Vegetarians

[Yarrah]

For those that are completely vegan or vegetarian, I completely respect your beliefs, but, I hope you take supplemants, b/c being vegan or vegetarian offers an unbalanced, incomplete diet for humans and later in life serious issues could occur..mainly fragile bones and the inability to have or make children for males and females (if that's what you want to do later).

That's what a lot of people tend to think. But supplements aren't really necessary. The things you'll miss when not eating any meat can be easily replaced by eating things like tofu, seitan, more vegetables and fruits. The only thing you'll miss are fish-oils, but fishoil is available in smaal capsules if you really need it. I've spoken to a few doctors about the possible risks of being a vegetarian, but none of them said that there wa a certain risk, as long as you eat enough meat substitutes. They even said that being a vegetarian could reduce the chances of having cancer and/or cardovascular problems, since meat contains a lot of fat and red meat is proved to increase the chance of cancer.

[Audrey2Katrina]

For those that are completely vegan or vegetarian, I completely respect your beliefs, but, I hope you take supplemants, b/c being vegan or vegetarian offers an unbalanced, incomplete diet for humans and later in life serious issues could occur..mainly fragile bones and the inability to have or make children for males and females (if that's what you want to do later).

This was a concern of mine. I'd read articles about this potential. A strictly vegan diet will not include ALL of the essential amino-acids for proper protein development--well, at least that's what the articles I'd read suggested. Either way, I believe the ovo-lacto vegans who will still eat things like eggs and milk dramatically reduce this potential.

A2K

[alicia-w]

For those that are completely vegan or vegetarian, I completely respect your beliefs, but, I hope you take supplemants, b/c being vegan or vegetarian offers an unbalanced, incomplete diet for humans and later in life serious issues could occur..mainly fragile bones and the inability to have or make children for males and females (if that's what you want to do later).

Two of my kids (who are adults) are complete vegetarians and in defense of their lifestyle, I have to disagree.

Here's a website that supports the nutritional value of vegetarianism (is that even a word?)

http://www.vegsoc.org/health/

[Audrey2Katrina]

meat contains a lot of fat and red meat is proved to increase the chance of cancer.

True to a degree. One can always purchase the "leaner" meats, and the only allegedly proven "link" to cancer is mostly through those increased levels of saturated fats and overcooking (such as eating overly well-done meats that have black charcoaly edges--these are where the suspected carcinogenic agents lay). Bear in mind that making "fat" a bogey man to be utterly avoided is somewhat dangerous in and of itself as it is a necessary item in every cell of our bodies. The only problem is that we tend to get too much of it in some diets--most particularly the saturated kind.

A2K

[alicia-w]

i wont go into too much detail here, but about 10 years ago, a friend made a conscious effort to eat no fat. it wreaks havoc on your ability to eliminate wastes.....

[Janice]

Well, I am going to try it. I started last night with a mere salad. I will add a little chicken and fish every so often for my meat intake. I am quitting all junk foods too. I am so depressed over my weight gain from quitting smoking, I am determined to lose 20 pounds. I am drinking 8 large glasses of water each day too. I do take the necessary vitamins I need too. We eat tons of steamed and sauteed veggies every night.

[HollynLA]

I believe that our bodies need foods from all the food groups and being a vegetarian is depriving your body of many things. Take fish oil capsules? Well what does that tell you when you have to take a supplement from a capsule. Maybe you were just meant to eat fish. Also, dairy foods, especially eggs have tons of protein and is great for your body. Why does someone purposely deprive themselves of what nature intended for us to consume?

[Janice]

I would never take the suppliments. I would eat fish and chicken. What I take are vitamins. I eat plenty of veggies, fruits, etc. I will have cereal in the morning and an occasional egg. So, I am getting my dairy products. I just want to cut out red meats and large quantities of food. I will fix my supper on a pie plate instead of a dinner plate.

[Lindaloo]

I believe that our bodies need foods from all the food groups and being a vegetarian is depriving your body of many things. Take fish oil capsules? Well what does that tell you when you have to take a supplement from a capsule. Maybe you were just meant to eat fish. Also, dairy foods, especially eggs have tons of protein and is great for your body. Why does someone purposely deprive themselves of what nature intended for us to consume?

Well, it hasn't hurt me yet.

[Janice]

Yes, and Lindaloo is also taking suppliments.................HURRICANES

[Lindaloo]

Yes, and Lindaloo is also taking suppliments.................HURRICANES

[george_r_1961]

Most vegetarians I know have few if any gastroinstestinal problems and not eating red meat reduces your chance of colon cancer. So there us something to be said for being a vegetarian.

[alicia-w]

and the last i checked, Janice, vitamins are supplements.....

[Janice]

Sorry, I meant capsules with fish oil, etc. I just take vitamin C and D. I don't feel I need any of the other suppliments.

[Yarrah]

Take fish oil capsules? Well what does that tell you when you have to take a supplement from a capsule. Maybe you were just meant to eat fish.

There are some people that just need fish oil. I'm not saying everyone needs to take these fish oil capsules, because one can perfectly live without fish oil.

Also, dairy foods, especially eggs have tons of protein and is great for your body. Why does someone purposely deprive themselves of what nature intended for us to consume?

There's a difference between a vegetarian and a veganist:
Vegetarian: someone who doesn't eat meat and fish
Veganist: someone who doesn't eat meat, fish, dairy products and egg and who doesn't use any animal products (i.e. leather and wool).

[Janice]

What do you call a person who just wants to eliminate red meats.....

[Audrey2Katrina]

Veganist: someone who doesn't eat meat, fish, dairy products and egg and who doesn't use any animal products (i.e. leather and wool).

Personally, I think that this has potential down the line health risks. There's a reason they are called "essential" amino acids... and this kind of diet cannot provide them all.

A2K

[Yarrah]

What do you call a person who just wants to eliminate red meats.....

A 'red-meat-eliminator'? No, I don't think there's a special name for that.

Personally, I think that this has potential down the line health risks. There's a reason they are called "essential" amino acids... and this kind of diet cannot provide them all.

A2K

I agree with you. You can't live off vegetables, fruit and bread alone. Dairy products have a lot of things that are absolutely necessary, like cetrain types of fat, calcium and as you already said, amino acids. A vegetarian can do without meat, since he's still allowed to eat dairy products, but a veganist really misses some essential things.
Veganism is a nice philosophy, but it's really harmfull for your body. (And it's very hard to follow in a country where dairy products are so tasty )

[Janice]

I think the way you cook your meats means a lot. I am going to definately stay off red meat for awhile. I always either broil, bbq or bake my chicken and fish. Never use oils. etc. And we eat tons of fresh fruits and veggies each night. I think this is well rounded eating. We do use dairy products in moderation. I have cereal each morning for fiber.

[Sean in New Orleans]

Well, I eat everything and I enjoy just about every bite. But, I do eat in moderation. I believe in taking care of my body and having a well-balanced diet, providing my body with all nutrients it receives from everything I eat. To be quite honest, vegetables are delicious, but, to be quite frank they are the most disgusting things on the food chain...it's basically maneure in another form. I lean towards seafood and fish, but, eat plenty of chicken, steak, roast, and pork.