Vegetarian but being told to eat meat! what do i do?!


Question: im 21 and been a vegetarian since i was 8, purely because i was once eating a shepherds pie and my sister (who was a vege) told me i was eating a cow, since then havent been able to eat meat. I have been very ill recently and after many many tests, told i HAVE to eat fish and white meat, i physically cannot stand it, i dont like the taste, and i cannot even swallow it i tried eating a fish and was physically sick after one bite, its not the taste so much, its the thought of what im eating, ive been told for my health i really do have to start eating meat again (which im not so convinced about bearing in mind millions are vegetarians all their life with no problems) . does anyone have any advice? i know its an odd question but im in a real dilemma here between 13 years of knowledge (i.e being a vegi), and the fact that if i dont eat the meat ill carry on with all over body pains, and horrible symptoms. Please help, 10 points for the best. Thank you so much and happy new year everyone!


Answers: im 21 and been a vegetarian since i was 8, purely because i was once eating a shepherds pie and my sister (who was a vege) told me i was eating a cow, since then havent been able to eat meat. I have been very ill recently and after many many tests, told i HAVE to eat fish and white meat, i physically cannot stand it, i dont like the taste, and i cannot even swallow it i tried eating a fish and was physically sick after one bite, its not the taste so much, its the thought of what im eating, ive been told for my health i really do have to start eating meat again (which im not so convinced about bearing in mind millions are vegetarians all their life with no problems) . does anyone have any advice? i know its an odd question but im in a real dilemma here between 13 years of knowledge (i.e being a vegi), and the fact that if i dont eat the meat ill carry on with all over body pains, and horrible symptoms. Please help, 10 points for the best. Thank you so much and happy new year everyone!

Nobody HAS to eat meat. You need to ask what it is they think you're deficient in. They need to give you details on what the nutrients are. It's up to YOU to find a source to get them from. There's nothing in meat you can't get from elsewhere.

eat vege meat. they sell it at certain places. but cant name wich. Bye the way, Carrie Underwood is a vege and eats vege meat. you can find the answer in LIFE magazine

Find out from whoever is telling you to eat the meat what it is in the meat that they think you are lacking. LOTS of foods can provide the same nutrients, etc. that meat does. I did a project about vegetarianism, although I am not currently one, and I know for a fact most of a vegetarian's diet can match a non-vege. Find out and do your research for what foods have what you're lacking.

See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarian_...

Sounds like you may have an iron deficiency. You need to understand what you are lacking that is causing your doctor to strongly recommend eating meat - and then figure out what combination of vegetarian foods will make up that deficiency.

Well, this depends...

Why are they telling you that you need to eat fish and chicken? Is it because you're lacking certain vitamins or nutrients? If so, that can be fixed without adding either of those back into your diet...

What are your eating habits? Are you eating enough grains, protein, fruits, and vegetables? Taking a multivitamin?

In India most people are vegetarian and they survive.
The biggest deficiency is iron in a vegetarian diet.
Eat soy protein,lentils.beans and dairy products.
For iron eat green leafy vegetables like spinach,kale.broccoli.
Also eat lot of fruits and nuts.
Nuts like walnuts.almonds and pistacchios are packed with nutrients and they taste good.
Take multi-vitamins and .fish oil supplements. Cook with olive or canola oils.
Dont force yourself to eat fish and meat,beleive me you will survive all the vegetarians of India have for centuries.
Good luck and feel better.

There is no illness I'm aware of that would force someone to eat meat. What is the name of your illness?

Have you been seeing Dr. Skummy??

Find another Doctor and go for a second opinion

Who's advising that you must eat meat? And why?

Do you think they've made a thoughtful diagnosis of your health problems, or is the meat recommendation a reaction based on conventional beliefs about what is "normal" for us to eat?

Consider that many people, including health professionals, simply believe that animal protein is necessary to health and they just can't imagine otherwise. If you think that might be the case with your doctor, see if you can get a "second opinion" - an MD, naturopath or nutritionist who is at least open to different dietary approaches and can assess your health issues without assuming that being veg is the problem. I suppose it's possible that your body does need meat - it's said that some do - but I hope you can find out whether that's really true or just someone's nutritional assumption.

Best of luck!

Eat a well balanced Vegetarian diet.The doctors obviously do not understand your distress. These feelings could make you feel physically worse ,your system will reject any meat / fish product by making you sick.Eat Quorn, soya, fresh fruit/ vegetables, lentils. Sprouted seeds are invaluble.Trust your body to tell you what you need to eat.Listen carefully to your instincts.Try eating Spinach, kale, seaweed.Ensure you have the correct balance of amino acids.

I'm wondering what medical problems you have that would require consumption of meat? If you were more specific perhaps someone could offer better advice.

Let's just put it simply - whoever is telling you this is wrong. Do a google search on common vegetarian myths.

You've been vegetarian 13 years. If meat was necessary for humans, don't you think you'd be long dead? Paul McCartney has been vegetarian for 30+ years, shouldn't he be dead, too?

Sorry there is more to this story or your doctor is a quack. Or you are a "TROLL"?
Here is a doctor written site that is VEGAN. Do some self education.
http://www.drmcdougall.com/

Slainté (to your health)

if you cant eat meat but you lacking protein start taking protein shakes they work for me i havent had any problems

As much as I hate to argue with doctors. It's not real clear why you were told to eat meat and fish. Since most people consume dead animals, they tend to trust that eating them somehow makes you healthier. Not true. If you are worried about protein or anemia, let me assure you that you can get PLENTY of protein from eating many foods. There is loads of protein in foods such as beans, tofu and raw nuts. They are all super healthy for your body. Eating fresh vegetables is very healthy for you. If you are developing Anemia, you can simply eat foods rich in iron, also take iron supplements. You also have to exercise, drink natural liquids and do all those things regularly so you don't get tired from Anemia or run down. If you do all these things, you'll be fine. There's no reason to start eating animals. Animals are slaughtered before they get to the dinner table. Aside from that, all the disease and trauma the animal suffered with, you will inherit if you decide to start eating them again. Animals cause disease in humans.

you're right, many people are vegetarian their whole lives and stay healthy. Find out what they think you're lacking from not eating meat, and find another source of getting it. (I'm a vegan, and there isn't anything you can't get from a balanced veg diet)

You have to be clear with everything your doctor says, not just their advice. There must be a reason your doctors telling you this. Such as a person cant be allergic to pb&j as a whole, they must be allergic to the jelly or pb or the bread. You dont need meat as a whole, but possibly something in the meat. You must make it clear with your doctor what that substance may be. It might be vitamin b12 or iron, or something else, in which case you should get vitamin supplements and look for veg sources of those things.

There is absolutely nothing in meat which you could not get from eating something else. Absolutely nothing. Whatever vitamin, or protein you need, you will find in other products. I have known people to be told to cut out red meat due to the high fat content and the pressure this can put on the heart, but I have never known anyone to be told to eat meat. You need to find out what you are deficient in so that you can find an alternative source.

The vegetarian diet, if balanced, is a very healthy diet.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this situation. As others are saying.... no one HAS to eat meat. Doctors receive very little nutrition training and are not always educated about vegetarian diets. Find out what it is that you're lacking and then eat vegetarian foods that are rich in those nutrients. Here are some good sources of protein, iron, and calcium: http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=08sourc...

Good luck!

i i do say you should eat meat..
just pretend it is broccoli :D

it will be better in the long run.
eating meat for just a little until
your health clears up, then you can
come back to vegetarianism

just mix it with lots of vegis and close
your eyes and eat without thinking





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