i havent eaten meat (including fish) since i was 12. some ppl tell me its not healthy n others tell me it is. im not planning on eating meat again but just wondering wat do u think?
2006-12-08 13:31:01 · 17 answers · asked by Caroline 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
Way to go! I went Vegetarian when I was around 12 too and then vegan about 8 years ago. The vegetarian diet is healthier for you and the planet. You have a greater chance of avoiding certain cancer such as prostate cancer (yuck!) and your cholesterol is probably a lot lower than meat eaters. Just make sure you get enough calcium and protein. The average female adult needs about 50 grams of protein per day, more if your athletic. Get this by eating legumes and soy. I eat a lot of hummus, Luna protein bars, and nuts. I take a multivitamin and a calcium supplement too. I think www.vegsource.com has a vegetarian food pyramid that you can download. check it out.
2006-12-08 13:37:53 · answer #1 · answered by Gal on a Jet Plane 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I cannot understand why there is this concern at all. My entire family is vegetarian for generations and most of them lived well into their 70s-80s. Certainly no one died or had any discomfort because of some food deficiency. I myself am vegetarian from the day I was born. Till date I have not had any meat or fish and I lead a full life, go to gym, travel the world (US, Russia, France, Germany, Swiss, India, Singapore, Malaysia you name it) and do all the activities I take fancy to. Protein sources include Beans, Dahls and Lentils. You can search the net on how best to prepare them or just visit the nearest Indian restaurant and ask if they have some Dal so you can check it out. For some examples of fit vegetarians try Martina Navratilova and Carl Lewis. You won't have a worry again and you don't miss anything :-)
2006-12-08 22:03:07 · answer #2 · answered by kalyan19677 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is very healthy if you plan it well.
A North American diet (meat, potatoes and a salad) is unhealthy when you omit the meat because it is the only source of protein.
So you should start eating ethnic food. Eat vegetarian versions of Mexican, Indian, Asian and Mediterranean food since they all feature beans. Beans are very important in vegetarian food, along with nuts and whole grains.
Your friends are probably thinking it's unhealthy because they imagine a vegetarian diet to consist of mashed potatoes and salad. This is not so. Prove them to be wrong.
Plant foods provide enough protein. Just eat the right kind. Don't eat too much bread or pasta.
2006-12-08 13:48:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can be. Though I know plenty of vegetarians who subsist on nothing but junk food. I come from family with health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, none of which I have. I'm sure that's in part due to my healthy vegetarian diet and of course, exercise. It took me a while to get here, but it's been worth it.
Just make sure that you eat a varied diet with lots of whole grains, fresh fruit, vegetables and lean proteins like beans, tofu, tempeh, and seitan. There are a lot of books out there on how to be a healthy vegetarian. You can try your local library and see what they have to offer.
Good luck!
2006-12-09 01:01:42 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes very.
As much as I eat a vegetarian diet I consider myself an opportunivore.
Once a week I take the opportunity to eat some sort of seared animal flesh. Yum.
2006-12-08 13:43:05 · answer #5 · answered by city slicker 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes! It is healthy. Just make sure you eat all of your fruits and veggies and that you get your protein from nuts and yogurt and soy etc. Vegetarians have a lower risk of certain diseases, so it's very good for you.
2006-12-08 13:42:51 · answer #6 · answered by tulip70707 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is healthy because you are getting the vegetable and fruits and everything, but I think you do need protein also so make sure you eat plenty of nuts, soy, yogurt, those things.
2006-12-08 13:50:16 · answer #7 · answered by definitivamente06 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very healthy, dont listen to everyone else they just dont want to feel bad about eating meat. You dont consume as much saturated fats, and eat more natural plant foods. But I would have to say you are really missing out on the fish.
2006-12-08 13:36:08 · answer #8 · answered by Jessica 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Of course there are going to be people to hate. I think the real question should be, is eatting flesh of a murdered animal healthy?
2006-12-09 11:40:05 · answer #9 · answered by ME 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you make sure to get enough protein it is VERY healthy. There are studies that show vegetarians live longer too!
2006-12-08 18:47:35 · answer #10 · answered by *Lizz* 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