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 Expert
Posts: 1432
  
Location: Never in one place long | OhMax - 2014-02-25 7:21 PM
I've been watching what I eat lately with the exercise program I've adopted.
I believe a healthy diet does involve meat as a protein/amino acid source - its really tough to keep it balanced as a vegetarian. My sister is vegetarian, and healthy, but she has to work at it to get everything she needs, and supplement on top of it.
That being said, meat makes up a pretty small portion of my diet. Actually on a typical day only 1 meal contains meat for sure, that's dinner. Lunch is usually a crap shoot - if I cooked an extra steak the night before, I have meat. If not, I usually toss some beans on my salad.
In our house 75%+ of the meat we consume if venison of some sort. The steaks are for the most part smaller than the size of my hand, so when I say I have a steak, I'm not referring to a behemoth porterhouse.
I have noticed though since my workouts have kicked up in intensity I'm getting hungry more often. Going to have to start feeding the beast better.
Good for you! My husband still eats meat just not a lot and not very often, we try to buy the really good quality stuff for him and since it's expensive he just eats it a few meals a week and it works well. he feels healthier also. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | sodapop - 2014-02-25 10:48 PM
bowersk - 2014-02-25 4:07 PM
I catch heck for it daily, (especially being the daughter of an OK beef cattle rancher) but I am vegan. No, not the PETA, rodeo protesting, chain-myself-to-the-testing-facility vegan. I like to call myself a dietary vegan. I made the switch for my health. And yes, I have to make sure that I am getting enough calcium, and contrary to popular belief, there are many other options besides meat to get your protein that are delicious and good for you. I shop better than I used to, had to get more creative with my cooking, have lost 20 lbs (no other changes, like increased exercise), and have WAY more energy than I used to. If it is well-planned, a vegetarian/vegan diet can be very beneficial. In contrast, if it is NOT well thought out, it can be just as bad for you as eating a ton of red meat (remember, cheetos and oreos are vegetarian  ). When you made the change, did you cut back on calories, sugar, processed foods, etc & just generally eat healthier? If we eat healthier and cut calories, we usually lose weight whether vegetarian, vegan, or neither. I need to cut back on sugar and sodapop for sure....and a few calories. LOL
I agree with this but I cut that stuff out a LONG time ago, felt better but now seem to feel even better switching to almost no meats. You are very rigth though in saying that quitting all these things make you feel MUCH better. Soda, candy, processed foods etc. make you feel TERRIBLE! So SO SO bad for you! | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
| I tried being a vegetarian at one time in my life. After a year and a half i became very tired and my hair became dry and dull. A thorough work up from my doctor revealed that i was anemic and extremely iron deficient. It was explained to me by a nutritional doctor that each body absorbs different types of protein at various intervals in the digestive process. So with that being said, meat protein has a different molecular weight than a legume. My body was lacking the protein absorbed by the meat I stopped eating. The choice at that time was to take supplements or eat responsibly the meat my body was poorly doing without. Went back to consuming different types of meat and slowly recovered. I still take a couple days a week to eat vegetarian and thus far am doing very well. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1028
| Stitch4k9 - 2014-02-25 10:26 PM bowersk - 2014-02-25 4:07 PM I catch heck for it daily, (especially being the daughter of an OK beef cattle rancher) but I am vegan. No, not the PETA, rodeo protesting, chain-myself-to-the-testing-facility vegan. I like to call myself a dietary vegan. I made the switch for my health. And yes, I have to make sure that I am getting enough calcium, and contrary to popular belief, there are many other options besides meat to get your protein that are delicious and good for you. I shop better than I used to, had to get more creative with my cooking, have lost 20 lbs (no other changes, like increased exercise), and have WAY more energy than I used to. If it is well-planned, a vegetarian/vegan diet can be very beneficial. In contrast, if it is NOT well thought out, it can be just as bad for you as eating a ton of red meat (remember, cheetos and oreos are vegetarian ).
