So, I'm a vegetarian and I'm pretty skinny. I have been reading on here that a smart vegetarian should track their calories and vitamins so they do not turn into skeletons. So, that's something I'm starting to take note on. The other thing is that I am considering becoming vegan after reading a lot of facts from vegans on my other questions. But, every time I tell someone close to me that I want to become vegan, they say "You're already too skinny and if you become vegan, you're going to die". What do you guys think?
2007-03-27 14:20:27 · 12 answers · asked by VeggieTale 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
And please note that I do NOT want to be skinny. So don't be under the assumption that I am on these "diets" because I want to lose weight because that is not the case. I would rather be unhealthy than give in to eating meat. I am starting to feel the same way about dairy products.
2007-03-27 14:59:32 · update #1
If you think you're unhealthily thin, then you should definitely watch your food intake to make sure you're getting enough.
If you feel that you're a healthy person and you are fond of soy products, beans, nuts, and seeds, and you feel that you can nourish your body with them, then you could definitely be vegan.
But honestly, friends sometimes just use vegetarianism as an excuse to say how skinny you are. I've seen plenty of fat vegetarians, I'd expect that you just have a fast metabolism and are naturally thin.
2007-03-27 14:28:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Veganism isn't about weight, it is about your feelings toward using animals for your foodstuff. When I went vegan I gained some pounds actually. I was eating more pasta, and starches, so the pounds were adding up.
I was vegan for five years, and plan on returning to it, although (poor excuse) my living arrangement is making it difficult right now.
It's about animal welfare, environment, and being healthy. I do believe you need to research and plan your meals to get vitamins, but I do as a vegetarian also. Protein is overrated, it can be found in almost everything we eat.
If you are comfortable as a vegetarian, stay with it longer. If you find drinking milk, eating cheese disturbing, then go vegan.
Whatever your decision, be strong and proud, and good luck.
2007-03-27 21:39:58 · answer #2 · answered by Toph 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think you should just make sure you are consuming enough calories,add some olive oil to foods to make them more calorie dense and eat nuts and other foods that are calorie dense like peanut butter.I did lose some weight when I went vegan,but I went from being omnivore to vegan,so I made a huge change in my diet.I also cut alot of things out like soda and I started going to the gym because I was trying to live a healthier lifestylit isn't hard for me to put on weight,I just eat every 2-3 hours and add fats to my food to add calories.
2007-03-28 04:10:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that if you feel that you want to be vegan then do it (properly of course- but it sounds like you have references and friends to help you do it in a healthy way). As for the comments on being to skinny- that happens to me too. Unless you are feeling tired or you are extra skinny than previously, then it is probably just your body type and therefore healthy.
2007-03-27 23:45:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear skinny vegetarian, I am a whole foods chef and holistic health practitioner. It's unrealistic and joyless to track your calories and nutrients. You want to learn how to feel balanced and nourished by your own body's signals. There could be many variables about why you are skinny, so it would not be prudent to offer advice on that without asking for more information. May I suggest a wonderful classic book, "Food and Healing" by Annemarie Colbin. It is unsurpassed in explaining all the different models of nutrition, and the criteria for whether you personally should be vegan, vegetarian, etc. I use this book as the foundation of my nutritional consulting, cooking, and teaching about nutritional balance. It's an amazing book.
2007-03-27 21:37:50 · answer #5 · answered by indigenous 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You can be vegan and gain weight...its all about what you eat and how much... if you have plenty of nuts, nut butters, healthy fats, and I'd agree with eating indian food (its delish and will keep some weight on)...as long as you're not just eating SALAD, you should be fine.
2007-03-27 22:33:31 · answer #6 · answered by Lissy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A very simple solution is to discuss this with your doctor. If the doc says you're healthy and approves of the amount and type of foods you plan to eat, no problem. If not, ask for his/her assistance to plan how to be healthily vegan.
2007-03-27 22:33:14 · answer #7 · answered by barbara 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think you should get fatter before going vegan
start packing on weight, if you can't pack on any weight in a month or two, then you need to rethink the vegan deal
cause i was going for all raw vegan but i keep dropping weight so i had to stop, you got to do it so your health don't suffer.
2007-03-28 05:46:43 · answer #8 · answered by mikedrazenhero 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i would stay with being a vegetarian if your healthy now and like the lifestyle id just keep it the way you are if it aint broke dont fix it
2007-03-27 21:25:07 · answer #9 · answered by steve 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think you should stick to being vegetarian, me and my whole family are vegetarian and we eat alot of indian food which is full of everything to stay healthy and vegetarian.
p.s. hope you like spicy food lol
2007-03-27 21:29:30 · answer #10 · answered by someone_somewhere 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