Will I feel differently if I decide to eat vegetarian food?

Question

This question is inspired by a question I answered recently with regard to being vegetarian. I have thought about this quite a bit as I have friends that have a vegetarian diet (although they have quorn which has egg in I think - although I suppose no egg is vegan??). Anyway - my friend said she felt a change in herself after a few weeks. She felt fitter and not as bloated after meals and stuff. I'm 5'1" and only tiny sized and do not want to lose any weight but want to be fitted and healthier inside. Is it really hard to become vegetarian or are there loads of foods I can still eat and enjoy? Will I feel any different?

Answer 1

Hi, welcome to the vegetarian & vegan community!

Some people feel radically different when they go vegetarian. They notice that their skin improves, and they have more energy. However there are those that don't feel much different. I feel SO much healthier being meat free, I have a healthier weight (at 8 I was kinda chubby) and I feel great. My complexion is clearer than it's ever been.

Some people go veggie overnight, but it's much more common to go vegetarian gradually. It's important to eat a wide variety of foods each day.

Here's some info on iron:

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/iron.html

Here's everything you need to know about protein:

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/protein.html

And this should be of help, its some great advice for new veggies:

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/goingveg.html

Vegetarianism is not for everybody, but why not give it a try? It's not that difficult. At first, you may miss meat, but use meat alternatives- these are helpful for those making the transition.

Go at your own pace.

I hope this helps!

: )

[edit] Sorry, forgot to mention, there are different types of vegetarians. Some eat eggs, others do not. Whether you eat eggs and/or dairy is up to you. A vegan on the other hand, eats NO animal products whatsoever. Here is a link that will show you LOTS of tasty vegetarian recipes!

http://www.vegsoc.org/cordonvert/recipes...

(Happy cooking!)

-Great answer, Hala! Spot on! :)

Answer 2

I am a vegetarian and maintain a healthy weight.

If you aren't sure why not try cutting back on meat a little? Replace it with fish and vegetarian alternatives like quorn.

There's still tonnes of food you can eat. You will need to make an extra conscious effort to make sure you are getting enough protein and iron other wise you will feel run down and tired. Do what you feel is right but do it gradually to see what best suites you.

Good luck

Answer 3

You will feel differently in serveral ways:

1. When going to restaurants with your friends, or any familiy events where meat is served you will feel segregated, then you will think about wether or not being a vegetarian is good for you.

2. You can definitively feel better knowing that the life of many animals are getting saved by your actions (deciding to eat vegetarian food). But still, the same amount of meat is produced, and many of this is wasted.

3. About health, Meat or Vegetables are delicious, they both have pros and cons. Choose whichever tastes best for you = ).

Answer 4

As long as you make sure you eat plenty of variety I think you should feel fine. In fact you should feel great. I felt so much better after becoming veg and even better after becoming vegan. You feel light but full, I'm never hungry and even if I binge it's on healthy foods. Everyones different but I think if you want to become vegetarian that's great. Good luck.... if you need any help, recipes, or advice feel free to email me. =0)

Thanks Hollywood! you too. Great links too.

Answer 5

unless u are Buddish, i don't think there is any reason to be a vegetarian

meat has some important nutrients that other food doesn't have

who told u that it is healthier to be a vegetarian??

don't be silly

it si no good to your body and don't u like eating meat??

it is so delicious!!!

eating what u like is an enjoyment in life!!!

maybe what your friend mean is that she feel so bad after becoming a vegetarian

Answer 6

It depends on your diet there are different types of vegetarian lacto-milk products ovo-eggs vegan-non lacto or ovo then there are fruititarians-just fruit. You can be a healthy vegetarian eating fruits and vegetables, grains and beans, but there are also unhealthy vegetarians who eat too many carbs and desserts and no fruits or vegetables so you have to maintain a healthy eating habit evan being vegetarian.

Answer 7

hollywood gave you great advice, i just wanted to emphasize that in order to see results in your health from a vegetarian diet you should eat mostly whole foods.  try not to use prepackaged foods as they are loaded with preservatives, sodium, and usually fat and sugar as well.  make the most of your produce section and you should be just fine =).  a person can be a vegetarian eating only doritos and beer and not be anything close to healthy.  

i would also suggest taking a gelatin-free multivitamin.  there aren't any nutrients that you can't get from a vegetarian diet, but it will round out your nutrient levels when you're trying to get started.  it can be difficult at first to find ways to integrate certain nutrients, and a multivitamin would ensure that you get what you need even if you are too busy to eat a well rounded meal.

if you're eating a well-rounded vegetarian diet you can definitely expect to feel healthier.  i have more energy and stamina than when i ate meat, and have found that i don't eat as much as i used to....veggies have lots of fiber which makes you full faster.  

good luck, and welcome to the family =)

Answer 8

Um, ACTUALLY, meat gives you heart disease, not too mention makes you fat, and let me get this straight.... If you have a vegetarian diet... with vegetables and fruit and whole grains... with protein from a ton of sources you can eat.... it's not healthy for you. If you say (cough cough ^ cough cough) that people are SUPPOSED  to eat meat, you are just ignorant. And i'm sure a certain person who eats for the enjoyment of life is FAT,

Answer 9

Well, for this answer you have to ask yourself that do you like vegetables? Vegetable are very nutritious and good for human body. Especially blood type A. Those with blood group A should eat more vegetables because they can digest well on vegetable. They are difficult to digest meat. For your protein source you can substitute with Beans and Tofu. Amino Acid rich vegetable are good for muscle gaining.

I can grantee you will be healthier, if you eat vegetable. I'm a fat man with body weight 210lb, now I reduce rice and replace my dinner with pure vegetable meal. It make me lost weight and my digestion problems were gone. But for your case, you eat more rice with vegetable, bean and Dhal. I am sure you will feel different for eating vegetable 1. good bowel movement 2. fresh and active than before. You can recipe for cooking vegetable from these blogs. http://cookadviser.blogspot.com and http://goodpieces.blogspot.com