I Quit Meat 6 Months Ago. Here’s What Happened.
Spoiler alert: it’s not what you think.
I’m not the type to follow trends, especially the dietary ones. And while I’ve never been a big meat eater, going vegetarian was certainly not on my to-do list.
I’ll be honest with you: I found the general vegan rhetoric a bit forceful, and, quite frankly, annoying.
I have trouble accepting the black and white messaging that leaves little room for discussion, and which immediately labels me as a murderer if I don’t entirely agree.
Life is not black and white. And eating meat does not make you a murderer. It makes you an accomplice, at most.
Of course, I do feel terrible about the way we mistreat animals. But what speaks to me louder than guilt is science.
There is no denying that our overconsumption of meat has devastating effects on our environment. In fact, I wrote an in-depth article about this right here on Medium.
It’s the facts and the numbers that convinced me.
Scientists plead for us to eat less meat, or else we perish: if that’s not a grim eye-opener, then I don’t know what is. It was indeed a sobering wake-up call for me. And a pretty motivational one, at that.
I felt empowered: consumer behavior matters. My voice matters.
I didn’t think I could stop animal cruelty by abstaining from meat, but watching how I spend my money is a different game. Empathy? That’s a sign of weakness. Economy? That’s a force to be reckoned with.
Our wallets dictate the rules; our spending behavior can change how the world spins. So I stopped buying meat, and I’ve learned five universal truths in the process.
- We have a choice.
Let’s face it; our survival no longer depends on eating meat.
Long gone are the times when humans had to hunt and kill to prevail. Even in the current global pandemic, the majority of us are privileged enough to have access to other, less cruel options.
You can have a fully nutritional meal, knowing that no animal had to sacrifice its life for your full belly.
We can all co-exist in the same ecosystem without harming each other. And that alone is a pretty rewarding feeling.
2. I don’t miss meat at all.
I admit, perhaps I am not the best example. I never craved burgers, and eating a juicy steak was an ordeal for me rather than a treat. I was more of a ‘chicken or fish’ girl.
And yet, the idea of giving up meat seemed like a scary commitment.
Suddenly I had to find a replacement for that chicken or fish. And I had to be a bit more imaginative when it comes to prepping my vegetables.
My usual, go-to meals were no longer an option, so I had to come up with an alternative. Once I did, though, I realized that my previous way of thinking was just pure laziness.
I consumed meat out of convenience, but I didn’t actually crave it.
Which brings me to the next point…
3. Vegetarian meals can be pretty damn tasty.
I’ve discovered some great ‘meatless meat’ alternatives that successfully fool my taste buds. I can have spaghetti without feeling deprived in any way. I can even treat myself to some chicken fajitas — with no real chickens involved.
These ‘fake meat’ products tend to be cheaper than the real deal, so going meatless is not only an ethical but also an economic win. I am a bit skeptical about the additives, though, so I only eat them occasionally.
More importantly: I’ve found out that fresh herbs and spices are the secret to any great meal.
This full, savory flavor — also called umami by some — is probably what most people actually crave when they think of meat. And the good news is: you can achieve the same sensation with vegetarian ingredients.
You just need to get a bit more adventurous in the kitchen, especially in the spice rack department.
4. I feel fine.
Many freshly-turned vegetarians or vegans often talk about the amazing health benefits of quitting meat, and these claims are probably valid.
Following a healthy diet rich in plant-based products is going to be good for you in the long run — there is no doubt about that.
In my case, I did not notice anything ground-breaking about my health other than: I feel fine.
Before going vegetarian, I was already quite mindful about my food. I followed a low-carb, no sugar diet, and a moderate fitness regime, which is now replaced by yoga at home due to social distancing.
So quitting meat wasn’t going to revolutionize my body, or at least I didn’t expect to see a drastic change.
Did I lose weight? Yes, I lost about 5 kg / 11 lbs since I’ve stopped eating meat. But I’ve been through some extreme stress recently, so I can’t honestly say it’s because of the vegetarian diet.
5. Sometimes I fail, but that’s okay.
This point may be quite controversial, but hear me out.
Even though I stopped buying meat six months ago, I still had some ‘cheat days.’
By ‘cheat days,’ I mean I may have ordered seafood at a restaurant to go with my glass of Viognier, because the meatless option wasn’t that appealing.
Or, I had some meat with my family during the holidays, because I don’t have the heart to tell my senile Polish grandmother that I won’t eat the meal that she cooked especially for my arrival.
The point is: I’m not perfect, but should it be about perfection? What about striving to be better — is that not good enough?
I’ve already changed my life around to do something that I felt was good for the planet. And I will continue to do so, because I honestly believe that my action is making a difference.
Accidentally eating meat one day will not disqualify that effort.
In doing good, we sometimes forget to feel good.
This feel-good factor is essential if we want to make a long-lasting change. Otherwise, why on earth would we carry on with something that makes us unhappy?
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you deviate a bit. Just get back on track, remember why you are doing this, and move on.
Six months later, I am proud of my journey so far, and I’m surprised how easy it was for me.
If you can’t imagine your life without a Sunday roast, quitting meat could be more challenging for you. But it’s doable, as long as you feel inspired to go down that route and stumble once or twice.
And I’ll be there to cheer you on.
