I am thinking about going vegetarian?

Question

I have some questions about it that I would like cleared up before I make my final choice.

Like:

Should I take daily vitamins, or should I be okay without them?

Are the chances of becoming anemic greater?

Is it expensive?

Oh and I am 15 (nearly 16) if that makes any differance

Answer 1

Unless you eat a really crappy diet, you shouldn't need a multivitamin but all vegetarians should take a B12 supplement regularly since most people eat meat, dairy AND fortified cereals yet still have a B12 status that is lower than recommended.

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/b12

The chances of becoming anemic are usually the same for vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/iron

Being vegetarian should not be expensive at all. If it is, you are doing something wrong. I should actually be **cheaper** than any other urban or suburban diet. Bread, pasta, cereal, rice, beans, peas, lentil, nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies can easily offer everything that you need except B12.

http://www.veganhealth.org/sh

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo

I am vegan and not a fan of PeTA either. They take in so much money and blow it all on pointless stunts.

My favorite veg activist organization is Vegan Outreach.

http://www.veganoutreach.org

Your age is of no concern if you can get everything that you need for a balanced diet. If you need meat or dairy during any stage of your life or to live any certain lifestyle, why does the American Dietetic Association say otherwise?

http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada...

It may help you if you see proof that vegan people have the same potential as anyone else.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sto...

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

http://www.macdanzig.net/bio.php

http://www.scottjurek.com/career.php

Answer 2

Go to peta 2.com

watch their videos

They are terrible what they do to the animals

Answer 3

You should not have to make a "final" choice.  Why not take it in steps and see where you end up.

Answer 4

Always remember VARIETY such as beans, dark greens, vegetables, nuts

Answer 5

Vegetarianism is not expensive unless you insist on eating fake meat products, tofu, and vegan dairy products regularly. These items are totally not necessary for a veg*n diet.

If you balance your diet properly, you shouldn't need supplements. It isn't difficult to get protein without meat.

Answer 6

Congratulations on considering making an awesome health change for yourself! Yes, take a daily vitamin. Make sure you get enough iron as you are female. In fact being veg is cheaper than being a non veg. Meat costs a lot of money.

It is very important that you eat a balanced diet. (Whether you eat meat or not).

There is a ton of info on the web. Just google. I really recommend reading some books from the library too. It will give you a better understanding of the matter and clear up many many myths.

Good Luck and thank you!

Answer 7

Hey Congrats on your possible decision!!  I agree with you on PETA, they overblow alot of their stuff, and lie and make some things more than they really are.  I'm a vegetarian, and what I would suggest is going to your doctor and talking it over with her/him.  There are a few things to consider when becoming vegetarian. ANd you don't have to become a full-blown vegetarian right away. You could do like 2 veggie meals a week, then increase slowly.  That's kind of what I did.  You'll need Protein (which is in ALOT of vegetarian burgers, etc), Calcium..etc. Get "VEgetarian for dummies" they specifically explain what you need.  I got it at a used bookstore for like $4.  Good luck, and message me if you need any help!

Answer 8

You should take daily vitamins.There are a lot of healthy things about vegetarianism, but humans have evolved eating meat, so the only thing you'll want to be careful of with becoming a vegetarian is making sure you still have plenty of protein, iron, and calcium in your diet.  

Answer 9

yeah take vitamins and try eating fake meat made of soy. if love meat and cant stand that your eating a dead animal theyre some meat made of soy like Boca burger or Quorn. i personally like Quorn better