Quitting Vegetarianism and Menstruation?!
As a vaguely mad 14 yr old writer, kung fu student, artist and - oh yes, high school student- I don't have the time nor money to make healthy soup or cassorale or whatever everynight! Seriously, man- tofu is nasty and bean sprouts are dead expensive!
So, right, I'm ready to quit- BUT-
I got my period for the first time about a month after I became vegetarian. It's always been on time, only 3-4 days, no problem.
Will changing my diet change that? Also, I skipped for the first time ever this month- d'you think that could be related to the fact that I haven't been getting enough iron as of late?
Answers: Two years ago I went lacto-ovo vegetarian for the moral purposes. A friend of mine was the only one who transitioned over with me. (She's long since broke of contact.) And, frankly, I'm quite sick of it.
As a vaguely mad 14 yr old writer, kung fu student, artist and - oh yes, high school student- I don't have the time nor money to make healthy soup or cassorale or whatever everynight! Seriously, man- tofu is nasty and bean sprouts are dead expensive!
So, right, I'm ready to quit- BUT-
I got my period for the first time about a month after I became vegetarian. It's always been on time, only 3-4 days, no problem.
Will changing my diet change that? Also, I skipped for the first time ever this month- d'you think that could be related to the fact that I haven't been getting enough iron as of late?
(First of all, Top Cat needs to get a life and stop shoving her beliefs down other people's throats. Second of all, you're going to get a really biased opinion on this board, as it is Vegan and Vegetarian.)
Alright, I know how you're feeling. (You're probably rolling your eyes, but I do.) I am 13, and a vegan. It was tough. I can see where you're coming from, I quit for a while too. It is expensive, it is tough, but for me it was worth it.
Make sure you're getting enough iron. I would suggest going pescetarian- cutting out beef, pork and poultry, but eating fish and veggies, etc. That way you get protien, iron and are still pretty healthy.
I don't think your cycle will be affected by eating meat again- when I quit mine got a little heavier, but it evened back out. Also, if you just recently started getting your period, you're going to skip off and on until you become regular, in about a year.
Just aim to be healthy, and please yourself.
Good luck. =)
I am not helping you be "not vegetarian". Go to the meat/hunting section!
edit:- what happened to your morals? Where did you lose them? Or was it that you just wanted to look cool!
Yeah I am being catty. - see the name! -
Edit:- Your health versus animals health? - seriously, why are the two exclusive. They are not.
Plus, if you wanted medical advice why not go to the millions of other websites out there about your body. I mean why come to the V&V section.
Also, please do not tell me it is hard to be vegetarian. - It really is not. I have lived in four different countries and I can tell you, if you beng a vegetarian is one of the easiest aspects of my life. -
Sure report me, make my day!
Coming off of any type of diet or food change will change how your body acts no matter what it is.
If you are concerned check out web md they have some wonderful advise about getting out of diets and eating habits healthy and not making your body go haywire for a couple of says-months later.
Otherwise talk to your doctor they should be able to help you with your concerns.
Good Luck!
I don't think your diet will affect your period at all.
Skipping--or any OTHER odd symptoms---are much more likely to come from stress. If you are worried about iron levels, take a good daily supplement.
Good luck, and don't feel guilty or apologize. Meat is good!
I do not know about the interactions with your period but I do say eat what you want. Do not let the V&Vs try to talk you into their way of diet.
Wait you went vegetarian for moral purposes but you don't feel like upholding those morals because you don't have time? Excuses, Excuses.
Your period will probably be very heavy after you start eating meat again.
there is nothing wrong with changing your diet just do it GRADUALLY and it shouldnt effect your menstruation.
The reason you skipped this month is because when you first get your period, it wont be completely regular until a year or two after you get your first period. It is completely normal to skip a period or two, or have it come late/early when you first start. Dont sweat it!
hope this helped.
Changes in regularity are likely to only be caused by things like hormones and stress levels. Women's bodies do all sorts of crazy things - mine has never been 'regular' except for a period of time where I was on The Pill.
I don't think the iron issue will affect the regularity of your periods, but it will definitely affect how much energy you have during that time of the month. I used to have to take supplements during my periods just so that I had enough energy - but I also wasn't eating right at the time. I've learned a lot about nutrition since then and eat properly so that I don't have problems in general (with periods or even getting sick).
It sounds to me like you are more than willing to trade in your "moral purposes" for an excuse called "convenience" which is rubbish, because being vegan is what's hard. Vegetarianism is a piece of cake. You don't need to eat tofu or bean sprouts to get your required nutrients. Don't be daft!
If you want to go back to eating meat, don't make up silly, flippant excuses for it, just do it. I have more respect for people's decisions when they are upfront and honest about it.
Amen to Kyle and Natastro.
Well, what DO you plan to eat after 'switching'? If you're planning to eat healthy, you'll still have to cook. If you're going to cook, you may as well make a veggie meal; it's not like they take any longer or are any more work than fixing chicken or fish. And I've never heard of a rule that vegetarians should eat bean sprouts and tofu. If you don't like them, don't eat them. Meat is far more expensive than dried beans, and yes, even tofu. As for fruits and vegetables, they are a necessary part of your diet, whether vegetarian or omnivore. I don't know if it's you or your parents, but seriously, you cannot decide to cut down your fruit/veggie intake to save money. They are ESSENTIAL, just like clothing and shelter. I see so many people at the grocery store who buy 1 cucumber and 4 oz of blueberries and think they're eating "healthy". They are clueless. 5 servings a day is the *minimum*. If you're that broke, cut back on your art supplies, travel money, shoes, clothing, entertainment, chips, soda, other non-essential items.
On the other hand, if you're planning to buy time by eating TV dinners and Quarter Pounders, your health is going to go downhill overnight. Is that what you really want? Sacrifice your teenage health for art and kung fu? If you fvck up your health now, you'll never get it back.
As for your menstrual patterns, I don't know why you missed one but I doubt it has anything to do with your diet. There's another reason I can think of but I'm sure you have too :-) Eating meat will make your periods heavier and that's not necessarily a good thing. All that extra iron is dumped out anyway; which is one reason why omnivorous women are just as anemic as other women.