Should I stop being vegetarian?
Discussion
Hi all,
I've been vegetarian for nearly 3 years now, and other than missing steak and sweets with gelatine in them, its been fairly easy going.
However I always maintained that if it was starting to affect my health then I would go back to being a carnivore.
I know there is the idea that vegetarians are sickly, weak and malnourished, but I have been fitter, healthier, and heavier (heavier isnt saying much though, my weight was always around 143lb, and I peaked at around 154lb) in the past 3 years than ever before.
Thing is, since I started uni and moved out of my folks house, my weight has dropped, as have my energy levels and general mood.
As i see it, this could be down to one of 3 reasons:
- I dont eat as well at uni as i did at home due to not having time or the ability to make decent food.
- between uni and working 2 jobs, i do 9-5 or 9-6, 6 out of 7 days a week. I also work out for an hour or so 4 days a week, and often go biking on my day off from work and uni. Maybe a vegetarian diet simply doesnt have enough calories to sustain that much activity?
- Stress due to other things, which I wont bore you lot with.
My best guess is that its a combination of all 3, or maybe the 3rd point is partly because of being tired and worn out.
I'm not vegan, so I eat loads of dairy, (full fat milk, butter, cheese, natural yoghurt) and my staples are porridge, couscous, rice and bread.
I also have Jacket potatoes and pasta on occasion.
However, since leaving home I dont get that much in the way of greenery; I always have of lettuce in sandwiches, and occasionally have vegetable soup and vegetable pasties, but I guess this just isnt enough?
I'd like to stay veggie if I can, but I cant help but feel eating meat again would give me more energy, help me put on a bit of bulk (hence the working out 4 days a week).
What say you PH? I realise that the only suitable diet for any self respecting man is a meat only diet, but if possible could advice be given from a health and nutrition perspective, rather than vegetarian = ghey?
thanks PH,
Tom
I've been vegetarian for nearly 3 years now, and other than missing steak and sweets with gelatine in them, its been fairly easy going.
However I always maintained that if it was starting to affect my health then I would go back to being a carnivore.
I know there is the idea that vegetarians are sickly, weak and malnourished, but I have been fitter, healthier, and heavier (heavier isnt saying much though, my weight was always around 143lb, and I peaked at around 154lb) in the past 3 years than ever before.
Thing is, since I started uni and moved out of my folks house, my weight has dropped, as have my energy levels and general mood.
As i see it, this could be down to one of 3 reasons:
- I dont eat as well at uni as i did at home due to not having time or the ability to make decent food.
- between uni and working 2 jobs, i do 9-5 or 9-6, 6 out of 7 days a week. I also work out for an hour or so 4 days a week, and often go biking on my day off from work and uni. Maybe a vegetarian diet simply doesnt have enough calories to sustain that much activity?
- Stress due to other things, which I wont bore you lot with.
My best guess is that its a combination of all 3, or maybe the 3rd point is partly because of being tired and worn out.
I'm not vegan, so I eat loads of dairy, (full fat milk, butter, cheese, natural yoghurt) and my staples are porridge, couscous, rice and bread.
I also have Jacket potatoes and pasta on occasion.
However, since leaving home I dont get that much in the way of greenery; I always have of lettuce in sandwiches, and occasionally have vegetable soup and vegetable pasties, but I guess this just isnt enough?
I'd like to stay veggie if I can, but I cant help but feel eating meat again would give me more energy, help me put on a bit of bulk (hence the working out 4 days a week).
What say you PH? I realise that the only suitable diet for any self respecting man is a meat only diet, but if possible could advice be given from a health and nutrition perspective, rather than vegetarian = ghey?
thanks PH,
Tom
Codswallop said:
We have evolved to have incisors, canines, pre-molars and molars for a reason. To be omnivores. Get back to the meat, and a properly balanced diet 
yeah i was going to add that I have never had a moral problem with eating meat at all, for just this reason. However, i do have my reasons and would like to stay veggie if i could, but only if i could do so while remaining healthy.ukwill,
not a lot really, but I have come this far and dont really want to just bail on it now.
changed my name,
yeah i was mostly thinking chicken for protein, and fish for general goodness.
I know the obvious answer is to go find a proper nutritionist in real life, but was hoping to hear from someone with knowledge of this sort of thing
not a lot really, but I have come this far and dont really want to just bail on it now.
changed my name,
yeah i was mostly thinking chicken for protein, and fish for general goodness.
