Going back to meat...?!
Answers: Im anemic and I recently my iron level fell so low that I was hospitalized. Ive been a vegetarian for about 3 months now, and my Doctor said that I need to start eating atleast a little bit of meat until my iron goes back up. Is this going to make me sick or gain weight if I eat some chicken or something like once a week
my doctor told me the same stuff-all because he does not believe in vegetarianism; there are MANY other foods that will take care of you iron deficiency; you do not have to eat meat.
Iron Rich Foods to name a few...
Iron-fortified breads and cereals (check the label)
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli
Almonds
Cashews
Clams
Dried beans
Spinach
Tofu
Walnuts
Dried fruits like apricots, prunes and raisins
Lima beans
Blackstrap molasses
Whole grains
Taking vitamin C pills or eating foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits or juice, at the same time you eat iron-rich foods or take your iron pill can help your body absorb the iron better.
Some foods block the absorption of iron. These include coffee, tea, egg yolks, milk, fiber and soy protein. Try to avoid these when you're eating food high in iron.
well, try it out and then see how it feels. Don't overdo it.
I would suggest lean red meat, but I think plenty of Spinach or Silver-beet are high in iron.
I think the first step is to find out the cause of anemia. If it is because of lack of knowledge about proper vegetarian nutrition, just make an appointment with a dietitian and meet with her-him on a regular basis until you know enough to not become anemic again. If it is not because of poor nutrition well, it is a different ball game. You can take iron supplement if it is only a poor nutrition issue.
You'd better do as the doctor says, even if it's just a little meat, and it won't make much difference. If it makes you feel better, I must tell you that I was a vegetarian for a year, and then I started eating meat and my weight didn't change much, I did feel really strange when eating meat and my digestions were harder but nothing serius happened. That's why I recommend you to do what the doctor thinks, it'll probably be for your own good!
I take it you are joking or trolling!
Whilst meat may have a good source of iron in it, there are other health issues to be taken into consideration: meat causes cancer, meat causes high cholesterol (which blocks your arteries, which leads to strokes and heart attacks) meat causes obesity, meat causes heart disease, etc….
So surely it is better to get your iron from non-meat sources (.i.e.) vegetables, beans, cereals, bread and supplements, etc…
http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/handouts/di...
http://www.spatone.com/en.php?section=ho...
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When my ex and I got together - I quit eating meat. I also have iron problems at the time - and after a few blood tests was told to go back to eating fish and poultry.
Ex left, now I am now totally vegetarian - and totally healthy. The same doctor that confirmed the former - confirms that I am now totally healthy.
My concern is that *your* concern is about weight - which really has me concerned if you are eating enough of and the right foods to begin with in the right variety that is needed to have a healthy diet - which if such isn't right very well can give you low iron levels and bring about anemia.
Eat smart - follow your doctor's orders - ask to be referred to a nutritionist to help you with balanced vegetarian diet.
I am going to say something that may offend you, and all the vegan nasties out there:
Humans are omnivorous: we are physiologically designed to consume and digest moderate quantities of meat.
That said, I will not criticise your lifestyle and i hope the trolls out there will respect mine, though I doubt it.
I know that there are any number of people who can live the vegan/veg life and keep it all in balance, but you may not be one of them (speak to a dietitian though because they may see a way for you to deal with this). Also assess how much you eat of your veg. diet. Is it enough??
Please make a choice: on one hand you have persistent ill health that includes pernicious aenemia, and on the other you have the option of a mild dietary change that will help you to regain your health.
I hope you choose common sense over dogma. If you persist without an adequate iron intake, it wil be very hard for you. To me it is evidence that humans need some meat, though I am sure I will get shot down for saying that.
I really do wish you all the best! Being sick is something I have too much experience with. Ironically, I retain too much iron ( I have HFE) and it has it's own effects. If you had my faulty gene, you would probably be fine! Funny how God works...
i think you should ask your doctor for a referral to a dietician. you don't need to eat meat to get iron. what about leafy greens and supplements? you should do something though because if you arent getting enough iron you arent being a proper vegetarian. good luck!
owain - the reason some may "shoot you down" is because of lack of nutritional understanding. You say iron needs are evidence of the need for meat. Those farm animals don't MAKE iron. They get it from their diet....their plant diet.
Answer: Meat is just second-hand food. You can get everything from the original source.