karen
As a vegan of 9 years, I know there is a big difference between veganism and vegetarianism. Since the OP was talking about being vegetarian, I was trying to relate  | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1028
| sodapop - 2014-02-25 10:48 PM bowersk - 2014-02-25 4:07 PM I catch heck for it daily, (especially being the daughter of an OK beef cattle rancher) but I am vegan. No, not the PETA, rodeo protesting, chain-myself-to-the-testing-facility vegan. I like to call myself a dietary vegan. I made the switch for my health. And yes, I have to make sure that I am getting enough calcium, and contrary to popular belief, there are many other options besides meat to get your protein that are delicious and good for you. I shop better than I used to, had to get more creative with my cooking, have lost 20 lbs (no other changes, like increased exercise), and have WAY more energy than I used to. If it is well-planned, a vegetarian/vegan diet can be very beneficial. In contrast, if it is NOT well thought out, it can be just as bad for you as eating a ton of red meat (remember, cheetos and oreos are vegetarian ). When you made the change, did you cut back on calories, sugar, processed foods, etc & just generally eat healthier? If we eat healthier and cut calories, we usually lose weight whether vegetarian, vegan, or neither. I need to cut back on sugar and sodapop for sure....and a few calories. LOL
I have never been big on processed food or soda, so that wasn't much of a change. I eat smaller meals more often and I'd bet that I consume about the same amount of calories; I am just putting better fuel in my body! People just need to be more aware of what they are putting in their bodies, regardless if they eat meat or not. I know a lot of extremely healthy vegans and a lot of healthy meat-eaters, and the common denominator is that they plan their meals according to their particular health needs. I am definitely no expert and will never judge a person for what they choose to eat or not eat (or for any other reason for that matter). I just know what works for me personally  | |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
 
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | rodeoveteran - 2014-02-25 7:37 PM Will never happen in my house as long as hubby and I have anything to say about it!! First of all, we humans have the teeth of OMNIVORES not those of strictly herbivores or omnivores. Secondly, everyone metabolizes their food differently. I was told y my naturopath that I need animal protein, that I don't do well on plant protein and my blood sugar levels agree with him. I do carry a few extra pounds (more due my sweet tooth than my meat intake for sure) and hubby is one of those skinny guys who can eat whatever he wants and never gain a pound. But I will put my health "numbers" (except weight lol) up against anybody's. That being said I would never judge anyone else's dietary choices, ESPECIALLY if it makes them feel better. As in anything else, moderation is the key, unless one has specific conditions that require or preclude a particular thing.
My son is a reactive hypoglycemic, which means sugar or even a diet too heavy in "healthier" carbs will spike his sugar then crash it. He has to have balance of protein, fat, fiber, and carbs everytime he puts food in his mouth. The only way to get enough fat and protein in him is to have meat and dairy in his diet. He is a SPD picky eater which limits our food choices. (Won't eat peanutbutter or beans, for example). We are about to start food aversion therapy, meanwhile he eats small servings of meat 3 or 4 times a day. | |
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 Husband Spoiler
Posts: 4151
Location: North Dakota | DLV - 2014-02-25 7:00 PM Just Bring It - 2014-02-25 6:00 PM I agree that many over indulge in meat. Half of your meal should be fruit and/or veggies and only a quarter meat. Veggies should be the main portion of the dish instead of the side which is what we have turned them into. But I do know very unhealthy vegetarians that eat lots of pasta and soy products. I am not an advocate for a lot of soy and I cannot stand tofu! My husband came from a vegetarian family and was raised vegetarian. He didn't start eating meat until he met me. He now loves a nice medium-rare steak...lol. He was pretty small when I met him. He was never meant to be a big guy but he has put on quite a bit of weight (in a good way) since I have been the one feeding him. hahaha! His mom would make comments that he is putting weight on and getting fat. I would get so angry with her because I thought he was looking amazing and fit but she thought he was putting on too much weight. To me he finally looked healthy and fed! He was turning into a man and not a little boy anymore! hahaha He has one brother that is still vegetarian and he is so skinny and looks almost sickly and weak. Then his other brother eats a paleo diet for his health. He has ulcerative colitis and cannot eat gluten, dairy or sugar. So he is on a strict meat, veggies, and fruit diet.
