If you HAD to, how difficult would it be to give up meat for the rest of your life? (burgers, avocado)

[Sunbather]

Indeed. That's what I get for trying to read into your posts in the way you didn't mean it

[ukiyo-e]

Originally Posted by brokencrayola

I have to have the protein, so no meat would not work too well for me. Besides that I like meat and would really miss it.

You can get plenty of protein without eating meat - or any animal products at all, like dairy or eggs, for that matter. The typical American eats several times more protein every day than they need. The rest is just broken down into metabolic products that get urinated away.

My son has been vegan for 6 years and runs marathons, and there's a well-known vegan weightlifter. So you can even be an accomplished athlete without eating meat.

I'm not saying people shouldn't eat meat, even though my family doesn't, but the idea that you HAVE to eat meat to get enough protein is 1) a myth and 2) sometimes just a convenient excuse for eating it.

[chazk14]

i would kill myself. i have meat atleast once per day, normally every meal.

[Athair]

For me, chicken is like oxygen. OK I don't breathe chicken and I wont die if I go more than 5 minutes without it, but much longer than that and I will go bonkers.

[Athair]

Originally Posted by ukiyo-e

there's a well-known vegan weightlifter

Whom's name escapes you?

[War Beagle]

I never would under any circumstances. I'd resort to cannibalism before I'd go vegetarian.

[Hazel W]

I stopped eating any meat some years ago and have been blessed by it. Even as a child, I could not swallow beef unless it was very finely ground. Even then it didn't go down easily. So, I just gradually stopped trying. Later I read several things about meat that bore thinking about. Meat - beef especially - is hard to digest and constipating, raises the blood pressure, contributes to cholesterol and - I'm not at all sure about this one - makes people more aggressive. Maybe it just gives them more energy so they react faster? Sounds better anyway.Now, for several years, I have had no meat of any kind and I'm doing fine. Blood pressure is back to normal. I am certainly not aggressive. :-). I just feel generally healthier without the meat. That does not mean it works for everyone. I agree with the person in the far northern climates who needs the protein of meat and fats. There can be other reasons for needing meat. It's a personal decision.

[beera]

I have a medical condition and have to eat a reduced carb diet already, so to take away meat would really limit me.That being said hubby and I do have 1-2 dinners a week where we don't have meat.

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

I've recently given up beef, pork and chicken as well as anything with wheat in it. Cut back on cheese as well because of the fat. Feel better than I have in years and steadily losing weight.

I have shrimp tacos, and salmon patties, and so forth. Not every day. Don't miss meat at all. Lots of vegetables.

Have noticed though that it is almost impossible to eat out. Salads is about it.

[beera]

Originally Posted by GotHereQuickAsICould

I've recently given up beef, pork and chicken as well as anything with wheat in it. Cut back on cheese as well because of the fat. Feel better than I have in years and steadily losing weight.

I have shrimp tacos, and salmon patties, and so forth. Not every day. Don't miss meat at all. Lots of vegetables.

Have noticed though that it is almost impossible to eat out. Salads is about it.

I consider seafood meat. I eat quite a bit of it yum! I could easily be a "pescatarian" if that didn't count as meat in this thread.