Any Vegetarians That Had To Return To Eating Meat Post Diagnosis?

[BelleVie]

Has anyone done this? I've been a vegetarian for more than five years, but things are so limited now, I'm contemplating putting meat back into my diet. But I'm afraid of the effects it will have on my body, and I also feel really guilty about it. My reasons for vegetarianism are for both health and ethical reasons. But for the past few months I've been having undeniable cravings for meat, which makes me think my protein levels are not adequate. Right now, my diet is free from gluten, casein and dairy, eggs, bananas, and corn. I also live in Asia where my options for gluten-free foods are limited, so my diet is mostly rice, beans, veggies, frozen salmon (2x per month,) mussels (2x per month--too much makes me itchy,) with baked goods three or four times per month. The salmon was a decent protein for a while, but lately it's kinda yucking me out, plus I've been reading lots about farm raised salmon, which is pretty gross. So I guess my question is, have you had this issue, and what did you do? Did meat make you sick after not eating it for so long, or did your body appreciate it? 

[Coconutkris]

Hi

 

I was a vegetarian/vegan for 12 years.  I self-diagnosed myself gluten-sensitive about 5 years ago due to extreme symptoms and tons of research into what could be causing them.  I never thought it could be Celiac until about a month ago when I discovered my entire family on my dad's side has it- I just was tested and am positive.  Anyways- I was an extreme PETA activist, and preached the China Study everywhere I went (believing the health benefits of vegetarianism).  If you had asked me ten years ago if I would ever eat meat again I would have told you I would rather die first.

 

Well, that has completely changed after becoming so ill that I pretty much felt like I WAS dying.  I cannot digest grains (white rice seems to be okay) or legumes, beans, most nuts and dairy and seem to react to eggs so I had to add meat back into my diet.  It was a heart-wrenching decision and I still work on the ethical aspects of it but I have experienced SIGNIFICANT improvement in my health after adding meat back in.  I make sure to buy grass-fed, pastured, organic, etc.  The first time I ate meat again it was grass-fed ground beef (and I said a little prayer and cried before eating it).  I thought my digestive system would freak out after going 12 years without it (you read how you can no longer digest it etc) but minutes after taking the first bite I had a rush of energy and felt better than I had in years...my body sort of freaked out and wanted to eat 80lbs of it....I had no digestive issues whatsoever.  In fact, meat seems to be one of the only things I can safely eat (other than the emotional turmoil part of it).  I suggest looking into the Paleo diet and Weston A Price - I've added lots of saturated fats such as red palm oil (orangutan safe) and coconut oil into my diet.  I eat mostly meat, veggies, sweet potatoes and some fruits.  I feel worlds better.  I know it is a hard decision to make, but trust me there is a lot to learn about the health benefits of meat that you won't find in any vegetarian literature.  Also, the change of meat being cross-contaminated is very low whereas even certified gluten free products still can have trace amounts which for some with Celiac is enough to cause damage.

 

All I have to go on is how I feel and what my body tells me.  I would suggest researching the health benefits of traditional diets and grass-fed meats and trying to eat some....Listen to your body and see what it says.... also, a side-note: If you want to limit the amount of meat you consume but still get much needed nutrients grass-fed beef liver is amazing for that..You only need to eat a tiny bit once in awhile and you'll get loads of lasting nutrition...  good luck!!!

[cahill]

I was vegetarian or vegan most of my adult life until  celiacs .

My body gave me no choice but to start consuming meat again. For quite a while  a few meats,rice ,a few fruits and a few vegetables made up my diet . I was unable to eat anything else with out reacting . Slowly my gut has healed , I have been able to add back  a lot of different  foods. I remember when I was able to tolerate eggs again     made me a very happy girl.

 

 My preference would to be  lacto ovo vegetarian unfortunately  my body may have other ideas  .

 

Doing what we need to do to have a healthy body ,, that is what it is all about

[NoGlutenCooties]

Caveating this with - I've never been vegetarian - but just wanted to add, taking a good digestive enzyme may help quite a bit.  Many celiacs take a digestive enzyme anyhow... but especially with meat, it may help get things back to normal faster.

