Is Being A Vegetarian Healthy?

Question

I just want to make sure I'm healthy. I've been a vegetarian for over 2 years. I started when I was ending 5th grade, or 11 years old. I'm now 13. I exercise for about 45 minutes a day and eat things from each food group every day. I drink a lot of milk and I take a multivitamin and drink about 6 cups of water a day. Am I healthy? Any suggestions?

Answer 1

It's nearly impossible for us to know if you're healthy or not.

Well, a good question to ask yourself would be, how do you feel?

If you feel fine that could just mean that any problem you are creating just hasn't surfaced yet but there are lots of things that you can do to prevent problems from occurring. You should start by being aware of what nutrients may need some conscious planning.

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

I see that you're taking multivitamins which would definitely contain more than enough B12. Every other nutrient should be covered by your diet as multivitamins lack the biochemistry that results in proper absorption. B12 should be the only nutrient that you need in pill form. All vegetarians should take a b12 supplement regularly due to the fact that most people eat meat, dairy AND fortified cereals yet still have a lower b12 status than recommended.

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

Being a vegetarian can be perfectly healthy just as eating an omni diet with all types of meat can be healthy when both are done properly. If you have any doubts about the potential of a vegetarian diet, let go of them now.

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Answer 2

You sound okay... are you eating enough? Do you eat mostly whole foods, or do you eat a bunch of packaged, prepared foods? What's your specific concern about your diet?

Answer 3

being a vegetarian is healthy. lately science has discovered new proteins from soybean more ideal than meat protein for our immune system. just take a variety of veg to make it balanced and increase your water intake. multivitamin is unnecessary if you have proper diet. avoid processed, canned or bottled food and drinks. regular exercise and good sleep is what you need for a healthy body...

Answer 4

keep it up!, you are doing a nice job being a veggie

Answer 5

Make sure you implement beans and legumes into your diet and you will get the necessary protein that you need daily in your diet also.  

Answer 6

If you can go to a dietitian / nutritionist (or at worst check an unbiased website) and double check you are geting enough food and nutrients especially as a teenager as your needs are different to an adults.

I say an unbiased website as I find some are more interested in freaking people out or pushing their views than putting out information about healthy vegetarian lifestyles.  

Answer 7

You'll know if you're not healthy because your body will tell you.  (When I'm being unhealthy, I feel faint.)  As long as you feel healthy, eating from all the food groups, and not too skinny or fat, you should be fine.

If you're really not sure, visit your school nurse.

Answer 8

The American Dietetic Association has said that "appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases." However, poorly planned vegan diets can be deficient in nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, iodine and omega-3 fatty acids. These deficiencies have potentially serious consequences, including anemia, rickets and cretinism in children, and osteomalacia and hypothyroidism in adults.

    

Answer 9

Vegetarianism is only as healthy as the effort one makes to eat a balanced diet.  Just like any diet.