The Vegetarian & Vegan Thread

[cath85]

So I guess none of you buy the excuse that we are natural meat eaters, then? I read a study about teeth and how they are designed to tear at meat. But someone fought it, so I guess it's an up-in-the-air concept.

I once was told that meat rather damages teeth than anything else. I guess we'll never know what is true

 

[fashionista-ta]

There are many different B vitamins; I was talking about is B12, which people can do without for months because of how it's stored. Not that it's a super plan to ignore it because after a while without it you can develop irreversible brain damage (way on down the line with other, much milder symptoms coming first), but vegetarians freak out too much about being B12 deficient. And anyway, feeling tired or weak is a side effect of a LOT of non-diet factors as well a huge variety of dietary deficiencies, not just B12-- protein, calories, any of the other B vitamins, iron....

To be clear, I'm speaking of B12 as well. What you're saying is definitely not true in my case. Perhaps it's true if someone has zero stress in his or her life ... perhaps a cloistered nun or Tibetan monk?? As I said, I have had (and you can as well) a simple blood test to find out what your B12 level is. I was deficient, and I definitely need to supplement on a regular basis. At a minimum, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of B12 deficiency so you can recognize it if it happens. Even better to just go ahead & supplement--esp when you're stressed. People who aren't deficient (lots of nurses, for example) get B12 shots for the energy boost. You're better off having plenty than the bare minimum ...

I have had the shot, and I recommend the sublingual form over that as well.

 

[cestmagique]

Perhaps it's true if someone has zero stress in his or her life ... perhaps a cloistered nun or Tibetan monk??

Neither of which I am, and I'm fine. Don't know what else to say other than that we seem to have wildly different information about it.

 

[papa_levante]

So, so, so... today was officially day 1. -Ish.

When I woke up, I had a bad headache. Ma blamed it on the incense in my room, but I think it might have been because the day before, I didn't have any meat. I popped 2 Tylenol before work. For breakfast, I had cereal with milk. Pretty much what I always eat in the morning. For lunch, I had an entire salad bag (the ones that come in bag with croutons and dressing inside) and a string cheese. A few hours later, the headache came back. I thought needed protein so I bought some seasoned almonds. The headache didn't totally go away until dinner. I bought Boca Burger patties and ate one with sandwich bread, mustard, lettuce, pickles, pepperjack cheese and mustard with chips and some potato salad. I even downed an entire glass of soy milk. The headache started to fade but it didn't entire go away for a few hours after.

I figure the sluggishness comes from not enough B12. But my friend Nikki says that's from not enough iron. I learned in Nutrition that vegetarians often feel tired or "anemic" because meat has plenty of B12 to give us our energy throughout the day.

Would peanut butter cut it if I decided to have toast in the morning?

(And, I definitely need to invest in Bean-o. Now I [and everyone else at my work] knows that vegetables make me gas-y.)

 

[cestmagique]

^Papa there's just no way that one day without meat would make you suddenly deficient in iron or B12! Unless you were like that already, in which case meat or no meat would not be the issue. You ate dairy, which has both nutrients; soy milk that is almost certainly fortified with them; and Boca Burgers have iron as well. Forgive me for saying so but your being worried like this is why you have a headache!

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I agree that a day would not be enough to notice a difference in B12, even if one existed. If you're worried about B12, though, you should go ahead & supplement as explained earlier ...

I would say you just woke up with a headache. I find it's best to kill the pain and stop it if it seems like it's going to persist, rather than having an ongoing headache.

 

[papa_levante]

Forgive me for saying so but your being worried like this is why you have a headache!

Ma says it's probably from burning incense as I sleep But I feel like maybe 2 days of no meat might've "surprised" my body. "What the f*** are you doing to me, Holly?!?!" it would scream. But so far, I've been feeling really great. This thread helps me stick to my pescetarian plan.

 

[lostinemotion]

does anyone know of any good/easy recipes that are not so high on the carbs?
and not salads.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ What about beans or lentils? I just made pinto beans with onion and garlic and tons of spices ... chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, pepper flakes, etc.

 

[soymilkfreak]

I have a question

Since I completely converted to vegetarianism a month ago, I noticed one strange thing about me.
I eat a lot. Like, I started eating twice as much as I used to eat.
Im always stuffing my face and the feeling of being full usually goes away in 2-3 hours and Im hungry again.
I feel like Im going to eat my parents out of the house Thank god for fast metabolism.
Is it normal? I feel like my body is compensating for the lack of meat or something...

 

[tullepen]

Probably.It's a lot healthier to eat every 3 or 4 hours,smaller meals of vegetables,nuts,grains,and protein such as beans and tofu instead of three big meals.Dinner should be your smallest meal,because your natural digestion is the strongest between 12 and 1 and you should have your biggest meal then.
Trying to find a vegan rye bread recipe is tricky...

 

[cocktaildress]

I have a question

Since I completely converted to vegetarianism a month ago, I noticed one strange thing about me.
I eat a lot. Like, I started eating twice as much as I used to eat.
Im always stuffing my face and the feeling of being full usually goes away in 2-3 hours and Im hungry again.
I feel like Im going to eat my parents out of the house Thank god for fast metabolism.
Is it normal? I feel like my body is compensating for the lack of meat or something...

I'm no vegetarian but I think it's because you might not be getting enough protein now that you don't eat meat. Protein is actually the only macronutrient that properly triggers satiety. You should have a portion with every meal.

 

[soymilkfreak]

I'm no vegetarian but I think it's because you might not be getting enough protein now that you don't eat meat. Protein is actually the only macronutrient that properly triggers satiety. You should have a portion with every meal.

I always make sure to include protein in everything I eat plus my mom makes me take these...vitamns and supplements cause she worries herself to death that I might die of some deficiency so I think Im getting enough of protein
Maybe a little too much even

tullepen
must be it!

 

[papa_levante]

^^ Thanks cocktaildress. That's great. I've been eating almonds and peanut butter with most of my meals.

 

[ChloeFrancoise]

It's more likely to end up with excess protein than not enough.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I have a question

Since I completely converted to vegetarianism a month ago, I noticed one strange thing about me.
I eat a lot. Like, I started eating twice as much as I used to eat.
Im always stuffing my face and the feeling of being full usually goes away in 2-3 hours and Im hungry again.
I feel like Im going to eat my parents out of the house Thank god for fast metabolism.
Is it normal? I feel like my body is compensating for the lack of meat or something...

What are you eating, exactly?

Whole grains are good for sticking with you ... I find that spaghetti sticks with me (I buy the fat kind--no angel hair). You want to get some fat in the mix, too. Legumes are good. Think about what was a satisfying meal for you before (the kind of dinner that doesn't leave you wanting a snack later), and how to adapt it.

 

[papa_levante]

Is it supposed to stink 'down there' after becoming a pescetarian? My friend said, "Your snatch is gonna get STANKY." I'm not following no self-fulfilling prophecy, but she might be right.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Is it supposed to stink 'down there' after becoming a pescetarian? My friend said, "Your snatch is gonna get STANKY." I'm not following no self-fulfilling prophecy, but she might be right.

I have no idea..but a wonderful quote from your friend

 

[fashionista-ta]

I think you should do 'man on the street' interviews with everyone you meet, asking this very question. Of course the answer is no, but you shouldn't let an opportunity like this pass you by.

 

[cestmagique]

^ Oh please papa, do this!