Food Options: Meat/Unhealthy Food Overload
Discussion
For a couple of reasons, I recently decided to restrict how much meat and meat derived products I eat. I'm not the born again vegan because I will still have a bite here and there. Right now, not eating meat - or not eating as much meat as I used to - suits me.
The challenge with this conscious decision (call it choice if it makes more sense) is that I feel I'm up against it. The worst time is if I haven't prepared, like a packed lunch; then I'm f
ked. There is either no non-meat/non-dairy option, or if there is, it's five times the price of the 'two sausage rolls for a pound' promotion for example (and you still feel hungry!).
Every food advert seems to be either fast food, or a bloody/crispy/juicy/succulent chunk of roast meat (which, don't get me wrong, I have always loved). I'd just like a broader selection of options; but I feel I'm in a minority. If it isn't meat, the overwhelming majority are not interested. Is this the power of advertising and marketing?
From a health point of view, especially speaking from the older side of 50, the downsides of eating meat - or too much meat - cannot be denied. My joints started to ache like fk, but since backing off meat/processed products/dairy, they've not been as bad. Not eating meat and dairy suits me for now. I've been abstaining for six weeks now (I've previously managed a whole year before succumbing to a bacon sarnie, and then 18 months before falling off to a chateaux briande to myself). On that note, I have a birthday coming up soon so a chunk of bovine may well come into consideration.
What I really like about a non meat/dairy/processed food diet is the planning and thought into what to eat. You really do have to think about it and plan. As much as it can be a bit of a faff, soaking/peeling/blanching can be quite satisfying if you know how to achieve the desired outcome.
One of the other challenges when not eating meat is finding something to satisfy the desire to chew on a bit of meat! What are the alternatives? Beans are not enough...
It does now feel like the world trades on meat currency.
The challenge with this conscious decision (call it choice if it makes more sense) is that I feel I'm up against it. The worst time is if I haven't prepared, like a packed lunch; then I'm f
ked. There is either no non-meat/non-dairy option, or if there is, it's five times the price of the 'two sausage rolls for a pound' promotion for example (and you still feel hungry!). Every food advert seems to be either fast food, or a bloody/crispy/juicy/succulent chunk of roast meat (which, don't get me wrong, I have always loved). I'd just like a broader selection of options; but I feel I'm in a minority. If it isn't meat, the overwhelming majority are not interested. Is this the power of advertising and marketing?
From a health point of view, especially speaking from the older side of 50, the downsides of eating meat - or too much meat - cannot be denied. My joints started to ache like f
k, but since backing off meat/processed products/dairy, they've not been as bad. Not eating meat and dairy suits me for now. I've been abstaining for six weeks now (I've previously managed a whole year before succumbing to a bacon sarnie, and then 18 months before falling off to a chateaux briande to myself). On that note, I have a birthday coming up soon so a chunk of bovine may well come into consideration. What I really like about a non meat/dairy/processed food diet is the planning and thought into what to eat. You really do have to think about it and plan. As much as it can be a bit of a faff, soaking/peeling/blanching can be quite satisfying if you know how to achieve the desired outcome.
One of the other challenges when not eating meat is finding something to satisfy the desire to chew on a bit of meat! What are the alternatives? Beans are not enough...
It does now feel like the world trades on meat currency.
Umami is your friend here.
Mushrooms, togarashi seasoning, nori kelp sheets, kimchi, toasted sesame seeds etc, all help to pimp up the flavours of a blander meal.
My go to in winter is roasted root vegetables in ginger, chilli, soy and garlic. Add nuts, greens or beans to this. Smoked tofu / hot smoked salmon also go well.
Or, mushroom pasta, with rocket and a shed load of parmesan.
All of this can be prepped in advance and tubbed for the week.
Mushrooms, togarashi seasoning, nori kelp sheets, kimchi, toasted sesame seeds etc, all help to pimp up the flavours of a blander meal.
