Several years ago, I made the decision to go mostly vegetarian. I say mostly because every once in a while I would still have red meat or fish if my body felt like it needed it, but never chicken or pork because I was really disgusted with how they are treated and transported. (Plus, pigs are just cute.)
I felt like a hypocrite, though. I won't eat pork because pigs are cute, but I will eat fish because, presumably, they're not cute? What does that say about me and my character? It was a real struggle.
For the most part, I didn't miss meat or poultry at all. There were plenty of other choices -- fruits, vegetables, salads, pasta, breads, chocolate, ice cream, candy, milkshakes...
Wait, what was I talking about?????
I lived -- live -- on carbs. I try to make good choices -- whole grain breads and pastas, fresh produce every day, veggies mixed into pasta. I scoffed at all the people jumping on the gluten bandwagon. I mean, less than 1% of the population has celiac disease, but I personally know at least 10 people who claim to have it? Not likely.
Recently, though, I've been reading about how grains are not what they seem and definitely aren't the healthy option I've always thought they were. Wheat and other grains are now hybridized and contain THREE TIMES as much gluten as they used to. Why is this a problem? You know how sometimes you are hungry and you eat something, only to be hungry again afterward? It's not in your imagination. Apparently, this hybridized wheat contains an additive that MAKES YOU CRAVE MORE WHEAT AND SUGAR. Yes, wheat stimulates your appetite and can lead to addictive eating behaviors like cravings and bingeing.
WTF????? That sounds WAY too familiar.
So now I'm left with a vegan diet (not going to happen) or adding meats back in. How do I balance my physical health with my mental health? I love animals. I don't want them to die so that I can have a meal. Seriously, in Theia World everyone would get by on fruits and nuts. I don't want to eat poultry and meat, but it turns out it's probably healthier for me to do so. This is so upsetting to me that I'm actually crying as I type this.
Help me rationalize this. Help me be OK with it, because it's mentally really hard for me to accept that I may have to go off carbs and back onto meats.
Right after I finish this garlic bread, that is.
5 comments:
Why don't you just look for gluten-free options when you can? There are so many choices for breads, pizza crusts, pastas out there that are GF now! You don't have to be 100% GF, but buy it for your house and make it a priority. You can do it!
I also don't eat any meat other than seafood (and only seafood that is caught sustainably - you can get the Seafood Watch list from the Monterey Bay Aquarium website). And I've been slowly moving to choose GF foods when I can.
I went completely gluten free for a month just to see how I would feel....not because I have any kind of dietary need. I have to say it did make me feel better and eliminated alot of the cravings. I have read the same stuff and think wheat is sadly just not the same thing it used to be. However, all that said, I am not gluten free now, but have tried adopting more GF foods into my lifestyle. I think sometimes we get too hung up on having to do something 100% I think it's ok that you eat meat occasionally ...just pay attention to where it comes from. You also don't have to adopt a completely gluten free lifestyle. You can make smart changes without going all out!
Tough one. I eat all kinds of meat and just don't visualize where it comes from. Right or wrong, it seems to work for me.
I am a hearty meat eater myself...however after a one month stint in Nepal I did quit meat for about 3 months after seeing disgusting things that I will not go into detail here. lol.
I have had mad success with leaning out by cutting all bread and pasta and dairy. My body started to lean out automatically. No cravings like I used to have either. This was a huge surprise!
I don't want to sound like a bible thumper, but following paleo diet guidelines has worked so well for me. BUT...I have no problem with eating meat.
What about buying chicken that is from a local farm or something? You mentioned how it really bothers you how they are treated, perhaps if you could find a meat source that treated their animals better, you might be able to errrr stomach that? lol.
I have a friend who does not eat meat at all and is a raw food queen. She is always on the vitamix blending stuff up.
My opinion is that you have to do what is right for YOU. If you have that much of a negative reaction to the thought of eating meat, maybe there is a reason and you should listen to your body? Everyone is different, and like Alison and Michael said you don't have to go 100% gluten free! Just start small one step at a time, that is what I have done.
I am not 100% but am getting pretty close and it started with me going like 50%. It was just a natural progression. I still ate a bunch of crap but my body started to adjust on its own when I initially cut out bread and pasta. I started eating TONS of protein, but after about a month and a half, I didn't need as much protein...
Good luck!!!
Thanks, all. I knew I could count on you guys for thoughtful advice! I do tend to be all or nothing in pretty much everything I do... So maybe baby steps are a better (and more realistic) idea. Xoxox
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