How to Stop Meat Cravings as a Vegan

For adults, switching to veganism can be difficult. After all, you’ve spent a great portion of your life consuming meat and other animal products. Suddenly stopping can cause your body to experience some less than pleasant effects, including meat cravings.

Meat cravings can happen to anyone, including non-vegans. While they can be random, they can also occur as a result of a variety of different things, including malnutrition and boredom with your diet.

We know how difficult it can be to push through cravings, which is why we’ve created this list of tips on how to stop meat cravings as a vegan.

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Remember Why You Became Vegan

Sometimes, all it takes to help you power through meat cravings is to remember why you became vegan in the first place.

For many people, veganism stems from a place of health. A vegan diet offers a variety of benefits and can even help prevent certain health conditions. Many people also try veganism for the environment and animal welfare.

However, some people don’t have a “why” for becoming a vegan. In that case, think about the effort you’ve been in thus far and what your journey has meant to you. Being vegan allows you to explore your health, nutrition, and impact on the environment in an entirely new way. Although these may have not been your intentions when starting, considering them now can help you persevere.

Take It Slow

If you’ve recently begun your journey into veganism, it’s important to realize that quitting cold turkey isn’t a viable option for everyone. In fact, immediately switching to a vegan diet can be hard for most people.

Instead, try to taper your consumption of animal products over a period time. Many people try eating vegetarian diets first. 

Not only does slowing down your process of becoming a vegan help you tame meat cravings, but it also gives you a chance to explore and experiment with new recipes. This way, when you do make the final step into full veganism, you’ll be less likely to have meat cravings as you’ll have an entire menu of recipes you enjoy up your sleeve.

Find Substitutions

One of the most common reasons you’re finding yourself craving meat? You’re missing the meals you grew up on. 

Here in the United States, almost every meal we prepare and eat contains some kind of meat. When you switch to veganism as an adult, you’re leaving behind decades of these meals, which can be difficult. After all, there’s no doubt you’ve developed favorite dishes which may not fit into veganism.

All of this combined can trigger meat cravings, which can make maintaining your vegan diet difficult. 

If you find yourself missing certain meat-based dishes, exploring different recipes and meat substitutions can help stop meat cravings as a vegan. Thankfully, veganism is anything but uncreative, and you can find popular meat substitutes in almost anything.

Take our ‘Steak’ Fritas for example. We’ve added a vegan twisted to this popular dish by replacing steak and replacing it with our grilled seitan steak for a familiar taste that falls in line with your diet.

Meal Prep and Prepare Your Nutrients

In some cases, meat cravings stem from an area of malnutrition. Whether it’s a lack of protein, iron, or other vital nutrients, your body will begin to crave nutrient-dense meals. Meat can be an easy source.

When you meal prep, you’re able to make sure you’re getting the right amount of nutrients with every meal. Eating a balanced diet can help curb cravings, sometimes even before they happen.

This will also give you the opportunity to see if supplements are right for you. There are some nutrients that can only be found in animal products, and a deficiency in any of these could increase cravings for meat.

Indulge at Willow Bistro

We hope this gave you a better insight on how to stop meat cravings as a vegan. Remember, it doesn’t have to be impossible. Whether you’re craving a burger or fried chicken, here at Willow, we strive to offer a menu of your homestyle favorites with a vegan twist. This allows you to enjoy meat without the meat.

You can enjoy a dinner out at our restaurant at 199 8th Avenue in NYC or indulge with pickup and delivery orders by ordering online. However you decided to receive your plate of high-quality vegan cuisine, we look forward to serving you your next favorite dish.