is being vegetarian healthier?

ajbeans

I agree with what's been said here, that it all depends on the person. I've known some vegetarians who don't like vegetables, so they kind of live on bread and pasta and junk. That's not healthy. But I've known some super-healthy vegetarians who get plenty of protein and all they need. I've known some omnivores who are super unhealthy too, but I've known some who are really healthy. The label isn't the important thing, it's the *quality* of food that's key.

meerkat70

I was watching a show on it and it said they're depressed because they don't eat meat..even if they take vitamin d. Thought about it..ALLLLL of my vegan and vegetarian friends are on antidepressants.

I'm so sorry but that's quite the silliest thing I've ever heard. What show was spouting such nonsense?

Most of our vit D comes from the sun. Vegetarians can get additional vit D from mushrooms, dairy foods and eggs. Lots of foods are vit D fortified.

tameko2

I think its a lot HARDER to get a good nutrient balance as a vegetarian but if you are committed to that then it can be a LOT healthier especially since you'll be focused more on good nutrition. Cutting out red meat is a good way to reduce saturated fat intake for most people.

TK421NotAtPost

I was watching a show on it and it said they're depressed because they don't eat meat..even if they take vitamin d. Thought about it..ALLLLL of my vegan and vegetarian friends are on antidepressants.

Wow, that is both one of the most ignorant and potentially offensive things I've read on these boards in a while. Congrats, you win the prize.

I don't know why, because it probably shouldn't, but it still amazes me how many people will spout all sorts of crap about "you can't get all the nutrients you need." And don't even get me started on the "but it's unnatural!" argument. Don't post your completely inaccurate statements without doing the tiniest amount of bloody research, please.

If anything, a properly set up vegan diet will result in an embarrassment of riches when it comes to micro-nutrients.

meerkat70

Nope. You may have a way lower caloric intake, but most people can't go without most forms of meat. Plus, the body gets deprived of the most essential nutrients without meat. Most people couldn't switch to a vegetarian lifestyle without constant lethargy and starvation. How some people manage it is beyond me. xD

Do you have any evidence *at all* to support this? I've been a vegetarian since I was 14. Even when pregnant I didn't struggle with anaemia. The only thing that's remotely difficult to source in a vege diet is EFA, and even there, you can get all you need from eggs (if not vegan) and seeds.

I know that some people are rabidly anti-vege, but really, just a teensy bit of knowledge goes a lonnnnng way.

meerkat70

I agree with what's been said here, that it all depends on the person. I've known some vegetarians who don't like vegetables, so they kind of live on bread and pasta and junk. That's not healthy. But I've known some super-healthy vegetarians who get plenty of protein and all they need. I've known some omnivores who are super unhealthy too, but I've known some who are really healthy. The label isn't the important thing, it's the *quality* of food that's key.

I think you're right that it depends on the person. And realistically, I know far more meat eaters who fall into the 'living on junk' category than I do vegetarians.

rockchick90

not rly, I was looking up food today and a chicken sweet chilli wrap from burger king was over 100 cals less and less in fat and sat fat then a vegetarian wrap! I was so suprised cos I mostly go for veggie stuff cos i assume it'll be healthier

123456654321

Some of the responses in here make me go O_o

ajbeans

I agree with what's been said here, that it all depends on the person. I've known some vegetarians who don't like vegetables, so they kind of live on bread and pasta and junk. That's not healthy. But I've known some super-healthy vegetarians who get plenty of protein and all they need. I've known some omnivores who are super unhealthy too, but I've known some who are really healthy. The label isn't the important thing, it's the *quality* of food that's key.

I think you're right that it depends on the person. And realistically, I know far more meat eaters who fall into the 'living on junk' category than I do vegetarians.

That might be a combination of the fact that vegetarians are the minority, and that many vegetarians have gone veggie for health reasons. I mean, I also know a lot more meat eaters who are unhealthy than I do unhealthy vegetarians, but I also don't know a whole lot of vegetarians IRL. You know? I think "unhealthy" is kind of the standard for most Americans, to be honest. It's a shame. Junk food is the norm.

ETA: Protein is a big concern for a lot of people who don't want to go veg. But I know a LOT of meat-eaters who don't get enough protein anyway, myself included. So if that's what's holding someone back from making the switch, I think it's kind of a non-issue. Yes, vegetarian-friendly protein sources are a little harder to find, but it's not impossible, and it's certainly not a good reason to not make the switch if it's something you'd want to do otherwise.

TK421NotAtPost

not rly, I was looking up food today and a chicken sweet chilli wrap from burger king was over 100 cals less and less in fat and sat fat then a vegetarian wrap! I was so suprised cos I mostly go for veggie stuff cos i assume it'll be healthier

Well, if you're going to be basing the decision within the context of eating at Burger King, then it really doesn't matter what type of eating plan you adopt. Vegetarian, Carnivore, Omnivore, Pescatarian....it's all crap that you'll be putting into your body and it really is missing the forest for the trees when it comes to addressing the original question.

lottycat

I have been pescatarian for about 10 years (I don't eat meat, but I do eat fish). I get plenty of protein, not only from fish, but from nuts, seeds, legumes and dairy. If I do feel tired or run-down I take an iron supplement for a couple of days and it returns me to my normal bouncy, very happy self!

