Anyone else here a *former* vegetarian ?

[MissAverage]

I was wondering if any one else on here left the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle? I was vegetarian for almost 3 yrs until a few years ago when my PT at the time convinced me it's better for me health to eat meat. I feel great now and better than I did before.

[sgtpeppers]

My broccoli and I are ride or die.

[Richy P]

I think I've had at least one portion of protein from an animal or fish, every single day of my adult life. I can't remember the last time I didn't have a single meat dish throughout the entire day.

[Madi-J]

I tried being vegan for a few months and it just wasn't working for me, nutritionally or otherwise. Vegetarian was better, but I feel best with some meat in my diet.

[catdance62]

i was a vegetarian (a real one, not one of those "I'm a vegetarian but I eat fish/chicken" people) for 13 years. During that time I also was a vegan for a year and a raw foodie for 6 months. I like to experiment with and manipulate my body just to see what happens. That said, my reasons for not eating meat were complex and not limited to the so-called "health" aspect of it. I started eating meat again about 7 years ago when we started raising our own livestock. We sold off the last of our sheep last year, but I still purchase meat from a local farm that has grass-fed cows and pastured pork. I do purchase chicken in the store and turkey. I get my eggs from a friend with a farm. i don't regret eating meat again, but I try to eat REAL meat and not some tasteless square-formed dyed red thing in a stryofoam container from the store as much as possible. Too bad I don't have access to pastured chickens on a regular basis.

[MajesticBeats]

Been vegetarian for 2 years when I was 13 or something. At some point my parents convinced me to eat meat because I felt tired all the time.
Right know I can eat vegetarian for weeks without feeling the urge to eat meat.

[chicky74]

I've been a vegetarian my whole life, and can honestly say that, for most people, I think eating some meat is healthier than being vegetarian.

[poxyd]

I was vegetarian for 12 years, and during that time I maintained a vegan home for 2-ish years. The only reason I stopped is because I was diagnosed with celiac disease and chronic malnutrition. The celiac had gone for so long without treatment that my intestines have permanent damage and I physically cannot absorb enough iron and fat soluble vitamins from all plant sources. I tried, but I was on IV iron treatments and IM vitamin shots for a year with no real stabilization until I started eating meat again. Now I get most of my meat from my parent's farm, so at least I know the animals and how they were raised and treated.

[Britanica]

I was a vegetarian from 16 to 21. I started getting sick, having hormonal imbalance problems, I just felt like crap. I was lacking B vitamins all around. I started eating meat again shortly after turning 21. I don't eat much meat, maybe 2 or 3 times a week, but that's all you really need. I will eat beef around my period time and chicken the other times.

[Britanica]

I was vegetarian for 12 years, and during that time I maintained a vegan home for 2-ish years. The only reason I stopped is because I was diagnosed with celiac disease and chronic malnutrition. The celiac had gone for so long without treatment that my intestines have permanent damage and I physically cannot absorb enough iron and fat soluble vitamins from all plant sources. I tried, but I was on IV iron treatments and IM vitamin shots for a year with no real stabilization until I started eating meat again. Now I get most of my meat from my parent's farm, so at least I know the animals and how they were raised and treated.

I wish I knew someone with a farm around here! Most places you buy meat from they are all hopped up on loopy medications and steroids. It is a shame that farmers sold out and began doing this. People wonder why so many are sick, look at the food! GMO needs to GTFO haha

[WillWork4supps]

I was strict vegetarian for 3 years. Then I decided I needed more protein so I started eating chicken and on rare occasion fish. That lasted 3 years. A couple months ago after trying keto for a bit I ate bacon which turned into pork chops which turned into steaks. I felt like a horrible person for giving in and eating meat after being against it for so long.

[Agiyosi]

Never been a vegetarian or vegan long enough to call myself one, but I adhered to a strict vegetarian diet for about 3 months once. Went back to the dark side. It wasn't a nutrition issue either way for me. I am just very sympathetic to animal rights. Yes, I'm a big ol' softy. It was cool, though, because since I love to cook I was forced to make dishes I'd never previously made before such as eggplant parmigiana, chilaquiles, etc.

Anyway, I still consider becoming a vegetarian, but doubtful now that I have kids. Not so sure my wife would be 100% on board with that either.

[acrawlingchaos]

Question for those who were vegetarians. What was your reason for becoming vegan/vegetarian in the first place? Perceived health benefits, ethical reasons?

My gf isn't vegetarian, she just doesn't like to eat anything that looks or smells "gross". The only meat she eats is ground chick and eggs. Pretty much just a "picky eater".

[smackey91]

I used to be strict vegetarian for 3 years and have been a pescatarian ( only meat is seafood ) for 2 years. I also make a huge effort of limiting my dairy as well.

My reasons is I don't like how animals are tortured. However, fishing an hunting, as long as in a humane way, I'm ok with and will probably start eating venison that's been hunted, eventually.
until then, I love my eating lifestyle and feel wonderful! I incorporate a lot of supplements which I'm sure has an impact.

But don't for a second think that cutting meat out of your life is automatically going to be healthier for you. You have to make substitute for the vitamins and minerals you are lacking.