My wife became a vegetarian (not a vegan), what should I do to maintain a healthy diet?

Question

Oh yah, without scrapping red meat.

Answer 1

In responce to the shameless veggies telling you to go veggie too. There are many benefits to a diet containing meat. Many vegetarians claim that meat is unhealthy. This is a blatant fallacy.
It is well established that eating meat improves the quality of nutrition, strengthens the immune system, promotes normal growth and development, is beneficial for day-to-day health, energy and well-being, and helps ensure optimal learning and academic performance.
A long term study found that children who eat more meat are less likely to have deficiencies than those who eat little or no meat. Kids who don’t eat meat — and especially if they restrict other foods, as many girls are doing — are more likely to feel tired, apathetic, unable to concentrate, are sick more often, more frequently depressed, and are the most likely to be malnourished and have stunted growth. Meat and other animal-source foods are the building blocks of healthy growth that have made America’s and Europe's youngsters the tallest, strongest and healthiest in the world.
Meat is an important source of quality nutrients, heme iron, protein, zinc and B-complex vitamins. It provides high-quality protein important for kids’ healthy growth and development.
The iron in meat (heme iron) is of high quality and well absorbed by the body, unlike nonheme iron from plants which is not well absorbed. More than 90 percent of iron consumed may be wasted when taken without some heme iron from animal sources. Substances found to inhibit nonheme iron absorption include phytates in cereals, nuts and legumes, and polyphenolics in vegetables. Symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, headache, irritability and decreased work performance. For young children, it can lead to impairment in general intelligence, language, motor performance and school readiness. Girls especially need iron after puberty due to blood losses, or if pregnant. Yet studies show 75 percent of teenage girls get less iron than recommended.
Meat, poultry and eggs are also good sources of absorbable zinc, a trace mineral vital for strengthening the immune system and normal growth. Deficiencies link to decreased attention, poorer problem solving and short-term memory, weakened immune system, and the inability to fight infection. While nuts and legumes contain zinc, plant fibre contains phytates that bind it into a nonabsorbable compound.
Found almost exclusively in animal products, Vitamin B12 is necessary for forming new cells. A deficiency can cause anaemia and permanent nerve damage and paralysis. The Vitimin B12 in plants isn't even bioavailable, meaning our body can't use it.
Why not buy food supplements to replace missing vitamins and minerals? Some people believe they can fill those gaps with pills, but they may be fooling themselves. Research consistently shows that real foods in a balanced diet are far superior to trying to make up deficiencies with supplements.

Lets not forget either that protein, while it is found in plants, is better quality in animal products.

Some people claim that meat is unhealthy because it contains saturated fat. So does margarine and olive oil, and they're vegan suitable (in fact the hydrogenated fats in Marge can be very bad, but that's another story). Besides, any excess calories in your diet, any excess sugar, starch or carbohydrates are stored in your body for later use. This is done by turning them into saturated fats.
Cholesterol too. Your body on average creates four to five times more cholesterol than the average person consumes, and compensates by creating more when less is consumed. Cholesterol isn't evil, it is essential; it makes up the waterproof linings of all our cells and without it we would die. Too much can be bad, but as with saturated fats there are more healthy ways of disposing of it, like regular exercise. Anyway, it isn't so much how much cholesterol you eat, but how well yur body handles it. A person who eats loads of dietary cholesterol and leads an unhealthy lifestyle can still have low cholesterol, and vice versa. Most people's bodies are able to take a large amount of cholesterol without getting atherosclerosis. For this reason that eating meat gives you heart disease is very misleading, and for the most part untrue. Of course, if you do have a problem eating loads isn't a good idea, but for most people there is nothing at all to worry about.

No sensible vegans can contest that we were deigned to eat meat. Even most vegan scientists agree that human's are designed to eat meat, that is not in question.
That we do not have claws, talons, or incisors to hunt proves nothing. When early hominids ate meat they scavenged it, as vultures do, using their fingers to get the sinews and meat other animals couldn't. It was only after that that they began to hunt the meat themselves, and only much later they began to cook it. It is interesting that even now if someone was brought up eating raw meat he would have no problem with it.
The last few million years of human evolution have revolved completely around tools. We used advanced stone tools long before we began to hunt our own meat, and as such there was no need for evolution to bestow us with large claws or teeth to kill prey.

