Meat Free Everyday - Food for Thought

Vegetarians and ill health

I often hear of vegetarians struggling with their health. Just the other day I was looking for a recipe book and the young lady helping me was a newish vegetarian. She was saying her hair was thinning, her nails had gone soft and she was tired all the time. Since she became vegetarian.

Most vegetarians are not getting anywhere near adequate protein. They are usually also deficient in other nutrients that we usually get from animal sources such as iron, calcium, Vit B12 and zinc. Small wonder then that vegetarians are battling. Frankly their bodies are trying to cope without vital requirements.

You cannot simply drop meat off your menu and make no effort to replace the meat. It is essential to replace meat with equivalent vegetarian foods. It's a no brainer that you will then start to suffer from deficiencies if you don't. Pastas, sandwiches and salads are not enough. Not nearly enough and they are too high in carbs. People are surprised vegetarians battle with their weight. They often eat far too many carbs.

The world is just not geared up for vegetarians. Eating out at restaurants is a pain. Eating with family and friends is also awkward. People have no idea what to serve. And supermarkets really don't have much on offer. Health shops are my first stop for quality vegetarian foods. But life does go on and we can't always be humping home-made meals around in brown bags.

I was chatting to a girl who was vegan for 5 years and then gave it up. She missed being vegan but found it way too hard to find decent food. My worst is vegetarians trying not to be an inconvenince. Vegetarians often keep quiet or downplay their food needs so other people don't feel put out. I am so very lucky to have special people in my life who are open to eating meatless meals with me and look forward to expanding their food horizons with meatfree meals.

What puzzles me is why vegetarians should be under catered for or viewed as weird? By now there is so much evidence proving that eating less meat is highly beneficial. The heart experts, diabetes authorities and cancer boffins all recommend a diet lower in animal produce. Soy products have been positively linked to benefits in bone density, menopause symptoms, heart health and cancer. And eating less meat is good for the planet. So why is the world taking so long to get it?

There are people who actually mock me and think it's funny. They eat meat and look at me making dumb comments. After 31 years of not eating meat, I am nonplussed. Nothing will ever make me feel deprived or less than. My only hope is that one day the world will be a little more open to more meat free days.

Back to Food for Thought

Home About Us Food for thought Recipes Links Contact us