We don't have meat with every meal. We eat lots of veggies with every meal and we love to try out vegetarian dishes but we do like to have meat a few times a week. We just try to keep it in moderation. I think it's all how you do it, I don't eat hardly any soy or pastas but LOTS of veggies and fruits and whole grains. I know many vegetarians who look perfectly fit and not sickly at all. You have to do it right like was said before this post. AND there are LOTS of very unhealthy foods that aren't meat so just because you eat vegetarian doesn't mean you'll be healthy. : ) Most people I've talked to that made the switch feel and look great.
Oh yeah I know quite a few very fit and healthy (looking anyways since I don't know there numbers...lol) vegetarians. My husband was raised Adventist and a healthy diet is a huge part of their religion. Many if not most Adventists are vegetarian so I know many. Quite a few of them are even cattle ranchers. lol | |
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 Go go girl
| I find it hilarious when people blame meat for making people over weight or unhealthy. And I also find it funny that people claim humans were not designed to eat meat. We do have the teeth that make us able to eat meat (canines!) And we also are able to digest it and utilize the protein, minerals, vitamins that are in meat. The key to being healthy is balance! Balance of everything in our lives. | |
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10D Crack Champion
| MrsHound - 2014-02-26 12:22 PMI find it hilarious when people blame meat for making people over weight or unhealthy. And I also find it funny that people claim humans were not designed to eat meat. We do have the teeth that make us able to eat meat (canines!) And we also are able to digest it and utilize the protein, minerals, vitamins that are in meat. The key to being healthy is balance!  Balance of everything in our lives.   Wonder if we didn't trim our toenails and fingernails and we used them like animals do if we would have claws too? LOL
Edited by sodapop 2014-02-26 7:14 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | dk66 - 2014-02-26 8:35 AM
I tried being a vegetarian at one time in my life. After a year and a half i became very tired and my hair became dry and dull. A thorough work up from my doctor revealed that i was anemic and extremely iron deficient. It was explained to me by a nutritional doctor that each body absorbs different types of protein at various intervals in the digestive process. So with that being said, meat protein has a different molecular weight than a legume. My body was lacking the protein absorbed by the meat I stopped eating. The choice at that time was to take supplements or eat responsibly the meat my body was poorly doing without. Went back to consuming different types of meat and slowly recovered. I still take a couple days a week to eat vegetarian and thus far am doing very well.
Hmm, I've heard of this from a few people but know many who have been vegetarians their whole lives who look and feel GREAT! :) I wonder what people are doing differently or if it depends on a persons body... I don't get it. I guess it works for me but maybe not for everyone? I think it makes a difference if you eat High quality meat vs total corn fed cheap meat. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 116
| I've been vegan for about 4 years now. Easiest decision I ever made, and never looked back!
I never liked meat or dairy as a kid.. And just chose to become vegan for both ethical and health reasons.
I lost about 15-20lbs without trying, and still eat about 2k calories a day. I eat mostly fruit, vegetables, and beans. I make smoothies every morning with rice protein powder, kale, bananas and fruit. DELICIOUS!
You can eat pretty much anything while vegan that you can when not. And it's much yummier! I still will eat chocolate(dark), certain sour candies, and special vegan marshmallows! Soooo good
Chocolate almond milk is absolutely delicious as well. Ever since going vegan, I actually notice labels on food. Whereas before I would eat whatever without a care. It's scary what goes into some food :s
With that being said.. This was my decision for my life and I have absolutely nothing against other people's individual diet choices. :) | |
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I'll Be Your Huckleberry
Posts: 1488
Location: Arizona | Meat IMO should only be eaten sparingly and in times of hardship. I was vegan for about 1 year but fell off the wagon and am now "mostly vegetarian". There have been numerous studies linking meats to all kinds of cancers and other health issues. Now, I'm not sure this applies to the organic grass fed type or venison. It's hard to know whether it's the meat itself, the antibiotics, hormones, etc that are fed to them or the amount of meat we eat. Americans eat way too much of it, it's ridiculous. Imagine how many people we could feed with the grains that go to feed cattle. | |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| MsDuchessGoTe - 2014-02-26 11:29 PM
Imagine how many people we could feed with the grains that go to feed cattle.
