My mom's making me go vegan! Is that healthy?

Question

My mom is a total health nut, and she's making me go vegan. I can't eat/drink ANYTHING from animals, even milk. I was wondering if this is healthy because doesn't milk have vitamins in it that helps your bones to grow? And if I can't eat meat, then that's a lack of protein. I've seen people go vegan before, but even they couldn't handle it and pigged out on McDonald's whenever they got the chance.

NotJustAnotherGuy · Accepted Answer

It is very important that if you attempt a vegan diet that you do your research first. You need to replace all the nutrition you get from meat and dairy products. The deficiency you'll likely face are vitamin B12, iron, vitamin D, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. All which are very important to your everyday health. An unplanned diet, with no animal products will definitely lead to these deficiencies and more.

If you are determined to go on a vegan diet, although I would advise against it, please PLEASE plan out your meals by researching nutritionally complete vegan meals online.

It is possible to be on a healthy vegan diet. It is simply much more consequential to not plan out your meals when you're on a vegan diet compared to a regular diet. So if you're determined to do this, you must be serious about making it healthy.

With a meat inclusive diet, your worry is proportion control. If you do not struggle with proportion control, I highly suggest not going on a vegan diet. With a vegan diet it is the opposite. Instead of over-nutrition, you're faced with the lack of nutrition. So instead of being plagued by calories (fat and fat related diseases), you'll be plagued by frailness and susceptibility to the common cold, flu, bacterial infections, diseases, etc..etc..

Do your research! You'll also have to find various sources of protein. And no, 1g of protein on the nutritional label doesn't necessarily mean it's actually 1g of protein. Unlike in meat and dairy products, protein is not often found in complete forms. A protein is made of a chain of things called amino acids, you need to research what foods give you what amino acids, so you can combine foods (and thus amino acids) to create fully functional proteins.

IF YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR HEALTH REASONS--- don't. That would be stupid. A proper vegan diet doesn't compare to a proper diet consisting of meats and dairy products. It is scientific fact that there are grades of protein. The best quality proteins come from animal products (namely fish and chicken, then cow, etc..). It would be extremely ironic if you turned vegan for health reasons.

If you are doing this because you find eating animals grotesque, or as a statement against slaughter houses or etc-- then please do your research to make sure you are getting the nutrition you need.

Here's an example of the kinda of research you want to look into---

link

Best of luck. And remember, veganism is a political statement not a health choice.

martyfellow · Accepted Answer

Sure, this is very healthy, it does wonders for your circulatory system and digestion. It won't generally taste good because you're used to all that animal fat which is flavorful.

But it is better for you! You can get all the nutrtiion you need. Horses and cows are healthy, and they're vegan!

candlewax · Accepted Answer

YES. You can substitute the lack of protein by way of other foods that provide it. Soy is a good source or protein. As far as the vitamins in milk, you can either take supplements or also get that in other sources. It's doable, but a bit extreme.

Maybe you should opt for vegetarian first to work your way into vegan. Making a sudden change like that is hard and it's why people have issues staying vegan. To go from your normal diet to OMG RESTRICTED TO BARELY ANYTHING is why diets fail. Baby steps.

Over the past few years, I've been working on cutting out misc. junk in my diet and now everything is automatic. I'd say I'm almost borderline vegetarian because there are weeks where that's all I'm craving is veggies and fruits. If I do eat meat, it's fish or chicken. But the point is that my body automatically does it. There's no internal battle to do so. But it's because I took baby steps to get there and it made it easier long term. Diets usually fail because of too many changes at once.

selfishstars · Accepted Answer

I'm not an expert on this, but I believe it's healthy. However, you have to be careful to ensure that you're still getting all the nutrients that your body needs. You should definitely do your research and/or talk to a dietician about it if you can. You're already on the right track by thinking about things like where will you get your source of calcium and protein from---but there are protein alternatives to meat, such as nuts, soy, beans, lentils, tofu, etc. You can get calcium from eating dark green leafy vegetables, orange juice, calcium-fortified soy milk, tofu made with calcium sulfate, etc. For some things, you may need to take supplements.

link

link

Anonymous · Answer

But that was just a simple example everyone can wrap their brain around and everybody usually brings up protein first on this matter.

