Unexpected Ways to Satisfy Meat Cravings (2024)

A common reason people cite for not eating more fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains is that they crave meat. But when you break down the qualities that make meat appealing to the average diner—the taste, the chew, the sizzle—you’ll quickly realize that these attributes can be recreated with only plant-based ingredients.

Check Out Our Guide to Plant-based Meats and Proteins

This Monday, combat meat cravings by making smart substitutions that capture the essence of meat—minus the animal. We’ve got five unexpected tips, as well as corresponding recipes, to help you cook up delicious dishes that are better for your health and the environment.

Unexpected Ways to Satisfy Meat Cravings (1)Add Some Umami

Umami is one of the five tastes (the others being sweet, salty, sour, and bitter) and is responsible for giving foods a decadent, savory flavor. Meat and aged cheeses are common sources of umami, so fortifying your plant-based dishes with umami flavors can help add depth and richness. Many plant-based ingredients are excellent sources of umami, such as tomatoes, mushrooms, seaweed (or nori), green tea, nutritional yeast, and miso. You can also use seasonings, like Yondu Vegetable Umami to easily add that deep umami flavor to dishes.

Unexpected Ways to Satisfy Meat Cravings (2)Give a Sprinkle of “Meaty” Seasonings

Breathe new life into your meals with the right seasonings. Spice blends, such as poultry seasoning, curry powder, shichimi togarashi, or Old Bay, can help recreate the taste and aroma of classic meat-based dishes You can also experiment by making your own blends with the spices you have in your pantry.

Unexpected Ways to Satisfy Meat Cravings (3)Focus on Texture

Meat eaters often miss the texture of animal-proteins, but you can easily capture the mouthfeel of meat with only plant-based ingredients. Foods like mushrooms, jackfruit, and eggplant, as well as plant-based proteins such as tempeh, seitan, and tofu are all great substitutes.

Unexpected Ways to Satisfy Meat Cravings (4)Experiment with Plant-based Meat Alternatives

Advances in the development of plant-based alternatives have resulted in some pretty incredible products that possess the flavor, texture, and look of meat. Beyond Meat, Gardein, and Impossible Foods are just a handful of the many brands creating these products. Experiment with different varieties, and try substituting them in place of meat in your recipes.

Unexpected Ways to Satisfy Meat Cravings (5)Sauce It Up

The right sauce can transform any protein into something familiar and tasty. Many iconic meat-based meals—Buffalo wings, barbecued ribs, chicken tikka masala—get most of their flavor from their sauces. Using the proper sauce or condiment, allows you to easily make healthier versions of your favorite meaty meals.

Unexpected Ways to Satisfy Meat Cravings (6)

Unexpected Ways to Satisfy Meat Cravings (2024)

FAQs

Unexpected Ways to Satisfy Meat Cravings? ›

Focus on Texture. Meat eaters often miss the texture of animal-proteins, but you can easily capture the mouthfeel of meat with only plant-based ingredients. Foods like mushrooms, jackfruit, and eggplant, as well as plant-based proteins such as tempeh, seitan, and tofu are all great substitutes.

How to stop urges to eat meat? ›

Instead of giving in, try to think of an alternative way to satisfy your craving. You might be craving meat because you want a specific flavor, so try these common swaps: If you're craving a filling, butter flavor, eat avocado instead of meat. Make a peanut butter sandwich instead of chicken if you're craving protein.

How do you beat meat cravings? ›

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.

What am I lacking if I crave meat? ›

If the idea of meat sounds particularly appetizing, then you might be lacking iron. The most efficient form of iron, heme iron, comes from meat sources like pork, beef, and chicken. Although you can get iron from plant sources, your body doesn't absorb non-heme iron as efficiently as heme iron.

Why am I craving meat all of a sudden? ›

Your body will often alert you in case of any shortage of nutrients. A protein deficiency in your body could make you start craving meat. Meat is a rich source of this body-building nutrient. Meat cravings, coupled with other symptoms such as weak and brittle nails, are one of the first signs of protein deficiency.

