Vegetarians unite

[Robyn Owens-Miille 132]

I have been moving toward a vegetarian lifestyle. Not ready to fully give up meat yet but definitely want a cleaner, less-processed food lifestyle. Well, until I got my labs back and my doctor told me that I absolutely HAD to keep eating meat. My ferritin level came back at 4. Any lower and I have to have Iron infusions. My B12 is on the low side and d3 is very low.

I've been eating meat but incorporating other sources of Protein the last few months- Beans, quinoa, amaranth, tvp, etc. I feel I am eating healthier than I ever have. I don't want to supplement with oral iron (I am so freaking constipated from it!).

Why is my iron so low? I'm wondering if I don't absorb it for some reason. Can I continue to move toward a vegetarian lifestyle and have healthy iron stores? Do any of you struggle? I'm almost 11 months post-op. Any advice is appreciated.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

My Iron was fine, D3 and B12 low, so I supplement those...I asked why my iron was ok,and the nutritionist said I eat such high quality greens and veg, and I use an iron frying pan!

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

For Iron try more dark green leafy stuff like spinach. Or if that's not enough there is always blackstrap molasses.

[Puja 148]

I have been moving toward a vegetarian lifestyle. Not ready to fully give up meat yet but definitely want a cleaner, less-processed food lifestyle. Well, until I got my labs back and my doctor told me that I absolutely HAD to keep eating meat. My ferritin level came back at 4. Any lower and I have to have Iron infusions. My B12 is on the low side and d3 is very low.

I've been eating meat but incorporating other sources of Protein the last few months- Beans, quinoa, amaranth, tvp, etc. I feel I am eating healthier than I ever have. I don't want to supplement with oral iron (I am so freaking constipated from it!).

Why is my iron so low? I'm wondering if I don't absorb it for some reason. Can I continue to move toward a vegetarian lifestyle and have healthy iron stores? Do any of you struggle? I'm almost 11 months post-op. Any advice is appreciated.

There are a few reasons your iron would be so low, along with your B12. Nutrition would be the most common cause, in which case Feedyoureye and O.T.R. have given some good tips.

However, I would talk to your doctor about ruling out any other possible causes for your anemia. There is no reason anyone on a well balanced vegetarian diet should actually require meat to maintain their iron and B12 levels. I'm going to send you a PM with some things you might want to look into!

[TES 858]

There are a few reasons your Iron would be so low, along with your B12. Nutrition would be the most common cause, in which case Feedyoureye and O.T.R. have given some good tips.

However, I would talk to your doctor about ruling out any other possible causes for your anemia. There is no reason anyone on a well balanced vegetarian diet should actually require meat to maintain their iron and B12 levels. I'm going to send you a PM with some things you might want to look into!

Puja, can you please post here or send a PM to me, too? My husband (a meat eater) was just diagnosed with anemia, and I've been researching it. thanks!

[beachblondeee 6]

Could we start a vegetarian thread like when yo,u first sign in to this ? I think it would be great to have Ann email list of all the recipes and we can just blast them out to each other. Let me know.

[beachblondeee 6]

What is the best way to cook tofu? What sauce ect. Let me know.

[missmeow 156]

I don't cook it but I have been mad craving Korean tofu pot. Yummy goodnesd. You should be able to find a recipe onlibe

[pottergirl 261]

What is the best way to cook tofu? What sauce ect. Let me know.

[pottergirl 261]

i like to buy firm tofu....squeeze out the excess Water by putting a heavy can on it for a few hrs. thin and bake in the oven after marinating in a marinade Like soy ginger.....with a little Brown sugar. then bake at 350 -375 till Brown and crispy on edges.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

What is the best way to cook tofu? What sauce ect. Let me know.

So many recipes out there! One I have been using lately is not cooked... I use a soft tofu, marinate in miso and lemon juice for about 3-4 or more days, and then gently rinse. It is a sort of soft cheese substitute... mashed on crackers or to dip, or sliced into salad.... tart and sharp. I serve it with a splash of olive oil and black pepper. great with olives, sliced tomatoes...basel....

[pottergirl 261]

Not too far! I am thinking I could probably get away with pureeing it, right?

if youyou cook it long enough it's mashable with a fork.....so good....

[No game 14,436]

I think a couple of pages back I put how I "dry fry" tofu.. I will dig around and see if I can find it.

Oh it was on another thread..

To dry fry, I cut up my tofu and slow fry it with no oil or butter on a non stick griddle or you can use a cast Iron pan. I fry it on a lower heat to get the moisture out and crisp it up.

Tofu isn't really high in carbs, I buy mine at trader joes...

Also after you dry fry it you can do different things with it...like marinade in anything (it is tasteless so will soak up any flavor) and stir fry with veggies

I like it marinaded sometimes but I will also eat it just straight from the fridge cold after dry frying it

smohhhkin.bmp

[Puja 148]

Puja, can you please post here or send a PM to me, too? My husband (a meat eater) was just diagnosed with anemia, and I've been researching it. thanks!

TES, I'm going to go ahead and PM you!

Just to give a basic idea to anyone who is interested, though:

There are many different causes for anemia, of which nutrition (rather, the lack of it) is the most common cause. Iron, B12, folic acid, and even Vit. C (and lots of other nutrients) all play their rolls in preventing anemia.

If in case nutrition is not a factor, then the other causes left include decreased absorption of nutrients, or blood loss. A blood smear helps to confirm the cause and point us towards obtaining a diagnosis.

Decreased absorption can be easily tested, if that is suspected.

In women, heavy or prolonged periods are usually implicated in low iron levels. These days, there is an increase in gastric and duodenal ulcers, which cause minute amounts of blood loss that go completely unnoticed. Stool samples and medical histories will help with these situations.

Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg! The point is, being a vegetarian will not cause anemia, if you take steps to ensure your meals are nutritious and balanced. At the same time, eating loads of meat will also not prevent anemia, if there is an underlying problem!

[beachblondeee 6]

Thank u all.

Korean what