Any ex vegans or vegetarians out there?

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

bump

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!