Why do I suddenly have an aversion to meat? ›

Sudden disgust or fear of food can develop from hormonal changes, emotional disturbances, or illness. Food aversion is not always an eating disorder, so understanding its potential causes is essential for management and recovery.

How do you fix meat aversion? ›

Tips for Dealing with Food Aversion and Texture Sensitivities
  1. Gradual Exposure and Sensory Desensitization: ...
  2. Experiment with cooking techniques: ...
  3. Combine with Familiar Foods or food pairing: ...
  4. Texture Blending: ...
  5. Food temperature: ...
  6. Mindful Eating. ...
  7. Cook and Experiment with Others: ...
  8. Seek Professional Help or support:
Oct 13, 2023

Why am I so obsessed with meat? ›

Studies in personality trait psychology have suggested that individuals' values and attitudes affect the frequency and comfort with which they eat meat. Those who value power more highly have been found in several studies to eat more meat, while those who prefer self-transcendence values tend to eat less.

What does stopping eating meat do to your body? ›

And people who don't eat meat, called vegetarians, generally eat fewer calories and less fat. They also tend to weigh less. And they have a lower risk of heart disease than nonvegetarians do. Research shows that people who eat red meat are at a higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke or diabetes.

How do I stop being addicted to meat? ›

Add more grains and vegetables to your meaty meals to reduce meat addiction. Eating a variety of plant-based foods can help you feel fuller longer, which can help reduce cravings for meat.

What is a good substitute for meat cravings? ›

Foods like mushrooms, jackfruit, and eggplant, as well as plant-based proteins such as tempeh, seitan, and tofu are all great substitutes.

What to eat when you want meat? ›

Johns Hopkins nutritionists recommend five foods — high in protein and other nutrients, but with no meat — and explain their health benefits.
  • Eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein. ...
  • Tree Nuts. Tree nuts include walnuts, almonds and pecans — don't confuse them with peanuts, which are legumes. ...
  • Legumes. ...
  • Soy. ...
  • Yogurt.

Why do I suddenly not want to eat meat? ›

Meat intolerance refers to your body's difficulty in digesting meat (beef, lamb, and pork) and experiencing adverse physical reactions to them. This condition, while not life-threatening, could be a sign of other issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's disease.

What should I eat if I crave junk food? ›

Healthier Snacks to Satisfy Junk Food Cravings
  • Nuts. Thanks to their pleasing combo of saltiness and crunch, nuts calm your cravings for other salty snacks. ...
  • Dried Fruit. Skip the candy and choose chewy, sweet dried fruit when you need a sugar fix. ...
  • Roasted Chickpeas. ...
  • Hummus.
Dec 28, 2021

Why am I craving meat as a woman? ›

If you are craving red meat, your body might be telling you that it needs more protein, iron or vitamin B12, which are all key nutrients that are found in meat products.

How to stop craving for junk food? ›

Six Ways to Eliminate Junk Food in Your Diet
  1. Eat Regular Meals so You Do Not Get Too hungry. ...
  2. Drink Water First and Eliminate Sugar Sweetened Beverages. ...
  3. Consume Snacks that are Nutritious and Low in Calories. ...
  4. Understand Your Stressors. ...
  5. Get Plenty of Sleep. ...
  6. Keep a Smile on Your Face and Realize the Downside of Marketing.

How do I stop craving carnivore? ›

When one embarks on a carnivore diet, the absence of carbohydrates can lead to intense sugar and carb cravings. To manage these effectively, one should: Increase Fat Intake: Enhance meals with high-fat sources, such as fatty cuts of meat or butter, to increase satiety and reduce cravings.

How to gradually stop eating meat? ›

Here are some specific ways you can reduce your meat intake:
  1. Start by swapping poultry or fish for red meat. Incorporate chicken, turkey, or seafood in place of red meat. ...
  2. Try plant-based protein sources. ...
  3. Stretch meat with plant proteins. ...
  4. Get excited about trying new foods.
Aug 27, 2021

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