 🙂 I do want to look into it and hear more about your experience.
I am cracking up at your “meat dreams.” Ha! I think Jason has those every night. 😉 I totally agree less meat is better and good for you that you are willing to try something different. No judgement here! If I sat and thought about it too much I would probably start eating less meat too. I only buy organic now and just tell myself it is more humane. Although I will never forget our road trip when we were kids. We were all packed in the car and we drove past a truck with a trailer with a bunch of cows in it. I asked my parents where they are taking the cows and my dad said something like, “probably to be slaughtered.” I was crying in the back seat for a good part of the trip! It made me SOO sad! I’ll have to remind my dad that he traumatized me. 😉 Wonder if Eric remembers that! Any who, you are right on when you say we have a meat and make the meal around that. Maybe you will inspire me to make more meat free meals! 🙂
HA! I can TOTALLY see him saying that (at least the way you guys describe him when you were growing up)! That is hilarious. It actually sounds a lot like something my dad would have said. And I probably would have cried for hours, too. 🙂 You know I don’t think my way is right for everyone, but I do think you might find it interesting to experiment with meatless meals – if nothing else than to see the look on Jason’s face when he sits down to eat! haha