Is it ok (health wise) to become a vegetarian if I am slightly anaemic?!
Is it ok (health wise) to become a vegetarian if I am slightly anaemic?
Answers:
If you are anaemic, there are lots of vegetable sources of iron: "leafy green vegetables, wholemeal bread, molasses, eggs, dried fruits (especially apricots and figs), lentils and pulses. Vegetable sources of iron are not as easily absorbed as animal sources, but a good intake of vitamin C will enhance absorption." (quoted from source below). If you are still worried, then Boots and most health food shops will have vegetarian multivits that include iron.
Source(s):
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/basic-nutriti...
Yes. But supplement your diet with iron tablets.
Anemia is a low amount of iron in your blood, so just as long as you take iron supplements you can give vegetarianism a try. I would discuss this with your doctor, first, especially if you have already been diagnosed with anemia.
I think you'd better not be a full-time vegetarian. Why not have vegetarian food most days of the week and still have some red meat, say once a week. If you are really against the consumption of red meat, then you should talk to your doctor and ask him for advice. Probably he/she'll suggest you to take B vitamins and iron tablets.
not unless you check with a good doctor and let him tell you about all the supliments you gonna need to be atking and you better take all of them or you gonna be very sick and maybe die so walk light on this one.
Doesn't sound like a good idea to me .... found the following on the 'net.......
Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia
The main cause of vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia (also called pernicious anaemia) is when there is inadequate absorption of vitamin B12 from the diet. This can be due to ulcers, stomach cancer, diseases of the small intestine or from the after effects of surgery.
A vegan or vegetarian is at risk of developing pernicious anaemia because vitamin B12 is only found in foods of animal origin. Vitamin B12 can be found in liver, meat and dairy products.
I think it would be as long as you keep your diet healthy and regulated. Make sure you are getting enough nutrients, especially protein. Also, if you are A blood type, it is especially good. If you are serious about this, then maybe you could try it out for a few months to see how you feel. You can always start eating meat again if it doesn't agree with you.
yes, but why change. Ballenced diet can sove both. Anaemic people should eat a lot of fish and vegies but can eat beef and pork in a ballenced die. OK works for anybody, you do not have to choose, do what is best for you.
yes just eat plenty of green vegetables you will be able to sleep well at night knowing that no animals have died just to give you a few moments pleasure well done
check out the sunbeds
I used to be anemic. I have been a vegetarian for four years. I'm fine! I had to have an iron supplements for over a year. but for the most part Vegetarianism is a better health choice as long as you're smart about it. Besides My anemia became less of a problem once I was a vegetarian for over a year> I don't know if the fact that I am an obo/lacto vegetarian made a difference but as long as you take an iron supplement and watch your condition with your doctor you'll be fine!
Good luck.
Yeah...just make sure you eat plenty of lentils, pulses and various beans as these can up you're protein as well as iron in your body.
Also as already suggested, supplements that provide 40-60% RDA of multivitamins.
Good luck with it, wish I could have that commitment! ;o)
Make sure you include lots of leafy greens such as dark green cabbage and sprouts , beans and pulses in your diet !!! See your GP to come up with a good Vegetarian food plan.
get a life meat is better!!
I do not think it is ok. consult your doctor
yes, simple answer.
You can get lots of iron from dark green veggies.
As far as I'm aware ( 26 years veggie ) there are no nutritiental problems with being veggie, there is no need to resort to any suppliments.
(see lotties answer)
I've never seen an animal that was just dead at the weekends but alive during the week. So its not valid to call yourself a veggie during the week, and eat meat at the weekends. There is no need for this half-way house.
If you're slightly anaemic anyway you should be on iron tablets anyway so it shouldn't really make a difference. It doesn't to me!
You need to take iron tablets or eat your greens!!!!!!
If you are already anaemic, why make it even more difficult to eat a balanced diet? If you are worried about animal rights just eat free range organic meat.
Your Anemia is not caused by lack of protien..in fact too much bad protien can cause it. or I had anemia cause by lack of stomach acid.
Iron rich veggies will help. All the dark greens are iron rich. If you are still worried do B-12. I use a liquid form, it also gives you energy.
As Michael H has already said the answer is yes providing you include the right things in your diet. I am a vegan and a regular blood donor. Every time I give blood they do a test to check my iron levels are high enough. This is done by droping a small amount of my blood into a solution. If it sinks, my iron level is fine. Mine sinks like lead every time and I've never had any problems with fainting, anaemia etc.
In relation to B12 it's utter rubbish that the only source is of animal origin, Marmite has it in abundance. My wife had low B12 levels when she was vegetarian but since becoming vegan her levels have become normal!
So, basically do what your conscience tells you to do, consult a doctor if you're concerned about any particular part of the diet and take the advice of friends who are healthy and vegetarian.
There are a huge number of misconceptions and medical myths about the veggie diet but the truth is if you eat a well ballanced, plant based diet not only will you save a lot of animals you'll also massively reduce your ecological footprint.
Enjoy, you have a lot of fantastic, guilt free meals ahead of you.
To sum others answers reaaly - but is you are worried ask your doctor - you can alwys get great advice from the vegetarian society on the web, but ensuring your diet is well balanced whatever your preference is vital, Take supplements if you need extra sourse of vitamains etc
If you commit to some basic diet planing you will be more than fine, if not better off then you are currently.
Try increasing intake of iron.
Aubergines and spinach are rich in iron.
Wheat-grass juice will increase red blood cell count.
Yes, being vegetarian will not make you more anaemic. Look on the vegetarian societys' website for more information on nutrition if you're worried about it. Their address is http://www.vegsoc.org
If you're anaemic you should be taking iron supplements anyway, it would be fine to become vegetarian if you continue to do so, and eat a nutritious diet. But if you're worried you should speak to your doctor of course.