Fourteen years old, want to become vegetarian. Should I? Will I loose weight?

Question

Please only answer this question if you are or have been a vegetarian or if someone close to you has.

Please tell me about your/ their diet. What do you usually eat in a day? Do you eat eggs? Dairy products?

Did you loose or gain weight? How much?

What are some good ways to get protein without consuming a lot of extra fat?

Please also tell me anything else that you think I need to know before becoming a vegetarian.

And, because I know that some people are going to want to know, I`m not becoming a vegetarian because I want to loose weight. That would be great, but I don`t want to eat meat because I don`t think its necessary to kill animals when we can get protein in other ways. Its not needed anymore.

Answer 1

Hi there! I am not a vegetarian, although I was for a year. Also, I have many relatives and friends who are vegetarians so I am very familiar with what they eat.

Being a vegetarian is a very healthy way to live. It is much better for your health. Meat is often filled with antibiotics and pesticide residue from what the animal ate. Vegetarians live, on average, several more years that non-vegetarians. Meat is more difficult for your body to process than other foods. Plus, there is more of a risk of disease and sickness from meat if it is undercooked, stored improperly, etc.

You may or may not lose weight. Not all vegetarians are thin, it depends on a lot of what else you eat.

Instead of eating meat, vegetarians replace meat with other protein-rich foods, such as nuts, soy products, or beans. The only meat i eat is chicken, turkey, and occasionally fish. I do not eat red meat. So I eat a lot of black and pinto beans during the week. I also eat tofu in dishes where I may eat meat - like stir-fry.

Many vegetarians eat eggs, and many do not. That is up to you. I suggest trying egg whites instead of whole eggs. It is a lot healthier for you. (You can buy egg whites in the dairy section at the grocery store. Be careful you do not buy egg substitute, but 100% real egg whites. The egg substitute has added chemicals or flavoring which isn't necessary). I don't drink milk anymore. Instead, I switched to Rice milk for my cereal. Many prefer soy milk instead. Its really a taste preference. Of course, there are many choices like soy-cheese, tofu-cheese, soy-butter, rice-based ice cream, etc. Price wil also make a difference, many of those options are expensive.

If you do become a vegetarian, make sure you eat a balanced diet. You still need whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and protein. You can cut back on dairy without eliminating it. If you want to be kinder to animals and the environment, I suggest switching to organic and range-free animal products.

Answer 2

Well, I have been a vegetarian for 13 weeks to the day, and I'll be more than glad to tell you a little bit about it;

My diet, isn't exactly the most healthy. I just completely cut meat out from my diet, and didn't have any subsitutes for it. When you become a vegetarian, you need to make sure you don't lose any of those nutrients you once got from the meat. For example, you need to make sure you have the right amounts of each nutrient, and you should probably follow a vegan/vegetarian food pyramid...which you can find here:
http://www.chooseveg.com/vegan-food-pyramid.asp

Usually everyday, I have some kind of meat substitute, like a veggie burger, or a salmon burger [you can do that too, if you choose to eat fish.] I don't believe that food pyramid has any fish on it, because it's based on a vegan diet, whereas you don't consume anything once living.

Unfortunately, I do eat eggs. I've tried not too, because of the way most farmers treat the chicken laying those eggs, but they are indeed a good source of protein. I do consume some forms of dairy. But only in a small quantity because I'm basically lactose intolerant. I do not drink milk, but I do drink soymilk, which is a VERY necessary product in a vegetarian diet. It provides multiple nutrients you need, and is very healthy.

To be honest, I have lost weight, but not by eating healthy. I lost about seven pounds in the past thirteen weeks, going from 126 to 119. I also lost about an inch and a half off my stomach. But, the problem here, was I was hardly eating at all, skipping meals because my parents weren't exactly aware of how to cook and adjust to my vegetarian diet. As long as you're getting the nutrients you need, and following that food pyramid, and cutting way down on sweets, and fats, and all the stuff basically not good for you, adding a moderate amount of exercise, you should sucessfully lose weight in a rather healthy way.

Some good ways to get protein would surely be:
1. legumes : eat meat or dairy subsitutes, such as veggie burgers, or tofu, or even soymilk.
2. flax seeds : or basically any food with an efficient amount of omega - 3.
3. take some type of protein supplement.
4. eat fish.

When I first converted to "vegetarianism," it was to lose weight, because I was tired of sitting around, eating unhealthily, consuming great amounts of fat from the meat my family makes...but about a month ago, everything changed, watching a video about really what the meat industry hides from us...and I definitely put aside the "let's go lose weight." to help the animals.

I agree with you, in the sense, there ARE healthier ways of eating, without eating other living things...and just many people haven't discovered it. Not consuming meat, is just so much more healthy, and organic foods are the way to go.

Hope I could help.

Michelle, 15.