I know the obvious answer is to go find a proper nutritionist in real life, but was hoping to hear from someone with knowledge of this sort of thing
Not going to comment on the reasons behind why you should stay veggie or not, as that's your decision. But, I've been veggie now for...about four years I think, maybe five, and in the past couple of years started to suffer from a lot of the things you've mentioned.
The main thing being that my general mood and energy levels are noticeably different to what they used to be.
I decided though, that it wasn't because of a vegetarian diet, but a poor diet. I ate hardly anything, and what I did eat was pure crap. I've since started trying to change my diet and eat healthily, and vegetarian, and I can see improvements already after just a couple of weeks.
It's completely possible to have a vegetarian diet and stay healthy, but your diet could easily end up missing vital nutrients and so as long as you pay attention to that, there's no problem.
ETA: I'm clearly not a nutritionist, so take what I say with a pinch of salt..
The main thing being that my general mood and energy levels are noticeably different to what they used to be.
I decided though, that it wasn't because of a vegetarian diet, but a poor diet. I ate hardly anything, and what I did eat was pure crap. I've since started trying to change my diet and eat healthily, and vegetarian, and I can see improvements already after just a couple of weeks.
It's completely possible to have a vegetarian diet and stay healthy, but your diet could easily end up missing vital nutrients and so as long as you pay attention to that, there's no problem.
ETA: I'm clearly not a nutritionist, so take what I say with a pinch of salt..
The answer is either can work but I'm firmly a meat eater.
As you're at UNI I'm guessing money isn't plentiful and in that instance the meat option will be arguably cheaper. Chicken, eggs, dairy products and other meats then add in some fish and you're away although greens are still required for a healthy diet.
Although saying that your current vegetarian diet sounds awful so its hardly surprising you're suffering on it.
Overall I suspect a meat eaters diet combined with greens to be far more health if eating selected lean meats but each to their own!
As you're at UNI I'm guessing money isn't plentiful and in that instance the meat option will be arguably cheaper. Chicken, eggs, dairy products and other meats then add in some fish and you're away although greens are still required for a healthy diet.
Although saying that your current vegetarian diet sounds awful so its hardly surprising you're suffering on it.
Overall I suspect a meat eaters diet combined with greens to be far more health if eating selected lean meats but each to their own!
I gave up meat in 1995, never been a problem for me in anyway. The thing I noticed when I first gave up is that if I wanted to lose some weight, I could do so much quicker with less gym work, and I could do more without my heart feeling the heavy pace it did before I gave up.
I could never go back to eating meat again. I also gave up alcohol in 2009, not that I had a drink problem but simply that I don’t need it at all.
Ultimately, it's up to you and how you feel, you could try eating meat again and see if it makes a difference, and then if it doesn’t, give up again.
I could never go back to eating meat again. I also gave up alcohol in 2009, not that I had a drink problem but simply that I don’t need it at all.
Ultimately, it's up to you and how you feel, you could try eating meat again and see if it makes a difference, and then if it doesn’t, give up again.
I've been a peskatarian (although I very rarely eat fish, and even then it will be fish fingers) since 3 (28 now) and I'm fit as a fiddle - perhaps the only thing I'll say is that I don't have big arms, but neither does my dad and he eats meat. So whether eating meat would have a made a difference I don't know....
Spinach and Broccoli are both high in iron.
Spinach and Broccoli are both high in iron.
The symptoms you are describing can happen with a meat or vegetarian diet. You can be just as malnourished and lacking in vitamins and minerals with either diet. Its not hard to make sure you get all that you need from your diet but it requires a bit more thought and planning if you are vegetarian. Don't give up on it (and that comes from someone who isn't a vegetarian but does live with one)
You need to get your life style and diet sorted but it won't be through being vegetarian, just a poor eating vegetarian!
I'm vegetarian, as is my brother and am not weak, don't lack energy and don't feel bad at all - now I have a sensible diet and exercise plan. Eating chips, bread, pizza and ice cream isn't obligatory for veggies!
One benefit is my cholesterol level is half the govt's target and well under half of the national average which might help longevity wise? The thing that put me off meat (maybe exaggerated or an OTT response) was the stories/stats about various stomach ailments/ cancers in heavy meat eaters, though I think that's mainly processed/non organic ('juiced'/packed?) and red meat?
Quite a few well known MMA fighters have turned vegetarian or near so recently, often claiming better energy levels and recovery (and less acidosis) as the reason.
