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I don't really know what to do here. I've been eating meat for the last ten years or so after being vegetarian for most of my life, but I still only ate it fairly rarely. I never cooked it at home, but would order it if we were out. Other than when I'm pregnant, Ive never really had any issue eating it before but lately I've been gagging and almost retching whenever I eat any meat at all, even fish. I thought it would go away with time, but it's getting worse.

Unlike when I'm pregnant, the smell is delicious, I crave it, and it tastes good. I can't figure it out. Sometimes I do find myself thinking about it too much- I'm not someone who is totally comfortable eating animal flesh and it kind of makes me a bit uncomfortable when I think about it in too much detail. I had to trim a very fresh pork shoulder yesterday and it still had blood clots, veins, bone shards and I was just gagging and dry heaving as I was doing it. It's very strange! Even when I was vegan I didn't have this kind of aversion.

Any clues as to what might be going on? Anyone else experience this at any point? I kind of need it to stop since I'm trying to lose weight and only having luck on ZC/VLC.

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5 Answers

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Does anyone else have enough of a despicable mind to construe the thread title in a dirty way?

I had better be the only one!

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umm, gross. had not thought of that. – being Mar 7 2011 at 17:12
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This happened to me when I was on hormonal birth control and really made paleo difficult. I got laid off about a year ago and lost my insurance and had to stop taking the pills, and it took starting them up again later on for me to realize what was causing the problem. I haven't had any issues since stopping the birth control altogether. If you're on the pill, you might want to see how you feel about meat on your "off" week.

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This is an interesting answer, since it raises the possibility that it is related to pregnancy, insofar as it may be hormonal. I, too, have severe meat problems when pregnant, but not otherwise. Are you perimenopausal? HRT? – Ambimorph Mar 7 2011 at 14:32
hmmm, very interesting. im only 35, but i do use the mirena. its the IUD that does secrete hormones, but in a much smaller dose than the pill. i didnt think of that. im reluctant to give it up (no periods!) but it might be better in the long run. ill talk to my midwife. thank you! – being Mar 7 2011 at 17:11
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I had a similar situation a couple of months ago. I was feeling great on Paleo and then randomly in a store saw a snippet of a show in which a pack of hyenas took down and ate a baby antelope while it was still alive. Later I was making some veal for dinner and the thought took hold in my brain, "I am those hyenas. I'm a killer. I'm a meat-eating animal and I didn't even take this baby down myself, it's wrapped in paper and I'm going to gnaw on its bones." It was a jarring thought and something shifted in my self-perception.

I wasn't nauseous or gagging but meat wasn't as appetizing as it had been. I was mostly eating fish and more "normal" meats like chicken for awhile.

I'm also a former vegetarian. Have you seen or heard anything lately that may have tripped you up, made you feel guilty about eating animals?

I think whatever cognitive weirdness the hunt scene brought out has been sorted within my head - I'm ok with being a killer and would like to eventually be able to hunt. I'm fine with "weird" meat again - had liver last night and kind of liked all the blood.

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yeah, thank you. i do think its hugely psychological, too. i notice it a lot more when im eating something that is CLEARLY a dead animal, like cutting up that pork shoulder, filleting a fish or a roasted chicken. that pork shoulder made me think that it was like what cutting up human flesh would be like, and thats what prompted me to finally post here about it. maybe ive been watching too much dexter... – being Mar 7 2011 at 17:19
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Sounds like you are over thinking it. Also how big are the bites you're taking?

This happened to me after a stomach bug. I started with scrambled eggs and they didn't bother me. I tried some beef and started gagging. I just slowed down, didn't think about it, ate slowly, and small bites and took my time. Seemed to really help and NOT thinking of where meat comes from!

Good luck & take it easy on yourself.

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thank you. i definitely overthink it. im so disgusted by CAFO meat, and so horrified at the treatment of the animals that whenever i eat it, i have a much more profound reaction. i just dont have the cash to do all grass-fed all the time. but yeah, if find myself eating CAFO meat, its so much worse and cant live with it. – being Mar 7 2011 at 17:14
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Hi! This has been happening to me. I'm 15 years old, I'm not on birth control and have always ate meat. However, I've never been able to eat alot and it makes me sick ( like flu symptoms afterward) since this really started happening post menstral cycle and I've read everyones comments maybe it is a hormonal problem. And also overthinking it as well cause I have seen the "this is why I'm vegan" video and i think of that when i make chicken and pork. Perhaps some people can't process meat that well? I know i love sushi and when i eat it the only reason i get sick is because i ate too much... sorry hope my answer helps? edit: also i have a sensitive gag reflex which is set off by chewy food or basic tastes like milk, eggs and perhaps meat.

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