I am male about 50 years old, will I have health problems if I switch to vegetarian diet?

Question

I am male about 50 years old and want to be a vegetarian. If I switch my diet to be vegetable only, will I have health problems? Should I take other supplemental vitamins, etc?

Answer 1

Several questions...Why a vegetarian diet now? What are you looking to accomplish with it, and have you spoken to your doctor about making a drastic change in you diet. If you do go vegetarian you must realize that it is difficult to get all the nutrients that you need in your diet. We as a species are not herbivores and so we don't make all the things our body requires just off of plant life (unless you are a skilled nutritionist and know each and everything you need). Most importantly make sure you are on a multivitamin, and make sure you are getting complete proteins (most vegetarians eat many incomplete protiens) so your body can rebuild itself. Good luck, and make sure you study up on your diet before begginning.

Answer 2

vegetarianism is unhealthy.

You will miss certain minerals and vitamins that are necessary for your body. Many vegetarians become aenimic because they don't get the necessary nutrients. A vegetarian diet is less healthy than a well balanced diet that includes poultry.

However, vegetariansim is more healthy than the average american diet, but then again so is drinking drano.

This appears so because vegetarians are forced to manage thier diet and pay more attention to it or face health problems.

There are also different levels of vegetarian diets some are pure vegetarians (these are usually the whackjobs that have become so ingrained in the lifestyle that it has become like a religion to them because they have time and such invested in thier beliefs), they don't eat any meat or fish. Then there are vegetarians that eat fish but not poultry or meat and then there are those that eat poultry sparingly but not red meat.

Here are some links that give good info about vegetarianism, and the health risks and common fallacies that vegetarians believe and will promote.

Overall the best diet is in fact a balanced one.

http://www.beyondveg.com/cat/topics/index.shtml

http://www.quackwatch.org/03HealthPromotion/vegetarian.html

Answer 3

If you retain milk and cheese in your diet your bones will remain strong and you will have no problems with protein or vitamin B12. Iron is a problem but is easy to get around with green leaf vegetables and potato skins.

If you want to be completely vegan, no milk, no eggs, you will need to think about what you eat very carefully to ensure correct intake of Calcium, Iron, and Vitamin B12

If your problem is blood cholesterol and you want to become some kind of vegetarian I suggest including low fat milk products otherwise you might end up needing a hip replacement in a few years.

Consult your doctor at the very least, and read up on the bodies nutritional requirements for minerals vitamins and proteins.

Answer 4

Well you are going to have to make some decisions, are you ging to eat eggs and dairy products, are you going to eat fish?

You will need to get some protein from somewhere, beans are a good place to start.

You may want to talk to a nutritionist about this type of change, if you eat properly a vitamin would be a good idea, but not sure if essential. You may want to get some books on proper nourishment as a vegetarian, but be careful you don't buy any of the fad books which can hurt you

Answer 5

You should take a multivitamin anyways, along with extra vitamin D. The RDAs for most vitamins have been shown to be too low, so it's best to take supplemental vitamins even if you don't go on this diet. I don't think it would be harmful at all if you do it right with mostly fresh veggies/fruits.

Answer 6

Hello,

I'm vegetarian, I love it!!! However my cousin lost 30 pounds and became seriously anorexic when she switched diets. Some people's body needs meat, and other (like me) can live off of a vegan lifestyle.... Check your blood type, it'll give you clues to what your body likes to eat.... Or just try being vegetarian for awhile and see how your body reacts. If something bad happens (lose weight, gain weight, become unhealthy) get off it right away. Good luck!
Karina D

Answer 7

Why would a normal male want to do that? You lose essential amino acids found only in meat and the iron. Besides you miss the joy of cutting into a thick, pink steak.

Answer 8

You will have health problems if you don't. Being vegetarian is the way to go if you want extra years tacked on your life.

Answer 9

I have never met a healthy vegetarian!

Answer 10

Of course, your body needs protein. Just watch how much and what you add to your meals. Yes you should take suppliments.
Suggestion, Shaklee.net