Former vegetarians tell us

There are a number of reasons why people decide to become vegetarians. From animal cruelty concerns to health reasons, becoming a vegetarian may be the right choice for many of the people in your life. So what makes a committed vegetarian go from kale smoothies to bacon cheeseburgers? I had the chance to interview former vegetarians and learn exactly what made them make the switch.

A common theme from the former vegetarians I spoke with was listening to their bodies. So many started noticing symptoms and cravings that let them know it was time to make a change. “My body simply started craving meat again, and I was starting to have a lot of digestive issues eating the way I was,” registered dietitian nutritionist Emily Cooper told me. “I listened to my body, slowly started eating meat again, and found myself a lot more satisfied at each meal.”

When health concerns come up, vegetarians need to make the tough call of whether or not to stick with it. Many felt tired and never satisfied when they weren’t eating meat.