Why do I never feel healthy since I have been vegetarian?!
Why do I never feel healthy since I have been vegetarian?
I have been vegetarian for several months now. I don't think I know how to eat a balanced vegetarian meal cause I never feel full of energy or healthy. Also, my weight has dropped, maybe only 5 ibs, but i am already tiny, and would rather gain healthy muscle mass. Does anyone have any recipes or ideas to having a healthy and balanced vegetarian diet?
Additional Details5 months ago
Just to clarify. Vegetarian means I DONT eat meat, at all. But I do eat seafood every rarely.
5 months ago
Some of you people seriisouly need to chill. I said I have rarley eaten seafood...meaning in the beginning but not anymore. And YES you can be a vegetarian and eat seafood, there are different types of vegetarians. Like some eat eggs, some don't etc. Go look it up.
Answers:
5 months ago
Just to clarify. Vegetarian means I DONT eat meat, at all. But I do eat seafood every rarely.
5 months ago
Some of you people seriisouly need to chill. I said I have rarley eaten seafood...meaning in the beginning but not anymore. And YES you can be a vegetarian and eat seafood, there are different types of vegetarians. Like some eat eggs, some don't etc. Go look it up.
I dont know which diet you are under, but be sure that you somehow replace the proteins that you used to receive from meat and are basical to human body. there is no other food that can provide you the amount of protein you can find in a piece of meat. I know that vegs have some substitues which are not 100% equal, they can only replace a small part of it, but i dont know what they use, if other foods or artificial vitamin suplements, .....
Also make sure that you eat a good amount of eggs, and specially carbohidrates. This is where your body takes energy from, potatoes, rice, sugar, pasta... may be you are already eating them but you need to eat more i dont know,
My suggestion is that you find any vegetarian organization web site on the net and contact them for information or read articles regarding becoming a veg. This will be the best way to keep a balanced diet, or the other way is to go to a nutricionist.
good luck
your probably not getting enough protein. Most veggies are kind of pale and skinny looking. If i were you i would eat some meat just every once in awhile.
ah, you need to eat your meat honey!!!1 dont worry though, i have a salami in my pants if you want it. dont bite.
you need a little bit of fat in your system sweetie. Do you eat chicken? a little bit of chicken and stuff like that once in awhile is good for you..
Well try working out...
You have to find ways to get enough protein, which usually comes from meat, but you have to substitute beans and eggs and find other sources of protein, and eat enough fiber, like in whole grain breads and pastas.
First, you need a source of protein in each meal. (If you don't have this, your body will let you know!) Then you need vegetables and fruits. You must drink milk for calcium, and plenty of water. Basically what you need to do is look at the Food Pyramid, and follow that each day.
Because you are a carnivore. This is prove by the teeth that you have. The pointy ones next to your eye teeth. You need meat, don't feel bad about it.
for several humans have been omniverous creatures.Therefore our metabolism and nutrient needs have developed to require animal protien in our diets.
it really depends on dedicated you are to a your vegetarian diet. do you still eat eggs, milk & cheese? b/c these plus beans (lots & lots of beans) are going to be your main sources for protein.
Because human beings evolved as omnivores. You are trying to make an omnivore into a herbivore to make some kind of a political statement or something. It is the old, square peg in the round hole thing. It don't fit, it won't work and you will feel the way you do for the rest of your life or until you wake up.
Honestly, ask yourself. Have you ever seen a healthy looking vegetarian or vegan???
Good luck, I hope you survive your endeavor.
Tofu, nuts and beans (or even soy powder) will help keep up the protein, spinach can help with the iron (low iron can make you fel tired). With more energy, you can work out more and re-develop those muscles. Add spices you like, and eat denser foods.
not enought protein. also you should be eating more if you choose not to eat. and eat something as soon as you get hungry. that will help alot.
First of all, I am a healthy looking vegetarian. I take good care of my health. The main thing is, you have to make sure that you are getting all the nutrients that you are not getting from meat from somewhere else. I like schneider's oh naturel veggie products. They are my favourite. Energy could be an iron problem. Keep on top of your iron and protein. You could get bloodwork done to see if you are deficient in any area.
You could definitely have a healthy vegetarian diet. Don't give up on it.
The most important part is replacing the iron and protein that is found in red meat. It is not necessary to eat meat to be healthy, it is even possible to be overweight and a vegetarian. Great sources of protein are found in a combo of beans and rice, which creates a complex protein mimicing that in red meat without the cholestrol. Also made sure you dont become a vegetarian that eats mostly beige foods, containing lots of refined flour and sugar, I made that mistake and that is most likely that cause of your lethargic feelings. Soy protein is also great healthy way to eat hearty calories to your meals, via tofu. Use healthy oils such as extra virgin olive oil to add plenty of healthy fats to veggies, the fats help the body absord the nutrients better. For quick pick-me-ups scope out the whole food stores for protein bars.
Make sure you have supplements of amino acids, iron, and Omega 3, if you are vegetartian. I have these supplements, and also a multi-vitamin complex. Also, maybe consider lactose in you vegetarian diet. This would mean that you don't have to eat meat, but you could consume milk products. Remember, that every body is different for everybody.
In all respect.
If you eat seafood, then you are not a vegetarian, you are a pescatarian.
Carbohydrates gives people energy, not protein. Protein builds cells, yes, but it's not energy food. Are you eating low carb? Not a good idea, because carbs are what everyone needs to feel energetic and satisfied. Btw, did you know that your brain uses ONLY carbs, and NO proteins? Really, the brain's energy comes from 100% carbs and 0% protein. So if you're doing the low carb thing, stop. Feed your brain.
Iron deficiency can make you anemic, so eat plenny legumes and green leafy veggies.
