Is it smart to go vegetarian when I have a certain health problem...?

Question

I am 13 years old, and I really want to be a vegetarian but my mom is telling me no because I have this problem in my cochlea (that snail-shell looking thing in your ear)

thing is, all of us have this liquid in our cochlea, and for example, if you were to bend over, the liquid will move in the certain direction you're bending over in.

Problem with me is that my liquid doesn't respond quick enough, so I get small headaches and I can also get slightly dizzy sometimes, so my mom thinks its a bad idea I don't eat meat.

Also, she is anemic, so there is a chance that once I'm older I can be anemic too, but I really don't want to eat meat anymore.

I barely eat any NOW, but that isn't making my head worse.

I just really want to be a vegetarian, but how can I convince my mom?

Answer 1

Just tell her that you want to be a vegetarian and that you won't be eating meat anymore.  This won't interfere with your ear problem.  Just because your mom is anemic it doesn't mean that you will be.  Meat eaters are not informed about us vegans/vegetarians.  They think that if we don't eat meat that we are healthy.  As long as you get plenty of protein you will be fine.  Case in point, John W. knows nothing about being a vegetarian.  I guess if we are veg heads then that would make him a meat head.

Answer 2

Find some good videos on google and ask her to just watch them with you she needs to be educated and feel in charge since you are her responsibility she would feel bad if you got sick doing things the Wrong way.

and yes you can get o so very sick if you go Vegan the wrong way.

You must educate yourself very well first then go for it.

Vegetarian doesn't mean healthy food they still put just as much chemicals , hormones and preservatives into food labeled vegetarian.

You must eat fresh fruits and veggies that are still alive and not dead in a box.

  

Answer 3

Vegetarians have to be careful to include the following key nutrients that may be lacking in a vegetarian diet:

iron

calcium

protein

vitamin D

vitamin B12

zinc

If meat, fish, dairy products, and/or eggs are not going to be part of your diet, you'll need to know how to get enough of these nutrients, or you may need to take a daily multiple vitamin and mineral supplement.

Here are some suggestions:

Iron

Sea vegetables like nori, wakame, and dulse are very high in iron. Less exotic but still good options are iron-fortified breakfast cereals, legumes (chickpeas, lentils, and baked beans), soybeans and tofu, dried fruit (raisins and figs), pumpkin seeds, broccoli, and blackstrap molasses. Eating these foods along with a food high in vitamin C (citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, and broccoli) will help you to absorb the iron better.

Girls need to be particularly concerned about getting adequate iron because some iron is lost during menstruation. Some girls who are vegetarians may not get adequate iron from vegetable sources and they may require a daily supplement. Check with your doctor about your own iron needs.

Calcium

Milk and yogurt are tops if you're eating dairy products — although vegetarians will want to look for yogurt that does not contain the meat by-product gelatin. Tofu, fortified soy milk, calcium-fortified orange juice, green leafy vegetables, and dried figs are also excellent ways for vegetarians (and vegans) to get calcium. Remember that as a teen you're building up your bones for the rest of your life.

Because women have a greater risk for getting osteoporosis (weak bones) as adults, it's particularly important for girls to make sure they get enough calcium. Again, taking a supplement may be necessary to ensure this.

Vitamin D

People need vitamin D to get calcium into our bones. Cow's milk and sunshine are tops on the list for this vitamin. Vegans can try fortified soy milk and fortified breakfast cereals, but they may need a supplement that includes vitamin D, especially during the winter months. Everyone should have some exposure to the sun to help the body produce vitamin D.

Protein

Some people believe that vegetarians must combine incomplete plant proteins in one meal — like red beans and rice — to make the type of complete proteins found in meat. We now know that it's not that complicated. Current recommendations are that vegetarians eat a wide variety of foods during the course of a day. Eggs and dairy products are good sources of protein, but also try nuts, peanut butter, tofu, beans, seeds, soy milk, grains, cereals, and vegetables to get all the protein your body needs.  

Vitamin B12

B12 is an essential vitamin found only in animal products, including eggs and dairy. Fortified soy milk and fortified breakfast cereals also have this important vitamin. It's hard to get enough vitamin B12 in your diet if you are vegan, so a supplement may be needed.

Zinc

If you're not eating dairy foods, make sure fortified cereals, dried beans, nuts, and soy products like tofu and tempeh are part of your diet so you can meet your daily requirement for this important mineral.

In addition to vitamins and minerals, vegetarians need to keep an eye on their total intake of calories and fat. Vegetarian diets tend to be high in fiber and low in fat and calories. That may be good for people who need to lose weight or lower their cholesterol but it can be a problem for kids and teens who are still growing and people who are already at a healthy weight.

Diets that are high in fiber tend to be more filling, and as a result strict vegetarians may feel full before they've eaten enough calories to keep their bodies healthy and strong. It's a good idea to let your doctor know that you're a vegetarian so that he or she can keep on eye on your growth and make sure you're still getting adequate amounts of calories and fat.

***Getting Some Guidance***

If you're thinking about becoming a vegetarian, consider making an appointment to talk with a registered dietitian who can go over lists of foods that would give you the nutrients you need. A dietitian can discuss ways to prevent conditions such as iron-deficiency anemia that you might be at an increased risk for if you stop eating meat.

Also, remember to take a daily standard multivitamin, just in case you miss getting enough vitamins or minerals that day.

**************************************...

When I became Vegetarian years ago, I found that my energy levels actually *increased* because the meat was always weighing me down. I don't want to sound like a bad influence, but parents don't always have all the right answers for everything, so I would follow the advice from above and have your mom take you to seek consultation from a registered dietitian. Also, a good book that's a quick read (and a bit entertaining with the foul language, lol) is a book called Skinny B*tch, by Rory Freedman. (I actually had the pleasure of meeting Rory--she is a wonderful, beautiful and super healthy vegan!)

BEST OF LUCK WITH GOIN' VEG!! :)

Answer 4

Talk to your doctor.

I can't imagine why being vegetarian would have any effect on a cochlear problem. I read medical records all day as part of my job and I never heard of any unique dietary requirements for any condition related to the cochlea.

If your doctor says it's okay, I don't see how your mother could object. That's no guarantee, but there's a pretty good chance it will work.  

Answer 5

No.  It is not smart.  We humans were intended to be omnivores which means eating both meat and vegetables.  You need the protein, fat, B vitamins, iron etc. in meat.  No matter what the veg heads say, you can't get enough of those things from vegetables, not even beans.

Answer 6

speak with your doctor,i couldnt see how not eating meat would affect your cochlea? anemia has nothing to do with meat,you can get  iron from molasses and other non meat foods if you become anemic