^^^^^
This the political pressure behind the push towards vegetarianism. This how they will guilt the children into it, combined with movies that humanize animals.. (I can hear it now, "No, Daddy, you can't kill Ratatouille!").
Please notice that I did not say those who make the choice for health reasons. I would never insist that someone should eat meat if it made them feel worse. Actually I would never insist that anyone eat meat....leaves more for me!
The best I have ever felt was when I went on a severely restricted carbohydrate, high protein, high fat, and veggies "diet". Lost 15 pounds in the first week and a half eating anything I wanted...as long as it wasn't carbs (not including the carbs in veggies obliviously) and I felt great! It is a very hard to stay with this plan long term, I lasted about 9 months. And the reason I went on it was NOT weight related.
Everyone is different. If you haven't walked in my shoes, don't presume to tell me that I will do better without animal protein.... I won't, it's been proven. I have been incoherent, one step from a coma with blood sugar issues more than once, and the ONLY thing that would set me straight was a steak not cooked more than medium, not well done, not roast, not chicken and certainly not beans! And I won't tell you that you WILL do better on meat
Edited by rodeoveteran 2014-02-27 12:27 PM
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | MsDuchessGoTe - 2014-02-26 11:29 PM Meat IMO should only be eaten sparingly and in times of hardship. I was vegan for about 1 year but fell off the wagon and am now "mostly vegetarian". There have been numerous studies linking meats to all kinds of cancers and other health issues. Now, I'm not sure this applies to the organic grass fed type or venison. It's hard to know whether it's the meat itself, the antibiotics, hormones, etc that are fed to them or the amount of meat we eat. Americans eat way too much of it, it's ridiculous. Imagine how many people we could feed with the grains that go to feed cattle.
Logic does not compute. Do you really want to eat a lot of field corn and soybeans? Higher demand equals higher prices to buy acres, equals higher production barring weather disaster, equals over production equals lower prices, equals lowered production. Weather disaster during a time of high demand equals even higher prices and demand destruction, which then bites recovering producers in the butt. It's a cycle and 99% of the time, supply is not the problem. Right now, corn is one of the more economical grains for livestock because of the energy per $. We cut our acres by 2/3 from last year. The only reason we're growing it at all is for rotation purposes...weed control and soil health. | |
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| Three 4 Luck - 2014-02-27 1:22 PM
MsDuchessGoTe - 2014-02-26 11:29 PM Meat IMO should only be eaten sparingly and in times of hardship. I was vegan for about 1 year but fell off the wagon and am now "mostly vegetarian". There have been numerous studies linking meats to all kinds of cancers and other health issues. Now, I'm not sure this applies to the organic grass fed type or venison. It's hard to know whether it's the meat itself, the antibiotics, hormones, etc that are fed to them or the amount of meat we eat. Americans eat way too much of it, it's ridiculous. Imagine how many people we could feed with the grains that go to feed cattle.
Logic does not compute. Â Do you really want to eat a lot of field corn and soybeans? Â Higher demand equals higher prices to buy acres, equals higher production barring weather disaster, equals over production equals lower prices, equals lowered production. Â Weather disaster during a time of high demand equals even higher prices and demand destruction, which then bites recovering producers in the butt. Â It's a cycle and 99% of the time, supply is not the problem. Â Right now, corn is one of the more economical grains for livestock because of the energy per $. Â We cut our acres by 2/3 from last year. Â The only reason we're growing it at all is for rotation purposes...weed control and soil health.
