Research
So, I had a lot of spare time on my hands. When I had the energy to open the laptop, I started to research my medical condition. The meds weren't working. I was desperate. That's when I came across lots of information about nutrition. That's when the seeds were planted, that veganism could be causing my ill health, even with the supplements I was taking. But the denial was incredible. I blamed everything else before I finally had to face the truth.
Craving
Just as I'd craved the cheese, I started to crave meat. Not a normal craving, like you would for a chocolate bar or a cigarette; this was intense, much deeper. It was like my body had an intelligence of its own and was trying to signal to me, to guide me. The craving went to my very core. I resisted this for about six months or so, always pushing the welfare of the animals and the planet before my own selfish desires.
One day, there was a beef stew on the stove (I still cooked meat for my kin – they insisted). The smell was absolutely mesmerising. As I was stirring it, the steam hit my nostrils and the aroma seemed to do something to me. I was struck, as if by lightening, by the most overwhelming craving I'd ever experienced in my life.
The awakening
Before I'd had chance to process the conflict in my brain, I'd scooped out a lump of beef and put it in my mouth. I was simultaneously repulsed and intoxicated. There was a huge surge – like a chemical and electrical explosion – happening in my mouth, my cheeks, my eyes, my brain, my entire body. Seriously, only a sci-fi film or Manga cartoon could adequately paint this picture for you. Or Pokemon. This was a rush like I'd NEVER experienced in my life. It was incredible. And I immediately felt good. So much so, I put another piece into mouth. And another. And another. God knows how much beef my family got that night (not much!) but I carried on eating the meat until the craving passed. And it was amazing.
Recovery
I started eating meat every day after that. Within a month, I no longer needed ANY of my medication. I was off the painkillers, the brain zappers, the anti-depressants, the beta-blockers. My pain, anxiety and depression gradually melted away and I was no longer exhausted. I started living again.
Looking back, I was clearly malnourished by my vegan/vegetarian diet. My body lacked essential nutrients and couldn't function properly without them.
Now
I'm okay. I eat meat, raw dairy, eggs – all sourced from a local organic farm. I do life, I think clearly and I do whatever I want. We're all different. Some people may be okay on the vegan diet. But it's not for me.
I no longer see meat as murder. I see veganism as murder. It culled many years from my life.
Why?
I'm sharing this because maybe you're a vegan and wondering why you don't feel so good any more. Maybe you're trying to work out what the problem is. Maybe you don't want to admit it's the diet causing the problem. Maybe, hopefully, you'll look into it, like I did. Hopefully you'll recover too.
I know that feeling!! When the ex and I were still together and I love bacon bits on my salad before I turned Vegan to please her and she would give me this dagger look as if I cooked a dog or something.
How could anyone hate bacon! Bacon is a gift from the gods. A heavenly taste of crispynes and the aroma of it smoky smell.
So the day we broke up I ordered a double quarter pounder with lots of bacon and a side of fries with melted cheese and bacon bits.
I love meat!
I can imagine must've been heaven when you ate Mav. ^^
hahahah that's brilliant. Revenge bacon! lol
XD
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I hope it helps even one person out there!
So nice that you have access to nice organic animal products. I might have a goat one day for milk, can't wait!
Much love,
@amymya
I hope so. Some are not open to the idea that veganism isn't for everyone and think I'm trolling, but that's ok. They'll hopefully be aware there are alternative ways of eating that are not cruel and great for health and the environment.
That'd be awesome, to have your own goat! Happy days, Amy.
Cheers
Anj x
Nice post. We need to find the balance between loving ourselves and caring for the planet. I think you are advanced along that path, thanks for sharing!
Yes, there has to be balance.
Thanks for your kind comment, Airship.
Cheers
Anj x
Interesting to see someone who has experienced something contrary to the usual, "veganism makes me feel so much better" Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Mark. Yes, there's no diet that fits all. We're all different.
Cheers
Anj x
It's actually because veganism does make people feel better, especially whole foods vegan. Think carefully about all of this person's claims, and how they back up none of them. It's all anecdotal, and proves nothing.
This must be the first time I read (or at least I don't remember any other times) that someone quit being a vegan.
I am sure veganism is good and people have different reasons to start this kind of eating, but most of all we all need to listen to our bodies. Good you did! And good you choose the organic stuff.
I wouldn't be able to eat vegan. Despite all the info that we shouldn't drink milk and such... I just love it. I love all dairy products, cheese, eggs, honey. Vegetarianism is a lot easier (but I am not one neither).
hahaha Thanks for your comments Ewkaw.
