posted November 06, 2007 03:55 PM         

She has cited the teeth issue and most recently the long(veggei eaters) vs short (meat eaters) intestine issue...

So, me feeling a bit the same way, did my research...

I HATE to feel that animals, once killed, hurt, not only, but physically and re-lease toxins into the body due to the extream physical conditions.

Any, thoughts feelings???

I know I will be challenged by families and friends with this issue, however, I re-main a veggie eater...

posted November 08, 2007 02:02 PM         

I have never really eaten much meat, but lately and with the encouragment of my daughter it is becoming less and less applealing...

Thanks!

posted November 09, 2007 11:26 AM         

I am also veggie person, and I have the similar problems.
Low-iron, brittle nails,etc.

posted November 10, 2007 10:00 PM         

• Iron from meat, poultry, and fish (i.e., heme iron) is absorbed two to three times more efficiently than iron from plants (i.e., non-heme iron).
  
• The amount of iron absorbed from plant foods (non-heme iron) depends on the other types of foods eaten at the same meal.
  
• Foods containing heme iron (meat, poultry, and fish) enhance iron absorption from foods that contain non-heme iron (e.g., fortified cereals, some beans, and spinach).
  
• Foods containing vitamin C (see Dietary Sources of vitamin C) also enhance non-heme iron absorption when eaten at the same meal.
  
• Substances (such as polyphenols, phytates, or calcium) that are part of some foods or drinks such as tea, coffee, whole grains, legumes and milk or dairy products can decrease the amount of non-heme iron absorbed at a meal. Calcium can also decrease the amount heme-iron absorbed at a meal. However, for healthy individuals who consume a varied diet that conforms to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the amount of iron inhibition from these substances is usually not of concern.
  
• Vegetarian diets are low in heme iron, but careful meal planning can help increase the amount of iron absorbed.
  
• Some other factors (such as taking antacids beyond the recommended dose or medicine used to treat peptic ulcer disease and acid reflux) can reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and the iron absorbed and cause iron deficiency.

CDC on Iron Deficiency

Beyond Veg page on Key Nutrients including Iron

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Another concern is Omega 3 fatty acids.
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Beyond Veg page on Omega 3s

Raw Plus page on Omega 3s

Why Be Vegan and How to Start

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I added links that I hope will show both sides of the issue. I think that the veggie/vegan side is well-represented in LL, especially as they are tied in to LG's own beliefs.

I find this a very difficult issue to address and discuss. I also have had low iron counts, low protein (which the WHO puts at a bare minimum of 10% of your daily intake being protein but I've read that ideally no more than 10% should be from any animal sources), and almost non-existant Omega 3s. For long I though supplements or dried flax meal would work but, alas, for real benefits you'd have to grind the dry seeds just before you eat them as they go rancid quite quickly.

There's a lot of information out there and not all of it agrees. Being the complete geek that I am, I tend to favor the well-researched and documented scientific info. over the I-heard or I-theorized ideas.

posted November 10, 2007 10:32 PM         

he's also 5 and still breastfeeding...

for anyone who wants an obscenely healthy child, veggie or non, i would suggest child-led weaning over any other avenue.

it sure ain't easy though.

(this advice is not, however, intended for the adult contingent in the audience. )

posted November 14, 2007 12:15 AM         

Since my daughter was so, and I mean so, so young she has had such a problem with eating meat...and upon contemplation, when the animals are killed, humane or not, THEY surely do not want to die....thus they release stress hormones into the body and eventually into their meat and we consume it....frankly I do not really want to be consuming "food" with such negative energy!!!

I am a RN by profession and am no stranger to stress hormones personally, as I have PTSD. So, I can really re-late to how toxic the givings of other animals must be!!!

AND...I am fully convinced that we can truely recieve all the protien that we need via other means except meat.

My BIG problem is, tho, that at my age (45) carbs are my opponent. And finding a satisfying, low carb, high fiber, protien sufficient diet is quite challenging!

Tho....I persever on...

Thanks for the great replies!!!!

posted November 14, 2007 08:05 AM         

I've actually been considering the idea of becoming a pescetarian(sp?) ... fish and seafood ... because, frankly, if I'm consuming Fish Oil for nutrients then I'm not really a veggie, you know?

I know it's very unPC in vegetarian circles to discuss the *possible* pitfalls of this diet, too. Thanks for bringing this issue up, hippichick. I do remember Harpyr, whom I've always held in high regard, mentioning something similar ... she's up in Alaska and if I recall correctly, she was learning how to fish and was going/went back to eating fish. I don't remember all her reasons but part of it was survivability. Alaskans depend on shipment for a lot of foods and, heaven forbid, a natural disaster or some national emergency shuts that down in the dead of a very long winter when growing your own crops isn't really an option ... So, yeah, learning to adapt to your environment without depending on man-made products generally gets a thumbs up from me even if I don't think I'll ever be that self-reliant. But she got me thinking. And reading. And weighing the options.

I also agree with moderation ala Buddhism. I'm constantly surprised at how little meat comprises the typical Japanese diet over here. And most of it is seafood. Another one of my favorites is Steiner and even he argued about body/genetic adaptability, food/resource viability, and that vegetarianism would just naturally evolve in humanity and cautioned against forcing ourselves and others even though he did advocate the virtues of the diet. He wasn't pro-vegan, though, if I'm recalling correctly. And how natural is it to eat (which I have) little pills of extracted fish bits from a plastic bottle or any other supplements, etc? I honestly believe our nutrients should come from the foods we eat but it's proving to be a tough ideal to live up to for me.

posted November 14, 2007 08:10 PM         

Of course you are going to get people who eat meat to say awful things about being a vegetarian/vegan, as while as, things from people who are vegetarians who do not eat a proper well balanced diet.