people tell me that since i am a vegetarian and don't eat meat, i should eat other substances?

Question

i have been a vegetarian for over 3 years and i didn't notice any problems. however, lately, friends have told me that meat has valuable products that a body needs to consume. any advise from other vegetarians what to eat to keep up with my helath?

Answer 1

I hear this a lot. But I have yet to hear what these mystery "substances" are that you cannot get from meat. The only thing that may be lacking on a vegan diet is B12 as it is found mainly in animal products. Vitamin B12 is produced by microorganisms, which are found in the soil - since we clean our produce so well now, we don't get it in that way. Personally, I would rather take a supplement than eat the dirt ;) Many people have difficulties absorbing B12 regardless of diet (I am one such person) and may need to take sublingual B12 caplets or receive injections. This is called pernicious anemia and tends to run in families, so if people in your family have this, you may have it as well.

Depending on whether you are eating a balanced diet, you may be lacking in iron, zinc, vitamin D, and calcium. I would recommend that you read the ADA position on vegetarian diets (link below) to educate yourself about your diet.

People automatically assume that if there is meat in your diet then you are getting everything you need, and this is just not the case! A plant based diet is very healthy and results in less risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.

ETA: Nevermind.. there are things in meat you cannot get from plants: cholesterol, saturated animal fats, and hormones. Let's just say that's a good thing ;)

Answer 2

I am a vegetarian, and have been for 7 years, I have gone in for blood test each year to make sure I am healthy, and so far doc says im doing great. I don't take any extra vitamins or supliments, but I do grow and drink my own wheat grass at home. I will give you some cool websites that might help you feel better! (=. I think as long as you are eating a wide variety of fruit and veggies, wholesome grain products, legumes, beans, nuts and seeds you should be doing very well. And some to no dairy or eggs is fine too. I eat only a small amount of dairy and eggs. hope this helps

Answer 3

Eat food not "substances". Theoretically, vegetarians are at risk
of vitamin B12 deficiency because it was thought that B12 came
from animal products/meat and you could not get it from
vegetables. BUT there is a theory that B12 is manufactured in
your intestines by bacteria that inhabit your intestines. So if that
theory is true, then it is a question of whether you have that
particular kind of bacteria working for you. But the main overall
indicator is your health. If it is good and your weight is stable,
then you probably don't need "other substances".

Answer 4

You should take a vitamin supplement. B-12 is a very important vitamin that is found in meat and dairy products. You also may not get enough iron or folic acid. If you don't eat these you definitely need a supplement. Besides, it's a good idea to take a vitamin supplement whether you are a vegetarian or not if you don't always eat a balanced diet.

Answer 5

You could try having tofu, beans, legumes or soya mince to replace the protein that you are not getting as a result of not eating meat. However, it is perfectly reasonable to assume that you are getting a balanced diet, as it is very easy to do that as a vegetarian. Often vegetarians have a much more balanced diet than a meat eater who just eats burgers and fries all of the time. Try looking at this article : http://www.recipesforvegans.co.uk/vegannutrition.html for information about nutrition. The website also has lots of recipes which may help you to get a more balanced diet.

Answer 6

The only problem I had was getting enough protein. After I learned about beans and tofu I had no more problems. Most non-vegeterian Americans eat too much meat anyway.

Answer 7

Good supplements... My biggest problem was not getting enough B12 which also aids in the digestion of iron... a lot of people feel they know what they are talking about and truly don't. Take a good supplement and eat healthy and you should be fine

Have a GREAT day

Answer 8

Only strict Vegans really lack anything. That lack is B-12. The Veggies/Vegan lifestyle is the healthiest in the world. Your friends are mislead.
Have you read The China Study? Do it is strong proof in the health benefits of not eating flesh.

Answer 9

I'm a vegetarian and have had no problems whatsoever. Just take your vitamins and supplements for B12. You'll be glad you are a vegetarian.

Answer 10

The key is protein complementarity -- that is, you need to eat a mix of grains and legumes (beans, peas, lentils) to form a complete mix of proteins. It's easy, and the proportions don't have to be exact, but you should make sure to get both of them on a regular basis. Hoummos and pita bread, for example, will do it for you, as will a nice bowl of lentil soup with a crusty French bread, or something more exotic like chole poori (Bengali-style curried chickpeas served with poori, a deep-fried Indian flatbread).