Sick, due to vegetarianism?

Question

A few days ago my boyfriend (who was a vegetarian for 7 years, then went back for a few) and i decided to try it again, simply for our health. I immediately got a cold, which sucks but i can handle. This morning at about 4:30 i woke up sweating bullets (even with the A/C), super dizzy and lightheaded, so i drank my glass of water that was next to the bed. Then i tried to go get another and i literally had to hold the walls because my legs felt like they were about to give out.

I tossed and turned until about 7 when i finally thought, "I'll try eating some oatmeal." I did that, and within 15 minutes i was back asleep, and when i woke up i felt much better. I still feel a bit off though.

My question is, could this be related to my body adjusting to the lack of meat in my diet? Or could i just have had a fever with the cold? I know i have to make sure to take vitamins to ensure im getting the nutrients i need, which (whoops) i didnt take. I WILL get better about it. :) Thanks!

Answer 1

i doubt it, but i don't know the details of your new diet and any existing issues you might have (like blood sugar levels or iron levels.....).  you still need to replace the protein from meat with other sources of protein... for instance i know if i'm hungry i will get dizzy, sweaty, lightheaded, etc... all that you described... but i dont' need meat, i just need food!  maybe before bed you are eating more carbs... switch and eat more protein in the evening.  the protein will keep you full longer.  make sure your dinner includes a good amount of protein or have a good snack.... an apple and peanut butter or banana or something like that....

Answer 2

I think that as long as your body gets the same nutrients as it did when you ate meat, then it doesn't matter which source it came from. It could be due to you not eating healthily enough.

Answer 3

you body would not react like this because of removing a food group from your diet.  this sounds more like a virus to me.....

people can go for weeks or even months before seeing the effects of malnutrition...you would not be showing signs within days of eliminating meat from your diet.

that said, vegetarianism can be a VERY healthy diet....just do your research and make sure you know what to eat to get all of the nutrients your body needs to thrive.

i hope you feel better soon, and good luck going veg =)

Answer 4

You really think moving to a veggie diet can do this to you in a few days ?

No, there is something else you need to be looking for.

You don't need to take supplements for nutrients.

May I suggest you learn a bit about vegetarianism, there are plenty of resources available to you.

Answer 5

Chances are, your body was so used to meat and then it suddenly didn't have it,so you got a little sick. Make sure to take a vitamin every day, and eat foods with protein(peanut butter,nuts,eggs,etc.)

Answer 6

Make sure you are getting enough to eat.

I get that way if I skip lunch because I'm to busy.

Answer 7

It is impossible to get sick from vegetarianism.

You can get sick from eating a crappy diet, which you most likely do if you think that you need to take vitamins, but there's no way that you would feel such dramatic effects so soon.

Please actually read about eating properly before you complain about being vegetarian making you sick.

Answer 8

A cold is caused by a virus..not by not eating meat.  You don't need vitamins either..just a well balanced vegetarian diet.  Google the vegetarian food pyramid.

Answer 9

People don't get sick because they are vegetarian. They get sick because they are not informed on what vitamins/nutrients they need, how much, and where they can get it from.

Make sure you search the web on what you need and what you can eat to get it. It is very possible to be healthy on a vegetarian diet.

Answer 10

changing your body causes problems sometimes. When you work out your tearing muscles but it comes back to you in a good way :) Your stronger. Think of this as a pre-amazing transformation for your body.

Answer 11

its not being vegetarian something else dont blame a health diet when done right

Answer 12

yeah, your body will have a reaction if you do not "transisition" your diet safely & with all the info.  check out "Anne Wigmore's" website - her site specializes in transisitional diets for folks who are flesh eaters who want to change to veggie & do it with the EDUCATION you will need so you do not regret you decision or feel rotten.  oh and good choice on the oatmeal - oats contain alot of calcium which helps induce sleep - if you do this correctly you won't have to pop pills.  "Whole Foods" also has a pretty good site with lotz of recipes n' stuff.  Good for you for trying!  keep it up!  :)

Answer 13

It would take longer than that for the diet change to effect you. Easily more than a couple of days. If you're still eating proteins from beans and nuts, the diet change won't even effect you at all. If you're relying on vitamin supplements to give you nutrients you probably don't have a healthy diet going to begin with.

Answer 14

there is a lot of reasons to feel sick,not only changes in diet.

But strict vegetarian diet takes so much time to calculate

all nessesary elements for health in food.

there is a way to be vegetarian,if have enought time,money and wish for doing so,but i doubt if good points is much than uncertain in this matter.