What are you doing right now?

[EndOfTheEarth]

Besides posting on here and replying to this thread. Original credit for this goes back to Fate and Nathan on MX.

[nathan_p]

I'm pretty thin -- okay, to the point that I'm on an unofficial diet to gain weight -- but I eat all the time. Metabolisms are a bitch.

[nathan_p]

Vegans have trouble getting enough nutrients, and I imagine it would be hard to get the right amounts of fat, especially.

[Sora]

Yeah-I mean, they can't rely on eggs and cheese for protein like I do. I don't think you should do it as a teenager-too dangerous, what with all the growing you're going through...

[Contradiction]

I agree with that. She's seventeen, and suffering because of it.

[nathan_p]

If people want to go vegan, fine -- but yes, they should wait until after they're done with their teenage years.

After that... I'd recommend at least consulting with a nutritionist / your GP for diet help. Nutrients are important, man.

[Sora]

*nodnod* It can be really tough...I admire people who do it, though.

[Nighthawk]

That's what peanut butter's for! ^^ *knows several vegans who somehow get enough to eat*

[Sora]

Eating all those nuts can apparently screw up your heart or something, though...just be careful, you know? My mom's sister went anemic because she was vegan for ten years, so my mom's understandably paranoid.

[nathan_p]

The anemia came from an iron deficiency, I imagine >.> She probably wasn't taking iron supplements, or wasn't taking enough.

(Or she was just predisposed to anemia, was doing nothing wrong, and it suddenly popped up.)

>.> Pardon my clumsy student theorizing. If only I could keep Anatomy class out of my head.

[Sora]

No, I need to hear this kind of thing-I'm supposed to be a Biology Expert for Science Bowl...

Try telling my mom that, anyway *grins*

[nathan_p]

^^ In that case, any time you need help, uh... give me a call?

To expand on that a little more -- it can be very hard for vegans to get enough iron (and vitamin B12, but that's not at issue) in their food. (Those who eat meat or other animal products can usually get it that way.) Therefore vegans should take iron supplements to prevent anemia. I don't think I was very clear about that.

[Nighthawk]

o.O Wow.

I know some pretty strange and creative people, though... especially the one girl I have in mind who almost turned my family vegetarian. Succeeded with my sister, Mom, and I.