Answer 3

Hey dude, I'm the same age as you and I'm vegetarian. Eating eggs/milk is up to you (i still do), but if you choose not too, make sure you eat some soy products/beans so you get protein. You can also find a lot of "subsitute hamburgers/sausages" at most grocery stores now, and also check out chinese supermarkets, cuz they have vege shrips/fish, and a larger selection of "meats" too. Usually, there isn't an ENORMOUS ammount of fat in those products, and they may not taste exactly like meat, but they're still good (not the flavourless crap everyone talks about). My eating habits haven't really changed, I've just put the substitute meats/fish where I used to put the real stuff, and I've started to put more vegetables/fruits in.
Your weight should stay around the same (mine did) unless you start eating more.... and try to take some vitamins too, just to help you stay healthy. Awesome that you don't want animals to suffer, that's the same reason I went vegetarian =)

Answer 4

I've been veg/vegan for 3 years. I went cold turkey, all-out vegan. I got very sick and lost a lot of weight because I didn't research how to keep myself healthy. I was forced back onto eggs and dairy until I got my health figured out, and now I'm all-out vegan again and healthy.

I usually eat a lot of soy products. I'm not the best cook in the world, but I have to cook my own veg meals, so I eat a lot of microwave meals. Some of my favorites are Morningstar Farms Chik'n Strips, Boca Burgers, Amy's Bowls brown rice w/ veggies and tofu, and such. I get recipes from the internet when I find the time to actually try to cook something. I still slip every now and then with chocolate and other sweets, but I'm working on that.

When I first went vegan, I lost about 20 pounds in a very very short time because I was being unhealthy. I gained most of it back while trying to recover. My weight goes up to that point during the summer, and back down 20 pounds during school (but I think that's more to do with how much time I can find to eat, and not being veg).

Soybeans, and other legumes and nuts, are a great source of protein. They don't have much fat, I think, but lots of protein. And it tastes great when cooked right, because it can taste like whatever you cook it with.

Some other things to know... Take vitamins! Even omnivores should take vitamins, because they are even unhealthier than vegs. Vitamins are just an extra boost to the extremely healthy veg lifestyle. Take care of yourself, and keep a balance diet. You don't want to get sick from not taking care of your nutritional needs, which can be easily fufilled the veg way. I thin that's about it.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I have been a vegitarian my whole life and I can say that when I consistantly eat healthy foods (not refined carbs like bread, pasta and chips) like vegetables and fruits I lose lots of pounds...unfortunatly I cant always eat that way, and tend to gain the pounds back. I suggest eating eggs and dairy products, (unless of course you're lactose intolerant) only because while being a vegetarian it is a struggle to eat the amount of protein that a growing body needs to properly develop. You should deffinitely talk to a nutritionalist or doctor before you decide for sure just to make sure you dont have any serious physical ailments like severe protein deficiency or anemia.

Answer 6

I lost about 15 lbs when I stopped eating meat and dairy. You too may lose weight, but only if you have excess body fat.

You can get a lot of protein from nuts and seeds. Peanut butter is always a good idea.

Some (simple minded) people will probably give you a hard time about being a vegetarian. If/when someone does try to reply to their idiotic questions as logically as possible. The most common things (ignorant) people say are “it’s not healthy”, “animals where put on this planet for us to eat”, “We are smarter than animals so we should eat their dead flesh”, and “ Eating meat is natural”. The best way to respond to the “it’s not healthy” comment is to tell them how unhealthy eating meat really is. “Animals where put on this earth for us to eat” I usually say “Really? Where you there when the world began?”. “we are smarter than animals so we have the right to eat them”. Response “ Since we are the smartest species on earth I Feel that we should be taking care of the other species, not eating them”. Or if you want to be a smart ***… “I’m probably smarter than you… would it be ok if I ate you?”. And lastly “ Eating meat is natural”. Response “Eating meat may be natural, but only if you hunt it down in the wilderness and eat it raw”

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

That's good that you want to do it to save the animals and not cuz you want to lose weight.

Some vegetarians eat eggs and some do not*

Your best bet would be to go to the library and get books on vegetarian cooking along with the ups and downs of being a vegetarian.

You definately should also talk to your doctor, therefore he/she can advise you what proteins and nutrients you will need to add to your meals to keep it a well balanced meal without the meat~

Good Luck*

Answer 8

I eat a diverse diet. The protiens that are in meat are different than the ones found in soybeans and nuts. The activity level of a person does more for them than you may know. Perhaps the best form of protien is in fish. Their are more reaily processible protiens in fish than any other source. The antioxidants found in fish is necessary for a healthy life. Be careful when considering a vegan lifestyle. Although it may be unnecessary to kill animals they are considered cattle and fodder to our needs. Eat lean, maintain activity levels, walk for @ least 1/2 mile every day if you are up 16 hour in a 24 hr cycle.

Answer 9

I lost some weight when I went vegan, as I was trying to find my way. I've probably gained a little back, but I do notice that most of my clothes are bigger on me.

There are lower-fat analogues (read the label), or you could make your own veggie burgers and bake them instead of frying them. Grill or bake, don't fry, to reduce fat.

P.S. Vegetarians do not eat fish.

Answer 10

i think that you should become a vegetarian if you are commited to it. dont just do it bc others are. you have to be commited for it to work. and i cant asure you that you will lose weight. most do, but it depends onwhat you eat. if you just llive off jusnk food for the reast of your life then i doubt you will be loosing anything....and if you are cutting out fish or not. but you need to do it the right way of have otehers guide you into it. you need to eat healthy. as i said b4 you cant just eat junk and be all proud of yourself. you need to get the nutrition that your body needs by eating other foods other than meat. but anyone could live off chips and cookies and call themselves a vegetarian....so just slowly work your way into it