Welcome to the Round Table

[NatJ]

I don't make any effort to eat vegetarian, but quite a few meals just happen to have no meat anyway, because of what tastes good when. I really like most kinds of dairy, and I'm rather fond of eggs, so meat is more likely to act as a seasoning if it appears at all (like a small amount of sausage in a soup, rather than a big cut of meat by itself.)

I do have a preference for meat I raised myself (so I know the animal was treated properly while it was alive), but I'm not in a position to actually raise things like cattle or pigs, so I definitely do eat meat raised by others as well.

It's interesting to see how many different ways there are to eat, and how many reasons there can be for each one. Each time someone is explaining why they eat a certain way, I'm reading it and thinking "yes, that makes sense."

 

[Sally PB]

It's interesting to see how many different ways there are to eat, and how many reasons there can be for each one. Each time someone is explaining why they eat a certain way, I'm reading it and thinking "yes, that makes sense."

Isn't it cool the things you learn when you keep an open mind!

 

[miss heny]

*kick the can over to here*

From personal experience yes animals to a degree feel emotions, and do exhibit response to pain (I rather work with a hurt animal than human, I know their outlash is purely out of instinct and not spite) however they aren't human and don't respond to things similarly to humans.

There are exceptions of course. Honestly though animals are more likely to be cruel to their herd mates, I had racist chickens that beat the snot out of any of the white birds I had. Our blind-ish doe has to be on occasion pulled out so she can safely eat because of the herd knows she is weak. Tbh that to me is the biggest difference.

Humans can show sympathy even at times if it's highly disadvantage for our wellbeing and safety.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

For all of the vegetarians or vegans on here, did any of you have issues with low iron before you became vegetarian or vegan and are you able to successfully sustain your iron levels now? I was vegetarian for 6 months before I switched back to eating meat because I could not function from low iron levels. Even focusing on high iron foods I was struggling with always having chills, dizziness and being shaky. I tried several iron supplements back then and could not stomach them (as in throwing them back up within 10 minutes of taking them). To clarify I was not a living off of pizza and french fries vegetarian. My diet consisted of whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables etc. I recently found an "whole food" iron supplement that I can actually stomach for the first time (I have tried over 15 different iron brands prior with no luck) which has me considering trying to cut out meat again.

 

[NatJ]

I was vegetarian for 6 months before I switched back to eating meat because I could not function from low iron levels. Even focusing on high iron foods I was struggling with always having chills, dizziness and being shaky. I tried several iron supplements back then and could not stomach them (as in throwing them back up within 10 minutes of taking them).

Did you try eating eggs?
Egg yolks are a fairly good source of iron.

(Eggs don't grow on plants, but they aren't really meat either, so I'm not sure which of your dietary patterns they fit in.)

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Did you try eating eggs?
Egg yolks are a fairly good source of iron.

(Eggs don't grow on plants, but they aren't really meat either, so I'm not sure which of your dietary patterns they fit in.)

Yes I do eat eggs usually 1-2 for breakfast every day with my bowl of oatmeal. My issue is that low iron is genetic in my family so maintaining my iron levels is just something I always sort of battling. The way my doctor explained it is that I have to consume over the average daily recommendation of iron for women just to maintain normal iron levels.

 

[NatJ]

Yes I do eat eggs usually 1-2 for breakfast every day with my bowl of oatmeal. My issue is that low iron is genetic in my family so maintaining my iron levels is just something I always sort of battling. The way my doctor explained it is that I have to consume over the average daily recommendation of iron for women just to maintain normal iron levels.

Oh, that explains why you're having trouble.

I've read that vitamin C helps people absorb iron more effectively from the food they eat-- I assume you've already heard that too.

Unfortunately I don't have any other ideas that could help. Hopfully someone else will

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Oh, that explains why you're having trouble.

I've read that vitamin C helps people absorb iron more effectively from the food they eat-- I assume you've already heard that too.

Unfortunately I don't have any other ideas that could help. Hopfully someone else will

I appreciate it! I just wish I could figure it out because I actually don't like meat most of the time. On my normal days it tastes gross like decaying flesh to me, but coincidentally on the days where I am experiencing low iron symptoms I crave meat like I'm part wolf or something.

 

[Isadora]

On my normal days it tastes gross like decaying flesh to me, but coincidentally on the days where I am experiencing low iron symptoms I crave meat like I'm part wolf or something.

Heme iron is most easily absorbed by the body so craving meat like that makes perfect sense. Liver is the best source of it but a lot of people can't handle the flavor.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Heme iron is most easily absorbed by the body so craving meat like that makes perfect sense. Liver is the best source of it but a lot of people can't handle the flavor.

I did not even know that I wonder if cooking liver in a bone broth might get some of the extra iron out without the taste?