As for protein, everyone here is touting it as the end-all for fatigue. However, protein takes a long time to digest, hours, so it doesn't yield the energy you need. For that, eat carbs. Protein is healthy, yes, but it's not a quick energy food, not at all. Besides, our protein intake needs to be about 9% of our daily caloric intake. We need protein, yes, but easy does it. Too much protein causes osterporosis and kidney fatigue.
East plenty of good, energy-giving carbs. If carbs scare you, then eat the "good" carbs - veggies, fruits, whole grains (brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, barley, etc), legumes (beans, peas, lentils), nuts, seeds, and some soy (cheat meats, soy milk, tofu, etc). If you're not sure of what and how much to eat, look below for a link to the Vegan Food Pyramid.
My son is a vegetarian. He is 13. He is full of energy and very buff for his age due in part to his martial arts involvement. However, he does get run down if he doesn't get enough protein. He hates beans but eats them because it supplements his protein intake. He also take a multi-vitamine daily. Watch your protein and if your a picky eater find a way to make yourself eat the desired amount of legumes and eat more fish.
The problem with most new veggies is that all they do is cut out the meat and think that makes things ok.
They substitute the meat with prepackaged veggie meat substitutes.
This is still SAD. That is the Standard American Diet. Which is not healthy.
Visit your library for some resources on nutrition and vegetarian nutrition.
If you're tired, you're probably lacking good carbs which is our body's natural source of fuel. Contrary to what silly people are saying here, protein is NOT a source of energy.
Nor is meat a good source of either protein or iron. You get more iron cooking your tofu in a cast iron pan than there is in steak. There is as much protein in cottage cheese as there is in steak.
Make simple easy veggie meals with whole grain pasta - not your basic egg noodles or pasta made with refined white flour - but good wholesome whole grain pasta and a cup of veggies. Add a lot of spices to make it savory. Top it off with chopped pine nuts rather than parmesan cheese.
Trader Joes has a number of different kinds of whole grain pasta and nice bags of nuts. Make sure you shake it up. Don't eat the same thing every meal.
Stay off of junk food, french fries etc.
Get at least 5 servings of fruit and
vegetables a day. Be sure to get at
least 1/2 your weight in protein.
Using beans, lentils, whole grain pastas,
nuts, and 1 or two mock meat products
a day should get you the protein you need.
Be sure to include green leafy vegetables
and broccoli in your diet everyday.
Take a multivitamin supplement.
Try to get at least 30 minutes of
cardiovascular exercise every day.
This will boost metabolism and make
you feel more energetic.
i think the easiest way to feel healthy and energetic again is to buy some oranges,, pineapple,, and banananas and maybe some grapes,, or any other fruit,, chop it up,, put it in a blender ($20 at Big Lots) and add ice and water as needed
you may have a problem with seafood...? there are some allergies associated with it.
remember.. fresh vegetables and fruits! frozen or canned... forget it you're not getting the minerals.
fresh juices.. not concentrate.
drink water!
steam some of the vegetables.. eat others raw... learn about how to get the most minerals out of your foods.
and variety is an very important part.
:D
First of all let me say this.....vegetarians do not eat any flesh!!!! That means red meat, poultry, seafood, if it was at one time or another a living animal and you're putting it in your mouth then you're not considered a vegetarian! People in this country are so overly obsessed with protein, a four ounce serving of protein per day is all you need, unless you're pregnant, lactating, recovering from surgery, or an extremely athletic person. That protein does not need to come from meat. I suggest you go to your local library or bookstore and find a book on vegetarianism to read, Vegetarian Times Beginners Guide to Vegetarianism is the one I purchased years ago when I went veg. Make sure you're not eating junk food, and go with organic whenever possible. Good luck!
First, if you eat seafood, you are NOT a vegetarian. Second, if you are eating healthy foods in good quantities and drinking lots of water, you should be feeling fine. Maybe take a multivitamin and make sure you get enough sleep. I would see a doctor and make sure there isn't something wrong with you. I doubt it has anything to do with your diet.
You are not a vegetarian. And logically, if "vegetarian" means "one who only eats vegetation, "a pescatarian would be "a person who only eats fish."
If you want a fancy name for yourself, you can be a
ovo-lacto-vego-pescovore.
That being said, the key to a balanced diet is to eat a variety of food. The vegan food pyramid suggests
5+ servings of grains daily
3-5 servings of veggies
3 servings of fruits
2-3 servings of legumes (includes soy-milk)
It sounds hard to eat that much in a day, but a slice of bread is considered 1 serving. Half a cup of veggies is considered a serving. I personally use a juicer for my veggies. That way, I have all my servings in a single drink. Research the Internet. Look through the "resolved questions" area in Y!Answers to find recipes and helpful info on how to have a great diet. When you are secure enough in your new lifestyle, I am sure you will have no problems giving up fish and finally becoming a vegetarian.
Good luck!
EDIT- Vegetarians do not eat animals. Fish are animals. Vegetarians do not eat fish, despite the growing trend in the last few years by lazy people who feel otherwise.
We only care because pseudo-vegetarians make life tougher on vegetarians when we have to explain at restaurants that fish are not vegetables and when people at business lunches (rightly) state vegetarians are hypocrites because they think they eat fish. You see, the eyes could be considered a clue.
And just because people are correcting your mis-information, does not mean they aren't calm.
I just want to clarify that seafood is meat. Vegetarians don't eat animals. Anyway, take a look at the vegetarian food pyramid online. You need to incorporate whole grains, legumes, veggies, fruits etc. into your diet everyday. What is your average menu like for a day?
Don't worry about getting into some kind of fad. Just eat whatever makes you feel better, and forget the labeling. Fish is notoriously low in B vitamins and iron, and some B vitamins are almost entirely lacking from vegetables.