Became a vegetarian today, help!

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  • Airadet
    Airadet Posts: 31 Member
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    Tin foil conspiracy very funny.... It would be nice to be able to voice your opinion on these forums without being made fun of.

    I couldn't agree more. Nearly every time I post here, I regret it. The community, as a whole, is not as pleasant as I wish it was.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
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    Tin foil conspiracy very funny.... It would be nice to be able to voice your opinion on these forums without being made fun of.

    I couldn't agree more. Nearly every time I post here, I regret it. The community, as a whole, is not as pleasant as I wish it was.

    I'd more say that's life in general. :smile:
  • Ang108
    Ang108 Posts: 1,711 Member
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    It seems to me that you are not clear at all what you want. Being a vegetarian is not the same as being vegan. Usually people are one or the other. Having been a vegetarian for 18 years, I would suggest to you to make small changes over time and go from there. Doing it all cold turkey on one day works for some, but for most not, especially if you have not really figured out what you want and why. Not liking yucky raw chicken skin is not such a good reason, because eating a vegetarian diet takes a whole different approach to nutrition. It's not just about not eating meat and leaving it at that.....:o).
  • Tahitidreamz
    Tahitidreamz Posts: 20
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    I like this. For me I went cold turkey. For some it's easy some it's hard. Everyone will have an opinion and view but five years from now will it matter? Do what's right for you and do it in a healthy frame of mind. After a year and some months though I was having some issues and had to incorporate certain fish products. Other than that lots of protein. Occasional soy. Lots of nut and seed milks.whole grains, fruits. And vendors are very kind in sending you coupons to try their products if you email them and it was fun. Still is watching my meat eating teen come in from checking the mail holding coupons to try this and that for free or on the low. It also gives you the opportunity to read what your eating and learn how to cook different dishes. A few of my favorites: Yves The Good Dogs Hot Dogs. Horizon .... Morning Star.. Bocca (but watch out some are genetically modified soy). Gardein.( I have a freezer full). Sophies kitchen (the imitation shrimp and calamari) woot woot. Toffutti... so much more. Just experiment. Take it day by day whatever your choice! Be blessed and much success on your journey. :)
  • kimmytjoy
    kimmytjoy Posts: 16 Member
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    I just have to say this. Vegetarians/vegans are not inherently healthier than omnivores. You can be vegan and eat oreos, pop tarts, chips, breads, cakes, biscuits, etc. You still have to make healthy choices. Meat/animal by-products don't immediately make a person unhealthy. I've met plenty of obese vegetarians and fit and healthy meat eaters. It's all about the food choices you make, not just the diet you choose to follow.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
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    Joy_Joy, I am on these forums to give support to people who are trying to lose weight and to find support and help when I need some for my journey and not to get retarded comments when I post a comment.

    That's nice, but realize that this is a public forum :flowerforyou:

    Now maybe back to the topic?
  • stpetegirl
    stpetegirl Posts: 241
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    Don't let negative comments change your mind! I began a transition to a raw vegan diet 10 days ago, and tomorrow will begin my new lifestyle of 100% raw vegan. I did it for health reasons, not moral. I love meat, oreos and all the other junk associated with the standard American diet! Everyone has an opinion, so we all just have to do what we feel is right for ourselves and our health. The transition for me has been easy. I started by phasing out coffee the week before and then one meal at a time. In just a few days time of eating two meals a day raw vegan, I was feeling much better! My joints don't ache like they did, I lost 6.4lbs this week during my transition and I have more energy. Eating a plant based diet isn't for everyone, but for some it's a matter of quality of life! I chose to have a better quality of life and am thankful that I found this, only wish I had found it sooner! Good luck! I hope it works out for you!
  • RekindledRose
    RekindledRose Posts: 523 Member
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    I wish you the best of luck in your choice. I'm hoping that you realize that it's your choice because of squeamishness, not because it's truly 'healthier'.

    I suppose this topic is one of those that really reinforce the understanding that there are groups on the forums for help in semi-controversial ideas like this or Atkins, Paleo, raw foods, etc. When you post in the 'public' part of the forum you have to be prepared to take the blows that may come of it, especially if you make unsubstantiated comments.

