Former vegetarians? Did you feel better after eating meat?

[Anonymous]

I've been a vegetarian for about ten years, mostly for ethical reasons. I've lately begun having dreams about meat and for years I've felt tired and weak and my hair and nails are awful. I attributed it to having young kids and working full-time, but now that the kids are 8 and 10, that's no longer an excuse that makes sense. I'm seriously considering reintroducing meat and seeing how I feel. I have had my iron levels checked and they are low, but not anemic low.

Has anyone gone back to meat? How did you feel? How did you reintroduce it? How did you deal with the guilt and/or change in identity?

[Anonymous]

Could you transition to ethically-farmed meat only (pasture only, humane death, treatment generally going beyond the no hormone, no antibiotic, grass-fed standards that are mostly for our own benefit)? Whole Foods carries a few brands like Nyman Farms meats, although their supply isn't reliable, I think because they want to sell their in-house brand. Giant sells Nellie's Nest eggs from truly free-range chickens.

[Anonymous]

Are you getting enough B12?

[Anonymous]

Longtime vegetarian here. Have you seen a doctor about this? Have you considered taking a hair, skin and nail tablet? They work! Also, what do you eat everyday? A well-balanced vegetarian diet filled with lots of healthy proteins (beans, whole grains, green, leafy vegetables, low-fat yogurt and cheese) should give you A LOT of energy. I wouldn't be so quick to just add chicken to your diet and hope that solves the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you transition to ethically-farmed meat only (pasture only, humane death, treatment generally going beyond the no hormone, no antibiotic, grass-fed standards that are mostly for our own benefit)? Whole Foods carries a few brands like Nyman Farms meats, although their supply isn't reliable, I think because they want to sell their in-house brand. Giant sells Nellie's Nest eggs from truly free-range chickens.

Humane death?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you transition to ethically-farmed meat only (pasture only, humane death, treatment generally going beyond the no hormone, no antibiotic, grass-fed standards that are mostly for our own benefit)? Whole Foods carries a few brands like Nyman Farms meats, although their supply isn't reliable, I think because they want to sell their in-house brand. Giant sells Nellie's Nest eggs from truly free-range chickens.

Humane death?

No matter what you eat you are killing life to sustain yours.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Poultry is tasty and heathy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you transition to ethically-farmed meat only (pasture only, humane death, treatment generally going beyond the no hormone, no antibiotic, grass-fed standards that are mostly for our own benefit)? Whole Foods carries a few brands like Nyman Farms meats, although their supply isn't reliable, I think because they want to sell their in-house brand. Giant sells Nellie's Nest eggs from truly free-range chickens.

There is no such thing as a humane treatment or death; that's just another lie from the food industry. Watch Food, Inc. on Pivot cable channel, or it might be on Netflix.

Op, you need more protein. Peanut butter, beans, some vegetables all have protein. I'm a vegan and feel great, even though I have RA. I've been a vegetarian for 24 years and vegan for 2, also gave up meat for emotional reasons. I actually felt better once I gave up dairy, and no longer suffer from constipation or feel bloated.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a vegetarian, though I eat meat occasionally - like 1-2x a month.

I know that killing things to feed myself is inherently sad, but I do feel a bit better about keeping my consumption quite low, especially by American standards. Meat doesn't really make my body feel great - I get constipated and feel bloated. But I exercise daily, often very hard workouts. I also donate blood. I do feel like sometimes I need to eat a little meat. For me it tends to be my dining out food (no meat kept at home). Like if I'm going to someone's house for dinner and they're serving meat.

[Anonymous]

why don't you eat a little meat and see how you feel?

I was a vegetarian and switched to eating meat when I was pregnant. Like you I had dreams about meat. I felt instantly more energized.

I hate killing animals for my well being. But once I knew I was feeling unwell without animal protein (and yes I ate a ton of protein and took vitamins) I did decide to prioritize myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you transition to ethically-farmed meat only (pasture only, humane death, treatment generally going beyond the no hormone, no antibiotic, grass-fed standards that are mostly for our own benefit)? Whole Foods carries a few brands like Nyman Farms meats, although their supply isn't reliable, I think because they want to sell their in-house brand. Giant sells Nellie's Nest eggs from truly free-range chickens.

Humane death?

No matter what you eat you are killing life to sustain yours.

It's called the food chain. We're at the top.

[Anonymous]

Go get a physical.

And, yes, I felt better after eating meat again--and I found post kids that meat for lunch is pretty much necessary for me not to be crazy hangry a couple hours later.

[Anonymous]

Yes, there is food chain. However, the animals on your dinner plate are not adults; chickens live a life of hell, living in cramped quarters, without sunlight, having their beaks sliced off, pigs are stuffed into crates, living in their own filth, all have been given growth hormones and are routinely slaughtered at 6 months of age. If you think animals who eat other animals cause suffering, you are wrong. Farm animals suffer more than any other, their existence is pathetic, inhumane, full of pain. I dare you to watch Earthlings, Cowspiracy, Food, Inc.

[Anonymous]

Do any veggies have complete protein?

[Anonymous]

Start with some nice quality fish or a tender cut of steak and go from there.

Humans were not designed to be strict vegetarians. Eat a balanced diet, including some meat, and you will be healthier.

From what you describe you sound malnourished.