Simple research into human biology reveals how we are meant to eat meat. For one thing, our body produces hydrochloric acid and meat splitting enzymes that herbivores don't produce and are solely used for the digestion of meat. There are adaptations to our teeth (not incisors, rather the size of the jaw), stomach and intestines which have made a human being very adept at meat digestion. There is nothing wrong with the way our body digests meat, and we are so adept at eating it no scientists are of any doubt we've evolved to eat it.

In contrast, there are many reasons we aren't naturally herbivores. We cannot naturally get all the nutrients we need without animal products naturally. Vitamin B12 cannot be got, even now, without animal products or supplements, and a lack of it can cause anaemia and impending death. 60% of vegans even now have some level of B12 deficiency, as opposed to no meat eaters, which says something about how well adapted we are to a vegan diet.
All other nutriets can be got natually. That owes to that vegtables can now be sold all year round, even out of season, and can be flown into the country from all over the world. In bygone times people could only eat the relatively small range of plants that grew in their ecosytem, and only when they were in season. Thus many more nutrients would have been unavailable and still more unavaillable for most of he year. Until very recently it would have been impossible for a vegan human to live naturally without dying very quickly.

Now, meat makes up for all these lost nutrients very nicely, and it really shows how we aren't naturally vegans, as until very recently it was impossible to live like that.

The fact is Humans are omnivores, with the ability to eat nearly everything. By preference, prehistoric people ate a high-protein, high-mineral diet based on meat and animal sources, whenever available. Their foods came mainly from three of the five food groups: meat, vegetables and fruits. As a result, big game mammoth hunters were tall and strong with massive bones. They grew six inches taller than their farming descendants in Europe, who ate mostly plant foods, and only in recent times regained most of this height upon again eating more meat, eggs and dairy foods. We are adapted to eat meat, and it is just as natural as eating plants.
Some also claim that the digestion of meat releases harmful byproducts into our system. This is true, however such are our adaptations to eating meat that our bodies are quite able to dispose of said products without any adverse effects.

So, in summary: it isn't healthier to avoid meat. You can be healthy without meat, but likely not as healthy as if you did, assuming you kept things like the wide range of fruit and veg that a veggie diet usually entails. Too much meat can be bad, but normal amounts are no problem at all. Any health benefits that come from a veggie diet come from a wide range of fruit and veg, and being health conscious, as veggies often are; that doesn't require you to not eat meat."

I don't think a vegeterian diet benefits anyone in any way better than a better meat eating diet could at all. If you have no ethical qualms, it's quite pointless. PETA will tell you otherwise, but they have very strong ethical opinions, and mould their 'evidence' around it. There is, for example, some evidence that vegans live longer and are at less risk from cancer and heart disease; however those studies show only a very marginal and insignificant difference and none of those studies have yet managed to identify meat as the only variable. Veggies are less likely to smoke, drink or eat junk food, and eat a wider range of fruit and veg, making the test results inaccurate and unreliable.

Answer 2

I guess I really don't understand the question...

My wife is a vegetarian as well (she was vegan when we met, then started to eat cage-free eggs and occasional dairy products again), and we don't have any problems.

Are you stating that she has to cook for you? If so, you need to learn to cook yourself...I'm not certain why some men seem to think that women have to cook for them. I'm the cook in our house, and I have no problem cooking veggie for her (or for her friends when they come over).

You can also learn to cut back on the meat that you eat. I grew up in Kansas, and had some form of meat at every meal - usually a lot of it. I've learned that I don't need nearly as much as I thought I did, and I get along just fine without it (sorry, I can't give it up completely - maybe some day, but not yet). If you can have at least SOME meals without meat, maybe you could share the cooking - you can cook for yourself the days you want the meat, and she can cook the days you're willing to go "meatless".

I have found that there ARE some great meat alternatives and you can stay very healthy without it. Having tasted many of the meatless dishes, I know that I don't care for all of them, but they are very much a personal preference - and I'd be surprised if you can't find some that you like if you try them with an open mind (the open mind is the key).

