Is it expected or "normal" to fall off the wagon?

[andyxcore]

I think I missed my main point: If you find yourself lingering from the lifestyle that you have chosen, go back to why you started, that flame that made you not want to consume flesh, and embrace that again. So back to what made you choose to be veg*n in the first place,

[imahag]

My friends have been vegetarians for years. They check all the labels and are very careful to never get meat anywhere near their mouths. When people are barbecuing outside, they have to shut their windows for fear they may breath in the noxious fumes. I love them and have learned alot from them but he told me that once a year he has to go to Wendy's to eat a chicken sandwich. He craves it so bad he could bust thru the big glass doors to get to it. I wonder if that's how ex alcoholics feel.

[LittleOne89]

I find that a little weird, imahag. I understand some people really love the taste of meat, but to me, the spices and flavorings you use when cooking the meat is what makes it. If you take just a slab of beef and don't smoke it, or spice it up, or anything, I doubt many people will find it appetizing. So for someone to crave meat, and not be able to satisfy that craving with like, mock meat or some other type of thing like that, is sort of hard for me to understand lol The only part of meat I've ever missed was that my family and friends eat meat together while I eat something else. It doesn't make a huge difference, but every now and then I wonder what they're thinking when I'm sitting there eating my dish and they're eating theirs' lol

[imahag]

I hear you, I just went thru it the other day. They think I'm strange and I don't care anymore. I absolutely cannot eat the meat. Once, like 20 years ago, I tried going vegan and after about 4 months I went crazy for a hot dog. Yuk, of all things but I know now I'm a little better eduacated. I hope!!

[Kiseki]

I never understood this CRAVING for meat. Even when I ate it I never really craved it. The only thing I found hard to give up was MD crabcakes, cuz I'm from Baltimore and damn those things were good!

But now I- like another poster here stated- just find it odd that someone would go and buy meat and eat it! It is really gross when you think about it.

I guess you could always eat meat substitutes if you ever desire meat. Or try to eat spicy stuff, like curry or Mexican dishes.

[Identity_thief]

I am quite determined, and if I adopt a mind set I get very set into it. Perhaps it's because of this that I've never had any non-vegetarian or vegan cravings, or purposfully eaten meat because I've desired it (we've all had slip ups but the nature of this is different).

Personally, I don't think you should expect to do so - it just sets it up as an "Okay" thing to do in your mind hence resigning yourself to it happening. It happens for some people, and I understand for them it's tough. Personally, I just stopped seeing meat as food, and that was enough.

I wish you luck I'm sure you'll be fine. A lot of people find meat subsititutes helpful for transitioning, or others find cooking quite liberating because it allows you to adopt your favourite flavours into vegetarian cooking.

[the_advocate]

Well I should say I still get the occasional cravings myself. Yes bacon seems to be the worst (when I first went veg, I wondered if I would allow myself to eat bacon-glad I didn't). You will get cravings, I suppose that's normal. Around the 4th of July, I swear every single house was grilling steak. Do you not think I was ready to dive straight into that bloody piece of dead animal? You're damn right I was tempted. Oh! And for some reason, since going veg, my seafood cravings is through the roof! Especially crab cakes. (Don't ask me why, I wasn't big into seafood in the first place). So I would say it's normal to crave, but like previously stated, think about why you went veg in the first place. Hopefully it will overrule steak & crab cakes!

I'm sure you could find a fruit or veggie plate at the party. I'm sure there has to be at least a few non-meat options. Oh and to avoid the awkwardness of social gatherings, be sure to mention to the host your diet. Make sure they follow that rule if they want your company. I have absolutely refused to eat Pizza Hut (beef base in EVERYTHING) even when my family went out of their way to make sure it was a veggie pizza. If all else fails, grab a few mock meat burgers and have 'em ready for the worst case scenario.

[jenni-anti-fur]

I am not sure.....I never liked meat and never craved it and never fell off the wagon...I am sure if you liked meat that may be normal.....but not to me.....and exactly what is normal?.....LOL

[bluegrrrl79]

What I always suggest is to get fake meat! Remember, any craving you have can pretty much be satisfied by the veg. version of it This is what I did and I've never felt a reason to go back to eating meat.

[Puppet Master]

I was seven when I became vegetarian, and not once did I ever look back and regret it, or just want to taste something "one more time". So I can't really relate to anyone who says they crave something. It's all odd to me. I don't know if it's easier or harder to be veg*n that young.