I'm vegetarian, as is my brother and am not weak, don't lack energy and don't feel bad at all - now I have a sensible diet and exercise plan. Eating chips, bread, pizza and ice cream isn't obligatory for veggies!
One benefit is my cholesterol level is half the govt's target and well under half of the national average which might help longevity wise? The thing that put me off meat (maybe exaggerated or an OTT response) was the stories/stats about various stomach ailments/ cancers in heavy meat eaters, though I think that's mainly processed/non organic ('juiced'/packed?) and red meat?
Quite a few well known MMA fighters have turned vegetarian or near so recently, often claiming better energy levels and recovery (and less acidosis) as the reason.
A good variety of vegetables particularly stuff like spinach for iron. Lots of pulses like chick peas and lentils. Have a look at this for a start -
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vegetarian-diet/H...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vegetarian-diet/H...
I was 90% vegetarian until September 2011 but it's easier to get protein by eating meat (as I want to bulk up) so am now maybe 50% vegetarian. At no point had I suffered the lethargy you do. But any lethargy I suffered as a meat eater was down to not understanding carbohydrates rather than eating meat.
First of all, from a nutrition viewpoint, go to the vegetable section and make sure you buy lots of different types! Tomatoes, different types of leaves, celery, onions etc. And eat lots of different fruit: oranges, apples, pears, kiwis, bananas etc. It isn't difficult. It isn't expensive. The Value/Basics range isn't terrible. Sure, if your parents are rich and gave you the organic top quality stuff when you lived at home, you'll suffer but you'll get used to it. Bin your girly cowl cardigans and man up.
Value/Basics stuff won't kill you.
Secondly, if it really is down to calorific intake, then simply eat more of everything. The porridge and couscous is fine. Avoid white rice and white bread, though, as that can induce sleepiness.
First of all, from a nutrition viewpoint, go to the vegetable section and make sure you buy lots of different types! Tomatoes, different types of leaves, celery, onions etc. And eat lots of different fruit: oranges, apples, pears, kiwis, bananas etc. It isn't difficult. It isn't expensive. The Value/Basics range isn't terrible. Sure, if your parents are rich and gave you the organic top quality stuff when you lived at home, you'll suffer but you'll get used to it. Bin your girly cowl cardigans and man up.
Value/Basics stuff won't kill you.Secondly, if it really is down to calorific intake, then simply eat more of everything. The porridge and couscous is fine. Avoid white rice and white bread, though, as that can induce sleepiness.
thats the thing, i eat loads already. I eat enough that i physically cant eat much more for main meals, and will try and eat smaller things between meals too.
the food i ate at home wasnt organic or anything like that, just more varied with more green stuff. Im s
t at cooking and often dont have time to do anything more than boil cous cous or put spuds in the oven, and being in a shared house i only have 1 shelf of a fridge to put stuff in so i simply dont have space to stock up on lots of different kinds of fruit and veg. also as its just me eating it, food often goes bad and i have to chuck it out anyway.
i guess the problem isnt so much that i dont know how to eat right while being vegetarian, its that doing so requires more time, money and logistics than i have.
the food i ate at home wasnt organic or anything like that, just more varied with more green stuff. Im s
t at cooking and often dont have time to do anything more than boil cous cous or put spuds in the oven, and being in a shared house i only have 1 shelf of a fridge to put stuff in so i simply dont have space to stock up on lots of different kinds of fruit and veg. also as its just me eating it, food often goes bad and i have to chuck it out anyway.i guess the problem isnt so much that i dont know how to eat right while being vegetarian, its that doing so requires more time, money and logistics than i have.
Tried exercising more? Can have a significant effect on health, energy levels and feeling of wellbeing. I'm biased but weight training is beneficial, I find.
Sleeping enough? Obvious you'd have thought but getting 8 hours+ per night if you aren't already could help.
Of course it could be diet but it might be worth considering the above points. From what you've said, a vegetarian diet seems tricky given limited fridge space but it can be done. Mash up vegetables and bung them in a pot to cook = healthy and cheap and easy food = winner winner chicken-free dinner!
Sleeping enough? Obvious you'd have thought but getting 8 hours+ per night if you aren't already could help.
Of course it could be diet but it might be worth considering the above points. From what you've said, a vegetarian diet seems tricky given limited fridge space but it can be done. Mash up vegetables and bung them in a pot to cook = healthy and cheap and easy food = winner winner chicken-free dinner!
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