My go to in winter is roasted root vegetables in ginger, chilli, soy and garlic. Add nuts, greens or beans to this. Smoked tofu / hot smoked salmon also go well.
Or, mushroom pasta, with rocket and a shed load of parmesan.
All of this can be prepped in advance and tubbed for the week.
I often chose not to eat when out and about. After a while you get used to being in a fasted state and it’s not really noticeable.
I found the main thing is not to eat ultraprocessed foods and almost everything sold on the high street is ultra processed.
I experimented for a bit.
Tried rotation diets, going mostly veg, eating mostly organic. Im on low carb now. By far the biggest factor for me health wise was cutting down ultraprocessed foods. That stuff is really quite evil, the science is coming round to that fact now.
Did you try a rotation diet? Eat particular groups of foods in rotation and see how you feel? Meat as a category might not be the culprit? For me, animal protein wise, I found I could eat as much seafood as I wanted, coped well with pork and chicken but felt better taking it easy on the red meat. Generally limit that to 2 portions a week.
I found the main thing is not to eat ultraprocessed foods and almost everything sold on the high street is ultra processed.
I experimented for a bit.
Tried rotation diets, going mostly veg, eating mostly organic. Im on low carb now. By far the biggest factor for me health wise was cutting down ultraprocessed foods. That stuff is really quite evil, the science is coming round to that fact now.
Did you try a rotation diet? Eat particular groups of foods in rotation and see how you feel? Meat as a category might not be the culprit? For me, animal protein wise, I found I could eat as much seafood as I wanted, coped well with pork and chicken but felt better taking it easy on the red meat. Generally limit that to 2 portions a week.
Edited by wyson on Monday 25th September 20:58
Living in a major city, its never been easier being vegan for me...
Sainsbury, Co-op, Tesco, M&S and Morrisons do vegan meal-deals. Greggs, Costa, Starbucks, Cafe Nero, Subway, McDonalds, Burger King, Dominos, Papa Johns, Frankie & Bennys, Wetherspoons, Nandos, Pizza Express plus most other chains will do vegan options. Nearly all indy places too. However, in saying that, I do try and cook most meals from scratch. Cheaper and healthier.
If you're not in a big city then granted it can be difficult. Went to visit some family in a small town, typically surrounded by farms. Off to the pub for dinner and no vegan options. They do baked potatoes but all with animal ingredients. They do baked beans as its on the kids menu. Asked if they could do baked tattie and beans for me and they said no... Ohh well, **** them. That's happened once or twice but generally everywhere's been very accommodating.
Regarding the cravings of meat, meat alternatives are getting better and better and help transitioning, but, like meat, they shouldn't be a staple and be a treat. After that, its just time and mindset. I eat a st load of tofu and tempeh as my protein sources and maybe have fake meat once or twice a week - usually always on a Sunday so can take part in the family Sunday roast.
Regarding health of consuming animal products. Looking around us, I don't think people really give a **** about their health these days. And veganism has been and will be the next big culture war. The Andrew Tates, Piers Morgan, Clarksons of the world, even Braverman with her "tofu-eating wokerati" bks. So feeling being up against it, bombarded with animal products and advertisements etc is hardly surprising, despite some of the greatest athletes not consuming any animal produce.
Vegan 4 years and never felt better. Best decision I made.
PS you may want to consider a supplement, especially for B12. I take the Boots Vegan A-Z once a day, they are always on offer 3 for 2.
Sainsbury, Co-op, Tesco, M&S and Morrisons do vegan meal-deals. Greggs, Costa, Starbucks, Cafe Nero, Subway, McDonalds, Burger King, Dominos, Papa Johns, Frankie & Bennys, Wetherspoons, Nandos, Pizza Express plus most other chains will do vegan options. Nearly all indy places too. However, in saying that, I do try and cook most meals from scratch. Cheaper and healthier.
