Becoming vegetarian

[xmanda89x]

Hi everyone, can you believe its only 11 days till christmas!!!

Just lookin for some opinions, i'm pretty much in remission apart from the odd pain with my CD, and today was noticing it seems to be meat that causes the most pain.
I've been thinking about becoming vegetarian, half to do with crohns, other half personal choices. My doctor says I have iron deficiency, and to eat red meat, but is there other choices apart from this? I don't want to make myself more ill.

Thanks

Manda x

 

[David]

If you're already iron deficient, it's going to be a little tough to get everything you need from plant sources, especially if you're having trouble absorbing iron. There is of course iron supplementation available. Another concern would be B12 since there's no good sources available for vegetarians and you have CD in your terminal ileum.

It can be done, but you're definitely going to be supplementing.

 

[bushydougie]

I've been vegetarian for 22 years and been ill for 2 years. I have never shown up any deficiencies on any blood tests I've had but I do take multi vitamins and extra calcium and d3
A fe months ago I was seriously considering become vegan (I now have on average 2 meals a day which are vegan) and my family was worried. I asked my GI if it was ok for me to be vegan with CD and she didn't think there would be a problem so long as I made sure I had a varied and well considered diet.
On an ethical level I could never not be veggie and would rather take a few supplements than ever eat meat.
Look into it carefully and take others advice but I'm sure you'll be able to be veggie too

 

[KWalker]

Just think about the bacon! mmmmm bacon <3

On a serious note though, you really have to make sure you can tolerate fruits/veggies as quite a few people with crohns cannot.

 

[xmanda89x]

Thanks everyone, i'm pretty tolerant of fruit and vegetables apart from cabbage, it's more chicken and beef that seem to upset me. I've got an appointment with my specialist in January, so will mention to him and see if there's anything he recommends. I will be looking into it carefully though to see where I can get my omega, iron and vitamin supplements, as last time I tried being vegetarian I was 15 and lived off the Linda McCartney meals..it didn't last long.

 

[David]

My fiance is a vegetarian and I tried the whole vegan thing for awhile to see if it would improve my symptoms

1. Here is where you get your omegas: http://www.opti3omega.com/ -- it took me quite awhile to find this
2. Quality iron supplements should do you well. Please take them with vitamin C as it improves absorption.
3. I implore you to get your vitamin B12 checked regularly. With CD in your TI, oral supplementation will probably not be sufficient. But get your levels checked so you know if injections are necessary or not.

 

[handle]

Wow. Good find on the vego' omegas - I'll be trying them. I've been a vegetable for ages!

 

[DustyKat]

I don't anything about the nitty gritty of being on a vegan but Sarah has been vegan for nearly 15 months and as far as I can tell she is managing well on it.

Good luck!

Dusty. xxx

 

[xmanda89x]

Wicked find on the omega supplements! Thank you all, my boss is vegetarian as well so he's been pretty helpful. It's so annoying having a low immune system, so going to make sure I get as much vitamins in me as possible (been eating an orange a day haha) xx

 

[bobster]

Hi everyone,
This is my first post. I have been in remission for 10 years and drug free for 9, apart from the occasional upset I have been pretty much ok, infact I have been weight training for 3 years and now weigh 102kg! I must say at this point that I am a vegetarian and have been for almost 3 years. Since becoming a veggie I have not had a single problem with my bowel due to, (in my opinion) bulky, nasty meat being slowly trapped in my gut.

With a bit of careful thought I have managed to create a diet that provides me with enough protein and energy source to really build muscle and to be very healthy too. I appreciate that us "Crohnnies" do tick differently and I do consider myself as being very lucky, but please bear in mind I too have been to hell and back but now I am making the most of life! Becoming a weight training vegetarian whilst being in remission is something that I am proud of and wish to share, I hope xmanda89x you don't mind me posting this on your thread?? Many thanks and good luck, becoming a veggie is one of the best things in my life I have done.

 

[hugh]

noticing it seems to be meat that causes the most pain.

Manda x

Is it all meat? I find lamb ok but beef not.

Vegiterian does wonders for some people and is awful for others,
Try it without expectations and see how it suits you

We're all different but i don't eat pulses, grains, and seeds so i wouldn't last long as a vegetarian
Is there any other reason for going veg?
Try organic lamb and have it less often.

 

[R.J.]

Kind of related, I've been looking at going vegan. Either step would be a good one if I can do it (I hate eating animals). However, I can't eat nuts, raw vegetables, or seeds. I've been trying to juice more and more (but I can only afford to do that so much).

When I do eat meat, I eat chicken and fish (no red meat at all -- that sits way too heavy), but I'd like to stop eating any meat if I can help it.

What are some ways to do this? My fiance is vegan. I don't do any dairy right now, I eat a lot of rice, some potatoes, special noodles (I can't remember why they're special ), and I avoid wheat if I can. What else can I do, and how do your vegetarian/vegan diets work for you?

 

[Spooky]

There are very good liquid vitamin b-12 supplements out there which is a must for anyone going vegan. Another good source of nutrients is Source Of Life made by Natures Choice. My husband is the one with CD and this gives him energy when nothing else does. I am the vegan of the family and strongly recommend it for optimal health, but what with all the nuts, seeds and raw vegies involved Crohnies need to take baby steps with it. Just getting dairy out of your diet is a big plus, I feel.