Vegetarianism

[Guest guest]

To add to this thread:

This issue has come up numerous times on this list, and what is generally

most surprising is a) how many people with CFIDS have been vegetarians; and

how many seem to have found improvement from eating meat. I was a

vegetarian from age 16 up until recently (15 years total, vegan for some of

that time). I really hated the idea of eating meat. For me, vegetarianism

was always an ethical decision, not just a health decision, and I was

vehemently opposed to eating animals (my dog, on the other hand, was thrilled

when I started bringing meat home). Finally, I (disgustedly) began buying

not only fish, but red meat, and forcing myself to eat it. I still hate it,

but I do feel better after eating it. In fact, it is one of the only dietary

changes that has helped me, one of the only things - period - that has helped

me in almost 9 years. My feeling is this: in an ideal world, I would be a

vegetarian. In a world where I cannot afford to always buy organic produce,

and where protein and b-12 deficiency might make me more succeptible to

neurotoxic chemicals on my food and in my environment, the choice becomes

more complicated. I would never condemn a person for making a choice either

way, but the longer I have stayed on these lists, and seen the anecdotal

evidence that vegetarians seem more likely to get CFIDS (this is my

impression) and that eating meat seems to help many people, I have come to

believe that for the sickest of us, meat might be a necessary evil.

Peggy

[Guest guest]

I was also a vegetarian, although for only two years, for ethical

reasons and for what I believed were health reasons. These were not

consecutive years, they were two attempts to be a vegetarian. Ken

was a vegetarian for one of those years. I finally realized that I

didn't feel well on a vegetarian diet and that I feel better when I

eat red meat.

I really think that this is an issue that is right up there with

religion and politics. It's a sensitive one. I have been on both

sides and have felt equally strongly on each side. I understand

about our digestive process being slower than dogs and cats, but

humans are omnivorous and meat has likely been part of the diet

throughout our long history... although perhaps not huge amounts of

it at a time. That may be something to think about for those who are

on the fence...it's one thing to digest the occasional bit of animal

protein, but another to have a 12 ounce steak every day.

Ah well..I'm off now to make beef stew...but I'm still a

subversive, I like to fill it with an assortment of root vegetables

the family won't normally eat...parsnips and turnips, etc..

yummy :-D

Laurie

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Laurie wrote:

>I really think that this is an issue that is right up there with

>religion and politics. It's a sensitive one. I have been on both

>sides and have felt equally strongly on each side. I understand

>about our digestive process being slower than dogs and cats, but

>humans are omnivorous and meat has likely been part of the diet

>throughout our long history..

I was a veggie for about 8 years, and also forced myself to start eating

meat again. I don't mind it any more, but am VERY picky--will only eat

fish, chicken breast, or steak, and it must be hormone free. Hate anything

with weird things in it (globs of fat, gristle, etc--sorry, surely this

will gross out other ex-veggies and current ones!). But meat and veggies

are now the staple of my diet--if I really feel bad I always eat the meat

on my plate first. It just seems to be what my body needs. I have had to

reconstruct my beliefs to fit in with what is going on in my life. I came

to the conclusion that God/the Universe would not insist on me being a

vegetarian if it meant I was bedridden.

But that is what has worked for *me* (spiritually and nutritionally), and I

totally agree that it is a very private decision that each person must make

for his or herself. I also know meat-eaters whose CFS improved when they

became vegetarians! And in my own experience, I don't think I have met a

disproportionately large number of CFSers who are/were vegetarians...so, I

don't know. I just know that for me meat helps a little with that feeling

of being ABSOLUTELY drained of all energy. I am still bedridden (eating

meat for four years), but I feel better than I did. If I ahd my way I would

be a vegetarian again.

Good luck to everyone in finding what works best for you!

Corina

[Guest guest]

Dear Corina,

Where can I find hormone free meat? Would it be in a health food store?

TIA, M.

[Guest guest]

This subject has now been referred to the chat group as it is off topic to this

main group.

So if any member wishes to discuss this subject please go to the chat group.

Anyone who is not yet a member of the chat group I will send you another

invitation, but you will have to contact me on my private address and put chat

group in the subject line. lilian15@....

If you just put a request on this group it can be easily missed because of the

hundreds of messages coming in.

Lilian