I used to be vegetarian, and I am wanting to go back, but i'm having some trouble.?

Question

A couple of years ago I was a vegetarian, but I still did eat dairy products just because I couldn't possibly go all the way with it. I had to change being a vegetarian back to eating meat, because my body wasn't getting enough protein, calcium, etc. now that I am at a good stable point, I want to go back to being vegetarian, but I am finding it difficult to do, could anyone help or give me some pointers?

Answer 1

I was a lacto-ova vegetarian for quite a while, and now am vegan. Whether going through a veggie to vegan change or, like you, going from meat to vegetarianism again, I think the most important thing is to focus on why you are making the change. Whether it's for the animals, your own health benefits, etc. always focus on why it is you want to make the change, and with that in mind, the rest will come. To make sure you're getting the nutrients you need in your diet include foods like nuts, beans, green veggies, and tofu in your diet. Some essential foods like these can seem a little bland at times, so check out websites like PETA.com or goveg.com for a ton of recipes that will help you meet your nutrition requirements. The more info you can get as well the better, if you're really serious about making the switch, and are concerned with your health(which is a good thing!) talk to a dietitian, so you'll have all the facts. You can easily get all the nutrients you need with a veggie diet, you just need to know what's out there! :)

Answer 2

You need to eat a HEALTHY vegetarian diet. Just not eating meat while you fill up on junk food will not build health. You need a variety of fruits, vegetables (some dark colored ones), grains, and beans. You should probably start out with dairy and possibly eggs in your diet; they supply more than an ample amount of protein, calcium, and B12.

It is really essential for vegetarians to learn to cook tasty well-balanced meals or it's all too easy to fall into the fries and pies trap - nobody can feel healthy eating only junk food, but that's what a lot of people think a vegetarian diet is!

Try some of the Bocca and Morningstar Farms meat analogs - that way you can use familiar recipes while you're learning more about veggie cooking.

Answer 3

I have been a vegetarian for more than 20 years. I do not consume any dairy products (except for an occassional yogurt). I get my protein mainly from seafood, soy"milk", and lots of nuts (peanuts, cashews, etc.) I have no desire to eat meat. When I used to eat meat I had serious health problems.

Go back to being a vegetarian. For the first few months, use yogurt to balance the good bacteria in your intestines as you will initially get gas when you switch. But this is good.

Numerous medical studies have shown over and over that it is better to be a vegetarian. I am the only vegetarian in my family and I have no health problems (NONE!) while my brother and sisters and their children all have major problems.

Also, make sure you keep active and exercise regularly. Good health is not just about your diet.

Answer 4

sure. I was a vegan for about a year a few years back, lost a lot of weight and felt great too, also learned to cook . now I eat some meat but am still a vegetable at heart (or something like that).
anyhow, vitamins with b-12 (cyanacobalomin) will help, that's something you need that can't (i think) be gotten from plants. Also plenty of sunlight is recommended. beans are a good source of protein, chili beans, other legumes. and I think any good vitamin will contain the b-12 + calcium. also some orange juice and milk is calcium fortified if that works for you.

and finally I would suggest checking at a health food store; them folks know a lot more than I do.

later, peace and love and like mama said, 'eat your veggies!'

Answer 5

I'm not trying to be flippant so don't take the following comment as such.

If your body is telling you that the vegetarian diet is not working for you, why would you want to try to force yourself back into it?

I know that the radical vegetarian/vegan crowd will tell you otherwise, but our systems are designed to be omnivorous. That is not to say that you can't be healthy being a vegetarian, in fact, I have known several. However, you do need to be careful to get *complete* proteins as well as calcium and other minerals. There are also several amino acids that are only available from animal products.

Interestingly enough, it was recently found that people coming to America from other countries that observed a strict vegetarian diet began having diet related health issues. On further study it was found that because of the insecticides and hygiene used in America these "vegetarians" were not getting the easy to overlook tiny bugs that were hiding in the vegetables in their home countries and thus were deprived of that source of inadvertent protein.

Balance in all things...

Answer 6

I think you should still stay vegetarian, and eat meat maybe once or twice a week at most. Lots of vegetarians who have been so for several years find it quite hard to get addicted to meat again...

Answer 7

It's hard to switch back over. Just take it one day at a time. Tell yourself that only for today, you won't eat meat. It gets easier after a few weeks. And if you need additional help, go to www.peta.org and check out some of their stuff. It usually works to give motivation again. :)

Answer 8

If your body was having problems before it will most likely have problems again. I knew a girl who tried it out and started losing her hair... her body couldn't handle the sudden lack of protein. I would ask your doctor first. Good Luck

Answer 9

just eat meat once a week. start off with something light like fish or chicken and change it up every week and once you have done that. see which meat you feel comfortable eating.

if you stat off with fish, go with salmon, that has lots of protein.

Answer 10

Don't. Obviously you encountered health problems being a vegetarian. The thing stopping you is your brain saying, "Don't be a retard!"