eating habits / control / vegetarian choices

[candie13]

ok, guys, so I have a dilemma to pass by you.

 

I've been a vegetarian when I was 16, stayed a vegetarian for a year and a half until my mom did some blood tests and showed me I was borderline anemic etc.

 

Anyways, almost 20 years later my parents decided to seriously cut down on meat and I've found that truly inspiring, especially considering that they live in Eastern Europe where everyone eats meat and really tasty but unhealthy food.

 

So I decided to become a vegetarian as well - after I visited them. If they can do it there, i can do it much more easily in Western Europe. I simply decided to cut off all meat, but am eating diary products - except for milk, I tolerate poorly the lactose.. Fish and seafood are in. So I've been a vegetarian for 5 months and it's been great. I occasionally have cravings, but it's strange, I crave bacon and chorizo, not chicken or beef.

 

Ok, here's where it gets weird. I've started to talk to friends and it seems that they beat octopus to death, in order to kill them - and they do this to improve their texture. Some species of octopus are smarter than dogs, etc... then I've read another alarming article about fish, fishing and how complex the food chain is in the oceans. Like the writer was almost advising to eat grass-eating animals because it ****s the ocean's ecosystems much less. Plus, humans do fishing like savages, some fish contain dangerously high concentrations of mercury etc.

 

Reading that stayed with me. Like I cannot even consider salmon or tuna anymore. It just speaks to me.

 

Now, my question is - is it possible that there's a weird form of eating disorder that affects me, as I feel the need to control what I'm eating ? I had professional hardships and a tough break up one month before becoming a vegetarian and it's been a ****ed up period. But I'm feeling good, I'm taking vitamins, have lots of energy, I'm good physically.

 

It's just... strange to have all this awareness, all of a sudden. And it stays with me, it's not like someone brainwashes me. So now... fish and seafood are off my list as well and strangely, I feel relieved about it. I looooove cheese and eggs and would never give those up. I am a bit worried about carbs and putting on weight because it's hard to eat veggies exclusively... but yeah, I'll see, I'll give it a try.

 

What do you guys think? Eating disorder or not?

[lchf]

I doubt having awareness of what you put in your mouth is the same as having an eating disorder. It's called being a discerning customer. For example, I refuse to buy and eat chicken products reared from anyone other than the small scale farmer rearing a fiftieth of the quantity a large scale supermarket will produce. The result is I pay more for a much more ethical and far more delicious product.

 

And what kind of people do you know that beat an octopus to death? I always kill mine quickly with a sharp blade. It's called having respect for where your food comes from and how you treat it.

 

really tasty but unhealthy food.

 

 

Unhealthy by whose standard? What's considered unhealthy? High debatable topic.

[Clarence_Boddicker]

Following a vegan or vegetarian diet is not an eating disorder. Using cast iron pots & pans is a good source of natural iron.

[candie13]

I know what I'm talking about, lchf ! Fried, smoked meat, potatoes, etc etc. Our traditional dishes are called death by cholesterol, haha!

 

Yeah, I dunno, I mean, I embrace it and I accept my transformation. It just... seems strange, it's like I discover myself and like fish and seafood never existed for me before. I do admit that giving up meat was more difficult, especially with all the barbecues, this summer ! I kept marinating my fish and bringing it along and people giving me strange looks while eating their sausages, haha! I wonder what I'll bring next summer, hahaha !

[candie13]

Following a vegan or vegetarian diet is not an eating disorder. Using cast iron pots & pans is a good source of natural iron.

I'm actually taking some food supplements with plenty of B vitamins, magnesium and iron, that should do the trick. I only have one body. I mean, don't get me wrong, I am all for saving the planet and against cruelty against animals, but I don't want to pay for it with my own health !

[Myragal]

I'm actually taking some food supplements with plenty of B vitamins, magnesium and iron, that should do the trick. I only have one body. I mean, don't get me wrong, I am all for saving the planet and against cruelty against animals, but I don't want to pay for it with my own health !

 

As a nurse I see blood work. For every vegetarian female who deficient in iron, there are 20 meat eaters with the same issue.

