Any ex vegans or vegetarians out there?

ZoeyRobinson

I have been vegan for 4 years and vegetarian for at least 5 and I have so many health issues that it is making it almost impossible for me now. I am just wondering if any of you ex vegans or vegetarians have any advice or you regret going back to your meat eating ways.

I haven't started eating meat I am just trying to find a way to feel better. Thanks.

garfieldb6

I'm a former vegetarian (3 years) who's now a pescatarian. I was the same as you, having constant health issues, and unable to bounce back from even a cold. I noticed from tracking on here that I was usually way high in carbs and very low in protein no matter how hard I tried. I would also lose, then get sick and have to derail my exercising so I'd gain it back. I started eating fish again two weeks ago. I haven't really noticed changes one way or another yet, but am very comfortable in my decision. I was trying to research others who've made this change too, so I'm glad to see someone else who has questions. I also have osteoarthritis, so the fish will be helpful there too! Good luck in whatever you decide to do!:flowerforyou:

ibtough

I was vegetarian for 2 years and started eating meat in moderation 4 weeks ago. I was having many health issues too plus gained about 15-20 pounds. I never felt full unless I had pasta or bread (all carbs) and then of course I had to have cheese etc... Wasn't sure how my body would adapt but it had no problem getting that first In n Out burger down protein style.

SweetxCatastrophe

I was a vegetarian for 8 years and seriously, its probably why I weigh as much as I do now (ate waaay too many bowls of pasta and quesadillas). I never felt full on the proper serving sizes of pasta and tofu, and all the fake meats are full of such crap! Ive been a "recovering vegetarian" for about 3yrs now and I'd never go back. I still eat a lot of veggies, but feel so much more satisfied and full with meat in my meals. Plus I dont feel bloated and exhausted all the time, and I dont have to worry about secret animal products when I eat out anymore. So in my experience, its been positive. I suggest starting slow if you wanna ease into meat eating again. I had small pieces of chicken in salads, worked my way up to beef, and finally pork (I was most grossed out with pork so I saved it for last lol).

Elf_Princess1210

Why don't you go see a registered dietician? He or she can help you eat well and get all your nutrients on a plant based diet.

ZoeyRobinson

I'm glad I am not the only one!

I have gastroparesis so I need low fiber.
I have celiacs so no gluten
I have hormonal imbalances so I need to avoid soy
I am allergic to rice and citrus.

It is impossible to eat at a restaurant as a gluten free vegan.

SweetxCatastr- Did you lose weight once you added meat back into your diet?

bradthemedic

I was a vegetarian for 3 years and vegan for about 6 months. I couldn't sustain it. I was tired 24/7 and was weak no matter what I did.

I'm a pescatarian now and I do eat some meat from time to time but I REALLY try to limit it because I don't like the taste/texture and it's a trigger for my IBS (and animal rights issues of course)

ZoeyRobinson

Elf_Princess1, not being able to eat soy, gluten, citrus, rice, quinoa and most beans/lentils while staying on a low fiber diet confuses the hell out of dietitians. I have talked to 2 nutritionist and they both told me I should be eating meat.

lemasney

I'm a flexitarian now, former vegetarian. e.g. I have meat on occasion -- not every day. No health issues or weight gain, I just enjoy meat from time to time, and don't have an issue with eating it in moderation, preferably where the animals were raised and killed humanely, etc. I don't typically go to McDonald's, as an example, but I won't say no to some chicken or turkey or tuna at my fave local restaurants or deli. I have regrets about other things, but not this.

Lolli1986

I alternated between vego and vegan for a number of years... until i had to climb a mountain. That convinced me to eat meat.

It took me a long time to get back to eating meat - it tastes like the most disgusting thing ever at first, and something went awry with digesting it for a while. In spite of this, no regrets.

razors_girl23

Obviously it makes it hard for anyone with other nutritional requirements, but I second the seeing a nutritionist thing.

I've never felt better since being vegetarian and my nutritionist helped me with exactly what I should be eating. Quorn is a God send.

SweetxCatastrophe

SweetxCatastr- Did you lose weight once you added meat back into your diet?

Probably a good 25lbs within 4-5 months..and that was eating still pretty bad but having protein. The difference between eating a huge bowl of pasta primavera (with the veggies) and eating a quarter of that same bowl with chicken on top was a big difference

RaeN81

I was a vegetarian for 4 and a half years.....several years ago. Unfortunately for me I was fairly young and I simply could not get enough iron in my diet (I was very anemic) and the iron supplements made me ill and were just not cutting it. So, I started first with fish and then incorporated other meats over time. It was a decision that I did not take lightly, I considered it prayerfully and at length but I do not regret it.

ZoeyRobinson

razors_girl23, I can't eat Quorn because of the gluten and smoked flavoring.I am allergic to both.

Elf_Princess1210

Elf_Princess1, not being able to eat soy, gluten, citrus, rice, quinoa and most beans/lentils while staying on a low fiber diet confuses the hell out of dietitians. I have talked to 2 nutritionist and they both told me I should be eating meat.

