Readers Respond: How has your health improved on a vegetarian diet?

Responses: 84

By Jolinda Hackett, About.com Guide

I went vegetarian about 6 months ago and have lost 3 pant sizes. I have not taken up a regular exercise regiment (other than daily walks with the dog) or started counting calories or pounds. I just know it is having a very positive impact on my waistline.
—Guest Luke

And I feel at least 10 years younger than others my chronological age! And now I work at the Book Company that has over 250 vegetarian books!
—Guest Mary Ellen Bowen

I'm 58, and had been a vegetarian all my life. Recently, at a ILAT conference, I was pleasantly suprised with a 10 course menu and the only non-veg served for others was grilled salmon and carrot cake.Each and everyone enjoyed the vegetarian experience. Being a vegetarian is a joyful healty choice which needs self-discipline and persistence.
—Guest Vani Nair

I actually went vegetarian for 4 months in 2009 to lose weight for a job. That combined with excercise really worked. But what I am noticing now that I've gone back to being a vegetarian is an increase in energy. I am a truck driver and I remember when I used to drink energy drinks to combat fatigue. But going vegetarian has actually helped me as far as bowel movements, health, mental thoughts, and I have to attribute this to God. I agree with the people here that are saying that they are against eating flesh. The US government has even recognized that meat can be interchanged with beans on the food pyramid. In sum, this is a great lifestyle and I hope to be able to maintain it for at least 1 year this time (hopefully longer). God bless you all.
—kashbmaryd

I have been vegetarian for the last 45 yrs. because I dont like the idea of eating animals. I am very healthy, no cholesterol, blood pressure. There is no reason to eat animals, there is more than enough other food in the world. I am a very healthy almost 70yrs. young grandma, & I really know that humans do not need to eat animals to live well. I live in Queensland, Australia.
—Guest gloria

I decided to go vegan 5 weeks ago. I have lost 20 pounds already - it just seems to melt off! My nails and hair are much healthier. My skin is in such great shape that I don't need to use a moisturizer anymore. My energy level as increased dramatically; I actually love to exercise now!! I do not crave my SAD (Standard American Diet) way of eating at all.
—Guest Kim

I have been a vegetarian for a month now and I want to never quit! I have lost weight in my STOMACH!!! WOW!!! I never knew that changing the way I eat CAN have a major difference in my well-being! I should have become vegetarian a long time ago! My energy has also soared!!! I am glad I am a vegetarian!
—Vegetarian4forever

Two months ago I was suffering from horrible chronic heartburn. I tried over-the-counter medications, sleeping on an incline, baking soda...nothing seemed to work. A health assessment revealed that I had a high triglyceride level, my HDL was beginning to rise and my LDL was almost non existent. I'd been listening to people who worked for some major food processors, and decided I'd finally had enough. I went lacto-vegetarian. My heartburn is now gone, my triglycerides have taken a nose-dive, my HDL is under control and my LDL is rapidly rising. My doctor is still skeptical, and insists that the initial tests must have been mistaken. That's all right, I'm happy and will remain vegetarian and healthy.
—Guest mothernyx

4 years ago I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Based on my history, they said that I had probably had MS for about 25 years. In 1989 I started eating a vegetarian diet and exercising more. I truly believe that the vegetarian diet, exercise and taking care of myself kept the MS from progressing to the point of disability.
—Guest Mel

I have never liked eating meat, but did eat it anyway to please my mom. Nine years ago, I decided that I don't have to please anyone but myself and became vegetarian. I sailed through menopause. Periods stopped without any of the symptoms connected with menopause. People can never guess my age correctly. They guess my age to be 40 - 45, never even mention 50 let alone 57!
—Guest Imelda Schroeder

I had a blood test that came back saying my body had a high level of systemic inflammation and my "ANA" levels were off-- meaning I had an autoimmune situation where my own body was destrying my healthy tissues. My doctor (a naturopathic physician) put me on a strict nutritional cleanse for 3 weeks, with no meat, wheat, sugar, caffiene, or dairy. Just a very healthy vegan diet. (I also took Vitamin D supplements and an iron supplement, since those were both low). 3 weeks later we re-ran my bloodwork and everything was normal. Hooray for proper nutrition!!
—Guest DB

I've been a Vegetarian for four months, and love it. Right now I'm working on eliminating cheese from my diet. I no longer get that sluggish feeling after lunch, or dinner. It was one of the first things I noticed. I'm so glad I made the switch.
—Guest Marnie

I have been vegan since 2007, after reading Fast Food Nation. Since going to university, many of my friends have gained the "freshman 15" or more, however by staying vegan (except for a few cookie lapses in the first month) I have continued to stay healthy, and have been told that I have lost weight! Although my physical activity is way down due to illness, avoiding dairy, eggs, and meat have helped me stay healthy and (relatively) happy!
—Guest Kat

From a very young age I suffered from liver attacks, and with each pregnancy on 3 months I had a major liver attack - to the extent that after my 2nd child the doctor wanted me in to have my gall bladder removed. I went vegetarian and guess what - no more liver attacks and I still have my gall bladder.
—Guest Desire

My daughter is a veterinarian. While in school and doing surgeries, she realized that she couldn't "save" animals during the day and then go home and "eat" them. She slimmed down and became healthier. I admired it but it seemed like a lot of work. In September, 2009 I read the book, "Eating Animals" and it changed my life. The next time I looked at a piece of steak, I saw "cow eyes" and when I smelled bacon, I heard "oinking pleas".I have been vegetarian now for about 7 mths, I have lost 23 lbs and I feel great. And I'm finding it's not horrible to figure out and plan meals - I only wish more "fast food" places had more vegetarian choices. Makes it difficult when traveling.
—Guest Gatermite

Jolinda Hackett
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