 

You don't need supplements but good wholesome foods. I'm a vegetarian but it can be practiced in moderation. Research iron rich foods, etc. However if these don't increase your levels then eat a can of sardines or oysters a couple times a week. You don't need iron and B12 from these sources but a good way to boost your levels if a vegetarian or meat eater.

[candie13]

As a nurse I see blood work. For every vegetarian female who deficient in iron, there are 20 meat eaters with the same issue.

that's really cool. great news, thank you!

 

You don't need supplements but good wholesome foods. I'm a vegetarian but it can be practiced in moderation.

I'm not sure I understand that one, I'm afraid, because you're either a vegetarian or not ... like, when I came back home, once, my sister peer pressured me into eating one of the traditional yummiest soups (meat based) at this fancy restaurant. It was really rich and unfortunately I've ended up throwing up all night - I think I was not used to that sort of fat food anymore. I dunno... I mean, I understand reducing your meat intake, but when it comes to the concept of a vegetarian, you're either one or you're not... maybe I'm thinking too much in black or white. That experience sure made it clear to me that I sort of had to pick a side and stick to it, hahaha!

 

Research iron rich foods, etc. However if these don't increase your levels then eat a can of sardines or oysters a couple times a week. You don't need iron and B12 from these sources but a good way to boost your levels if a vegetarian or meat eater.

I love oysters ! And sardines ! But they're sea food... I really need to think about this, I mean, I think oysters are farmed, not fished, so I could do that... Part of me simply thinks will do a shot of B12 once or twice a year and be done with it, easier. Less math, haha!

[MissTrudy]

Your dilemma is not weird, it's always refreshing to see someone who cares about what he/she eats and where it comes from. enough people don't.

 

Regarding the seafood, I try my best to follow sustainability guides for what fish I eat. Not everything wild is better, and not everything farmed is better. It's not only species-specific, but region-specific. See if you can find a sustainable seafood guide for the country you live in from this website: http://wwf.panda.org/how_you_can_help/live_green/out_shopping/seafood_guides/

 

in the US the Monterrey Aquarium puts out a guide for each state, it's awesome.

 

Also, in the US, there are these things now called community supported fisheries (CSF) where you buy a share of fish each week from local fishermen. the fish are from the area, and they are caught sustainably or farmed sustainably. Usually they will tell you exactly how your fish was caught. I really enjoy it because I support local businesses and responsible fisheries. I don't know if these are a thing in Europe yet but you should research it and if it is a thing, I'd highly recommend it!

[Els]

If it works for you, you feel happy with it, and you're still getting all your necessary nutrients, I don't see any problem with it.

[newmoon]

i don't think it's weird to be hyper-aware of what you're eating, and it's not any type of disorder. BUT, if it starts to interfere with normal living (like you won't eat at all b/c of your thoughts/feelings about foods) and if you're declining meals, invitations, gatherings, etc. to avoid eating and foods then you might be straying into murky territory. i am also vegetarian for 22 years now and haven't eaten fast food in over 12 years. i struggle with eating out and thinking about who touched my food, but... i still manage to eat out here and there. as long as you're eating... it's ok to have awareness. i am borderline anemic, but all these years without meats and etc. haven't made me iron-deficient... it's in lots of other foods

[lchf]

I know what I'm talking about, lchf ! Fried, smoked meat, potatoes, etc etc. Our traditional dishes are called death by cholesterol, haha!

 

What exactly does smoking of meat have to do with cholesterol? Smoking has its own set of concerns that could indicate the intake of carcinorgenic compounds, which is only really a concern if you're smoking your food for hours and hours ala American barbecue-style smoking, eaten very regularly. Last I checked Eastern European methods of smoking are done at an hour or two max, used in the past to preserve the meat.

 

And don't Eastern Europeans fry using lard and schmaltz mainly? You subject yourself to far more damage frying in vegetable oil than any amount of lard could ever do to you. That's a real gem of the American diet. It's 2015 and people still believe in this idea of cholesterol indicating whether they are in fact healthy or not. I suggest you read up a bit more on the latest research into fat.