Being a Vegetarian Can Really Mess You Up
 

I think MANY have tried this lifestyle. My folks never did nor their generation, they all ate as the Hunter and Gathers did. I looked at vegetarian at one point but didn't last very long. My grandkids 24 and 21 have gone this route for awhile and were getting less healthy along the way. So that stopped in their lives, as I see it's a Big Fad that comes and goes. Some can do well, I guess, but have to make sure they are getting what their body needs.

At my late age, I'm reducing meat intake as it's hard on my digestive system and it probably was for a major part of my life. MODERATION is key. I can recall sitting down to 8 oz or more of a steak or prime rib years ago and not more at this time. I still get some small amounts of meats in stir frys and soups and stews.

I'm consuming more seafood now but still in moderation. And more legumes so get the protein my body needs.

There is a lot of info on the negative aspects of going vegetarian and here is just one short one:

6 Ways Being a Vegetarian Could Seriously Mess You Up

Choices and we need to make sure we are getting nutrients our body needs....

I should have mentioned I tried the soy route for a while when it became the craze and found it was affecting my thyroid, causing more fatigue and even depression. I avoid going out of my way eating or drinking soy stuff but kow it's in so many foods. So keep that in mind.

With all due respect, that Cosmopolitan article is nonsensical at best.

The article thay've actually based a lot of their information on regarding anxiety and depression is actually not saying what they have said in their article.

In reality that article about anxiety and depression says in the Conclusion...

Vegetarian diet and mental disorders: results from a representative community survey
Taking on the lifestyle of being vegetarian is a long and difficult process. It's not something that should be done lightly. It's not fair to say people can get messed up. I don't wish to argue with you about this but just wanted to point out that silly reference. I didn't bother reading their other references regarding eating disorders and whatnot. The rest e.g. zinc, b12 or vit d etc can apply if a person isn't vigilent, sure.

Personally I can think of an awful lot of ways it can be helpful and it's certainly helped me regarding gut microbiome.

I've seen you say before that it's about choices and that's what it should be for all of us.

I recall in one of the books that the Dalai Lama wrote about how he became very ill and of his dilemma with having to eat meat to become well again. That was a very long time ago and much has changed since then. Plus it wasn't possible for hime to just pop down to the local chemist and pick up some B12.

I don't think it's nonsensical Lara, and there are others that are longer but say a lot of the same things. My good friend has suffered with depression for many years of her life, and she forever has said: when she eats a good organic burger or piece of meat she is lifted. I definitely feel a void if I get very little animal protein. Thanks.

Everyone is different, genetics & environment can be big factors.
Much of the type A blood good/bad foods fit for me, now in my middle years.
www.dadamo.com: The official Blood Type Diet website

Few foods bothered me as a kid..
Raised in a rural area with gardens, home canned foods and a dairy farm nearby, so fresh non processed milk. Very little fast/junk or processed foods.

Caroline, I'm not arguing, I'm just having a discussion. You can eat whatever you wish.

I wasn't saying you were nonsensical. I'm meaning that Cosmo article to me is nonsensical because they reference a legit paper from a journal that says that a vegetarian diet does not cause anxiety or depression.

The Cosmo article that people on vegetarian diet are nutrient deprived (their words) and that's why there is more anxiety amongst vegetarians. That's what they said.

:confused:

Of course there are articles everywhere about it. As I said I wasn't intending to argue. I just wanted to point out an error in their journalism. I guess that comes about when the writers (cosmo) don't read their references correctly.

I gave in about 6 months ago and bought some protein powder. I talked about it on PN forum. So many people here talk about the need to eat animal protein etc.. on and on it goes but so I bought this powder and added it to my already rich in protein vegetarian diet and it caused derangements in my blood tests immediately. I get blood tests every 21 days. I was getting too much protein and it affected my liver function. It's a known problem. After stopping it immediately, my tests took about 4 weeks to return to normal.

We don't need to kill animals and eat them to be healthy. It's a myth.

P.S. I don't eat much soy either, Caroline. I understand that too much soy is not good, but I do eat Edamame salad beans from time to time. I just don't eat too many of them.

Some related links with tips/info on the topic.
10 Beginner's Tips for Going Vegetarian - The Wimpy Vegetarian
When You Stop Eating Meat, This Is What Happens To Your Body

Health implications of vegetarian diet - Google Search

Jomar, you just jogged my memory. I recall mrsD talking about that book regarding blood types. I even bought an old second hand book she told me about. I'm a B. I must look that up for reference. It probably tells me I should be eating heaps of meat or something. lol. eeek

P.S. Thanks for article. I just browsed one quickly will look later properly when I wake up better. I like balanced. I know for a fact that my gut microbiome is in good shape and that's what is extremely important for my Immunotherapy. I mentioned this before.