[nvsmom]

I used to eat meat infrequently too. I ate meat more than once a week like you are, and I tended to eat beef or chicken that was raised on our family farm, but it wasn't much. I now eat meat or eggs at almost every meal and I feel better for it. I eat almost no carbs (maybe once a week) but plenty of nuts, meat, eggs, veggies and a bit of fruit... It works for me.

Everyone is different though. I have a friend who has been gluten-free for a decade but she did not feel quite right so she went vegetarian - mostly raw too. She feels much better now. The only problem is trying to make a meal we both like. Lol

[BelleVie]

Thanks to everyone for the detailed replies. Coconutkris, I have been all over the dietary spectrum, and was even a 100% raw foodist for almost a year. At that time, I felt great and was convinced that meat was the devil, but now I know it's probably because I was unintentionally eating gluten free! Funny how things work out. 

 

1956- I hope eggs can be tolerated someday! I really miss egg in a basket with strawberry jelly.  

 

Cooties: enzyme is a good call. The first time I eat meat again will be very calculated…I will see how my tummy fares and if it doesn't do well, I'll definitely check out the enzymes. 

 

nvsmom: Think I'll try meat eating for a month or so when I come home to the States for a visit and see how I feel. 

 

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I think you're right, 1956chill, we have to do what's best for our bodies. A few years ago I never would have believed that meat COULD be good for a person's body, but now I see that all bodies are created differently, and different physiologies need different things. 

[Juliebove]

Gluten is not my issue but I was a vegetarian for many years.  I did eat eggs and cheese until I found out what a problem they really were for me.  Then tried a raw vegan diet but due to gastroparesis,  I don't digest a lot of fruits, vegetables or fats either.  So...  I did add beef back in and occasionally turkey.  Can not have lamb, chicken, fish or shellfish and don't like most pork products.  I do like really crispy bacon but can't eat much of that either.  Mainly I save restaurant meals for meat.  Can get a hamburger patty most places and it's usually a safe food for me.  I still eat mostly vegan meals though.  But...  I also found that if I did not eat meat once in a while, I'd go anemic.  I am in menopause now though so that doesn't seem to apply any more.

[dilettantesteph]

I was vegetarian for about 30 years on diagnosis, the last 20 or so of those vegan.  I ate meat for a year or so post diagnosis thinking that I needed it and now I am back to ovo lacto vegetarian.  I feel like that much is necessary as I have problems finding tolerable supplements.  That seems to be working for now.  I was vegan because of symptoms rather than philosophical reasons and I fine with eating grass fed milk and eggs.

[NoGlutenCooties]

I don't think any one theory is necessarily 100% correct for anyone... and certaintly no one theory is correct for everyone... that said... some find that eating for your blood-type makes them feel better.

This is the "Eat Right 4 Your Type" book by Dr. D'Adamo:  Open Original Shared Link

 

Like I said, you have to take the parts of any theory that resonate with you... this particular theory can seem a bit "out there" to some folks.  But some find it to be a decent starting place.

[luvs2eat]

My middle daughter was a vegetarian for many years... not super strict but she didn't eat meat. Soon after she was diagnosed, she brought meat back into her life as it seemed most of her protein sources were no longer allowed. I know you're asking about nutrition but my daughter's response to the whole thing was, "Holy crap... I forgot how good steak tastes." And bacon??? Hallllooooo!!

[HumanDecency]

Yup, although I credit vegetarianism for actually helping me diagnose Celiac disease. Back when I was fat and happy I didn't give diet much of a thought. Then when I went vegetarian/vegan for a slight period of time - all the increased wheat products really kicked my behind. That's when I decided to go to the doctor and receive the dreaded diagnosis. 

 

I had to add meat back in because meals were already too limited and boring without the meat. I still feel slightly guilty about it... but we have to do what we have to do to survive. Even though I know I could get by with out... my character is too weak.

 

Thanks,
Jesse. 

[1desperateladysaved]

The summer of 2007 I was moving toward being a vegetarian for my health's sake.  The result was that I became really sick- and this set the ball in motion for my eventual diagnosis. 

 

As Noah was exiting the ark, animals were given by God to him for food.  Therefore, I believe them to be an appropriate food source for people.  Genesis 9:3 "Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you as I gave the green plant."