If you're not in a big city then granted it can be difficult. Went to visit some family in a small town, typically surrounded by farms. Off to the pub for dinner and no vegan options. They do baked potatoes but all with animal ingredients. They do baked beans as its on the kids menu. Asked if they could do baked tattie and beans for me and they said no... Ohh well, **** them. That's happened once or twice but generally everywhere's been very accommodating.
Regarding the cravings of meat, meat alternatives are getting better and better and help transitioning, but, like meat, they shouldn't be a staple and be a treat. After that, its just time and mindset. I eat a s
t load of tofu and tempeh as my protein sources and maybe have fake meat once or twice a week - usually always on a Sunday so can take part in the family Sunday roast.Regarding health of consuming animal products. Looking around us, I don't think people really give a **** about their health these days. And veganism has been and will be the next big culture war. The Andrew Tates, Piers Morgan, Clarksons of the world, even Braverman with her "tofu-eating wokerati" b
ks. So feeling being up against it, bombarded with animal products and advertisements etc is hardly surprising, despite some of the greatest athletes not consuming any animal produce. Vegan 4 years and never felt better. Best decision I made.
PS you may want to consider a supplement, especially for B12. I take the Boots Vegan A-Z once a day, they are always on offer 3 for 2.
Edited by NaePasaran on Monday 25th September 20:55
NaePasaran said:
Regarding health of consuming animal products. Looking around us, I don't think people really give a **** about their health these days. And veganism has been and will be the next big culture war. The Andrew Tates, Piers Morgan, Clarksons of the world, even Braverman with her "tofu-eating wokerati" bks. So feeling being up against it, bombarded with animal products and advertisements etc is hardly surprising, despite some of the greatest athletes not consuming any animal produce.
Interesting post but I must admit I don't recognise the above - I think people are more conscious about what they put in their bodies and about their health at any point in my lifetime (compare and contrast with 1980s/90s, note sugar tax etc etc). There are also plenty of adverts for non-animal products/fake meats - I don't feel in any way bombarded by animal product advertising - more likely to see an ad for vegan butter than cornish pasties I reckon. ks. So feeling being up against it, bombarded with animal products and advertisements etc is hardly surprising, despite some of the greatest athletes not consuming any animal produce. Clearly the tofu-eating stuff is a load of culture war rubbish but for me that kind of comment is about class rather than vegan/not vegan. As you say, the amount of vegan options available compared with even a couple of years ago would suggest that the tide has already turned, regardless of how bigoted fools like Braverman try and play the issue for votes.
Not a vegan or vegetarian and probably never will be, however I used to consume a high quantity of meat due to gym training which stopped thanks to covid. And then for various reasons including cost of living and general health I now 'only' eat meat once a day for dinner during the week. 95% of the time it's chicken.
I refuse to eat any meat substitutes/vegan meat as they seem to be full of all sorts of unhealthy ingredients. As someone else mentioned curry is the easiest and probably best meat free dish I have had. This is Indian and Thai, although I now do other dishes and just substitute meat for chick peas or kidney beans.
One thing you must do is make sure you are still consuming a good amount of protein (chick peas or kidney beans are good) otherwise you won't feel full up like you would after a good meal based meal.
A word of warning though, big meat free meals go through me much quicker. It's probably a good sign but what used to wait until I got home can catch you out after lunch, and no chance of holding it in.
I refuse to eat any meat substitutes/vegan meat as they seem to be full of all sorts of unhealthy ingredients. As someone else mentioned curry is the easiest and probably best meat free dish I have had. This is Indian and Thai, although I now do other dishes and just substitute meat for chick peas or kidney beans.
One thing you must do is make sure you are still consuming a good amount of protein (chick peas or kidney beans are good) otherwise you won't feel full up like you would after a good meal based meal.
A word of warning though, big meat free meals go through me much quicker. It's probably a good sign but what used to wait until I got home can catch you out after lunch, and no chance of holding it in.
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