I can see why that stuff would be bad for you though. I hope you can find a diet that works for you.

Edited cause I got confused

JennieAL

I was vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan & pescatarian. Ha! I tried it all. Oh, and then I was Paleo for a while after all that. Now I eat a little of everything and feel great

ZoeyRobinson

Elf_ Princess1

Thanks! I am glad veganism is working for you!

Krazy_Kat

I was a vegetarian for ethical reasons. Then I started eating meat. It's something I think about often. I am a very sensitive person. I only eat free-range ethically grown meat and think of it this way. Animals eat other animals, thats the way it is. If it wasn't for the fact that we are eating these animals, they'd have no life at all, they wouldn't be born they wouldn't exist. Now they exist, they're going to die some day anyway. Not eating them isn't going to save their life.The ethically raised ones have a pretty good life. The cattle get to drink yummy warm milk, then play in the fields with their friends and eat delicious green grass for three years. Now that ain't a bad life. Then I think of their slaughter as a sacrifice and I thank them for giving their lives. I know my ideas may sound strange and like a cop out. But think being able to include such dense protein in my diet is wonderful priviledge.

I hate cage eggs
I hate feed lots

gingerveg

Been vegetarian for almost 25 years without any diet related health issues. Frankly I don't find it all too difficult. I eat a very low (to no) sugar diet. I've never been over BMI for my height (not even now at age 39). The only reason I'm losing weight now is I gained 10 stress/process food pounds in grad school.

Are you eating clean? What sort of health problems are you experiencing (getting sick is vague)? How do you know these problems are related to being veg? I'd see a dietician if you are having trouble understanding how to balance a veg. meal. And to the person above who mentioned it, a healthy vegetarian does not rely on those fake meats they are mainly meant to transition omnis to veg. They are fine occasionally but at some point one has to learn how to cook veg. or it is a losing battle. And that doesn't mean loading up on carbs. There was an amazing set of long term studies conducted that found being veg. and low carb was remarkably healthier than other way of eating. Not saying it's the only way but being veg can be an extraordinarily healthy lifestyle for many. If this thread is still going on tomorrow I'll give you the link to that study (I'm on my phone right now).

What we do in life depends on what's important to us. If it is not important we won't put the effort into it. That's up to you ---everyone has different priorities. Good luck.

ETA: drat I spent so much time typing this on my phone I missed all that stuff you are allergic to. Hmmm sounds like any diet would be hard for you. I know some celiac vegans but I don't think they have those other allergies. Can you have mushrooms? They have a good deal of protein. I do hope you get this sorted soon.

SuperVegan8

It sounds like youre not getting all the nutrients you require. I dont mean to sound rude but i'd see a nutritionist/dietition to ensure that you are getting the foods and vitamins you require.

If you are eating the right variety of foods and youre still getting sick - see a doctor because it probably means your body isnt absorbing things for whatever reason. I doubt changing from vegetarian/vegan diet back to meat will help if that is the case - also if you are reintroducing meat into your diet be aware that it will probably make you feel sick (ive seen a few people do it and their body took a while to readjust).

All the best.

Misiaxcore

Elf_Princess1, not being able to eat soy, gluten, citrus, rice, quinoa and most beans/lentils while staying on a low fiber diet confuses the hell out of dietitians. I have talked to 2 nutritionist and they both told me I should be eating meat.

Not to sound rude, but how are you still alive? I have a friend who appears to be allergic to everything under the sun. I don't know how she's still alive either.

ETA: Rhetorical question Hope you figure your diet out!

CynthiasChoice

I was vegan for a year, then someone warned me that I might lose the ability to digest meat, dairy and eggs if I didn't have them once in a while. I don't know if this is indeed true, but it scared me a little. I can't be sure what tomorrow may bring, and I want to have confidence that I could survive on any diet necessary.

I now have an occasional ounce of meat or fish and I now eat eggs, but only eggs from my sister-in-law's farm. A bit of dairy sneaks into my diet here and there, but I'm very conflicted about it. Dairy is the only animal product that I buy without knowing for sure that it was produced in a humane way. The dairy cows and their calves have a really horrific life, and it's something I want no part of. But for some reason, that's easy to forget when it's my birthday and I'm at the cheesecake factory. Or when it's a hot day and I'm walking past the frozen yogurt shop. Sometimes I think I have spaghetti for a spine!

If you really don't want to add meat back to your diet, what about hemp or pea protein powder? I don't think that has fiber - I'm not sure. I'm sorry to hear you have so many restrictions - hope you can find a solution that works well for you.

This is like my 4th edit - sorry! What about probiotics? I also heard today that people are getting relief from allergies through acupressure. My physical therapist has had treatments that have worked for her. She laughs and calls it voodoo, but swears it has changed her life.

AirCircleI

I was vegetarian for 17 years, and vegan for one year. I just started eating meat again about six months ago and LOVE it. It didn't make any particular difference to my weight loss (I was losing about 5lbs a month before, and that continued), but I think the way I eat is way better and I have more energy for it.

