Eating Non-vegetarian diet healthy or not?

1. 61

   abentleyposted 13 years ago

   I had never had non-vegeterian diet as my parents were vegeterian. So, I would like to ask here that whether eating non-vegetarian diet would be okay for me or would it harm my digestive system any ways.

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      Polly Cposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      No, I don't think it will harm you. I am a vegetarian and I brought my children up like this. My husband has always eaten meat, yet my older son never, ever wanted to try it so the issue of whether he wanted to be a vegetarian never arose - until a few months ago, that is, when he decided he wanted to eat chicken nuggets at a birthday party(which I really don't approve of, as they're so unhealthy, but as it was a party I didn't feel I had a choice). This progressed to hiim eating bacon sandwiches with his dad sometimes, and also fishfingers. He doesn't like any other types of meat though, but I can vouch that he hasn't had any side effects from this new meat eating experience.

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   2. 81

      Rafiniposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I don't believe it would harm you but it would take time for your body to adjust.  So, if you want to try non-vegetarian foods, take it slow and try one thing at a time - similar to when introducing solids to a baby.

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      psycheskinnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Healthy diets are healthy diets--with or without meat.  But you shouldn;t make rapid changes as the gut flora needs time to adapt.

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   4. 61

      fooduciaryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      That's where the term "flexitarian" comes in. You know the benefits of eating less meat and so even if you chose to eat some it would be on a limited basis. Because meat does take so much more effort to digest, after going so long without it you'll definitely only want to try small amounts at a time and see how your body handles it. All good things in moderation.

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      rcrm89posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The main problem with most meat-eaters nutritional habits is they don't eat enough plant-based foods.
      
      Assuming balanced intake of meats with plant-based foods I don't think there are any major issues with a non-vegetarian diet.

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2. 87

   AdeleCosgroveBrayposted 13 years ago

   If you Google Dr Mercola and join his free site, you can access a huge amount of no-nonsense health advice from a professional.
   
   As I see it, the human anatomy has been omnivorous for millennia.  It is designed that way, no matter what dietry ideas we like to impose upon it.

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3. 0

   karthikrajgposted 13 years ago

   I will agree with AdeleCosgroveBray. Underneath every food you have mainly complex carbohydrates, protines and saturated and unsaturated fat along with vitamins and minerals.
   
   Shifting from a vegetarian to a complete non-vegetarian means you are feeding your body with more protien and saturated fat than usual. But if you are taking in a reasonable quantity it shouldn't make any difference.
   
   This is just my thought and i would like to say i am no health professional.
   
   Cheers,
   Karthik

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4. 83

   Good Guyposted 13 years ago

   I don't think so.  You may have consumed different types of protein and so on. 
   
   Having said that; it is certainly more wholesome and healthier to be a vegetarian.

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      joshuanoerrposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      That is so not true it actually made me laugh.

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      rachaelgerkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      This most certainly IS true...

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5. 60

   fucsiaposted 13 years ago

   I think that depends on the quantity ( and quality ) of meat, eggs and dairy products that you eat. If you take these foods every day is probably too much for your body. But it also depends on the quantity ( and quality ) of vegetables and fruits that you take.

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6. 77

   cashmereposted 13 years ago

   As long as you don't overload the system it will be okay to eat non veg once in a while.

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7. 60

   joshuanoerrposted 13 years ago

   Vegetarian diets are not healthier than one that is not. We descend from hunter gatherers. You don't hunt carrots. Your whole life you have been missing out on vital aminos, full protein profiles, and probably not getting enough Omega-3.
   
   There is a reason that 99.99% of athletes are not vegetarian. Because a vegetarian diet is not conducive to peak human performance. Bottom line.

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      Dr Ken Romeoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Well put!

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         vocalcoachposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I would introduce new foods very slowly into your system.  I asked myself why would you want to go from being a vegetarian to non vegetarian?  You are better off without meats, etc. Not to mention the abuse of animals.