Subjective: a small group of my friends. Went vegan about 5 years ago. They are a family and a few friends around them. They have always been attractive people with obviously good genetics. But even with their countless hours reading up on what they can and can not eat, shopping in various vegan friendly markets, calculating all their needs and intake, they simply look HORRIBLE. Their hair has gone from healthy and shiny to looking like wheat straw. They have all developed dark circles under their eyes. And they are ALWAYS sick. About once a month, at least 2 of the 6 go through some week long flu, digestive, or cold type problem. One of them (only 26) was fired from his job from missing so many days being sick. The 22 year old male actually decided he wanted to start working out with me and the protein demands working out and living an athletic and active lifestyle ravaged his body. After 4 days he ended up so weak that he couldn’t get out of the bed and they took him to the emergency room. They actually said he had suffered overexertion of what he can handle and malnourishment based on his blood work and cbs chemistry. He ended up at a couple of follow up doctors for pain in his bones following our 4 days of working out. They told him that he had very weak bone density. Note that their oldest brother is in the coast guard (looks exactly like they used to look so obviously genetically similar) and he competes in cross fit tournaments and has placed in the eco challenge twice. He as nothing to do this cult like ideology that his family has tried to push on him and they are so crazy with it that they have actually not allowed him to come visit if he won’t accommodate their diet while he is staying with them. And just at glance, I obtained all the numbers from 4 of those 6 from their last medical checkups just for the hell of it. Compared to EVERY ONE OF THEM my resting heart rate is lower, blood pressure is lower, and my cholesterol is lower (yep that right even with me eating meat).

So everyone is free to believe what they will. But when it comes to my body personally, I will listen to the most brilliant teams medical research has to offer with all the real experimentation and studies to prove their standpoints. I will not however depend on a bunch of hippie books, blogs, personal opinions and “spiritual” enlightenment (a.k.a years of too much acid). The 2 places on earth that hold the most records for centurions (people that live past 100) are japan and Mediterranean. Though they are big on greens alkaline foods and vegetables and fish, they are NOT vegan NOR vegetarian just for the sake of throwing their name in the hat. There are NO vegans hitting those post-100 marks at any significant rates.

kennyk · Answer

Yes it can be, if you do it right. It takes a little re-learning what you know about food, but once you get the feel for a plant based diet it's really healthy. I've been vegetarian for 4 years and I've been doing great. I have good vitals, iron, I donate blood no issues. I have a friend who's been full vegan for longer and he runs like half-marathons.

I do recommend vitamin B-12 as that's the hardest to get from a plant-based diet. That's the only supplement I've taken in the last 4 years.

From a fellow plant-based-diet-er, I recommend taking smaller steps. I tried to go cold turkey and succumbed to a BBQ pork sandwich at which point I thought "dang, there goes that." 2 months later I tried with a different approach: I started by avoiding meat where possible, but not exclusively, such that I could familiarize myself with vegetarian lifestyle before I became completely dependent on it. It took me a little re-learning how to cook, and getting used to the new food selections (learning what tempeh is, finding vegan "meat" substitutes like Yves and Tofurkey)... But now I see people eat steak and it's like someone eating play-doh, it doesn't even look like food anymore and I don't miss it a single bit. :)

Nickelz · Answer

Honestly, I can see to a point where being a vegan can be healthy. The problem with it, is are you getting what you need to function as a normal human being. I know there many alternatives to getting protein in your diet, but you are going to have to consume so much more of the alternative than what you would meat. People do get lazy and you might feel like you won't need the extra alternative protein to keep up with the amount of protein that you need. You will also lack in other vitamins and minerals that are necessary for a proper diet. I have had a couple friends who tried it, but they cracked pretty easy. I had one friend that was doing pretty good until she became severely sick. She tried to keep up with the necessary amount of protein needed, but it still was not enough. She continues to try and be vegan, but she has to go on a meat binge every once in a while. I don't understand why she does this to herself, it is not healthy. We are humans, we were designed to eat both meat and veggies. Don't try and become something we were not meant to be. If you want to be healthy, eat everything in moderation. No one said you had to pigout on meat 24/7, everyone knows that isn't healthy. Just eat everything moderation and you will be fine. Tell your mom this.

katherinefairchild · Answer

Being a Vegan is a dangerous risk. It CAN be healthy. Generally Vegans HAVE to take vitamin supplements or else they don't get important nutrients. I did an entire research paper for my English course on why people should be vegetarian at least if not to just eat meat as well because veganism is too risky. Many people end up going to the hospital. Not worth it. Do some research, supporting what you feel about it, and show it to your mom. I can even send you my research paper in an email if you want. It's mostly about different proteins that you can only obtain through meat/dairy products.

WeaponZero · Answer

In general vegan is not a bad way to be.  However it's much harder for active men due to the fact that we need higher concentrations of protein in our diet than women so, and the typical vegan solution to protein supplementation is soy-based products.  Soy has, in significant amounts, been proven to be hell on your hormones.  You have to closely monitor your food intake as a vegan because things such as iron, protein, healthy fats, and other necessary nutrients are not so readily found in plants as in animals and you need to eat very specific foods (such as spinach for iron and avocado and nuts for healthy fats) to make up for this.

MiaChan · Answer

Well I understand the goal behind being a vegan, but science has proven that humans are supposed to eat both meat and fruit and veges because there are some things you only get best from meat and some things you only get best from veges and fruits. They researched the teeth of carnivorous animals and discovered that since these are meat eaters therefore nature has designed their teeth according to their natural eating habits, what their bodies require and what their instincts tell the animals to desire to eat and the same with herbivorous animals that their teeth were a bit blunt. When they researched on human teeth they discovered we have teeth designed for eating both meat and fruits and veges i.e  we have sharp enough teeth to pierce through meat and blunt enough to chew on other non meaty things. The rest is obviously for you to decide.

kereru · Answer

no, its not healthy,

cutting out whole food groups is always a bad idea.

you ll miss out on a lot of very important fats and proteins only available in animal products, these proteins in particular are very important for the body to be able to heal and repair itself properly.

