Hey guys, I'm a non-veggie, and I wanted to say sorry. I used to be veggie, and I got really, really sick from other (non-veggie related) complications. During some routine bloodwork, they found I have extremely low iron and extremely low B12. By a really, really bad twist of fate, I'm also deathly allergic to medicinal iron supplements. Seriously. I've tried "herbal iron," medicinal liquids, pills, and injections, and on more than one occasion nearly ended up in the hospital with allergic reactions that were cutting off my air supply. ANYWAY the only way I can get the iron that I need now is through red meat. Yup, you heard me. And NO, eating lentils and asparagus won't do it. My anemia is extreme, my iron level barely registers at all... so I eat the cow. I eat the cow about four times a week. And yes, I feel guilty, and I'm sorry. But I'm also healthier now than I used to be ... The reason I posted this is sometimes I run into these psycho vegan/vegetarians who just don't realize that some people's biological health prevent them from following the animal-friendly lifestyle, even if they honestly would if they could. I just wanted to let you guys know... because honestly, I hate it when people get in my face about it, and I end up having to explain my medical history... I think it's cool what you guys do, and you're lucky you can do it without putting your health in danger. But remember, just because people eat animals doesn't mean they're anti-animal. They could just be anti-hospital. Why did I post this today? Because I got accosted by a vegan at school who tried to get me to watch a video about the slaughtering of chickens. Dude. I tried to explain, briefly, the health thing, and he practically stalked me through the hallways. Ok I'm done now. Please... I'm not trying to start a war, I have a TON of respect for the veggie/vegan lifestyle. I just wanted to explain things from the carnavore lifestyle, too. Hopefully everyone is cool with that.
Super Grrl, A lot of folks on this forum complain that omnis harass them for not eating meat. Your problem is that veggies harass you for eating meat. I suggest that all of these harassers be given the same responce. "Its none of your buisness what I eat." You own no one any explaination about your health and diet choices. Thank the cow for your life and let these busy bodies go harass themselves.
Actually you should visit a nutritionist if you have severe anemia. Just supplementing with meat my not help you get over the anemia if you still are eating a poorly balanced diet. You will need to monitor your intake of all sources of iron to be on the safe side, that would be meat and plant based, not just what you get from meat. Studies have shown that iron deficiency anemia is no more common among vegetarians than among the general population. As many as 10 to 20 percent of American women between the ages of 15 and 50 are believed to be deficient in iron. A number of dietary compounds inhibit the absorption of iron. Coffee and tea are powerful inhibitors of iron absorption because they contain compounds called polyphenols, also large doses of calcium will inhibit absorbtion. You need to do your research on the subject, do not just rely on your doctor. As for you being allergic to the supplements, you need to make sure exactly what in them you are allergic to, and be sure it is not found in other products you consume. yeh thank the cow for your life...........a short, diseased one, but thankem anyways.
I have done tons of research, seen a number of specialists and dieticians, and have tried more than one different type of compound in iron. Guess what - they all nearly killed me. BTW, the iron you get from plants is different from the iron you get from meat, especially red meat. Iron from plants is much, much harder for the body to digest than the iron from meat. I'm already on a pretty intense "diet" (i guess that's the right word) making sure i eat certain things together and leave certain things apart. Look if my post bothered you, then I'm sorry, and please ignore it. I didn't come here to argue, just to point out that sometimes people have other reasons for eating meat than just "it tastes good." Everyone's body is different, and everyone needs to find a lifestyle that suits them. Like I said, I totally respect the veggie lifestyle, and wish I could still do it. I'm just willing to risk my health like than anymore. My apologies if I've offended anyone.
I would really try eating tons and tons of spinach, thats full of iron. I dunno if you have or not. Personally I just feel so strongly about it that I would rather compromise my health and stay vegetarian than eat meat, because I think Id rather take on that suffering than allow others to suffer worse torture and humiliation the factory farms.
SuperGrrl, don't worry about it. The thing to remember is that you care about the animals and you aren't doing it out of selfishness.
Have ya tried prenatal vitamins....ya don't have to be pregnant to take those either,but the have extra iron,calcium & B12 among other things that your body needs. My cousin has low iron levels (among other health problems)and gets infusions about every 2 weeks. She eats meat about 5-7 days a week, so obviously a meat eating diet isn't helping her.
How long were you Vegan to have dangerously low B12? Despite the fact that most nutritionists and doctors (rightly) advocate that Vegans take a sublingual B12 supplement, patients with documented extremely low levels of B12 are VARY rare in the Western world.
I didn't eat any sort of animal product for close to 6 years. I'm not saying that that's what *caused* the blood problems, because they think it may run in my family a little. (my mom and two aunts also have blood problems)
if it turns out that ur body genuinely does need red meat for iron (although i'm 100% sure u could find an alternative if u did some intense research on it), you could still lead a somwhat veg*n style lifestyle by cutting out other products that rely on animal slaughter and suffering. ie. not use leather or honey, milk, eggs or fish. and steer clear of vivisectioned products and gelatin. there are ways you can still lead a healthy "semi-vegetarian" life... why not join animal rights organisations if u're sincerely compassionate for the cause i'm sure you'll do just fine, and maybe influence others around you to try out vegetarianism! Remember there is no excuse for apathy!!!
don't they have multivitamin (vitamin B too...) fruit juices by you guys? 100 ml covers like, 20% of your daily needs.... I love my fruit juices! They're yummy!^^ BTW: Bananas have lotsa vitamin B And there are many vegetarian sources for iron too....([ike bread, or spinsache, !MUSHROOMS!(major one there...)etc.etc] Feel bad for you though, just tell the pseudo veg*ns about your health first, otherwise they'll hate people even more....
I don't think it's right for people to condemn Super_Grrl without actually meeting her and seeing what she is going through. I personally have never heard of anything like this before, and I would tend to dismiss it. However, there is the possibility that what she is saying is true, and if she has no other option than to eat meat or die, then I think that is fair. Presumably you still don't wear leather, or eat any other meat, fish, chicken, eggs, milk, gelatine, or use animal tested products etc. You only eat what you need to survive, and I think that's understandable. Obviously, if there is any other way to survive other than eating meat, then the whole thing is pretty ridiculous. But I don't know you personally. I would still continue to research and see specialists.
