After 10 Years Of Being A Vegetarian, I Started Eating Meat Again

I don't know about you, but it seems like everyone in my life is talking about protein. Especially the amount of high-quality protein that women, in particular, need a day to thrive (which is around 100 grams a day!). Instagram, podcasts, and even our Slack channels over at mindbodygreen are riddled with questions like, "Is animal-based protein better than plant-based?" "Do vegetarians get enough leucine?" and "Does anyone have any tips for hitting their protein goals?"

As mindbodygreen's executive editor, I am constantly speaking with medical and nutritional experts to refine our point of view on everyday (but big) questions about what we should eat and why.

Through that process, I've learned that animal-based proteins tend to be higher in leucine than plant-based ones. Leucine is one of three branch-chain amino acids that play an essential role in muscle protein synthesis1. It's also often lacking in those who follow a vegetarian diet2.

Last fall, I said goodbye to my vegetarian diet and opened up the door to eating high-quality meat. What did I eat first? A bite of grass-fed steak. I know, there was no hesitation.

And it actually didn't hurt my stomach. I have been focused on gut health for a while now, so I'm sure it helps that I regularly take probiotics, eat probiotic-rich foods, and devour loads of fiber.

Then I thought: What's next? I've been at mindbodygreen for almost five years now, and ever since we launched supplements in 2019, I've been curious about our collagen. People rave about it, and my own stepmom swears by it! 

So once I ripped off the Band-Aid and ate that first piece of steak, I knew it was time to give our beauty & gut collagen+ a go! It ticked all the boxes. I wanted something to help me on my protein journey, but I also wanted a supplement to make my skin look glorious. There's a noticeable firmness in my skin and an easing of fine lines that I've loved to see.*