Why I stopped eating meat

[stymie]

For many years my upper back has been my troublesome area in my body. It would really bother me while I would massage clients. I would have this burning tired tight feeling while I would be working. Than it got to a point when it would travel down my arms and make my hands tired. Then one day while I was working on a client it hit me what I needed to do because massage was not the only answer. I thought I should stop eating meat because my worst attacks were after I ate, which I always had some kind of meat. I have been meat free for 2 weeks now and that gross burning feeling is gone in my back and I have never felt better.

Does anyone else have the same story?

 

[maya s]

Nice. My acupuncturist stopped eating corn after doing the allergy diet she had me do... she found that it caused a very specific form of back pain for her!

 

[I can haz your soul]

I haven't got a story like that, but yours is pretty cool! I have heard such stories in the past, as well. Good for you! Do you plan to go long-term with this, do you think?

 

[Amphitrite]

My goal is long term, but I must say I am really suprised how different my body feels. Goes to show you are what you eat

 

[froggie88]

no kidding!

 

[Chimichanga]

That's wonderful! I'm really glad you found an answer to your problem. It's amazing how many of our problems relate back to food allergies and sensitivities. Food allergy testing is not always accurate, either, which makes the process more frustrating.

I find it interesting as to how many people these days HAVE issues with certain foods. Has it always been like this? I don't remember hearing about it so much historically, even back when I was growing up. A few people had serious allergies, like to peanuts, but that was it. Nobody really had problems with eggs that I remember. It all seems to be a more recent thing. I wonder if there is a link with the genetic engineering going on in an ever-growing sector of the food population, and lack of labeling makes it hard to buy what's best and to know what you're eating.

Lately, I've found that cutting back on (although I haven't abstained entirely from) wheat and chocolate has been very good for my system. I've dropped several pounds in a relatively short period of time and I feel less foggy after a meal. I also FEEL thinner/lighter/leaner, and it's more of an "inside" feeling, not necessarily the fact that I can fit into my jeans better (although that's happening, too).

Hehe oh well, just my ramblings.

Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[bjjnoobie]

I find it interesting as to how many people these days HAVE issues with certain foods. Has it always been like this?

I think it's a connection that's really easy to overlook. I mean, unless you do an allergy reduction diet and cut all these foods out and add them back in one by one, how do you know what each variable is doing to your body? As you say, conventional allergy testing is only one piece of the puzzle. I think many people just live with poor digestion or other symptoms and think it's normal.

Also, food has changed so significantly. And the amount and diversity of weird food products we put into our bodies amounts to a great deal of complexity. Not an easy situation to sort out into straightforward causes and effects.

 

[Ian Loves Noel <3]

Why I stopped eating meat

I feel off the wagon and started eating meat again. I am finding that I am having a really hard time during my period. Any suggestions as to how I can over come this?

 

[Sax Man]

Why I stopped eating meat

I feel off the wagon and started eating meat again. I am finding that I am having a really hard time during my period. Any suggestions as to how I can over come this?

I'll be curious to see the reply's on this one. My husband and I recently made the decision to cut meat from our diets and I am concerned about my red meat cravings during my period. We've done the gradual approach...just not buying any meat and using up what's left in our kitchen. I have been focused on eating more protein..eggs, cheese..protain shakes, peanut butter..etc. I do wonder if taking an iron supplement would be the way to go during that time of the month??

 

[Alaa]

Why I stopped eating meat

Don't get discouraged, changing your eating habits is hard! Kudos for taking the initiative to take better care of yourself this way.

As far as the cravings during your period, I used to get those too... mostly, I believe, because my mother would encourage me to eat more meat during my period due to dizziness and severe cramping I would get. Try eating more beans, dark leafy greens and mushrooms to replace the protein lose you may be experiencing. If you feel the need to, don't be afraid to use "meat substitutes" during your transition... sometimes just eating something that resembles a meat product you're use to can calm that craving. The brain is crazy like that! haha

 

[ratul]

Why I stopped eating meat

If you feel the need to, don't be afraid to use "meat substitutes" during your transition... sometimes just eating something that resembles a meat product you're use to can calm that craving. The brain is crazy like that! haha

I love those meat substitutes. My husband & I have been added them in our diet for quite a while now...even though we still bought meat. The different veggie burgers are my favorites...especially when they have black beans in them.

