Vegetarianism

calliope_music

yes! i have been a vegetarian for a few months. every now and then i just want some type of meat - i think for me, it's my body telling me i need more protein or iron. i try to load up on foods that are high in both and the craving generally goes away.

TinaMLT

What do you think micro organisms are? They are classified as animals by biologists the world over, albeit, the lowest form of animal life, but still animal life. The only difference is that they are single cellular instead of multicellular. When I indicated that the only sources of B12 were animal sources that is exactly what I was referring to. B12 is created by these microorganisms in the soil of the earth (unless we have killed them off with non-organic farming practices). Animals eat the plants that grow in the soil and in the process uptake some of the microorganisms or the residue from the soil that has the B12. We wash our vegetables before we eat them and unfortunately remove much of this form ob B12. The animals eats soo much of these plants over so long a period of time that the B12 accumulates in their bodies (specifically the muscle and liver). Carnivores then eat these parts of the animal and Voila, B12 in the carnivore.

I know so much about this because I am a laboratory biologist. Choosing to be a vegetarian is a personal choice, but it is very important to make sure that you are meeting all of your nutritional needs, especially when trying to lose weight. I see patients on a weekly basis who have choosen a vegetarian lifestyle and for years felt really good. Light, energetic, healthy. Then one day, seemingly overnight, their energy levels dropped and they began to feel very unwell. Sure enough, they developed B12 deficiency.

We see less of this deficiency in non-industrial countries because their farming practices are still relatively organic in nature and the microorganisms are still in the soil and still making lots of B12. They also tend to eat the vegetables very shortly after being removed from the soil and often with only cursory washing, thus leaving the vast majority of the B12 on the veggies. Veggies DO NOT absorb the B12, it is just on the skins and outside so when you peal and/or wash your veggies the B12 goes in the garbage or down the drain.

Doing the same is possible here is not always possible. I live in Canada, we have snow for about 6 months out of the year which means that for that amount of time obtaining locally, organically grown, recently harvested veggies is almost impossible. And you need all of those characteristics in order to maximize your B12 intake from the veggies.

I don't expect anyone to change their choices as this is VERY personal. I just want to be sure that when you make a choice that you are very aware of all the information.

Good luck and be well.

purpleipod

My vegan friend once told me, "if you're craving meat, it's for a reason, and something your body needs".

Definitely not true! It means your body is craving protein and iron. Take an iron supplement or add more iron-rich veggie foods (broccoli is one, believe it or not) and start eating more protein. It took me about 6 months to have beef completely cut out before I was absolutely repulsed by it! Give it some more time, and you will look at it completely different. Or google some animal rights stuff that will gross you out for long enough to not give into temptation. I can send you a few links if you'd like

That.. was exactly the point she was making, that you need protein and iron.

kenzietea

What do you think micro organisms are? They are classified as animals by biologists the world over, albeit, the lowest form of animal life, but still animal life. The only difference is that they are single cellular instead of multicellular. When I indicated that the only sources of B12 were animal sources that is exactly what I was referring to. B12 is created by these microorganisms in the soil of the earth (unless we have killed them off with non-organic farming practices). Animals eat the plants that grow in the soil and in the process uptake some of the microorganisms or the residue from the soil that has the B12. We wash our vegetables before we eat them and unfortunately remove much of this form ob B12. The animals eats soo much of these plants over so long a period of time that the B12 accumulates in their bodies (specifically the muscle and liver). Carnivores then eat these parts of the animal and Voila, B12 in the carnivore.

I know so much about this because I am a laboratory biologist. Choosing to be a vegetarian is a personal choice, but it is very important to make sure that you are meeting all of your nutritional needs, especially when trying to lose weight. I see patients on a weekly basis who have choosen a vegetarian lifestyle and for years felt really good. Light, energetic, healthy. Then one day, seemingly overnight, their energy levels dropped and they began to feel very unwell. Sure enough, they developed B12 deficiency.

We see less of this deficiency in non-industrial countries because their farming practices are still relatively organic in nature and the microorganisms are still in the soil and still making lots of B12. They also tend to eat the vegetables very shortly after being removed from the soil and often with only cursory washing, thus leaving the vast majority of the B12 on the veggies. Veggies DO NOT absorb the B12, it is just on the skins and outside so when you peal and/or wash your veggies the B12 goes in the garbage or down the drain.

Doing the same is possible here is not always possible. I live in Canada, we have snow for about 6 months out of the year which means that for that amount of time obtaining locally, organically grown, recently harvested veggies is almost impossible. And you need all of those characteristics in order to maximize your B12 intake from the veggies.

I don't expect anyone to change their choices as this is VERY personal. I just want to be sure that when you make a choice that you are very aware of all the information.

Good luck and be well.

Not sure how long ago you received your degree, but animals eukaryotes. The bacterica that produces b12 in a prokaryote therefore not considered an animal in the scientific world. And yes, it is found in organic soil. That's why when I give advice to vegans just starting out, I tell them to buy local organic products and not to wash them But, new studies suggest that some non-animal products actually store the b12 vitamin as well, but nothing is yet proven.

TinaMLT

But, new studies suggest that some non-animal products actually store the b12 vitamin as well, but nothing is yet proven.
[/quote]

So you are willing to risk your health on an unproven theory. Smart.