Tween looks "run down", says not sick or tired

[Anonymous]

My first thought was she is reading late at night, maybe with a flashlight? Or playing with a phone or iPad unauthorized. Or it could be some kind of lingering infection, ear infection or walking pneumonia from a cold she never shook off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a friend in college who went veg and was eating a lot of cold cereal, not being careful about getting a healthy balance. She passed out and hit her head on the bathroom sink. Turned out it was anemia, iron supplements and a better diet were a big help.
Could also be she's smoking weed behind your back.

Weed at 10 years old? Is this a thing??

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,

For a lot of kids with eating disorders, becoming vegetarian is one of the first symptoms parents can think back to. If I were you I would go in for a check up at the ped to make your your DD is still on her growth curve.
Also, she could be anemic so they could check that out too.
Good luck!

[Anonymous]

It obviously could be any number of things, and without knowing more it's hard to say. However, I will share that my son went through a period in either 7th or 8th grade where he looked worn down and seriously underweight. It was right around the time of a growth spurt. We took him to the pediatrician, who agreed he was underweight but suggested giving it a few months. By the following year he'd filled out into his height and looked much healthier. I will say he's prone to dark eye circles, so maybe that was part of it too.

[Anonymous]

I went veg when I was 12, and no it never was an eating disorder. I also never got anemia because I ate a lot of greens.

I would say make sure she's getting protein from lots of sources, not just soy; beans, legumes, and whole grains are great. Also, is her blood type O? Sometimes O vegetarians health suffers and have to really find a plan that works with depleting micronutrients (minerals and vitamins).

[Anonymous]

^^ oops. WITHOUT depleting nutrients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look up allergic shiner. She might have an allergy or a sinus issue that is causing the dark circles.

This. Maybe too much dairy?

[Anonymous]

It really could be any of these things. I seriously doubt weed. I'm going to look for a vitamin for vegetarians and see if we can move up her checkup to next week.

Thanks all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really could be any of these things. I seriously doubt weed. I'm going to look for a vitamin for vegetarians and see if we can move up her checkup to next week.

Thanks all!

I would suggest more than a vitamin. VEGA Shakes have vitamins, minerals, and pea protein (vs dairy, gluten, or soy).

[Anonymous]

Vitamin D deficiency? It is more common and very debilitating, people just don't know that much about it.

[Anonymous]

I'd check iron and vitamin d levels I would also check for type 1 diabetes-it is an easy test and doctors often don't think to do it.

[Anonymous]

You said homework load is crazy- at 11??? How much are we talking about?