I am not, and have never been depressed. But it is easy to be an unhealthy veggie, just as it is easy to be an unhealthy meat eater. Eating plenty of fresh food, drinking loads of water and getting a bit of exercise really does make you happier. I know it's not a cure for depression, but it does help.

chocolattahottie

It depends on the food choices you make. If you're loading up on carbs, then no. But if you are eating the right good carbs, lots of fruits and veggies, beans, legumes then yes it can be. Do some research on the contents of your meat. Chickens are twice the size they used to be 25 years ago because of the use of the steroids and are also PUMPED FULL of antibiotics. This is pretty much ALL meat companies. Perdue being the dominate one. Ground beef is rinsed in an ammonia wash to wash it of bacteria. Its really gross what they do to meat before we get them. Everything is genetically modified. You do not need meat to live. The fats alone in animal flesh are no good for humans. This also includes dairy products. Cows milk is not made for humans. It's made for...Ready? BABY COWS. Meat also degenerates the bones. The best thing I ever did for me and my family is stop eating meat and starting to cut off dairy products too.

High five, you all so right....

meerkat70

not rly, I was looking up food today and a chicken sweet chilli wrap from burger king was over 100 cals less and less in fat and sat fat then a vegetarian wrap! I was so suprised cos I mostly go for veggie stuff cos i assume it'll be healthier

Yeah, that's what happens when you buy pre-made junk food though, isn't it? Nasty surprises.

MissMaggie3

I've been vegetarian for 30+ years, and I seem to be very fit and healthy (touch wood). I've never been on anti-depressants either.

ajbeans

I've been vegetarian for 30+ years, and am very fit and healthy (touch wood). I've never been on anti-depressants either.

Yeah... I don't understand the depression comments here either. If anything, a healthy vegetarian lifestyle would help those symptoms (and I'm saying this as a die-hard meat eater). Depression is often caused by a lack of necessary micronutrients, many of which are found in fruits and vegetables. And the hormones in non-organic meats are not good for our emotional and physical well-being.

cdstadt

Sheesh.

I suppose I'll keel over any minute then

perceptualobfuscator

Just posting my two cents.

So far I've seen nothing but complete misinformation on here. Vegetarians are depressed? Bull. There's no evidence whatsoever to support these assertions. It's unnatural? Garbage. There's no evidence to support this assertion either. There have been many human cultures who ate primarily/entirely vegetarian in the course of history. There are also humans that did not. Human beings are capable of diverse diets to support complete health.

Statistically speaking, vegetarians are healthier people. This may or may not be from the vegetarian diet, however - there are other co-relating factors for vegetarianism which also influence health. For example, vegetarians are more likely to have higher educations and a higher socio-economic status, two groups who also statistically have better health. Vegetarians are also more likely to engage in other 'healthy lifestyle' choices, such as not smoking and non drinking to excess, and exercising more often. This is another co-relation that creates difficulty in pinning down vegetarianism as a root cause of health, rather than it being one or a combination of these things. So you need to examine the data in detail and make your own call.

Asking in these forums is not a good way to go about it, though, because you get dumb, ill-informed comments from people who say vegetarianism causes depression or is unnatural.

Here's a quick link to some basic info on vegetarian health. It's very basic, but deals with introductory concerns.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism#Health_benefits_and_concerns

Vegan_Chick

I was watching a show on it and it said they're depressed because they don't eat meat..even if they take vitamin d. Thought about it..ALLLLL of my vegan and vegetarian friends are on antidepressants.

I feel AMAZING and more energetic than I ever have. I love life and all of my awesome vegan friends do too so stop with the generalizations!

Vegan_Chick

not rly, I was looking up food today and a chicken sweet chilli wrap from burger king was over 100 cals less and less in fat and sat fat then a vegetarian wrap! I was so suprised cos I mostly go for veggie stuff cos i assume it'll be healthier

Yeah, that's what happens when you buy pre-made junk food though, isn't it? Nasty surprises.

Agreed! Go buy the inredients and make it yourself, then we'll see how many calories and nutrients are in it. I am sure the veggie wrap will win by a longshot.

VeganGal84

Going vegetarian in itself will not lead one to better health (lots of fried foods and baked goods are vegetarian).

It is my belief (and experience) that you can be really healthy as a vegetarian and that you can also be really healthy as an omnivore.

A healthy diet includes whole grains, fresh produce (both fruits AND vegetables), healthy fats, and lean proteins (meat/low-fat dairy and/or vegetarian/vegan protein such as beans).

You can eat like that as a vegetarian or as an omnivore. :-) Do what works for you!

