Help!I'm veggie!Can I grow big and strong?

Question

I'm 14 years old and have been a vegetarian all my life. I'm 5"3. (shorter than most of my friends of my age) I haven't grown for three years or more whilst everybody else seems to be steadily growing. I'm also very weak. (tried lifting a 9lb weight and couldn't manage!) I don't have anemia anymore and I'm a bit unfit but other than that I'm healthy.

Is it possible for me to ever grow big and strong? what can I do to increase my strength and make me grow taller?

Answer 1

Yes you can be strong, I presume being veggie you know thatthere is more protein in Soya bean than the equivalent portion of meat, and protein is what makes your muscle.

You are still young and have a lot of growing to do still.

Look at your parents and close relatives that should give you an idea of what size you will be,

Do you know how tall you were on your second birthday ?

If you double that height it gives you within an inch

+ or - of how tall an adult you will be,

If you want to bulk up you will have to wait a bit, do plenty of exercise and when you are old enough do some weight training (not good to start before 16)

Answer 2

try eating spinach

Answer 3

Your still young, you will probably grow some more, but you must healthy real food, and gain nutrients from all food groups, even if you don't eat meat you can still get the nutrients from other sources.  Height is a genetic thing, and strength is a excersise thing.  However there are exceptions to the rule.  I shot past the tallest person in my family at 17, I was pretty gangly even though I was very active in sport.  I started doing heavy weight training around that time and by the time I was 21 I really started to fill out.  Then I started toning it down so I didn't get freakishly huge, I'm not a vegitarian but I had some workout partners that were, they didn't quite get the gains as fast as me but if that was related to diet is debatable. They were still big guys, over 6' and 14 stone.  I've leveled out at 6'4 and 15.5 to 16.5 stone at about 25 and have been about the same for the past 10 years.  But I still have to excersise and maintain 3 times a week.

Answer 4

You should start with a multivitamin, and include protein in your diet.  

This includes nuts, legumes such as beans and peas, dark greens such as spinach, and soy products, including tofu, soy milk, cheese or yogurt.

You can also take additional supplements, and you might want to consider a workout program to build healthy muscles and maintain good bone density.

If your weakness continues, you might want to speak to your doctor, make sure there isn't another cause for this weakness and have him/her refer you to a dietician who can assist you in pinpointing any deficiencies in your diet.

Also, don't forget about calcium!

Answer 5

try having a balnced diet and get fruits and vegs with ots of protein fibre carbohydrates

Answer 6

Your only 14, you've got plently of time left to grow. 5"3 isn't that short, I'm 5"3 and i'm 16. Try to get more protein into your diet, it might help.

Answer 7

In short, NO.

Had many  patients over the years suffering from Malnutritian. They were all vegetarians. Including my cousin and his family who are no longer veggie, but their daughter is now at University, under 5'3" and both her parents are very tall.

Forget the fact that you eat lots of stuff with protein etc etc etc. You need a well balanced diet including some meat, chicken and fish., FULL STOP

EDIT: Notice someone telling you, who has been veggie for only two years, that they are 5'7". Silly answer did not read what you said, being veggie all your life. Nobody else on here has said the same thing. The damage done to your body is a long slow process. It is not uncommon for vegetarians to end up in hospital malnourished after being veggie for 15 or 20 years. The damage can be very serious.

The same advise is always given. Eat a proper diet. It sounds like after 14 years you are heading in this direction. Take care and get some professional medical advise soon

Answer 8

Do physical exercises and swimming is especially good.

Answer 9

Eat lots and lots of protein. Go for leafy or green veggies, peanut butter, soy, tofu, seitan, meat substitute and beans. Eat protein bars and shakes, even, if you want. I've been a vegetarian for two years and I am 5' 7 1/2 inches. Trust me you CAN be tall lol. Just bulk up on that protein!!!

Answer 10

tvcherry, are u a doctor or something? when u said 'patients' i thought u were a doctor, but when u cannot spell malnutrition correctly, it makes me wonder. also me and my whole family is vegetarian, and we are all over 6 feet.

Answer 11

No, sorry. Becoming a vegetarian, you should know you must give up strength and growth stability.

That's what happens when you stray from nature.

Answer 12

My sister decided to drop all meat products at 11 and became vegan at 13. Shes 40 now and totally healthy. You will still grow - youre only 14 so dont worry. My sister really looked into the food groups available and what she could eat to get the right amount of protein without the meat. Soya products are fab and the milk has added calcuim. Why dont you do some investigation on the internet - you will find alot of information that will be really helpfull.

Answer 13

hi, raised 4 sons & 2 daughters all veggie all grown - all over 6 feet tall oldest 3 are construction types, one daughter 5'11" the other adopted - lettered in Track 4 yrs - became a veggie upon joining family.  and we have one veggie grandson.  build your strength slowly & steady - you like burritos?  they are pretty good at help w/bulk.  hey how tall are your folks?  could be genes.  peace & love & veggies!  email me if you want more help.  :) a veggie Mom

to "tvcherry" - NO- you do not need meat to be strong or have a healthy deit - my husband & i have raised an entire family of veggies  ( 4 sons over 6 feet tall & two daughters)NONE suffer from malnutrition, ever - maybe the folks you know are uneducated on how to do it right.  it takes alot of work & education.

Answer 14

yeah duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 15

Girls can never be stong.

Answer 16

;it is not the fact that you are vegitarian that is making you weak it is that you are not eating the right things try a book from your local libary and make sure you are eating enouth from all the food groups

Answer 17

no

Answer 18

you will grow as tall has it has to be and for being stronger eat plenty of veggies,fruits, and stay away from crappy take aways like wimpy,mcDonalds etc.plenty of fish, and leave the cakes,biscuits etc.