Question about the 'late-in-life vegetarian' appetite-

January 4, 2005

Hello everyone-

I've been a r for a while though this is my first post.

Greetings of the New Year to all.

There's a question I have, directed towards those who took to

vegetarianism later in life, around the age of 25 or older. Did you

become less discriminating in terms of taste preferences after giving

up the omnivorous diet?

Myself, I was around 30 when I became a full-fledged vegetarian and

since then (7 years), have lost all of my dislikes for particular

vegetable foods. When I ate flesh foods, my diet being heavily meat-

based, I was far more picky about what I liked and didn't like. Now

if it's vegetable, I will eat it and enjoy it- even brussel sprouts

or okra which I once loathed.

Thanks for any comments.

- Luke V.

January 4, 2005

When I was a kid, I hated brussels sprouts, and now I

love them.

But I sitll hate okra because it's slimy!

Laura-Marie

--- revo718 <f5media wrote:

>

> Hello everyone-

>

> I've been a r for a while though this is my

> first post.

> Greetings of the New Year to all.

>

> There's a question I have, directed towards those

> who took to

> vegetarianism later in life, around the age of 25 or

> older. Did you

> become less discriminating in terms of taste

> preferences after giving

> up the omnivorous diet?

>

> Myself, I was around 30 when I became a full-fledged

> vegetarian and

> since then (7 years), have lost all of my dislikes

> for particular

> vegetable foods. When I ate flesh foods, my diet

> being heavily meat-

> based, I was far more picky about what I liked and

> didn't like. Now

> if it's vegetable, I will eat it and enjoy it- even

> brussel sprouts

> or okra which I once loathed.

>

> Thanks for any comments.

>

> - Luke V.

January 4, 2005

Hi Luke. How nice of you to post and what an

interesting queston for the list. i guess i can sort

of relate to your taste shift as well. i was what i thought

at the time a semi-vegetarian [basically i just skipped

red meat but still ate fish and birds] when i was

15 years old. It was the only way i could transition

to a real vegetarian while i still lived at home with

my eat & potatoes folks.

College and my 20s found me living vegetarian on

and off as i was learning to cook and be a " grown-up " .

Took me a while to just quit eating fish, but i eventually

did.

i always liked the basic usual veggies, like potatoes, corn,

broccoli, peas etc. i didn't develope a full vegetarian palate

for more intense vegetable flavors [like spinach and brussels

sprouts and onions] until i was in my mid to late 20s

when i gave up chicken. Not sure if it had anythng to do

with just growing up or my palate changing due to my

dietary changes. Good question.

~ pt ~

, " revo718 " <f5media@h...>

wrote:

> There's a question I have, directed towards those who took to

> vegetarianism later in life, around the age of 25 or older. Did you

> become less discriminating in terms of taste preferences after

giving

> up the omnivorous diet?

>

> Myself, I was around 30 when I became a full-fledged vegetarian and

> since then (7 years), have lost all of my dislikes for particular

> vegetable foods. When I ate flesh foods, my diet being heavily meat-

> based, I was far more picky about what I liked and didn't like. Now

> if it's vegetable, I will eat it and enjoy it- even brussel sprouts

> or okra which I once loathed.

>

> Thanks for any comments.

>

> - Luke V.

January 5, 2005

Hi Luke,

Never noticed a change. I always ate every veggie I could fine along with meat

so giving up meat 25 yrs ago wasn't hard for me at all. I enjoyed so many new

dishes that I never looked back..............Donna

revo718 <f5media wrote:

Hello everyone-

I've been a r for a while though this is my first post.

Greetings of the New Year to all.

There's a question I have, directed towards those who took to

vegetarianism later in life, around the age of 25 or older. Did you

become less discriminating in terms of taste preferences after giving

up the omnivorous diet?