    Again, best of luck to you. It's not a choice I'd advocate, but you have a right to eat how you want.
  • kkerri
    kkerri Posts: 276 Member
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    I am not sure I agree that they are healthier. I have done a vegetarian or vegan diet for the better part of the past decade and think that some health problems that I have now may be attributed to that. I definitely think you can do it healthy, but it's not as simple as just cutting out food groups.
  • kkerri
    kkerri Posts: 276 Member
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    "I lived on carbs, and although I'm sure you will say you won't do that, it is very hard NOT to live a very high carb lifestyle. There is nothing wrong with carbs, in my opinion, but for me, the high carb and sugar content, and very low fat, made me low energy and constantly hungry. I also became anemic and lost a lot of hair. The last few years of being a vegetarian, I ate very healthy - lots of beans, complex carbs, healthy fats, and occasional soy protein. I wasn't overweight at the time, but I was definitely not healthy, and I definitely didn't feel well."


    I agree with the above.

    It's also very easy to make bold statements like the OP when you have eliminated meat for a day or a couple of weeks. You don't see the effects of any nutritional deficits for years. I do question whether years of extreme eating are to blame for some of the autoimmune issues I have now. I wish I had just done a balanced diet all these years.

    I am against factory farming and only purchase quality, humanely raised meat, etc.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,874 Member
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    There is plenty of evidence that a diet high in red meats is linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease & high blood pressure, which I happen to have neither...

    Anecdotal evidence is anecdotal..one year ago I had extremely high cholesterol, triglycerides, pre-diabetes, high BP, etc...I no longer do...I still eat *kitten* loads of meat, I simply lost weight, get overall proper nutrition and exercise.
  • mirinsesh
    mirinsesh Posts: 14 Member
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    I actually sorta respect vegans/vegetarians more who do it out of their moral convictions rather than the generic "to be healthy" reasoning. I mean hell, if you want to go against nature and fundamentally change your life, might as well have a strong reason for it
    There is plenty of evidence that a diet high in red meats is linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease & high blood pressure, which I happen to have neither...
    Hey man, I hear old age is heavily correlated with a higher chance of heart disease and high blood pressure. Also I don't seem to have diabetes, sickle cells, cancer, brittle bones and a plethora of other diseases, but I'm not quite yet at the point where I attribute my miraculous condition 100% to my food choices
  • jbtrouble
    jbtrouble Posts: 2 Member
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    I start by saying that this thread was a little TL; DR, for me, but I had to jump in and reply to your initial post.

    I went accidentally vegan about six months ago (long story, basically forgot to eat meat and dairy for an extended period of time, and decided I liked the way I felt). Just a few things that I've noticed during this time:

    -Although I always ate healthier than the average bear, veganism has not magically made me any healthier than I was to begin with. You can still eat dark chocolate, oreos, and, if you know where to look, jam donuts. Whether or not you eat meat has nothing to do with the level of consciousness (or willpower!) you have when it comes to food.
    - As a vegan, I am totally freaking in LOVE with food. You can learn to cook delicious meals, but to be honest, veganism for me and (due to a flare up of allergies) cutting out the majority of bread products and processed food gives your taste buds a chance to really develop a sensitivity to the inherent yumminess of fresh produce. Lettuce tastes amazing. Strawberries are almost too sweet. It's like eating those foods for the first time all over again.
    - You have to be very, very aware of what you eat. Protein can be a problem, but if you educate yourself and eat smart, you shouldn't need supplements (I usually have a protein shake on workout days though). What we have found difficult is Iron (particularly as a woman, needing a lot more of it once a month). Always keep liquid iron in the house. As I've mentioned earlier, if you eat right you shouldn't need it.
    - Veganism is neither cheaper or more expensive then living an omnivorous life.
    -Ultimately, this diet isn't really just about eating healthily. The only reason that I stopped (and didn't really miss) meat and dairy is because of the very strong beliefs I have around animal treatment, sustainability and ethical farming.
  • DatMurse
    DatMurse Posts: 1,501 Member
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    If you understand how the vegan food triangle works then there's no worrying about getting proper nutrition. A well stocked salad w/ some fruit & low fat cottage cheese on the side for example has plenty of vitamins & minerals. Eating vegan is pretty easy, you just have to be a bit creative in the kitchen to really enjoy it... There's plenty of vegan recipes online, allrecipes.com is a great place to look for ideas.

    There is plenty of evidence that a diet high in red meats is linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease & high blood pressure, which I happen to have neither...

    I consider myself to be 99% vegetarian, I say 99% because I do have the occasional piece of chicken breast with my meals....
    I'm 44 yrs old & my total cholesterol is 148, enough said.

    To the OP, go ahead and eat vegan if you want. You will enjoy clearer skin, more energy thruout the day, sharper memory & quicker weight loss.... Dont worry about what the haters say... Your the one who's gonna get skinny, not them.

    what evidence?
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
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    Tin foil conspiracy very funny.... It would be nice to be able to voice your opinion on these forums without being made fun of.
    I got a bit lost on which side this was directed at and the like, so I'll respond to the point on it's own;
    If I express opinions that are based on guesswork, myth or bad research, I'd expect to be laughed at with people pointing out WHY they are wrong.
    Presuming I'm confident my opinions are based on well researched Science, then I'll respond explaining why I believe what I do.

