Is vegetarianism the cause for my lack of energy?!
Answers:
You need b12 vitamins. Going meat free doesn't work for everyone and it may not be the right choice for you. Eat a small portion of lean steak and see if you feel better. If you do then your body may be having a hard time getting all the amino acids it needs. Meat amino acids can be easier for some bodies to metabolize than others. If your body just doesn't have the ability to get the amino acids it needs from plants then you are only doing yourself harm. Read this blog about a die hard vegan who gave it all up to save her life.
http://voraciouseats.com/2010/11/19/a-ve…
I've been a vegetarian for about 4 months now and i have never felt better, I think it just takes a little while for your body to adjust to a new diet because when i first became a vegetarian my face broke out, but I stuck with it because i became a vegetarian because i don't agree with the torture of animals on factory farms. And I don't think animals should have to die for my taste buds. Good luck!!
Yes, I started getting that about two weeks after I stopped eating meat. You need to start taking iron and protein supplements to replace what you're not getting anymore. Don't give up, and watch your mercury level if you're eating fish once a week!
Vegetarians don't eat fish.
Energy level depends on what you're eating. If you're eating garbage then obviously you won't have a lot of energy.
Your not a vegetarian. Cutting out a few meats isn't vegetarianism. It would be like saying I play guitar but actually only playing a plastic controller for one of those guitar hero games. It is shaped like a guitar but works nothing like a guitar. Vegetarianism contrary to what people continue to misdefine it as so they can take the name without the little extra work is a diet starting with not eating any MEAT or ANIMAL FLESH as well as not eating SLAUGHTER BY-PRODUCTS and going all the way up too, not eating any animals or animal products (aka pure/strict vegetarianism)
I gained energy when I became vegetarian and probably got more as a vegan because I cut out all animal exploitation from my life and not just diet wise. I learned more and got even more junk out of my life.
I would suggest going vegetarian and seeing how things work out. It isn't even that hard to be vegetarian. I don't really see the need to eat meat of any kind or any slaughter by-products. It is not even really trying that hard. All you have to do is stop eating meat and things like rennet and gelatin. You could do that with your hand tied behind your back blindfolded. There is no real excuse for eating that stuff.
vegan because animals are not property
You're not a vegetarian. You're a pescetarian. Vegetarians don't eat fish.
Lack of energy is not caused by a vegetarian diet (nor by a pescetarian diet for that matter). More than likely it is an iron deficiency. The easy way to find out is to get a blood test done. Or you could include more iron-rich foods in your diet - things like broccoli, spinach, lentils, molasses - and plenty of vitamin C to help you absorb the iron from your food; and avoid caffeine (coffee, cola, guarana, "energy" drinks); and avoid too much calcium in the same meal as the iron; and use iron pots instead of aluminium or teflon ones for cooking - and then see if there is any improvement in your energy levels.
Have you tried tempeh? It's a fermented soy product, and a lot of people who can't tolerate other soy products have no problems with it.
My (non-vegetarian) ex-wife was anaemic (very low iron levels) and her symptoms were constant tiredness, lack of energy, irritability (though that might have just been her personality).
When I became a vegetarian, I found out I had a soy intolerance. But this doesn't mean you don't have to stop! Just eat lots of fruits & vegetables. Avocado is a really good protein and nuts are AWESOME too. Almond butter is great!
I had more energy when I went vegetarian & stopped eating all the fake meat things that are for vegetarians. You should give dairy a break because I know that can make me feel sluggish & heavy.
I suggest for a few days to drink lots of water and eat as many vegetables & fruits as you can with some light protein and carbs.
Yes you are missing proteins and you are malnourished eat some fish too