Myself, I was around 30 when I became a full-fledged vegetarian and

since then (7 years), have lost all of my dislikes for particular

vegetable foods. When I ate flesh foods, my diet being heavily meat-

based, I was far more picky about what I liked and didn't like. Now

if it's vegetable, I will eat it and enjoy it- even brussel sprouts

or okra which I once loathed.

Thanks for any comments.

- Luke V.

January 5, 2005

A very interesting question - and strangely my dh and

I were just talking about this the other day. I am I

guess what you'd call a 'much-later-in-life

vegetarian' - went veggie first around 1980, but ate

fish very occasionally (my 'fall-back position') and

then had a couple of sesssions of adding poultry

(medically advised - stupid doctors), etc. That didn't

last and I am certainly veggie now ;=) - no 'fall-back

position' for ages and ages, not even sure when. And

oh yes, I should add that in 1980 I was 40.

I found that when I still ate me*t I liked

strong-tasting vegetables (broccoli, brussels sprouts,

spinach) and some of the obvious fruits such as

eggplant, tomatoes and avocado, but I didn't care much

for most bland vegetables. I think the attendant me*t

overpowered them for me. They didn't taste bad, they

just didn't taste. So green beans, peas, lettuces -

blah - not worth the trouble. Carrots? Boring. Etc

etc. Since being vegetarian, however, I love them all

- even the 'boring' ones LOL

I think that's what you wanted to know? Looking back,

though, I think you meant one is more likely to enjoy

the stronger tasting vegetables more if one comes to

vegetarianism late? My theory is this: if you are used

to strong tasting foods as an omnivore, then you will

prefer strong tasting foods as a veggie. Likewise for

mild tasting foods. It's the 'never ate those much

before' foods that may or may not be added later. I'd

be surprised if there was a hard and fast rule to be

discovered here, but I'll read on with great interest.

Thanks for a provocative subject!

Best,

Pat ;=)

=====

-----------

Homepage: http://www.angelfire.com/art/pendragon/

" The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its

animals are treated. " - Gandhi

All your favorites on one personal page – Try My

January 5, 2005

Welcome Luke,

My story is from the time I was a kid I loved vegetables. I didn't become a

vegetarian until about 2 months ago or so. Before, if given the choice between a

plate of broccoli and a pack of Chinese ribs you know which one I would have

taken. Funny though, before my appetite was terrible too. Now that I am a

vegetarian (eat a lot healthier) my appetite has increased and I actually crave

the healthier foods and the thought of meat makes me sick.

Gosh it's cold out today....brrrrrrrr .... do I have to go out there????

PLEEEEEEEEEEASE noooooooooooooooo! ughhhhhh.

Blessings,

Chanda/Maria

-

revo718

Tuesday, January 04, 2005 11:49 PM

Question about the 'late-in-life vegetarian'

appetite-

Hello everyone-

I've been a r for a while though this is my first post.

Greetings of the New Year to all.

There's a question I have, directed towards those who took to

vegetarianism later in life, around the age of 25 or older. Did you

become less discriminating in terms of taste preferences after giving

up the omnivorous diet?

Myself, I was around 30 when I became a full-fledged vegetarian and

since then (7 years), have lost all of my dislikes for particular

vegetable foods. When I ate flesh foods, my diet being heavily meat-

based, I was far more picky about what I liked and didn't like. Now

if it's vegetable, I will eat it and enjoy it- even brussel sprouts

or okra which I once loathed.

Thanks for any comments.

- Luke V.

January 5, 2005

I like the baby Brussels, they are the best.

ya know, a great way to serve Brussels is to pick all the leaves off and steam

them, then top withmargerine and a hint of garlic. Yum.

I don't like Okra either, same reason, one of the very few veggies Iwould pass

up, LOL.

Blessings,

Maria/Chanda

-

Laura-Marie

Wednesday, January 05, 2005 12:44 AM

Re: Question about the 'late-in-life vegetarian'

appetite-

When I was a kid, I hated brussels sprouts, and now I

love them.

But I sitll hate okra because it's slimy!