    If people offer advice based on 'opinion' which is not backed by good evidence, I do expect and indeed hope it would be criticised.
  • VeganLexi
    VeganLexi Posts: 960 Member
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    Tin foil conspiracy very funny.... It would be nice to be able to voice your opinion on these forums without being made fun of.

    I couldn't agree more. Nearly every time I post here, I regret it. The community, as a whole, is not as pleasant as I wish it was.

    There's a group called "Happy Herbivorves" you might enjoy it more than here.
  • iechick
    iechick Posts: 352 Member
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    Read "Eat to Live' and "Forks over Knives"
    Watch Earthlings a documentary on You tube.
    These will help strengthen your convictions.

    Remember there will always be those who will oppose. Just do your own thing.

    Sorry,but no. They are simply propaganda. I prefer peer-reviewed scientific nonsense.


    yeah, eat to live author Dr Fuhrman, MD know a lot less about nutrition than you do I am sure.

    The China study has been peer reviewed, so have many other studies.
    OP, if you go to the web site of the pcrm.org (Physicians' Committee for responsible Medicine) it has some good info , its sister site Nutritionmd.org has also good recipes, Dr Neil Barnard has authored several interesting books about vegan nutrition and its health impact, there are other interesting reads like "the engine 2 diet" (Rick Esselstyn, he has also a website: www.engine2diet.com", (some of its content is free) and his new book ' my beef with meat"; www.vegweb.com has quite a few vegetarian/vegan recipes; there are two good documentaries on Netflix "hungry for change" ,and "foodmatters" (not necessarilly all advocating all vegan diets but still interesting) .
    Our USDA food recommodations are highly political I believe, as well as what foods get subsidized and what are not. This is one of the reasons why cheap processed foods are so abundant and easily available. ( highly processed breakfast cereals and other unhealthy junk.)
    This is also one of the reasons that many believe that a vegan diet is not healthy. (if the government gives you this food pyramid they must be right). I agree with many who say a vegan diet can be very unhealthy , you can stuff yourself with junk all day by eating processed things like chips and fake meats, but I believe that if you plan and really make sure you eat legumes whole grains and fruits and vegetables you will be healthy and fine, just like non vegetarians will be.
    I am not a 100 % percent vegan yet. I still eat a little bit of chicken here and there maybe once or twice a month , maybe some fish once or twice. But I hope to transition completely one day, I am not a great cook and have not figured out how to spice things correctly, so there is still a lot to learn. But after having sat through a year of medical school (I am not a physician just to clarify) and as a biochemist ,I know that for me personally the choice will be a vegan diet. However, I do believe that a non-vegan diet can be healthy too.
    Good luck on your journey.

    From Dr. Fuhrman's website-

    "Research has confirmed this. Multiple studies have shown that vegetarians live longer than non-vegetarians do3. The research shows those who avoid meat and dairy have lower rates of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, which are the leading causes of death in America4.

    But when we take a close look at the data, it appears that those who weren’t as strict with their diets as the vegetarians had longevity statistics that were equally impressive -- as long as they consumed high volumes of a variety of unrefined plant foods.

    So the question is: can the total protection offered by increasing the nutritious foods - the high phytochemical/antioxidant (protective plant foods)-- to make ones diet produce-predominant be achieved, even if the diet is not totally vegetarian and includes some animal products? I think the answer is yes. In other words, you can achieve the benefits of a vegetarian diet, without being a vegetarian or a vegan, and the science available seems to support this."

    http://www.drfuhrman.com/library/article5.aspx

    Dr. Fuhrman actually recommends a 90/10 plan, where 90% of your diet is focused on a whole foods, plant diet and then the other 10% includes meat and dairy. That's what I'm doing for maintenance now and it's going really well :)
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
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    The site linked to seemed to take some rather dubious leaps of faith.

    It didn't mention the affect of exercise and other lifestyle choices.

    From what I've seen, the belief of saturated fat being bad is more akin to those who are stuck with a flat world theory. Similarly for salt.

    Here's the first result from google on sat-fat.
    http://chriskresser.com/the-diet-heart-myth-cholesterol-and-saturated-fat-are-not-the-enemy
  • ihateyoga
    ihateyoga Posts: 111
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    Do it step by step. Be a pesctarian (eating fish and vegetables) first, then, vegetarian, and later, vegan.:flowerforyou:

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