Dangers of Vegetarianism?

[lizbids]

Hey everyone--
Lately its' been hard for me to comprehend eating meat. I get sick just thinking about it, and the more I read about colon/breast cancer linkage to meat, the more I think that perhaps it's not the worst idea to give it up. Plus, I can't eat meat knowing how all those poor animals are treated. I know that there is free-range, anti-growth hormones, etc., but that to me gets very expensive and hard to ensure in restaurants (and then what about cancer?).

So, my question to all the vegetarians (vegans too): Are there significant dangers I should be worried about? It seems to me that you should be able to get your vitamins and protein from plant and grain sources. What do you do about B12 or others you get only from meat? I really want to continue this (it's been about a week), but I definitely want to be smart and not get myself sick. Any great books to recommend? I'm reading "Vegan: New Ethics of Eating" at the moment.

Thanks, ladies!!!!

[Pax]

My SO and I switched to a primarily plant based diet about four months ago, two of our friends also decided to try it and the results have been excellent. I don't go in for my annual physical/bloodwork until June but one of our friends (55 years old and taking high blood pressure meds and cholesterol meds) had hers two weeks ago and she's off both meds now. She feels great and I'm hoping for similar bloodwork results next month (although I'm 46 and not on meds just yet).

We all read a book called The China Study that outlined some excellent reasons for making the switch to a plant based diet. Good luck with your transition if you choose to go that way.

[Thorn]

Vegetarian (ovo-lacto, but descreasing usage) for more than 10 years; active cyclist for 3. No problems. There is a vegan US cycling team.

B12 is an interesting vitamin. I did some research on it after I developed Bell's Palsy (in that case, I temporarily took a supplement). B12 is useful for nerve regeneration. Normally, it is used in very small amounds. The body "recycles" its supply such that a healthy individual with absolutely no external source of B12 will not see a deficiency for years. That said, studies have shown that even strict vegans will get sufficient B12 from their diet. Yes, it is only from animals sources, but studies have shown that grain sources have enough ground up insects that, no matter how strict you are, you will get some animal protien.

The only thing we've changed recently is to add additional protein sources. Many here have said that protein supplements are hooey, but we found that as we increased our activity that we were craving proteins <argh> the chicken barbeques were smelling good </argh>. So, we made a conscious effort to do things like add TVP to pasta sauces, eat a protein bar after hard rides, add flavored tofu occasionally to our wrap meals, etc.

But, really, no harm in it.

[divingbiker]

I've been a vegan for 16 years. I take a multivitamin which includes B12, and calcium, but other than that I just eat a healthy, varied diet. I get sick less often and feel better than any of my carnivore friends who are my age (50). And my hair hasn't turned grey yet--one of the side benefits, I think.

As for books, my favorite is "Diet for a New America" by John Robbins. It's fairly old now, but he makes a good case for giving up each type of meat, eggs, etc, and makes you really believe in what you're doing. I like PETA's cookbook "The Compassionate Cook" for recipes.

Congratulations on going vegetarian!

[KnottedYet]

I take daily B12 for other reasons. I buy "Source Naturals" methylcobalamine, which is vegetarian and hypoallergenic. No "yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn, soy or wheat." And they taste ok.

If you can find the book "How it all Vegan", check it out. Fun book. I've not read the second vegan book these women wrote, but I'm betting it's a fun one, too.

[7rider]

Not espousing one diet over another, but....

I have a friend who was an ovo/lacto/pesco vegetarian. Carefully ate organics, "free range" and the like. She still got breast cancer.
You can be as careful about your diet as you like, but sometimes there's no escaping genetics.

Vegetarian doesn't necessarily equal "healthful." French fries and Fritos are vegetarian -- doesn't make them healthful.

Humans throughout history have been omnivores. If you can make the effort, and eat a varied, healthful diet that eliminates animal products, more power to you.

[KnottedYet]

French fries aren't healthful!?!?!

(mmmm, french fries and mayo...)