Laura-Marie

--- revo718 <f5media wrote:

>

> Hello everyone-

>

> I've been a r for a while though this is my

> first post.

> Greetings of the New Year to all.

>

> There's a question I have, directed towards those

> who took to

> vegetarianism later in life, around the age of 25 or

> older. Did you

> become less discriminating in terms of taste

> preferences after giving

> up the omnivorous diet?

>

> Myself, I was around 30 when I became a full-fledged

> vegetarian and

> since then (7 years), have lost all of my dislikes

> for particular

> vegetable foods. When I ate flesh foods, my diet

> being heavily meat-

> based, I was far more picky about what I liked and

> didn't like. Now

> if it's vegetable, I will eat it and enjoy it- even

> brussel sprouts

> or okra which I once loathed.

>

> Thanks for any comments.

>

> - Luke V.

>

January 5, 2005

You gotta FRY the okra It's not slimy then and tastes great. I despise okra

for the sliminess as well, but I'll eat a plate full fried

Candace

January 5, 2005

Can't reply to every response though I enjoyed reading them all.

I suppose what I was wondering if the body's need for nutrition has

changed my palate to open up the possibilities. My backround was

strictly meat 'n potatoes (much like a previous responder) and I ate

the stuff at every meal, changing my diet later mostly as a matter of

conscience. I wonder if my body decided I couldn't be too picky and

suddenly, I enjoyed any vegetable I could find, even the dreaded

slimey okra

One thing I might mention is that I'm something of an odd-ball

vegetarian. Flesh food doesn't offend me at all and the smell of it

still makes me hungry (sorry, don't go hating me- I haven't eaten the

stuff in years.) It can be a little strange because the urge to eat

it isn't there but the hunger still is, though it can be happily

satisfied with the most simple vegetable dish.

The psychology of eating is very complex- one of the many things I've

learned since becoming vegetarian.

Thanks for the responses!

- Luke

, psybermus <psybermus>

wrote:

>

> A very interesting question - and strangely my dh and

> I were just talking about this the other day. I am I

> guess what you'd call a 'much-later-in-life

> vegetarian' - went veggie first around 1980, but ate

> fish very occasionally (my 'fall-back position') and

> then had a couple of sesssions of adding poultry

> (medically advised - stupid doctors), etc. That didn't

> last and I am certainly veggie now ;=) - no 'fall-back

> position' for ages and ages, not even sure when. And

> oh yes, I should add that in 1980 I was 40.

>

> I found that when I still ate me*t I liked

> strong-tasting vegetables (broccoli, brussels sprouts,

> spinach) and some of the obvious fruits such as

> eggplant, tomatoes and avocado, but I didn't care much

> for most bland vegetables. I think the attendant me*t

> overpowered them for me. They didn't taste bad, they

> just didn't taste. So green beans, peas, lettuces -

> blah - not worth the trouble. Carrots? Boring. Etc

> etc. Since being vegetarian, however, I love them all

> - even the 'boring' ones LOL

>

> I think that's what you wanted to know? Looking back,

> though, I think you meant one is more likely to enjoy

> the stronger tasting vegetables more if one comes to

> vegetarianism late? My theory is this: if you are used

> to strong tasting foods as an omnivore, then you will

> prefer strong tasting foods as a veggie. Likewise for

> mild tasting foods. It's the 'never ate those much

> before' foods that may or may not be added later. I'd

> be surprised if there was a hard and fast rule to be

> discovered here, but I'll read on with great interest.

>

> Thanks for a provocative subject!