My body works better without animal proteins in it, but your may work better with. If the only reason that you are considering vegetarianism (if you even are) if health, I suggest that you experiment with both, and see which feels better for your body.

Kristhin

Vitamin D is absorbed mainly by daily exposure to sunlight.

VeganGal84

P.S. I'm vegan and not on anti depressants. I actually used to be really depressed back when I was an animal-eater. However, I'm not saying that there is a connection there, I am pretty sure it was cognitive therapy that got me out of my depression, not my diet.

Kristhin

When I used to eat meat I used to be prescribed medicines like Lexapro, Zoloft, and Paxil.
I am currently on 0 medications.
I'm not saying that I'm off of those medications BECAUSE of being vegan because that probably isn't true.
But as someone who has a history of being anxiety disordered and depressed, I would think that gives me a predisposition to having those problems. Yet I've been vegan for the past year and feel healthy as I ever have.

live2dream

When I used to eat meat I used to be prescribed medicines like Lexapro, Zoloft, and Paxil.
I am currently on 0 medications.
I'm not saying that I'm off of those medications BECAUSE of being vegan because that probably isn't true.
But as someone who has a history of being anxiety disordered and depressed, I would think that gives me a predisposition to having those problems. Yet I've been vegan for the past year and feel healthy as I ever have.

+1 ^^ used to be on anti-depressants when I was an animal-eater and am now on 0 medications.

Having a raw juice in the the morning fills me with more vitamins, minerals, and 'live' energizing enzymes that meat ever could. And I usually have a whole food plant protein shake every day too. I feel more alive and energetic and generally healthier. I'm not 100% vegan yet, but have cut out all meat, and most dairy and eggs. You can definitely be an unhealthy vegetarian if you eat a ton of simple carbs, cheese, and processed food all the time. But that's the same with being a meat-eater...many lack essential vitamins and minerals. I feel I get a lot more nutrients being a vegetarian and eating a wide variety of fruits, veggies, beans, seeds, nuts and whole grains.

girlinahat

It depends on the food choices you make. If you're loading up on carbs, then no. But if you are eating the right good carbs, lots of fruits and veggies, beans, legumes then yes it can be. Do some research on the contents of your meat. Chickens are twice the size they used to be 25 years ago because of the use of the steroids and are also PUMPED FULL of antibiotics. This is pretty much ALL meat companies. Perdue being the dominate one. Ground beef is rinsed in an ammonia wash to wash it of bacteria. Its really gross what they do to meat before we get them. Everything is genetically modified. You do not need meat to live. The fats alone in animal flesh are no good for humans. This also includes dairy products. Cows milk is not made for humans. It's made for...Ready? BABY COWS. Meat also degenerates the bones. The best thing I ever did for me and my family is stop eating meat and starting to cut off dairy products too.

apart from the sweeping generalisations here (it is perfectly possible to get meat that has NOT been pumped full of things) I have to ask the bit about 'the fats alone are no good for humans'? Or indeed the 'meat degenerates the bones'?

girlinahat

I don't think being vegetarian is healthier, however people who are vegetarian often make other healthy lifestyle choices plus they tend to play better attention to their diet. That said, I have met quite a few sickly looking vegetarians, and you don't need to be a meat eater to get fat.

There are countless arguments both for and against vegetarianism, the China Study has been shown to be severely flawed.

The key is to eat in season and eat 'naturally' - ie. as close to the original material as possible (non-refined grains, make your own yoghurt, bread etc.)

The chinese believe that the energy that goes into both supplying the food and cooking the food goes towards the health benefits - the more you fret about what is in your diet, the harder it is to obtain the health benefits from it.

UpEarly

Being vegetarian did not work for me. It made me weak and sick. It took three years of vegetarianism for me to learn that I am allergic to soy and cannot absorb iron from non-heme (vegetarian/supplementary) sources.

I feel and look much better eating an omnivore's diet.

MikeSEA

Healthier smealthier. As far as I'm concerned being vegan or vegetarian is a moral choice, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. We treat lots of animals pretty terribly via the meat industry. Then again, I have no pressing health reason to cut out meat for *myself*.

alyssamiller77

As someone with several vegetarians in my family (cousin is a veagan, sister and daughter are both veg) I'll say the answer is no. There's nothing inherently more healthy about not eating meat. In fact I'll even go so far to say it's harder to be healthy when not eating meat. There are a number of vitamins and minerals that are only found or found in much greater abundance in meat that vegetarians have to account for in their diet in other ways.

Remember, Prince Fielder (one of the largest guys in pro baseball) is a vegetarian.

Vegan_Chick

I was watching a show on it and it said they're depressed because they don't eat meat..even if they take vitamin d. Thought about it..ALLLLL of my vegan and vegetarian friends are on antidepressants.

Funny how I was reading an article today that says eating saturated fats causes depression. Which come from animals. Here's the link. Wierd how it just so happened to be today I came across this.

http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/afp/healthusmentalfoodspain