Comments on: Successfully Converting Away From Eating Red Meat

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:42:31 +0000

I have been a vegetarian for almost 3 years. This is my second or third stint at being a vegetarian and, I believe this is my last time because I have no desire to eat meat. Being a vegetarian is a challenge for many reasons,( finding healthy food outside of the home in a jam) but when you get the hang of it becomes easy also the pallet is opened up to many more varieties. I wholeheartedly agree with this article, when transitioning to a vegetarian based diet it has to be done gradually, each time I stopped eating meat, I gave myself a few months to completely give up the chicken, beef etc… doing it that way makes it easier and not such a shock to the pallet. As for my health I feel better without the meat, but I have to be aware of my iron intake because I am anemic, but that is solved by loads of leafy green salads and the occasional iron pill. Lastly my children are still carnivores, but they have meat free days with me over the weekend and they are used to having a meal without meat, my oldest is currently having a meat free week, hopefully he converts, but no pressure.

By: Yum Yucky

Yum Yucky — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:04:57 +0000

I accidentally stopped eating red meat (about 99% anyway). It was a combination of exploring and enjoying meatless options AND educating myself on how the meat industry works (ewww) and what red meat does to your body. The education caused a huge red meat turn off. Now I prefer the taste of whole grain and veggie dishes more than red meat on any day. Also, red meat weights me down. I can actually feel the difference in my body when I consume meats. Don’t like that feeling.

By: GrrlULuv

GrrlULuv — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:56:11 +0000

So… I think I’m doing it wrong. Recently I’ve been have about 1 or 2 days a week without meat, mostly because I don’t have the time to cook it and if I don’t cook it I shouldn’t be eating it. I’ve been getting dizzy and having headaches. Is this meat withdrawal or does my anemia have something to do with it? After nearly passing out in a lukewarm shower I’m a little freaked.

By: Lynette C

Lynette C — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:31:41 +0000

My husband hasnt eaten meat in a month and doesn’t want it anymore,He was diagnosed with insanelyhigh blood pressure and I told him he needed tomake some changes,it wasnt just food,it was a few other things,but he hasn’t had any indigestion or need for heartburn meds and the doctor was so pleased with the change in his BP that he told him if he added some working out with his change in eating he could probably remove him from his BP meds.But I would say if your going to eat meat eat a better quality meat(grass fed,etc) and be aware of where your food is coming from,How it is raised and the process it involves to get it you,shop your farmers markets if possible and make sure there are locally grown foods there as well.I went to a farmers market that was selling blueberries from chile…Really?!?…So i’m just trying to educate myself and my family to be more concious about what we are eating.It’s a work in progress!

By: Tira

Tira — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:33:28 +0000

I am with you 100%. I love meat and will never completely eliminate it from my diet #teamIlovemeat.

About 12 years ago, I removed meat from my diet 2 or 3 times a week. I noticed I was less lethargic and my energy increased. I have been thinking of returning to this way of eating as I saw the health benefits and it wasn’t too hard to incorporate into my lifestyle.

By: Tanya

Tanya — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:18:07 +0000

I stopped eating beef a couple years ago!! I started noticing that everytime I ate it, I would get horrible stomach aches, so I just stopped!!! However, every now and then I CRAVE it. So, I’ll eat a lean hamburger or a small piece of steak and I still get the same pains. But once again, I CRAVE it!

By: Erika Nicole Kendall

Erika Nicole Kendall — Sun, 22 May 2011 18:23:10 +0000

I abstain from a lot of things, and so long as they don’t clash with my core principles, I don’t admonish people from eating them (like, for instance, pork.)

I eat poultry and shellfish occasionally, but not often. It hasn’t affected my workouts at all, really.

By: Perkisha

Perkisha — Sun, 22 May 2011 18:13:08 +0000

I am in live with this blog!!! Okay now that I’ve often that out of the way, lol…I’m slowly going vegetarian too! I started by doing the “Daniel Fast” with church during Lent and I had so Much energy, that I couldn’t deny the dietary changes I had to make! Right now, I’m only eating meat on the weekends (primarily seafood and poultry). But I didn’t realize you were vegetarian Erika…I thought I saw a (very tasty looking) recipe for chicken on here last week. Do you/how do you incorporate meat into your diet and how has it affected your workouts?

