Should i STOP being a vegetarian?

Question

i really love animals and after being a vegetarian for three years (since i was 14, im 17 now) i think that meat is kinda nasty and think of it as a dead animal. but im really trying to loose weight and go on a 'diet' and do lots of excercise. but its hard to do that because i always feel tired and really weak all the time. i found out im anemic due to my vegetarianism and pills just arent enough for me. i know there are other sources of protien, but i dont like beans or artificial meat. and im allergic to tofo. so the only protien i really get is from eggs and peanut butter. but you get sick of eggs really fast, and peanut butter is fattening (not good for a diet). im pretty sure that once i got to my ideal weight i would become a vegetarian again. but idk. my heart says no, but my body says yes (to stop being a vegetarian) idk what to do! any advice/suggestions?

oh! and if you think i should stop being a vegetarian...are there any health risks? i heard that once a vegetarian starts eatting meat again, they can become sick...is that true?

Answer 1

You weren't getting big enough doses of B-12 supplements. Buy it in the  1,000mcg size and take one of those every day. Works for me.

Answer 2

I think you should keep on being vegetarian but you should cut down your intake of dairy because dairy often blocks the absorption of iron.  I know you don't like beans or fake meats but you should really give them a try.  There are some recipes that you can't even tell there's beans in it.  And there are sooooo many different types of beans, all of them with a different taste and texture.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, particularly greens like spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts, collards, kale, etc.  

Answer 3

i was vegetarian once upon a time and when i started eating meat i gained a lot of weight... so i don't think that's your answer but no i didn't get sick and ive never heard that.

however as for the lack of iron there are shakes and pills to help, but if that's still not enough look into a drink called Body Balance, you can get it at most health food stores. it helped me loose weight and gave me a better balance of all my vitamines and minerals. you man also try one a day woman's. good luck :)

Answer 4

i can't see how a real vegetarian diet has done this to you.

http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/mi...

if you had any fresh fruits and veggies.. along with nuts, legumes and tubers.. roots, bulbs...   you would have done rather well.

what did you really eat?

i've been a vegetarian for 30 years...   i've had the best health ever.

what really did you consume?  processed vegetarian items?  dairy?  eggs?    vegetarians don't do that.

eggs are empty calories and each one has 200 mg of cholesterol.     that's not good for you...

peanut butter is processed...   it's more chemicals than nuts.  

a proper vegetarian diet..  (like with any lifestyle diet...)  is more than enough for a person to live off of and can provide enough minerals, proteins and vitamins.

if you're sick as a vegetarian.. that's not going to change with meat.

since you were engaging in dairy.. dairy is a cholesterol giant,  packed with hormones, fats and empty calories.      that sides along with meats.   meats have proteins but that protein is dead weight protein from fats.

Answer 5

Go see a nutritionist.

You can become violently ill if you eat meat again after being a vegetarian.  

Answer 6

I started to incorporate some chicken after years of fake meat - mostly for work-related dinners where vegetarian is NOT an option and, right or wrong, vegetarians are viewed with disdain.  You won't get ill if you add in some high-quality meat once a month or so.  You WILL get sick if you go for fatty cuts, a lot of red meat, or anything at a fast-food place.  

Most of my day-to-day diet is greens, fruit, eggs/cheese/yogurt, and some Ryvita crackers.  Lots of protein there.  I eat Greek yogurt, as I can't handle the sugar of other yogurts.

TOFU: I treat tofu as a great vehicle for tasty sauces.  Since you're not vegan, you can make some incredible cream-based sauces to ladle over tofu.  Or add cubes of tofu to a broth with crunchy baby bok choy.

EGG: My breakfast is full of protein - egg and cheese on a whole-wheat English muffin.  Very tasty.  Also try eggs scrambled with shredded cheese, salsa, and avocado.  

BEANS: I don't particularly care for them, but they can be made better.  Puree into a soup, or add the puree to mashed vegetables.  

PEANUT BUTTER: Totally fine for a diet.  Yes, it has a lot of calories - so cut back elsewhere.  Also try avocado.  I've been eating a whole avocado every day for for years - usually sliced into spicy gazpacho - and have not gained any weight.  Other nuts and seeds are good, too, especially in a salad.  Just make sure you cut out other sources of calories.  

FAKE MEAT: Try other brands other than Boca, if available.  Gardenburgers are wonderful.  Try topping them with cheese, lettuce, avocado, and onion.  Also, have you tried the fake meat crumbles?  I saute them with hot sauce.  

QUINOA: it's a grain high in iron and protein.  It's easy to make and tastes a little like couscous.  Add to soup, or eat as a pasta.  It's cheap, too.

WEIGHT LOSS: If you are gaining weight on a vegetarian diet, it is probably (1) you are eating too much, (2) you are eating too much junk, or (3) both.  Eat 3,500 calories of lettuce, and you will still gain a pound.

Answer 7

eat foods high in iron to give you energy

green leafy vegetables

cook using a caste iron pan.

you dont need beef to get iron