[Kthebean]

Hi veggies

Have not been eating meat for about three months now, I saw my dad and he was really insistent that I take iron tablets. I dont really want to waste my money, do you think its necessary?

Is it a myth that I can just have Guiness instead? How many pints a day do you think would be appropriate?

Many thanks

[Squiggs]

No, I don't take iron and certainly not anaemic.

Dark gren leafy vegetables and many pulses contain plenty of iron; as do many breakfast cereals - and what's more the vitamin C present in a half-decent veggie diet actually aids iron absorption.

If your diet is reasonably healthy (by which I mean not just chips, veggieburger & pizza, rather than a studied obsessive diet) than Iron tablets would be a waste of money and can irritate the stomach and bowel movements - unless there are other reasons for your body needing additional iron

[kckc]

Been veggie 20+ years, never taken iron supplements, yet have a very healthy haemoglobin concentration. In addition to the foods mentioned above, Marmite is great for iron and B vits
My parents worried about me when I became veggie too. It's only natural parental concern. Try reassuring your dad that you'll keep an eye on your iron intake.
Also, depending on how seriously you're taking vegetarianism, Guinness isn't technically veggie http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/...079769,00.html

[SugarPuff]

I think you should definately have the Guinness just to be on the safe side!

[EdnaKrabappe]

Yes I am veggie. Diagnosed anaemic last year and so took tablets. Got an all clear a couple of months back but immediately felt dreadful when i stopped. currently having tests and been told to take iron again short term but just from the chemist 28mg rather than the 200mg i was on.

[DIVA]

Yep, me too (see Edna's). Although I'm not a complete veggie as such, I just don't eat red meat.

[Googleberry]

Given that, without meat in their diet, veggies have room for extra green leaves, and I'm thinking especially of spinach, extra iron is the last thing you need! It's getting enough first-class protein you might struggle with!

[Googleberry]

Originally Posted by EdnaKrabappe

Yes I am veggie. Diagnosed anaemic last year and so took tablets. Got an all clear a couple of months back but immediately felt dreadful when i stopped. currently having tests and been told to take iron again short term but just from the chemist 28mg rather than the 200mg i was on.

Do you not eat greens then?

[nickycheese]

I've been a veggie for 25 years and never needed to take iron supplements. Everyone, including meat-eaters, need to make sure they have a balanced diet. Here's some advice from the FSA (which should be impartial):
healthy diet

You can also find useful info here:
www.vegetarian.org.uk
www.vegansociety.com

[melthebell]

ive been veggie for 20 years never taken any suppliments, you dont need to

the only vitimin you dont get is B12...unless you like marmite (its in that) otherwise you can take b12 suppliments.

lots of iron in stuff like cabbage, spinache

[nickycheese]

Originally Posted by melthebell

the only vitimin you dont get is B12...unless you like marmite (its in that) otherwise you can take b12 suppliments.

If you eat dairy, you'll get lots of B12 in milk, cheese and eggs:
www.vegsoc.org B12 Info

[medusa]

I think that it's important to point out that a small minority of the UK population lack the enzymes to properly absorb iron from vegetable sources and if someone who is in this minority becomes vegetarian they are likely to end up very anaemic and needing to take an iron supplement that is derived from animal products (which kind of defeats the whole purpose of becoming veggie in the first place) in order to get well and stay well unless they start eating meat again.

My stint of being veggie ended because of anaemia, and before anyone says anything about it, my diet was pretty fabulous as far as iron levels go. The problem was that I couldn't absorb any of it because I'm in the minority above.

For everyone else a proper diet will do the trick, but without knowing that you aren't in the same minority as me, I can't promise you that you won't need an iron supplement.

[EdnaKrabappe]

Originally Posted by Googleberry

Do you not eat greens then?

If we are honest, probably not to the level that i should. My entire diet is pretty bobbins.

[Kthebean]

Well thanks for your responses. I'm surprised at how easy I've found it to give up meat.

I eat LOADS of green veg so dont think I will have a problem with the iron. Thanks for the links nicky

[melthebell]

Originally Posted by EdnaKrabappe

If we are honest, probably not to the level that i should. My entire diet is pretty bobbins.

if anybodys diet was bobbins it was mine....but ive survived

hanging around drinking in the peace gardens day in day out and not eating properly isnt quite balanced

[EdnaKrabappe]

Originally Posted by melthebell

if anybodys diet was bobbins it was mine....but ive survived

hanging around drinking in the peace gardens day in day out and not eating properly isnt quite balanced

I am not worried about my fruit and veg intake particularly, i don't think i eat enough protein.

[Draggletail]

Originally Posted by nickycheese

If you eat dairy, you'll get lots of B12 in milk, cheese and eggs:
www.vegsoc.org B12 Info

I think mel is thinking of vegans - they don't naturally get B12.

I have never taken vitamin supplements kthebean (I do eat fish these days, don't think you'd get iron in fish though?)

[Norbert]

Been vegan for 20 years, not taken iron supplements apart from the occasional Marmite on toast.

Pistachios, cashews, lentils, chickpeas, wholemeal bread, dried fruit, sesame and tahini are some good sources of iron. So treat yourself to some sticky dark fruit and nut cake!

I don't know about vegetarians but apparently vegans have a high dietary iron intake and the high levels of vitamin C in the diet enhance iron absorption. Studies show that the iron levels in vegans is usually normal, and iron deficiency levels are the same as for the general population.

[whitehorses]

I have been vegetarian for years. You don't need to take supplements of iron unless you test for anaemia.It is actually harmful to take iron if you are not prescribed it.As others have said, carry on with a healthy diet as possible, nuts, salad stuff, veg etc and you'll be fine.If you feel tired and run down, visit the gp who will give you a quick blood test.

[jowleywowley]

I've been veggie all my life (20 years) and never taken any supplements and i'm doing just fine. Just make sure you keep your diet varied and don't get stuck thinking that you can only eat one or two things (seems to be a mistake lots of new veggies make).