Questions for Vegetarians/Vegan

[Love Pirate]

All the other vegetarian/vegan threads seem to have died out a while ago and I've been doing some research on old threads. I have a couple questions for anyone with experience on these diets.


1) Vitamins and nutrients - Do you take supplements for things such as iron, zinc, B vitamins commonly found in large quantities in meat? If so, do supplements really give you what you need? For example i've heard our bodies don't fully absorb multivitamins and I tend to believe that.

2) Fish oil - Guys who don't eat fish for moral reasons probably don't eat fish oil right? What about all the health benefits of fish oil?

3) Do you believe that you could be stronger, healthier, and leaner without the vegetarian diet but only do it for moral reasons? Or do you believe that its helped you become healthier, leaner, etc.. along with the fact that you no longer eat animal flesh?

[Love Pirate]

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[rejected]

All the other vegetarian/vegan threads seem to have died out a while ago and I've been doing some research on old threads. I have a couple questions for anyone with experience on these diets.


1) Vitamins and nutrients - Do you take supplements for things such as iron, zinc, B vitamins commonly found in large quantities in meat? If so, do supplements really give you what you need? For example i've heard our bodies don't fully absorb multivitamins and I tend to believe that.

2) Fish oil - Guys who don't eat fish for moral reasons probably don't eat fish oil right? What about all the health benefits of fish oil?

3) Do you believe that you could be stronger, healthier, and leaner without the vegetarian diet but only do it for moral reasons? Or do you believe that its helped you become healthier, leaner, etc.. along with the fact that you no longer eat animal flesh?

1. The only thing I take in this category would be Emergen-C.

2. I don't eat fish because I hate the taste. Don't take fish oil either.

3. I don't think it would make a difference in strength if I started eating meat. (I eat eggs, cheese, everything but meat) **** the moral reasons, I don't care about that. The only problem I have with the meat is the growth hormones in the animals.

[Love Pirate]

1. The only thing I take in this category would be Emergen-C.

2. I don't eat fish because I hate the taste. Don't take fish oil either.

3. I don't think it would make a difference in strength if I started eating meat. (I eat eggs, cheese, everything but meat) **** the moral reasons, I don't care about that. The only problem I have with the meat is the growth hormones in the animals.

Thanks for the reply man. It seems like most vegetarians choose dairy and eggs as their main source of protein.

Oh and I will rep responses

[CPX]

Vegan

1. I take a multi-vitamin & a multi-mineral like everyone else should. I had a spectra blood test taken this year and all my nutrient levels were fantastic.

2. Fish do not produce DHA, they eat it from sea algae. There are DHA supplements made from that same algae.

3. I think it's easier to be stronger & leaner with an omnivorous diet, but I think the same results can be achieved by an herbivore.

[cell technical]

I don't think it would make a difference in strength if I started eating meat. (I eat eggs, cheese, everything but meat) **** the moral reasons, I don't care about that. The only problem I have with the meat is the growth hormones in the animals.

Just out of curiosity, if you're only a vegetarian because of hormones used on our livestock, why don't you just buy meat from a company that pledges to be hormone-free? Why don't you eat chicken, which by law can't be treated with hormones?

[Love Pirate]

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[shitfit]

Vegan

1. I take a multi-vitamin & a multi-mineral like everyone else should. I had a spectra blood test taken this year and all my nutrient levels were fantastic.

2. Fish do not produce DHA, they eat it from sea algae. There are DHA supplements made from that same algae.

3. I think it's easier to be stronger & leaner with an omnivorous diet, but I think the same results can be achieved by an herbivore.

This.

I am not vegan for moral reasons, but because I have been a vegetarian since I was eight and have tapered myself into this eating habit.

I'm just a picky eater with an even pickier stomach to boot.

[rejected]

Just out of curiosity, if you're only a vegetarian because of hormones used on our livestock, why don't you just buy meat from a company that pledges to be hormone-free? Why don't you eat chicken, which by law can't be treated with hormones?

Well, I don't really like it anymore really. I got used to not eating it and just don't care now.

[Love Pirate]

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[Love Pirate]

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[dude57]

Bodybuilding.com has started bodygroups.
Join this great new group for people that want to be veggie and fit!

http://groups.bodybuilding.com/veggies_united

We can support each other along the way with recipes, veg supplements, resources, and more.

[eddiebo]

1. Yes
2. Flax oil is a good vegetarian alternative to fish oil
3. Healthier with a vegetarian diet

[I_eat_vegetable]

1) No supplements - just plain food
2)Nope
3) I feel being vegan has made me healthier. As long as you eat properly you will get all the nutrients you need. I have drastically cut down on saturated fats, trans fat and bad cholesteral.

[trackblonston]

All the other vegetarian/vegan threads seem to have died out a while ago and I've been doing some research on old threads. I have a couple questions for anyone with experience on these diets.


1) Vitamins and nutrients - Do you take supplements for things such as iron, zinc, B vitamins commonly found in large quantities in meat? If so, do supplements really give you what you need? For example i've heard our bodies don't fully absorb multivitamins and I tend to believe that.

2) Fish oil - Guys who don't eat fish for moral reasons probably don't eat fish oil right? What about all the health benefits of fish oil?

3) Do you believe that you could be stronger, healthier, and leaner without the vegetarian diet but only do it for moral reasons? Or do you believe that its helped you become healthier, leaner, etc.. along with the fact that you no longer eat animal flesh?

1) Yes, but I don't believe any are necessary with a well planned diet save for calcium + D, and b12. My blood tests always come back normal, except I was actually too high in b12, so supp is obviously workin.

2) There are vegan dha epa supps, but they are fairly expensive right now. Right now I just take large doses of flax seed/oil. I do feel this puts me at a disadvantage, and think that dha and epa are important. Flax only contains ALA, which can be used to synthesize dha and epa, but it's not as easy as getting a direct source. As has been said, algae sources (where fish get it) are available.

3) I've done both I put 20-25 lbs on as a vegan, In my experience the difference isn't too noticeable, but no doubt it's easier with dairy/meat/eggs. The ethical and environmental aspects are a huge part of why I do it. I don't think that things like whey protein, fish, chicken etc in moderation are bad, but I don't agree with factory farming and the methods that these things come to the table with. I'm not interested in killing them myself, so I don't eat them.

Then again, this is the nutrition section so probably should not delve into that too much.

If you take the time to plan a decent diet, you can get fine results as a vegan.

[gsolo]

why do you think you need additional Calcium and Vitamin D?

I think those vegan dha/epa supps that you are talking about are only DHA supplements. Either that or they contain so little epa that its not listed on the label.