Best of luck to you both - and try to learn how to make some dishes yourself - you might surprise yourself and enjoy it!!!

Answer 3

It can be difficult if one of you is an omnivore. You can get plenty of protein from a meat free diet, but since you want red meat (and you shouldn,t give it up unless doc says so), try to eat as little of the over-processed meats as possible (basically anything ground) because there is a greater fat and sometimes scrap content. Baking meat in the oven should not be a problem while cooking veggie dishes in the oven at the same time, as long as the meat is covered. I cook for omnivores and herbivores all of the time.

Answer 4

I guess I really don't understand your question--- Are you saying that if she doesn't hand you your food (and now she won't give you meat anymore) you can't eat?
Personally, I think the veg diet is the healthiest and even best tasting and there are MANY reasons to be vegetarian, so good for your wife! But that wasn't your question---
I would hope you'd at least try to eat what she cooks and give it a fair chance. Otherwise, cook for yourself--- or go out

Answer 5

Red meat isn't very good for you, sorry to say. I love it too, but now I've cut it back to 2 or 3 days a week, and lean cuts only.
Eat what you like - but don't expect your wife to cook your meat for you!
Buy quick cooking cuts of meat like chicken breast fillets, fish fillets, and fast fry steak to cut down on preparation time. Fish brushed with melted butter and coated in a Cajun spice is really good. Fry a few minutes a side until it flakes easily with a fork.
If you want to, why not embrace her lifestyle at least a little and settle for a vegetarian meal a couple times a week. Veggie burgers are quite good. I've never tried tofu, but I'm sure there's a delicious way to prepare it.
There are also eggs (not just for breakfast), and legumes to fill your belly and provide protein.

Have no fear, this will work! My friend is a vegetarian (since birth) and her man isn't - they just keep their frying pans separate and they get along just fine. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Common sense, low fat proteins like chicken a few times a week saving the red meat for once or twice a week and cutting back on the portion if you're a big eater. They say a portion of red meat should be about the size of your fist. Lots of fruit and veggies. Really all the stuff you already know.

Answer 7

I'm mostly a veggie. But my husband requires meat in his food. It can be hard since I'm the one who cooks. All I can say is don't get upset when she cooks veggie. If you truly want meat, do that yourself instead of arguing. I love it when my husband makes a marinade and plops steak in it so he can grill it when he gets home. I'll even do it. But planning and making two different meals is hard on me. So if you still want meat, do a little pre-planning on what you want for dinner. You can have her veggie meal as a side dish and you still get to share a meal together.

Answer 8

She's eating a much healthier diet than you are. Join her. It'll be easier in the kitchen, at the grocery store and dining out, and you'll actually end up feeling much better than you do now.

Give it a try, for a month or two, and then compare notes with your omnivore self about how you feel, your energy levels, etc. If nothing else, do it to support her.

Answer 9

well mr. C i think that you should tell your wife that she is the vegetarian and not you . say it in a nice way make sure you add that you love her tell her that you love animals as much as she does but you should be able to eat anything that you want to but when eating around her try to not eat so much meat just put it to a limit like when you guys go out try going somewhere you both like where you can order a little bit of meat and she can get a salad well this s gerbal if you want to talk more e- mail me at [e-mail] (no caps)

Answer 10

Ooh, she just suddenly went veggie? Sorry to hear it.
Humans are omnivores, not herbivores so being a vegetarian is not a natural thing to do at all. I do agree we eat too much junkfood as a society in general, so I am all for replacing all of that with more healthy alternatives even though I myeself am too lazy to do so. ;0)
Oh, for you to maintain a healthy diet, Just keep your choices lean and low cal. Basic stuff. The most important thing to do is watch your portion size.
If she is forcing you to go veggie with her, I'm all for sneaking out and grabbing a Big Mac or what ever hits the spot for you. This veggie thing is not the best thing to do.
Some days it just makes you feel icky! Too many veggies is not always easy on the system. You will also tend to be more gassy. Keep plenty of gas-X or Bean-O on hand.

Good luck,

Answer 11

You state your wife became a vegetarian. Since you are not conforming to her diet, what is your question?