Why are vegetarians skinnier than people who eat meat?

Question

I am a vegetarian and was wondering the health reasons why a lot of us are skinny.

Answer 1

Seriously, too many of these answers really really made me laugh. I just wonder where they get their 'information' and why they insist on calling it fact. lol

"Because they are wasting away from malnutrition. " Rofl.
"Because your body is not getting all the nutrients it needs. " Double ROFL!!
"but you kneed meat too." Says who? The meat council? lol. If you "kneeded" meat, then vegetarians wouldn't be alive. lol.
"we are suppose to eat 4oz. of meat a day. (for your body to get the nutrients it needs, which no vegetable will give) the body needs the nutrients to fight down bacteria and also keep your bones straightened. " Someone has seriously misinformed you. ALL nutrients that vegetarians need can be gotten from vegetables, grains, and similar foods. Meat actually keeps the body from fighting some bacterias. lol.
"Vegetarians often have extremely high cholesterol levels because of their diet and lack of lean proteins from lean meats. High cholesterol puts you at risk for heart attack, hypertension and stroke." Can I see the figures on this? See, cholesterol comes from animal sources. If you aren't eating meat, and aren't overdoing it on dairy, you aren't going to have high cholesterol. I've never heard this one before. lol.
"Many aren't just skinny, they're unhealthy. " Many? I've never known a vegetarian who isn't healthy from their diet. Their other lifestyle choices sometimes leave something to be desired . . .
"You have to be very careful to eat vegetarian foods that will supply the protein and iron you need. " Actually, it's really easy for vegetarians to get proteins, THey are in most everything that we consume. Most meat eaters actually have too *much* protein, so they think that when vegetarians cut out flesh, then they won't be getting enough. And iron is a snap. Green veggies have a ton of it. Suppliments have it. You don't just have to get it from blood. . .

I've never seen an obese vegetarian. Sure, I've heard of some overweight ones, but I've never really known any personally. Most seem be be within or close to the recommended BMI. Of course, anyone who eats nothing but cheese, pizza, candy, pasta, cookies, and junk food, is going to have some weight or medical problems.

But I think that the reasons that most are skinnier is because they watch what they eat. It's alot harder to put on weight as a healthy vegetarian than as a 'healthy' meat eater. They also eat more digestable foods that are better for them, probably get more exercise, and are just smarter about diet in general.

: )

Answer 2

It is not being a vegetarian that makes him unhealthy. You can't eat just white bread or carrots and call yourself a vegan. Remember, He doesnt represent all vegetarians. There's a lot of ignorant comments on here okay. I have been vegetarian since birth, my mother went vegetarian when she left home. I've never eaten meat, it was never in my baby food, i was breastfed well also. It is not hard being a vegetarian, i mean, it's not like there's nothing for me to eat? I would never turn to meat, trust me, i love life. Just make sure your brother is eating properly okay. Check up on what he DOES eat, being a vegetarian. If he doesn't eat a lot of food, he should be eating regular too.

Answer 3

its because vegetarians don't consume the fat that is found in meat. most overweight people either eat a lot of junk food, or a lot of meat

Answer 4

We aren't always. (Look at the Buddha, or pandas!) I am one of several vegetarians I know who likes junk food; other vegetarians just have bad metabolisms or are on estrogen supplements. Some vegan foods, like coconut, have *lots* of fat. But vegetarianism does encourage mindfulness about what we eat, and creativity with seasonings and such so we feel like nothing's missing. Also, animal products contain cholesterol, but other foods don't.

Answer 5

My friend who used to be really slim became a vegetarian and now he is overweight. He eats a lot of pasta, rice and way too much cheese. Now he has high cholesterol at a young age and can't get it down.

Answer 6

Not all vegetarians are - I know kids who only eat junk food and are mighty plump little veggies. But mostly it comes down to the fact that vegetarians eat less animal fat.

Answer 7

I agree with many other responses; not all vegetarians are skinny. A vegetarian can eat lots of fatty and sugary processed foods and gain weight and be as generally unhealthy as a meat eater. Just because someone does not eat meat does not mean that they eat enough fruits and veggies.

The healthiest vegetarians (and omnis as well) are the ones that focus their diets on whole unrefined foods, LOTS of veggies (cooked and raw), fruit, beans, and raw nuts. Ideally; they cut out oil, refined grains, refined sugar, and salt and (if omni) eat lean meat once or twice a week in the appropriate portion size.

A vegetarian or vegan can be exceptionally healthy (and thin) if they focus their diet more on veggies and fruit than other refined and processed products.

Answer 8

Improper diet.
Many aren't just skinny, they're unhealthy. They have less lean muscle, are receiving insufficient protein, have low iron levels and are basically malnourished.

You CAN be a healthy vegetarian, it just takes a lot of work. You have to make sure you get sufficient protein in your diet which is different that just cutting out meat. You have to be very careful to eat vegetarian foods that will supply the protein and iron you need.

Answer 9

It's been my experience that skinny doesn't always mean healthy. Vegetarians often have extremely high cholesterol levels because of their diet and lack of lean proteins from lean meats. High cholesterol puts you at risk for heart attack, hypertension and stroke. Also, a great many oddly seem to have problems with gall bladders. Not sure why though.

Answer 10

Vegetarians like us eat vegetables and not that much of junk foods but some vegetarians don't watch what they eat and get fat by eating too much junk food instead of eating vegetables!!!!

Answer 11

vegetable the body grabs all the nutrients and gives you energy. meats do as well but takes the body a lot to break down.. example.. steak stays in the system 3 days before it totally digests. every persons metabolism are different though. i know many persons that are meat lovers and are very thin. the redder for them the better. which is not good for high blood pressure. we are suppose to eat 4oz. of meat a day. (for your body to get the nutrients it needs, which no vegetable will give) the body needs the nutrients to fight down bacteria and also keep your bones straightened. I only eat 4 oz a day and i keep the doctor away.:)