Vegetarian issues!

[Bounty2009]

Hey there guys, I have been a vegetarian now for at least 12 years, maybe longer, and have never EVER even wanted meat. So it has never really been a will power issue as over the years meat has looked less and less appetising! However, over the last few weeks at certain times when I see (smell) meat or someone eating meat I actually want a bite! I know I wont give in, but do people have any tips or advice for ways to make the cravings go away or pass more easily? Thanks so much.

[Hopeless Dork]

Could be you are having a specific vitamin or mineral craving. Check your diet and make sure its well balanced and that you are getting enough iron, protein etc. Sometimes we crave something we need and while it isn't specifically meat that you need, perhaps you are lacking something it contains and need to make sure you are supplying yourself.

[justjollyjill]

I wonder if you are lacking in vitamin B12 which is usually gained by eating meat. Maybe you should take an extra B vitamin complex 50mg of each B vitamin. See if that works. It sure can't hurt. I eat very little meat. But I take a B complex supplement for that reason.

[ghanie]

There are a few ways vegans can get their B12 without resorting to eating meat, eggs, or dairy ... Nutritional yeast flakes are a natural powerhouse of many B vitamins (especially B12) and can be more than enough if you can find out a way to eat it every day. There are also sprouts, fortified cereal ... and most of those tofu-based cream cheese and such are fortified with B vitamins also.

But look into those yeast flakes. I got mine online and they last forever. My sons reach for it every time we have pasta ... they call it "cheese" because it has this cheesy/nutty flavor. Just don't overdo it .. no more than 3tbsp per day!

[echoskybound]

Can our bodies really communicate so well with our sense of taste that it can make us crave something that contains a nutrient? I wish mine did that.. I might be healthier, lol. I've honestly never had a meat craving, but they DO make some substitutes that taste a lot like meat. My mom eats them because she likes meat but worries about her cholesterol. But some brands are good and some are just terrible - I think VeggiePatch makes good chicken nuggest, SmartDeli makes GREAT bologna... stuff like that. Maybe that satisfy the craving... but without the cholesterol ;]