Diet and Probiotics Influence Response to Immunotherapy - Cancer Health
A high-fiber diet may help checkpoint medications work better—but probiotic supplements could interfere with response.

I don't know why, but I never had a problem with bloating etc.. as is often mentioned in articles regarding veg diet. I think that's because of the way I prepare pulses etc.. properly and get rid of the nasties. I don't just open a can of beans and eat them and think I'm getting a good diet.

I grew up in a very meat oriented home as a child. I miss being able to grow my own vegetables. Even in pots it would be problematic I fear. I could do that where I lived before here. I wouldn't trust the safety of the soil here in the sugar cane fields.

I have followed the blood type info for years, I'm a B and still look at the book when I have a thought about what I'm eating more of and just found thru this info, that lentils are not a good value for B's. I'm taking more for fiber and now have to rethink things. I don't follow it as gospel, but makes sense too. Lamb is a good meat for my body and I like lamb but don't get it enough, turkey too is good for B's. Chicken and Bee not so much.

Lara, cows/beef are a major part of the food chain. I don't have an issue with cows for meat. And I agree many overdo it on beef consumption, but that is their choice. I said I probably ate too much growing up. don't now.

:eek: lol don't tell me that Caroline. I'm a B too.

It is for some people.

Huge percentage of vegetarians in India and other countries in Asia, as well as Israel, the UK. There are so many reasons people are vegetarian besides being related to their heart health or general health. Those people aren't messed up. :confused:

btw I don't eat any gelatin products either. It is in so much. I can't eat much that isn't off a tree or out of the ground because they put animal gelatin in almost everything. Even in the old cherry ripes. :(

Things will change for the better for the sake of our planet. I was just reading an article about how they're going to feed beef cattle on seaweeds to try to cut green house emissions. Geez, why not just stop breeding beef cattle.

Research into seaweed impact in reducing livestock methane takes scientists to Eureka award finals - ABC News

Cows fed small amount of seaweed burp 86 per cent less methane in trial - ABC News

Look at those beautiful faces. :hug:

btw I forgot to mention that Cows are herbivores. The only food chain cows are in is grass, cows, humans isn't it? They don't kill other creatures on purpose. The only time they would consume another creature would be accidental like insects in their grass.

Anyway, thanks for conversation.

I really trust Dr. David Brownstein and just looked up his "take" on going vegetarian. Good info and he says ,many suffer from low protein and fats, hence fatigue and muscle aches.

Just a moment...

Protein
 

Personally, I think it's all about education.

You can't just buy some lettuce and tomatoes and say you're going to eat a vegetarian diet. Of course you'll not do well. People are pretty smart though. Especially the younger generations. I wasn't that smart about diet when I was in my 20s.

The Peripheral Neuropathy forum has dozens and dozens of posts by people who decided to cut out certain foods from their diets and follow plant based diet and have had a lot of success sometimes. Everyone is individual. I keep it to myself in my life away from the internet here. I don't go around trying to convert people or suggesting they're getting ill because they eat animals. I'm not extremist. I eat mostly plant based because of my health.

I'd prefer to read about what is good to eat and what is balanced to eat for optimum health and make up my own mind.

I'd much rather eat healthy food than supplements to get to that end.

Here is an excellent link. I see it as balanced and good information for anyone learning about protein.

Protein | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Harvard - T. H. Chan School of Public Health
The Nutrition Source

–What is protein?
–How much protein do I need?
–It’s all about the protein “package”
–Research on protein and human health
–Protein foods and the planet
–The bottom line: choosing healthy protein foods

It's nice to see that the site doesn't endorse specific products as well!

If I could get all I feel my body needs from all foods, that is great but as I've gotten older and started supplementing in my 50's....this works in my life and all of friends in my life and my grandkids are supplementing already, they are always on the run and not getting the best for their bodies. They are smart.

Education
 

Oh, I take supplements. I guess that makes me "smart" too.

I said "I'd much rather eat healthy food than supplements to get to that end".

I don't know what would happen if I didn't have my b12 for just one example, but I prefer to eat properly so that I don't have to buy dozens of supplements. That's where education comes in.

Supplements here are extremely expensive. I take it that they're not so expensive in the US of A?

I often wonder if you ever read the information, such as the one in that last link I posted re Protein ? It's very well balanced.