Benefits include going into a restraurant and being able to consider the WHOLE menu when ordering (so much easier to find something healthy). Also its much easier to eat a lot of protein, particular in snacks (I eat a lot of plain chicken or turkey for small snacks through the day).

Definitely have no regrets, and so glad I have switched back to eating meat after so long.

I didn't have a taste for it for a while, but by gradually incorporating it in small amounts to keep my digestive track from protesting, I started to enjoy the taste of it.

cococa

I was a vegetarian for 9 years. When I started eating meat again, I stuck with boneless skinless chicken breast and fish. I only ate a bit of it at restaurants or when prepared by friends. It took me quite a while to get to start cooking with it. I actually felt better right away when I reintroduced it into my diet. I don't think I was eating too well as a vegetarian (not that you can't, but I was a stressed out college student short on time). It's been nearly 9 years now since I started eating meat again. I still mostly stick with the lean meats (chicken breast, fish, lean ground turkey, etc) and it works great for me. I didn't notice any change in my weight related to the switch back to meat, but I was 21 at the time. My weight gain seems to be mostly related to age and living with my stick of a boyfriend who can eat anything . Best of luck to you.

ZoeyRobinson

MisLaxCore, I have no idea how I am still alive. If there was ever a catastrophe I would be the first one to go.

For everyone else. I have Gastroparesis and Celiacs and hormonal imbalances

I CANNOT EAT
GLUTEN, RICE, SOY, CITRUS. I am allergic to all of these.

I HAVE A SENSITIVITY TO
BEANS, QUINOA, LENTILS

And when I say I sensitivity I mean I break out into rashes and hives that last days.

I have to avoid dairy because the hormones are too much on my system and cause me to miss periods or give me periods so heavy I faint.

I have been living off of fruits and vegetables and cannot eat enough to stay full. I feel dizzy and exhausted.

wasveganvictoria88

I became a vegan because I watched a programme on dolphins - I'm not like a dolphin lover or anything but it was about this town in Japan whose economy was based on the lovely dolphins in their seas but behind the scenes they were barbarically killing them. It made me think how ignorant we can be about where our meat comes from.


But I just couldn't forget meat - I don't mind killing animals its just the cruelty - and I used to sneak meat when no-one was looking! Now I am aware wehere my meat comes from and one day aspire to have my own farm

MuffRuff

I was a vegetarian for almost three years, but have to say I am much more happy now eating meat. I do not eat beef or pork, well I eat pork once a year. I do eat chicken, seafood, and turkey. Once I stopped eating beef I felt much better. However, I just could not do without meat entirely for the rest of my life. Also many people eat too much bad food regardless of whether or not they are a vegan or vegetarian. I knew a girl in college who was a vegetarian, and she ate so much pasta and junk food while I was eating meat and was more healthy than she was. It definitely takes some getting use to, especially the guilt. Till this day if I eat the tiniest bit of beef or pork I feel bad, but as long as you make sure your body is getting what it needs you should be fine.

CynthiasChoice

MisLaxCore, I have no idea how I am still alive. If there was ever a catastrophe I would be the first one to go.

For everyone else. I have Gastroparesis and Celiacs and hormonal imbalances

I CANNOT EAT
GLUTEN, RICE, SOY, CITRUS. I am allergic to all of these.

I HAVE A SENSITIVITY TO
BEANS, QUINOA, LENTILS

And when I say I sensitivity I mean I break out into rashes and hives that last days.

I have to avoid dairy because the hormones are too much on my system and cause me to miss periods or give me periods so heavy I faint.

I have been living off of fruits and vegetables and cannot eat enough to stay full. I feel dizzy and exhausted.

Sorry my first post missed the point. I've edited it, but here's my latest ideas again. If you'd like to stay away from meat, you may want to look into:
1 hemp or pea protein powder
2 probiotics
3 acupressure to relieve food allergies

I hope this was more helpful
4 maybe see a naturopath?

going2befit4ever

bump

TheFunBun

Yeah, I'd be eating pea protein. And sprouted barley. And like... pounds of cashews a day. I would be the nuttiest mofo ever. Can you eat millet or amaranth or any of the other nongluten grains, or are they too close to rice?

Spinach is actually pretty proteiny, too. I'd be cooking bags of it so it would be condensed and delicious and gobble it all up.

Have you seen a naturopath to figure out what else you're missing?

I'm a pescetarian ... because I have no respect for the fish or his sea-insect brethren.. I haven't been vegetarian, but I'm considering it, but I know it would be the hardest decision ever to go back to landimals for my health. I'm sorry you have to make such a decision and wish you luck with it!

SouthernSkylark

I've been a vegetarian for the last 4 and a half years, although since starting working out and running I have re introduced fish into my diet. I feel great and much more satisfied when eating :-) I tend to stick to tuna or wild salmon but will have shell fish and oily fish like mackerel etc....
Good Luck!