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Tips for convincing a "meat-a-holic" significant other that vegetarian food can be good?

If it were not for my boyfriend, I would be a full on vegetarian. As it is, a rarely eat meat and mostly that's just to keep my body being able to digest it. I have been in the process of trying to get him to like vegetables and vegetarian dishes. He tolerates it sometimes, but complains about not getting full because there is no meat. I think a lot of it for him is mental. Any useful tips? I joke with my friends about how if I became a vegetarian, one of us would starve. I am not saying making him into one. What I am saying is I would like to beable to cook meals that we could occasionally eat together without me always cooking meat seperately or whatever. He's down for it if I can convinence him that some stuff is good. I would be completely if it weren't for him. I'm trying to become a vegetarian, but right now with work scedules and stuff, it is too hard when it comes to cooking for both of us.

Public Comments

1. I can't be much help since I like meat too try veggie lasagna the pasta will fill him up.
2. Cook him a chicken stir fry with veggies, including lots of garlic. Most meat eaters LOVE garlic. Garlic roast beef! YUM.
3. Dont force him to change if he does not want to. He will hate you for it. Besides being a vegetarian is not all that health for you.
4. I think that becoming a vegetarian does not mean he has to also. You two can eat different foods and still be together, im sure all the places he likes to eat will also have vegetarian dishes. I understand that you want to be a vegetarian and i respect that but that doesnt mean your boyfriend has to also. If you want him to respect your opinion of being a vegetarian then you have to respect his opinion of being a meat eater
5. I dated a vegetarian, and if we ordered pizza it was half meat-lovers, half veggie-lovers. I don't know that you can, or should, change him. You both should eat what you like. No one likes to have that kind choice made for them.
6. There's not much you can do about it. I've been trying to get my fiance to eat more healthy to set a good example for our son in vain for the past 2 years.(I was trying to get him to eat better when I was pregnant too) It hasnt worked, he still hates vegetables and will not eat them. I gave up recently because I figure at least he will have one good eating example. Grown guys are much more set in there ways, it's not like with childern we can force them to eat them or no desert! I think you can be vegetarian and let him eat his meat, sure it means more cooking but eh if you really love him it wont bother you that much.
7. Everyone has a right to eat how they want to. Humans are meat eaters. I can't understand vegetarians who proclaim to eat meat "RARELY" either you are or you aren't a vegetarian. Do you feel like a hypocrite for asking him to change his eating habits when you aren't totally devoted? Anyhow I know my answer isn't going to get me first prize, but I had to get that off my chest. However, You could prepare a vegetarian dish to accompany his meat dish. That way you both have what you want. Don't call yourself a vegetarian unless your prepared to cut out all sources of meat including eggs, which means cookies and cakes that contain eggs to prepare them, etc.
8. tell him that there is meat in it, and shut your whiney axx up
9. Hey Purple Apple! Yeah I hd to respond to that. I love meat too and I probably eat too much at times. I know for good health and digestion you have to have some fruits and vegetables too! Besides meats I eat, spinach, brocoli, turnips, carrots, beans and peas, and all sorts of fruits like peaches and plums. I think your boyfriend should have a variety and this is advice coming from a meat lover too!
10. Generally speaking, males want (and need) meat. It's most likely a genetic trait, and not just our taste buds; our body demands it. It's NOT mental, but you'll make it mental if you insist on zero meat. Meat is the one of the most significant sources of protein, which is our primary fuel.
11. I am sure your significant other is wondering how he can convince a "veg-a-holic" that meat can be good.
12. Make vegetable dishes, divide them in half and add meat that has been finely cut (it will look like more even if it isn't) to his plate before you put it on the table. He's being honest when he says he feels like he's not full because he's used to his stomach having to work harder to digest the meat he eats. You've hear the jokes about being hungry an hour after eating Chinese Food? It's true. Vegetables digest more quickly and pass out the stomach faster. It takes time for a person to get used to that after years of eating meat and particularly if it's been in large amounts. When you put the meat to his meals gradually reduce the amounts, add tofu, cashews and other protein sources to help make up the difference. But keep in mind that sometimes a "meat and potato" man is just that and nothing you can do will change it.
13. I'm a meat-a-holic myself, but I can do veggies. You're probably right, it probably is mental. My best suggestion would be to take him out to vegetarian restaurants and show him how good that type of food can be. Or you could buy some books with vegan recipes, see what sounds good and try them out. Then you kill 2 birds with one stone, vegetarian meals and doing more "we" stuff. Both of you go out to the store and pick out the food. Both of you prepare the food and cook it. Make him a part of the whole process. Most people who hate vegetables, usually picture what their parents tried shoving down their throat as kids. There's lots of veggies and fruits that people don't even know about. Sounds like he'll never give up meat completely, I know I couldn't, but it should show him that veggies are good too.
14. Men have fought and died for thousands of years in order to achieve our place at the top of the food chain. Why not enjoy it?
15. I have lived with my hubby meat eater for 17 years. We cook all our meals from scratch, this means we are able to customise menus. For example tonight we are having tabbouleh salad, he will have lamb on the side and I will have falafels. Yesterday we had pizza, he added some prosciutto to his side. To make it a little easier we often cook in bulk and freeze meals - On sunday we grilled marinated chicken and veg then made Kormas with the extra veg and chicken. This way neither of us has to comprimise and with a little planning it really doesn't take much extra time - the falafels I'm eating tonight are left over from a batch a cooked a while back and froze.
16. Why are you cooking him meat? Does he not know how to cook?
17. It's true that he might not be feeling full, because protein is what gives you that full feeling. Many vegetarians do not get adequate protein. Make him a deal--you'll cook all of the veggies and pasta and other stuff, but if he wants meat, he's got to prepare it himself. You can be a full-on vegetarian, but that doesn't mean he has to be. Relationships are about compromise.
18. Not only am I a vegetarian for ethical as well as for other reasons, but I am also Pro-Life stemming from this same reasoning, that to kill is at best a low road, if not purely unethical in most circumstances. I have found over the years that by compromising my dating habits in these foundational matters most often brings suffering. I don't know about you but I want my significant other to not only share in my deepest values but also support them and help me to live a better life. If you are totally in love there is not much you can do about it. But if have opportunity to find another that shares your values it might be a good alternative to your present situation. The truth of the matter someone has to believe in order to change. Though we can have some measure of influence, we can never really change someone else. I realized you are looking for a compromise. I'm sure if you try hard enough you can find a portion of it. But from my experience these type of situations usually end up being an unresolved frustration.
19. You shouldn't try to force your opinions onto someone, least of all someone you love, that's a form of fascism. If he likes meat then fine, I don't blame him, the human body adapted to eat meat and it is healthier than a veggie diet. If he tolerates your being (for the most part) a veggie you should allow him to eat meat.
20. Explain to him that you're concerned for his overall health, and that it begins with his colon. THat is kept healthy wiiht a good base of fruits grains and vegetables. Meat is fine, but in moderation.
21. live by example and try not to force it. as a vegetarian living with a meat-eating boyfriend for 2 years, i have to say though, that's no reason not to be vegetarian. just eat your own thing. if he wants meat let him cook it himself.