>

> Best,

>

> Pat ;=)

>

January 6, 2005

Hi Luke -

I think our bodies definately crave what they need - we just have to

be open enough to listen to them. Take iron, for instance - before

becoming fully veg, I would periodically, but rarely, crave liver

and/or spinach. Liver is not something I kept in my diet, as its

function would normally deter me from eating it, but if I was craving

it, I knew my iron levels were low due to oddity of it all and the

accompanying fatigue. Then there's vitamin C - when I begin to get a

cold or flu, I crave what I call little chinese peppers from hell;)

Any I eat everything with peppers for about three days. My tastes

did change a smidge - I hated brussel sprouts the on time my Mother

made then when I was a kid - they were fozen and she slathered butter

all over them (ICKK!) - But know I love them (cooked from fresh), and

I salt, pepper and lemon juice them and they're great:) Before going

completely veg, I was a flexetarian for many years, but I believe

that was because I wasn't keeping my diet balanced, nor was I doing

proper food combining for complete proteins. So, I'd be veg for a

few months and suddenly wake up wanting meat, eat it for a couple of

weeks, and then go back into veg. So, in answer to your question,

yes - I think the body does crave what it needs and that's why you

find yourself eating things you wouldn't have considered at a

previous time:)

Debra

, " revo718 " <f5media@h...>

wrote:

>

> Can't reply to every response though I enjoyed reading them all.

>

> I suppose what I was wondering if the body's need for nutrition has

> changed my palate to open up the possibilities. My backround was

> strictly meat 'n potatoes (much like a previous responder) and I

ate

> the stuff at every meal, changing my diet later mostly as a matter

of

> conscience. I wonder if my body decided I couldn't be too picky and

> suddenly, I enjoyed any vegetable I could find, even the dreaded

> slimey okra

>

> One thing I might mention is that I'm something of an odd-ball

> vegetarian. Flesh food doesn't offend me at all and the smell of it

> still makes me hungry (sorry, don't go hating me- I haven't eaten

the

> stuff in years.) It can be a little strange because the urge to eat

> it isn't there but the hunger still is, though it can be happily

> satisfied with the most simple vegetable dish.

>

> The psychology of eating is very complex- one of the many things

I've

> learned since becoming vegetarian.

>

> Thanks for the responses!

>

> - Luke

>

> , psybermus

> wrote:

> >

> > A very interesting question - and strangely my dh and

> > I were just talking about this the other day. I am I

> > guess what you'd call a 'much-later-in-life

> > vegetarian' - went veggie first around 1980, but ate

> > fish very occasionally (my 'fall-back position') and

> > then had a couple of sesssions of adding poultry

> > (medically advised - stupid doctors), etc. That didn't

> > last and I am certainly veggie now ;=) - no 'fall-back

> > position' for ages and ages, not even sure when. And

> > oh yes, I should add that in 1980 I was 40.

> >

> > I found that when I still ate me*t I liked

> > strong-tasting vegetables (broccoli, brussels sprouts,

> > spinach) and some of the obvious fruits such as

> > eggplant, tomatoes and avocado, but I didn't care much

> > for most bland vegetables. I think the attendant me*t

> > overpowered them for me. They didn't taste bad, they

> > just didn't taste. So green beans, peas, lettuces -

> > blah - not worth the trouble. Carrots? Boring. Etc

> > etc. Since being vegetarian, however, I love them all

> > - even the 'boring' ones LOL

> >

> > I think that's what you wanted to know? Looking back,

> > though, I think you meant one is more likely to enjoy

> > the stronger tasting vegetables more if one comes to

> > vegetarianism late? My theory is this: if you are used

> > to strong tasting foods as an omnivore, then you will

> > prefer strong tasting foods as a veggie. Likewise for

> > mild tasting foods. It's the 'never ate those much

> > before' foods that may or may not be added later. I'd

> > be surprised if there was a hard and fast rule to be

> > discovered here, but I'll read on with great interest.

> >

> > Thanks for a provocative subject!

> >

> > Best,

> >

> > Pat ;=)

> >

January 6, 2005

Many years ago there was a two year old boy who died of an adrenal gland

problem. ( I read about this in a school assignment) I forget the specifics of

why they didn't find out in time to save him, but he saved himself for many

weeks by literally eating handfuls of salt.

Blessings,

Chanda/Maria

-

Debra Lee Thompson

Thursday, January 06, 2005 7:07 AM