Many essential minerals and vitaimins like B12, calcium, iron, omega 3 are very important for the body and extremely rare to find outside dairy and meat.

as a young woman, you shouldn't be cutting out dairy, and you ll put yourself at risk of oesteoperosis as you get older,

its true most of us eat too much meat and fat but the solution is not to cut out whole food groups, but make an effort to eat more balanced diets.

DebiPie · Answer

Why is she doing this? Have you had a talk with her about this since you are 18 yrs. old? It sounds like you don't want to do this, or are at least skeptical about it. So, sit down with her & have a mature, non-confrontational discussion about it. Tell her about your reservations and that you are willing to do some of it but not all, like you want to drink milk & eat eggs.

I have friends who tried to impose this on their kids, then every time their kids left the house, they ate hamburgs and meat wherever they could (like friends homes, school, McDs, etc). If She won't listen to reason about your opinions, then I guess you'll have to supplement your diet outside of your house, at friends houses & with your own money. That doesn't mean McDs. Do it healthy.

Good luck.

Anonymous · Answer

Again veganism tries so hard to get away from the typical slob American diet of sausage, bacon, hamburgers, and cheese in a can…….that they overcompensate and go to an extreme of their own. So I will stand on the firmer ground. But again, everyone is welcome to stand on whatever they think will sustain them to their best belief.

sorry for the longest answer in the history of GAG. but this about peoples health. not whether or not she should text someone back or whatever. if its too much just don't read it.

jacquesvol · Answer

"doesn't milk have vitamins in it that helps your bones to grow?" vitamines A & B but mainly calcium. link

You can get calcium from vegetables: link

You can get vitamins from vegetables: link

Don't worry too much about it thus (I'm NOT a veganist)

steve1122 · Answer

You need to tell your mom you respect her lifestyle choices, but you expect her to respect your choices as well. I don't believe a vegan diet is very healthy- humans are omnivores and we need nutrients from a wide variety of sources, some of which are difficult or impossible to get from plants alone.

In some cases, a vegan diet can be dangerous. Pregnant women, young children and teenagers are at risk in terms of their mental and physical development when on a strictly vegan diet. That's why adults should decide these things for themselves.

The problem I have with some vegans/vegetarians is that they are militant about it. It's not enough for them to deny themselves a healthy and varied diet- they need to lecture the rest of us about how we should be like them.

The greater concern is that your mother seems to want to run your life for you. That is unfair and shows she does not respect the person you are.

hakuna_matata · Answer

well vegetarian diet will help keep you loght and keep your body clean from inside... but non beg has its own merits.

how old are you actually? I think you are old enough to decide what you want to eat and drink. just tell her that. and banning milk to going a little too far. you are not killing the cow or something. even plants are living things

rachiee · Answer

No its not completely healthy when done alone. Vegan is a very healthy lifestyle, but you're still depriving your body from certain vitamins. I highly suggest you take multivitamins, especially ones that give you a full iron intake. Of course a lot of green veggies (especially spinach) give you iron but its not enough.

BeerME · Answer

It's healthy if you do it correctly, but I wouldn't call it ideal. If you have a religious, philosophical, or moral reason to go vegan then go for it. If you just want to eat healthier then I'd go a different route. Animals are good for you.

sixstring · Answer

Tell her that you're an adult and it's your decision. Also that you enjoy eating too much to make some lame decision like becoming vegan. You'll be amazed of the amount of products you can't eat.

Anonymous · Answer

can you nurture a 2 day born child with the vitamins that are in milk? I'm sure that's a no.. so don't think milk and meat is only about proteins and vitamins. It's way more complex.

You need these things in your body, if you want it to function properly.

angyismytitle · Answer

You can take vitamin supplements to make up for those things, but your mom shouldn't make you go vegan it should be a choice.

CasaNorba · Answer

is really not. I mean I heard that people who are vegan don't live as long as people who eat both meat and veggies.

raptor · Answer

it is not unhealthy. However, it is unhealthy to switch cold turkey.

xXxAx3LxXx · Answer

Its is healthy to a certain point. Good Luck with the missing extra nutrients your going to have to get via multi-vitamins >_>

ihatework · Answer

NO!  your mom is evil.

Anonymous · Answer

It is healthy if you make sure you get the everything you need

Anonymous · Answer

That's not normal! She sounds like a f***ing control freak!

SuRpRiZeD · Answer

you run the risk of everyone calling you a hippie

sweet_18 · Answer

Its much easier to just eat meat.

starlight124 · Answer

its healthy

bigmike16 · Answer

Sucks for you.

My mom's making me go vegan! Is that healthy?

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