By: Lilangel

Lilangel — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:29:07 +0000

Hi everyone!

I went vegan (no red meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, or honey) three years ago and I love it! I started off going vegetarian four years ago because I desperately wanted to improve my health. I could never seem to get enough sleep and still felt tired all the time, I had NO energy, and got constant headaches on a regular basis and bad cramps come that time of the month. I was literally taking pain pills three times a week. It was terrible! My family, (like most black families) has a history of heart attacks and strokes and I also did not want to suffer that same fate.

So I went vegetarian and thought I was doing great! Until my friends told me all I was eating was carbs…hmmm… I did what a lot of people do—jump right into a new diet and didn’t bother to talk to anyone or read anything on the matter at all. So I stated talking to my vegetarian friends about their vegetarianism. I found a new love and passion for the environment, animals, and my health as well as an entirely new way of cooking and looking at food. I also read the book ‘Skinny Bitch’ which talks about health as well as wonderful things to eat! I began looking up websites, magazines, and other books on vegetarianism. Protein, iron and calcium from leafy greens, lentils, nuts, and legumes? Check! PLEASE BELIEVE I was eating healthier and stuffing my face —- no hunger here! AND I did not become a sickly-looking stick. My curves to this day are DANGEROUS! Wanting meat really became a non-issue.

After a year of being vegetarian, I decided to take the plunge and become vegan and never looked back! I feel better than I ever have in my life! I can wake up at 6AM with no alarm and not be tired. I am not fatigued after a day at work. I have new energy to be able to do more activities with friends and family. Instead of being invited to something and being that person that always says “We’ll see” I just say “YES!” and go have fun!

Meat can never TASTES as good as I FEEL.

By: Mel

Mel — Tue, 10 May 2011 18:07:54 +0000

How do you supplement your strength training with protein with a decreased consumption of meat? I tried to go vegetarian once and my strength gains deteriorated rapidly.

By: Erika

Erika — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 21:06:02 +0000

What?! So can #teamANTIbacon claim another?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 18:34:03 +0000

Too FUNNY! but seriously, nothing against veggies and grains but I love meat, and not that i couldn’t part with it if i wanted, but I love it. I have however cut out a ton f red meat, and I lean more towards shrimp, organic chicken, and I’ve even cut out PORK! * gasp*

By: CoCo

CoCo — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 04:24:38 +0000

“(My Mom is a gangsta. My impending vegetarianism was like a new gang moving in on her turf. After too long, I started to expect a horse head in the bed.)”

LOL!! You are a mess!

By: Kamika

Kamika — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:06:27 +0000

LOL! My mom did the exact same thing back when I had stopped eating red meat just after high school. I stopped for 12 years and she HATED it! You would have thought I told her she couldn’t eat it. But nevertheless, after 12 years I regressed and instantly started gaining weight. I find it so hard now to get me resolve back. I’ve tried, but a good steak is like cryptonite.

By: Rita

Rita — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:41:35 +0000

haha, funny cause I’d been doing this lately and was curious if this was successful. Good to know I just have to keep at it. I’ve officially gotten rid of all of the meat in my house so now it’s a matter of reserving meat for my days when I eat out with friends which technically is during weekends.

Thanks Erika!

By: Vanessa F.

Vanessa F. — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:15:46 +0000

I am going vegetarian during the Lenten season. This site has been a great source for learning more about the process.

With that said, I hope no one has to talk me down off a ledge when remember I can’t have lamb chops or chicken parm.

By: kisten

kisten — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:36:05 +0000

Um vegetarianism…not happening! lol, but i agree that small steps are what really lead to the types of lifestyle changes that have the best impact.

For me that has been eating salads 3x a week-luckily that has actually been working well and i will hopefully increase that number in the future.

Kristen