[cherries]

Has anyone done this? I've been a vegetarian for more than five years, but things are so limited now, I'm contemplating putting meat back into my diet. But I'm afraid of the effects it will have on my body, and I also feel really guilty about it. My reasons for vegetarianism are for both health and ethical reasons. But for the past few months I've been having undeniable cravings for meat, which makes me think my protein levels are not adequate. Right now, my diet is free from gluten, casein and dairy, eggs, bananas, and corn. I also live in Asia where my options for gluten-free foods are limited, so my diet is mostly rice, beans, veggies, frozen salmon (2x per month,) mussels (2x per month--too much makes me itchy,) with baked goods three or four times per month. The salmon was a decent protein for a while, but lately it's kinda yucking me out, plus I've been reading lots about farm raised salmon, which is pretty gross. So I guess my question is, have you had this issue, and what did you do? Did meat make you sick after not eating it for so long, or did your body appreciate it? 

When you do add meat back do it slowly. I was a vegetarian for about two years and added it back in too fast and got sick from it.

[Marie1976]

I have been a vegan for more than 10 years, and a vegetarian for more than 20 years. I was diagnosed with celiac a couple years ago, so that meant I had to give up most meat substitutes (like veggie dogs) as most of them are made from gluten. That leaves tofu, which I keep hearing is really not good to eat a lot of. :/

I never missed meat until I had to stop eating gluten. But I'm not going to go back to eating meat. That's just my personal choice. 

[BelleVie]

I don't think any one theory is necessarily 100% correct for anyone... and certaintly no one theory is correct for everyone... that said... some find that eating for your blood-type makes them feel better.

This is the "Eat Right 4 Your Type" book by Dr. D'Adamo:  Open Original Shared Link

 

Like I said, you have to take the parts of any theory that resonate with you... this particular theory can seem a bit "out there" to some folks.  But some find it to be a decent starting place.

No, no, I don't think it's out there at all. I'm a bit familiar with it. My blood type seems to do better on a vegetarian diet, haha. But I think a bit of meat from time to time may be a good thing. We'll see. Thank you for the link! 

[w8in4dave]

Yup, although I credit vegetarianism for actually helping me diagnose Celiac disease. Back when I was fat and happy I didn't give diet much of a thought. Then when I went vegetarian/vegan for a slight period of time - all the increased wheat products really kicked my behind. That's when I decided to go to the doctor and receive the dreaded diagnosis. 

 

I had to add meat back in because meals were already too limited and boring without the meat. I still feel slightly guilty about it... but we have to do what we have to do to survive. Even though I know I could get by with out... my character is too weak.

 

Thanks,

Jesse. 

Love it! 

[cahill]

I have been a vegan for more than 10 years, and a vegetarian for more than 20 years. I was diagnosed with celiac a couple years ago, so that meant I had to give up most meat substitutes (like veggie dogs) as most of them are made from gluten. That leaves tofu, which I keep hearing is really not good to eat a lot of. :/

I never missed meat until I had to stop eating gluten. But I'm not going to go back to eating meat. That's just my personal choice. 

Soy was probably  my main source of protein  when I was vegan. Now I know that in addition to gluten soy is also an issue for me . Excluding Soy  makes it very difficult to get enough protein when eating  a  vegan/ vegetarian diet,, not to mention limiting my food choices.

[NoGlutenCooties]

No, no, I don't think it's out there at all. I'm a bit familiar with it. My blood type seems to do better on a vegetarian diet, haha. But I think a bit of meat from time to time may be a good thing. We'll see. Thank you for the link! 

 

I've wondered if the dominant/recessive gene combination makes a difference.  For example, if you got blood type A from both parents are you more likely to benefit from the type A diet than if you got type A from one parent and type O from the other parent?  Because if you're "AO", you're still type "A" because A is dominant.  But for dietary purposes are you actually a mix of A and O?

If that makes sense...

 

I'm blood type A but I know I could never be vegetarian.  Especially when I'm working out, there are times I'd kill for a steak.  When I was working out heavily there were a couple of times I went to Outback and scared the waiter because by the time he came back to check on me my salad, 12oz steak, loaded baked potatoe, and veggies were completely gone and I was asking him if they had ice cream.     (this was in my pre-Celiac days of course)