vegetarians b12 and weight loss?!


Question: Vegetarians b12 and weight loss?
I've been a vegetarian since I was 16, back then I weighed around 110 pounds 5'6" . I'm 21 now and use to weigh 126. It took me forever to put on those pounds but recently I lost weight and I'm down to 116 now. I was taking b12, thinking I may be deficient. But I learned that b12 can make you loose weight, so I stopped. I just don't know how to put on 10 pounds and in a healthy manner being a vegetarian. I don't like looking this thin. Anyone have any suggestions?

Answers:

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Hi. Nuts, seeds and avocados are all calorific but also loaded with nutrients, so as well as gaining weight you'll be getting extra healthy. They can be mixed into virtually any meal and don't add much volume so you won't feel like you're overeating.

And I would strongly suggest taking back the b12. Risking a deficiency is really not worth it. As long as you eat a decent amount of healthy foods you can stay at a good weight without risking your health.

X



Well, Im male, turned vegetarian out of choice when i was about 12, im 15 now. I used to be quite porky but now im pretty slim. But then again, i used to be really lazy, i started getting active about 13-14.

I also have a high metabolism, i think. I know what it means but cant remember which way it goes. I can eat loads and not get fat.... to save the working out.

My suggestion, eat a lot, but make sure its healthy :) make sure your vitamins and minerals are up to scratch.

me



Eat more. But eat healthily, of course.



I don't see where a B12 deficiency would make you lose weight. Here's what VeganHealth says about a lack of B12:

"Overt B12 Deficiency

B12 protects the nervous system. Without it, permanent damage can result (e.g., blindness, deafness, dementia). Fatigue, and tingling in the hands or feet, can be early signs of deficiency.

Vitamin B12, like folate (aka folic acid), is needed to help red blood cells divide. In some cases, vegans may get so much folate that even with B12 deficiency, their blood cells continue to divide properly. In other cases, their blood cells will fail to divide properly and they will become fatigued and suffer from macrocytic (aka megaloblastic) anemia.

Mild B12 Deficiency

Homocysteine is a byproduct of protein metabolism. Elevated homocysteine levels are linked with increased risks of heart disease and stroke. From 1999 to 2003, there were many studies comparing the homocysteine levels of vegans and vegetarians who do not supplement their diet with vitamin B12 to those of non-vegetarians (more info). In every study, the vegans or vegetarians had higher homocysteine levels than the meat-eaters and in the range associated with heart disease and stroke."

Vegetables don't have a lot of calories and, since they contain a lot cellulose, they fill you up quickly. So you're probably not getting enough calories to maintain your body, much less gain weight.

I'd suggest keeping a food diary and track how many calories you normally consume in a day. If you're not getting AT LEAST 2,000, you need to make some adjustments. Eat more often, add more eggs and dairy products (if you eat those). Good luck....




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