VEGAN/VEGETARIAN HELP please :]

Question

My friend is straight up vegetarian, not vegan (that I know of). He's nearly 16, 5' 3" nearly 16. Lately he's been having bad problems. He gets sick real easily, doesn't eat a lot of things (sugar, bread, meat etc) His tummy is really picky so if it doesn't get what it wants, he throws up. He drinks a lot of soda and has a craving for soup. He's losing weight really often and he's on medicine and he's not anemic anymore. So my real questions I guess are: What would you suggest for help for him to sleep earlier? He doesn't sleep often but when he does, he sleeps for long periods of time. What can he eat that'll help him gain a little weight? I hate it when he gets admitted for the hospital, it scares me real bad, he got testing done for certain things, so I'm worried about that. What can help him become healthier?

Answer 1

That really doesn't sound good at all.  Sure doesn't sound healthy.  Thankfully he is under a doctor's care and I hope that they are monitoring everything that is going on.

I go with Krister on this one and wonder about the soda and if it is diet.  To really check on the effects of the sweetners that are used in soda now days is an eye opener.

I would HOPE that the doctor has taken such into consideration and has considered such if he is indeed having a massive intake of diet soda.

I would also hope that the doctor is taking into consideration the medications that he is on and their side effects as well.  Many will interfear with sleeping, cause stomach problems - and yes, even can bring about one to lose alot of weight.

My suggestions to help someone sleep are herbal teas such as chamomile tea - maybe some lavendar oils infused into room sleeping in.  BUT - and that is a BIG BUT - I really wouldn't do such till cleared with the doctor as you would really want to make sure that there is no interation with drugs that he is on.

To gain weight - one has to take n more calories that one is using.  The diet that you are suggesting that is being eaten - doesn't really cover everything that one really needs to have a healthy overall diet.  But again - one has to make sure what is being eaten is not going to have a negative effect with any drugs that are being taken.

Not to scare you - but are you sure that he is telling you everything - that maybe they really know what is wrong but not really wanting to tell you?

Again, the point that Krister comes to mind.  Eating disorders are becoming more and more common for young men.  My hope is that such isn't the case.  

I really hope that they can and do find out what is wrong - that the problems are addressed - and that they can have a normal long full life, that all all this will be behind him very soon.

Answer 2

Well, firstly, I don't think this illness has much to do with being vegetarian. What are the hospitals saying is wrong with him?

There must be something in particular foods his body doesn't like. Ask your friend to keep a food log so he can narrow it down to the foods his body rejects.

Answer 3

You shouldn't become a vegan/vegetarian if you are not going to research it.  You need to be really healthy.  You have to make sure that you are getting enough protein.  Your friend is not eating right.  Lots of soda and soup isn't the greatest nutrition.  If he can't be a proper vegetarian then he should go back to eating meat.  He is really under weight.  He just needs to eat right.  What about his mother? She should be feeding him right.  He could have food allergies or sensitivities.  He should get tested.

Answer 4

Soda and soup?

It wouldn't be **diet** soda would it? It almost sounds like your friend has an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia

If your friend is really vegetarian and isn't just trying to cover up an eating disorder, he should be eating plenty of bread, pasta, cereal, rice, beans, peas, lentil, nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies.

http://www.veganhealth.org/sh

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

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

This is the ONLY nutrient that isn't found easily in plant sources.

If you are worried that being vegetarian is just generally unhealthy, please understand that it is just as healthy as any other diet if done properly.

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

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

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

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

Answer 5

Being veggie is not necessarily healthy. The most important thing for him (or anyone) is to make sure that he is eating enough organic raw greens.  They are loaded with minerals that will help him to relax and sleep.  The easiest way to incorporate raw greens into a diet is to blend them with water and fruit into a smoothie.  Soda is bad (diet and sugar) and he should stop drinking it. If he must have it, he should limit it to one can every few days if possible.