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   2. 60

      purpleangel47posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree for the most part Joshuanoerr:
      
      I've been a vegetarian for nearly 20 years - but it's only been the last five years that I've been working on actually being a HEALTHY vegetarian.
      However, it is possible to get your Omega-3's and protein from a vegetarian diet. But it's like any substitution - it's not going to be as potent as the real thing - you just have to be diligent about getting more of it.
      Flaxseed is a good source of Omega-3's for a vegetarian; yogurt, meal replacement shakes, beans are all excellent sources of protein.

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   3. 61

      rachaelgerkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I can't believe how much mis-information is laid out here. It's ridiculous that you would spout this crap without doing your homework first. Shame on you! You obviously have no idea what a healthy vegetarian diet is all about Joshuanoerr. The things you seem to believe are deficient in a vegetarian diet are simply untrue. Buddy, you have it all wrong.

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8. 60

   wilsonallen01posted 13 years ago

   Hi,
   
   I am a pure vegetarian guy. Eating non veg food is not necessary. You can remain fit and healthy without non veg food.

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   1. 61

      rachaelgerkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Amen!

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9. 58

   Never_Forgetposted 13 years ago

   If you have been a vegetarian your entire life, you should NOT listen to what the people in this thread have told you.
   
   First off, you should see a professional. Either your physician or a nutrition specialist.
   
   Secondly, don't ask people on the internet about health issues and what you should do. That's a dangerous gamble.
   
   Most of the people in this thread have told you that it "should" be no problem, when in fact they are completely wrong if you truly have never eaten meat before. You need to see a nutritionist and figure out a proper diet. Going your entire life without meat and then all of the sudden introducing it into your diet is not going to fare well with most people. Most likely your nutritionist will "ween" you into it to make sure you do not have any digestive issues.
   
   Good luck.

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10. 41

    bird of happinesposted 13 years ago

    TO EVERY ONE ITS OK TO EAT MEAT AS LONG AS YOUR DIET CONTAINS ALSO VEGETABLES AND FRUITS, ALL MEAT DIEAT IS VERY NOT HEALTHY FOR YOU AS ITS A VERY HIGH INTAKE OF PROTEIN WICH CAN LEAD TO MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS LIKE ATHEROSCLEROSIS, ARTRITIS,GOUT, AND MANY MORE, ALL MEAT DIET IS TOO HARD ON THE BODY AND THE LIVER, ONE SHOULD NOT EAT ONLY MEAT, I COULD GO ON AND ON EXPLAINING TO YOU HOW BAD ARE THE EFFECTS OF OVER LOAD OF PROTEIN.
    THE WORST IS FRIED MEAT , AFTER THE PROSSES IT HAS NO VALUE.

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       Never_Forgetposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       As long as you exercise, it is very hard to overload your body with protein. If you sit around and do nothing all day, then yea, you're right. Without exercise, you can still safely intake your body weight in grams of protein. Depending on how much you exercise, you can easily intake up to 2x your body weight in grams of protein if you choose.
       
       You would be surprised at how much exercise helps. You can eat pretty much anything you want any time you want as long as you exercise. Funny how so many people still don't realize this. Fiber also helps a ton.

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          rachaelgerkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Just because you can eat whatever you want with exercise so you don't get fat and out of shape, doesn't mean it's healthy...

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11. 68

    Yuki92posted 13 years ago

    "Is it ok to have a non-vegetarian diet." I think some people are misunderstanding this.
    
    You can still eat meat and have that "vegetarian diet". Because all a vegetarian diet is, is a diet without meat. Its easy to incorporate meat into your old vegetarian diet which can be just as healthy.
    
    If you buy organic and or free range, or from your local farmer's market (with some research of course. Then there is no problem.
    
    The ideal diet is, abundance of vegetables, fruits in moderation (at least every day), meats every 1 to 2 days and grain and dairy I would put more as an option because they aren't that necessary.

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       rachaelgerkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I wouldn't call this an ideal diet... grains are a MUCH better choice than meat.

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    aalina387posted 13 years ago

    I am vegetarian.I think veg is best for our health.We should prefer organic food.you can remain fit and healthy with organic food....

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