Posted by Kath on November 18, 2008, at 19:39:08
In reply to Is anyone here a vegetarian?, posted by Angela2 on November 17, 2008, at 10:16:07
> I recently became a vegetarian. My brother said that someone he knows was a vegetarian and they got an iron deficiency. Now I'm a little worried. I know there are other things you can eat, but is it enough?
Hi Angela. I've been a vegetarian for almost 40 years. And I've never had an iron deficiency.
I think it's a good idea to take a good multiple vitamin-mineral daily. I make a point of sometimes getting one without Iron. I've read that we can get TOO much iron & a buildup of too much isn't good.
It's very important for vegetarians to make sure they get B-12. The sublingual kind (dissolve under your tongue) are the best assimilated.
It's important to know how to combine foods to get complete proteins. Meat is a complete protein (has all 8 amino acids present). Certain food can be combined to provide all 8 amino acids. Grains & legumes are one of those combinations. I had a dietician tell me that if one has dairy at any meal it will combine with whatever amino acids are present to make a complete protein.
Do you have dairy? I have no meat, poutltry, fish or eggs. I do eat dairy.
I suspect there are some good books at the library. I think Diet for a Small Planet is probably a good book regarding vegetarianism.
Do you eat tofu? I love using tofu in cooking. It has zippo taste itself, so you can do TONS of things with it. Let me know if you want ideas. I know I posted my tofu-spinach-souffle recipe for "Jo" over the past 2 years sometimes. Maybe the archives would have it. It's yummy.
Please feel free to ask me if you have any questions or concerns.
:-)) Kath
poster:Kath
thread:863575
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20081031/msgs/863875.html