Also to take this line of "logic" further, how about all the grain wasted feeding our horses? And the land tied up growing hay that supposedly could grow veggies for the unfed masses to eat? Not to mention resources "wasted" feeding the rest of our pets? | |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | rodeoveteran - 2014-02-27 1:39 PM Three 4 Luck - 2014-02-27 1:22 PM MsDuchessGoTe - 2014-02-26 11:29 PM Meat IMO should only be eaten sparingly and in times of hardship. I was vegan for about 1 year but fell off the wagon and am now "mostly vegetarian". There have been numerous studies linking meats to all kinds of cancers and other health issues. Now, I'm not sure this applies to the organic grass fed type or venison. It's hard to know whether it's the meat itself, the antibiotics, hormones, etc that are fed to them or the amount of meat we eat. Americans eat way too much of it, it's ridiculous. Imagine how many people we could feed with the grains that go to feed cattle. Logic does not compute. Do you really want to eat a lot of field corn and soybeans? Higher demand equals higher prices to buy acres, equals higher production barring weather disaster, equals over production equals lower prices, equals lowered production. Weather disaster during a time of high demand equals even higher prices and demand destruction, which then bites recovering producers in the butt. It's a cycle and 99% of the time, supply is not the problem. Right now, corn is one of the more economical grains for livestock because of the energy per $. We cut our acres by 2/3 from last year. The only reason we're growing it at all is for rotation purposes...weed control and soil health. Also to take this line of "logic" further, how about all the grain wasted feeding our horses? And the land tied up growing hay that supposedly could grow veggies for the unfed masses to eat? Not to mention resources "wasted" feeding the rest of our pets?
Who is going to harvest all those veggies anyway? And who is going to pay for them to be produced? Because that much extra supply will drive prices below cost of production. We have the fattest poor people in the world here. And the places where people are actually starving, it's a distribution problem, not a supply problem. There are not any easy answers here. | |
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 Dr. Ruth
Posts: 9891
Location: Blissfully happy Giants fan!!! | Wait a minute, I am confused...I thought all of the nasty monsanto bred genetics of row crops were causing the cancer everywhere? Yes that is sarcasm.
Also, you do know that like 99% of the so-called hormones you are talking about in beef are naturally produced by the cow, right? And that grass fed beef can still technically be put into a feeder for 2 months? In fact that is how a lot of cows are brought to market. A lot of misconceptions on how food is raised, particularly meat.
For the record, I am closer to a carnivore than an herbivore. I love meat. I can be convinced that wheat and gluten is bad for me but never meat. I love me every type of meat on the planet. If that is all I was allowed to live off of, I would do it.
Also, I don't eat fruits for the most part. But I do eat a lot of veggies!!! | |
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Go go girl
| sassy&tessa - 2014-02-27 1:14 PM Wait a minute, I am confused...I thought all of the nasty monsanto bred genetics of row crops were causing the cancer everywhere? Yes that is sarcasm.
Also, you do know that like 99% of the so-called hormones you are talking about in beef are naturally produced by the cow, right? And that grass fed beef can still technically be put into a feeder for 2 months? In fact that is how a lot of cows are brought to market. A lot of misconceptions on how food is raised, particularly meat.
For the record, I am closer to a carnivore than an herbivore. I love meat. I can be convinced that wheat and gluten is bad for me but never meat. I love me every type of meat on the planet. If that is all I was allowed to live off of, I would do it.
Also, I don't eat fruits for the most part. But I do eat a lot of veggies!!!