 

[tenten]

Why I stopped eating meat

I feel off the wagon and started eating meat again. I am finding that I am having a really hard time during my period. Any suggestions as to how I can over come this?

I can't recommend meat substitutes... most of them are full of weird things (like soy extracts) that are not good for the body.

A good acupuncturist who has enough nutrition experience should be able to guide you through this. For some reason nettles come to mind, but I could be off base. Check with a professional!

 

[Strokin meh Pen0rz]

Why I stopped eating meat

Most likely you crave meat because it is a dense form of protein and your body needs a good amount in order to stay healthy. The average person who wishes to maintain their lean muscle mass needs about 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day. For a 150 lb person, that's 150 grams of protein per day.

For those who are more active and/or trying to gain muscle mass, you need more like 1.25 or more grams of protein per day. High-performing athletes may consume 4 or more grams of protein per pound of bodyweight every day.

If you cut back on meat, you need to balance that protein reduction by finding an alternate method of obtaining adequate levels to meet your physical needs. Doing so will make it much easier to get rid of those "meat cravings" that result from inadequate protein consumption.

 

[CALL ME!!]

Why I stopped eating meat

You said: "I feel off the wagon and started eating meat again. I am finding that I am having a really hard time during my period. Any suggestions as to how I can over come this?"

Of course you crave meat during that time. You're losing iron (in the blood) during your period. So your body craves meat to replace the iron. It's not a problem. Your body's natural mechanisms at work to keep you healthy.

 

[RAWR!]

Why I stopped eating meat

Most likely you crave meat because it is a dense form of protein and your body needs a good amount in order to stay healthy. The average person who wishes to maintain their lean muscle mass needs about 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day. For a 150 lb person, that's 150 grams of protein per day.

Jason, where do you get that figure? That is way higher than most nutritionists would recommend. In fact, that's higher than the recommendation for triathletes. Excess protein harms, instead of helps the body, so I wouldn't recommend overeating protein to anyone.

Here's a simple chart of protein requirements for the average person, as well as a chart on the protein content in foods (both vegetarian & meat)
http://life.familyeducation.com/protein/foods/48678.html

Here's an interview with an MD who specializes in nutrition needs:
http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/articles/nutrition/protein_2/

JLWMassage, I agree with Convoluted's insight that meat cravings during your period can definitely be related to iron loss. Red meat is high in iron, but there are many vegetarian options that are high in iron as well. However, you need to eat Vitamin C at the same time, to help your body absorb vegetarian iron. Here's a detailed table on foods that are high in both:
http://www.nutritiondata.com/foods-011101119000000000000.html

 

[pandy]

Why I stopped eating meat

Oops! I said "pound" instead of "kilo" and did my math accordingly. I should be more careful when posting late at night. Here's what I meant to say:

Most likely you crave meat because it is a dense form of protein and your body needs a good amount in order to stay healthy. The average person who wishes to maintain their lean muscle mass needs about 1 gram of protein per kilo of bodyweight per day. For a 150 lb person, that's 68 grams of protein per day. (To convert pounds to kilos, go here: http://www.healthyweightforum.org/eng/converter.asp)

For those who are more active and/or trying to gain muscle mass, you need more like 1.25 or more grams of protein per kilo per day. High-performing athletes may consume 4 or more grams of protein per kilo of bodyweight every day. (This level of protein intake is rare and should be practiced only under medical supervision.)

If you cut back on meat, you need to balance that protein reduction by finding an alternate method of obtaining adequate levels to meet your physical needs. Doing so will make it much easier to get rid of those "meat cravings" that result from inadequate protein consumption.