Yes, most people who try veganism quit before the end of their first year :D
Cheers
Anj x
Hahaha I guess they never admit it ;)
You did it on a much larger scale and not intentionally, but that reaction of the meat right after a long time without, one of my friends who loves meat went vegan for two weeks and timed it so that he would eat a fancy steak on his birthday. He said that was the best steak he's ever eaten.
hahaha I bet it was. OMG I had a 17-year buildup to that moment. Wow. Not that I recommend it, mind.
cheers
Anj x
I think the sad part is, that we are predisposed by nature to consume some meat, whether we like it or not. Our teeth and intestines point in this direction. The compromise between animalistic necessities and morality could be to eat meat in moderation and only from animals who had a nice life and a dignified death. Looks like you are doing just that.
Enjoy your meal!
thanks Lexi. Yes, I think so... try to eat only the happy animals. Not sure I'm getting the moderation part right yet though. There's me, all my kids and 3 dogs all feasting on meat at the mo :D
cheers
Anj x
No, we are most physiologically similar to other frugivores. Our teeth and intestines are like that of frugivores. You're quite wrong. And there are 7 billion people on the planet... You can't have happy animals when most of those 7 billion people want to eat meat. Do you even realise how destructive animal agriculture is? How much wildlife suffers and goes extinct because of it? Really, you seem to be clueless.
I'm glad you've found your way anj. ^^ At times staying where your happy is the easiest route. ^^
I know even if you aren't vegan you're as healthy as you are. ^^
thanks Dawn. I'm happy and healthy now :D
cheers
Anj x
oops... accidentally upvoted my own comment there. Need to pay more attention :S
I think if someday I try to be a vegan or vegetarian I will feeling the same thing.
I love so so so much meat!! One of the things that give me more pleasure is eating a great steak!! :)
You're not Conor McGregor. And Nate Diaz, one of the people who was able to compete against him and win a fight, is plant-based.
I'm sure smokers get great pleasure from smoking before it gives them lung cancer too.
it is a interesting point of view, yes it is.
Nate Diaz (both Diaz brothers) eat lots of fish and seafood. I'm a big fan of theirs. They also smoke a lot of weed. Maybe that's why he won. Who knows?
"My body lacked essential nutrients and couldn't function properly without them." No blood test to prove it of course.
Perhaps you'd like my bra size and pin number while I'm at it.
Look up Lierre Keith. She was an ex-vegan activist. Is she making it up too? And all the others who got ill?
Vegans post their blood test results on Youtube and elsewhere. It's not that sensitive information . Having your blood test results won't allow anyone to access your bank account. And they do it to back up their claims, which utterly refute yours.
Lierre Keith? Wow... I had a hunch that she is your role model for making up fraudulent life stories, and that confirms it. Her nonsense has been completely dismantled.
You have no blood test results to show because you were never vegan.
All the others who claim to have gotten ill have stories very similar to yours that are anecdotal and lacking evidence.
There are some people with glaring nutrient deficiencies who were obviously very misinformed about what and how much to eat as a vegan. But they actually have evidence that was the case and so their error and how they could have corrected that error is very plain.
If someone becomes ill, it is routine for doctors to take blood tests. If the doctor knows you are a vegan, then they might even look even deeper at one's nutritional levels. Furthermore, computers have been around for a very long time, and doctors store patient records such as blood test information for many years, in order to compare results over time.
another UPVOTE FOR YOURSELF again. Tut tut. Are you desperate for money or something?
You are accusing me of fraud and yet you know nothing about me. Wow. You truly are a deluded person, so entwined with your vegan religion you can't bear other people to speak out against it.
You claim Lierre's story was dismantled. Look how you say that without providing evidence.
Your nasty attitude is starting to grate on me now. Go and leech pennies from someone else's posts eh.
Lierre's story was dismantled along with her claims. If you were actually an honest researcher you would have looked into that. A quick Google would do it.
It seems like you are completely out of touch with what vegans are actually saying, and the information they present. That makes it even more unbelievable that you were ever actually a vegan.
A former vegan who uses some of the most easily refutable arguments against veganism? A former vegan who cannot present the best evidence (much of it scientific studies) vegans present and explain why you no longer believe such evidence for veganism? You are so clueless about veganism. How could you ever have been an informed vegan? You were never vegan. It's so obvious!
Easily refuted? Can’t see you refuting any of them. You’re just full of wind (probably the beans) Lol.
Sounds like an addiction to me. And sounds like you are addicted to your own thoughts about it. If meat is not murder, what is it? And all the cruelty? Even in so called organical farms. And what about if you go To a restaurant where the meat isn’t organic? And how many people say they’ve feel much better on a vegan diet? You are what’s you eat.
Maybe you’re right about me being addicted to my thoughts on the topic. It was a big part of my life and identity. For a long time.
Yes animals have to die for us to get our meat. It’s just part of the food chain. Predators eat what they will to survive and thrive.
I agree. I’m made of meat 😃. Im not really into eating out too much so that’s not an issue for me.
Thanks for your comments.
Cheers
Anj
Yes I’ve heard some people feel better on a vegan diet. My point was never to judge anyone for their choices. People can eat what they want. This diet wasn’t good for me. It’s my own personal experience.