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I'll Be Your Huckleberry
Posts: 1488
Location: Arizona | Three 4 Luck - 2014-02-27 1:45 PM
rodeoveteran - 2014-02-27 1:39 PM Three 4 Luck - 2014-02-27 1:22 PM MsDuchessGoTe - 2014-02-26 11:29 PM Meat IMO should only be eaten sparingly and in times of hardship. I was vegan for about 1 year but fell off the wagon and am now "mostly vegetarian". There have been numerous studies linking meats to all kinds of cancers and other health issues. Now, I'm not sure this applies to the organic grass fed type or venison. It's hard to know whether it's the meat itself, the antibiotics, hormones, etc that are fed to them or the amount of meat we eat. Americans eat way too much of it, it's ridiculous. Imagine how many people we could feed with the grains that go to feed cattle. Logic does not compute. Â Do you really want to eat a lot of field corn and soybeans? Â Higher demand equals higher prices to buy acres, equals higher production barring weather disaster, equals over production equals lower prices, equals lowered production. Â Weather disaster during a time of high demand equals even higher prices and demand destruction, which then bites recovering producers in the butt. Â It's a cycle and 99% of the time, supply is not the problem. Â Right now, corn is one of the more economical grains for livestock because of the energy per $. Â We cut our acres by 2/3 from last year. Â The only reason we're growing it at all is for rotation purposes...weed control and soil health. Also to take this line of "logic" further, how about all the grain wasted feeding our horses? And the land tied up growing hay that supposedly could grow veggies for the unfed masses to eat? Not to mention resources "wasted" feeding the rest of our pets?
My "logic" relies almost completely on the fact that eating meat has been linked to cancers, heart disease, etc. I won't get into the whole argument about it not being feasible to distribute the extra produce we would be feeding cattle, hogs, etc to 3rd world countries who actually need it because that would be pointless. The OP was asking opinions on whether or not a vegetarian diet would be beneficial for her and I stated my opinion. I have done enough research and have seen the results for myself by eliminating certain things from my life. Not to mention my religious beliefs actually touch on this issue. No one is ever going to convince me that eating a diet rich in meats and dairy is ever going to be healthier for me than a diet full of fresh veggies, fruit, and grains. I don't care if 99% of the hormones are naturally produced it is the artificial hormones, excessive use of antibiotics, artificial dyes, etc etc. that I don't want to put in my body or that of my family if I can help it.
I am not a big meat eater anyway, I love venison and chicken but not beef so this lifestyle is very easy for me. So to the OP more power to you and good luck on your decision.
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I'll Be Your Huckleberry
Posts: 1488
Location: Arizona | rodeoveteran - 2014-02-27 12:25 PM
MsDuchessGoTe - 2014-02-26 11:29 PM
Imagine how many people we could feed with the grains that go to feed cattle.
^^^^^
This the political pressure behind the push towards vegetarianism. This how they will guilt the children into it, combined with movies that humanize animals.. (I can hear it now, "No, Daddy, you can't kill Ratatouille!" ).
Please notice that I did not say those who make the choice for health reasons. I would never insist that someone should eat meat if it made them feel worse. Actually I would never insist that anyone eat meat....leaves more for me!
The best I have ever felt was when I went on a severely restricted carbohydrate, high protein, high fat, and veggies "diet". Lost 15 pounds in the first week and a half eating anything I wanted...as long as it wasn't carbs (not including the carbs in veggies obliviously ) and I felt great! It is a very hard to stay with this plan long term, I lasted about 9 months. And the reason I went on it was NOT weight related.
Everyone is different. If you haven't walked in my shoes, don't presume to tell me that I will do better without animal protein.... I won't, it's been proven. I have been incoherent, one step from a coma with blood sugar issues more than once, and the ONLY thing that would set me straight was a steak not cooked more than medium, not well done, not roast, not chicken and certainly not beans! And I won't tell you that you WILL do better on meat
Oh woah woah, please do not assume me to be anyone who is "blindly" following what the government is telling me. My thought process on raising less meat being better for most people's bodies has nothing to do with that. My family hunts, my children know where their food comes from and they certainly understand that we have righteous dominion over the animals and that they should give thanks to Heavenly Father and the animal that his given it's life so that we may eat it. Not that they have equal rights and it is cruel to harvest them humanely. I am glad that you have found something that works for you and your body. Everyone is different and I would never tell someone not to eat meat if it was genuinely beneficial for them just as you wouldn't tell someone to eat meat if they do better without. | |
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