Ola my friend! So during the holiday season, eating meat more than usual is a given. I am mostly a flexitarian throughout the year because I will enjoy salmon and goat meat every now and then. A flexitarian is someone who eat mostly fruits and vegetables with the occasional consumption of moderate amounts of meat. Ideally in a given year, I have a vegan season for roughly 3 months, a vegetarian season for around 1-2 months, and then a flexitarian diet, where I stick to salmon and goat meat, for most of the remaining months. My flexitarian diet expands to include chicken, turkey, tuna and beef around Q4 … the quarter with the most holidays haha.
It’s interesting because I noticed three reactions when eating meat specifically chicken and turkey. I am not anti-meat but I do observe how my body respond to the food that I eat. So here are the three things I noticed. Feel free to share your comments and stories especially if you do not eat meat often.
1. Spitting up Phlegm
Phlegm is a type of mucus produced by lower airways in response to inflammation. Mucus, aka “snot”, is a sticky gelatinous substance that lines your lungs, throat, nose, and mouth. Not to turn this into a science lesson but all I know is that I began coughing up phlegm after eating chicken or turkey. This was never an issue when I didn’t eat chicken or turkey. I rarely get sick and when I do I may have mucus / phlegm. However, I noticed that I had unusual phlegm to cough up when I ate chicken or turkey.
It makes me wonder what I can do to enjoy chicken and turkey without having so much phlegm to cough up … yuck. Maybe I should purchase a few baby chickens and start from there … or just research where I can get good quality chicken because I doubt most stores carry top quality chicken.
2. Dry Throat
This one annoys me the most. I noticed that I am so thirsty after eating chicken or turkey. I imagine that the way I feel is how dehydration must feel like. I have to bring water to my bedside so that I can ease the dryness through out the night. Keeping my body hydrated isn’t an issue because I understand the importance of drinking water so I drink water regularly. However, my throat feels as if water never passed through for a couple of days. When I inhale, I quickly try to swallow because it is like my throat is trying it’s best to ask for some water. Very strange.
3. Super Painful Stomach Cramps
This is the main reason why I enjoy my vegan seasons. Cramps do not exist for me during that time. However, when eating chicken and turkey, I noticed that I tend to have severe stomach cramps. I am able to get through the pain without medication but it is a night and day feeling compared to when I do not eat chicken or turkey.
Afterthought
Eating chicken and turkey this year had me constantly longing for a vegan season. Meat is good and I enjoy eating meat as much as I can until I began noticing my body’s reactions. I pray over my food regardless but I have never prayed so sincerely over my food before in my life. I noticed some other ways my body reacted but I want to observe them more closely before sharing.
Having the balance that a flexitarian diet brings is good so I probably want give up meat altogether forever. However, when I eat meat, I will be prudent to source my meat from reliable and trustworthy places. I am going to research kosher meat and stick to wild caught salmon and goat meat.
Until Next Time
Well, what do you think? Do you eat a lot of meat? Do you take a break from eating meat and then notice any abnormal reactions when you start back eating meat? Please drop a comment below or email me. I would love to hear your feedback and/or stories. If you need a delicious salad idea to take a break from all this meat consumption this holiday season then try this Crispy Fried Tofu & Lime Red Kale Salad.
Well, I will take my leave for now. I look forward to our time together again soon. Be inspired to have an appetite to Live and Live well.
Adaeze
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