After Years of Being a Vegetarian, My Doctor Suggested That I Start Eating Meat

Being Vegetarian or Vegan doesn’t mean you are healthy

When I stopped eating meat over three years ago, I was convinced that it would lead to a healthier lifestyle for me. I thought that I would lose weight, have more energy, and wouldn’t have to worry about health conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol.

Although I didn’t become a vegetarian strictly because of the perceived health benefits, I did believe it was a healthier lifestyle. But after three years, I’ve learned some valuable truths about being a vegetarian, nutrition, and healthy living in general.

At an upcoming physical, the nurse placed the blood pressure cuff on my forearm. The machine read 144/90. That’s high. Then after two minutes, he repeats the process. It reads 143/90.

“You have high blood pressure,” he said. “Do you eat a lot of meat and fried foods?” he asks.

“No, I’m a vegetarian. Minimal fried foods.”

He then handed me a pamphlet to read about plant-based eating. This pamphlet encouraged people to eat more foods in their “whole, unprocessed forms.” It stated that humans should eat more fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, seeds, and other items. The pamphlet also encourages people to eat items such as meat, poultry, fish, processed foods, eggs, and dairy in moderation.

Then the doctor came in.

“You have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. And, your BMI is a bit high,” she said.

Then I discuss with her the fact that I don’t eat meat and genuinely wanted to know what could be the contributing factor. I wanted to learn how to live healthier while still being a vegetarian. I had a sense of what changes I could make but wanted to get advice from a health care professional.

Then she asked if I didn’t eat meat for religious reasons. I said no. Then she said:

“Are you open to eating meat again?”

I was immediately confused. The nurse, just ten minutes ago, handed me a pamphlet outlining the importance of eating a plant-based diet. Now you want me to eat more meat?

Then she said that the healthiest diet is one in which people eat lean meats (which may be true). She wrote out a sample menu that I could follow. This menu, she said, could lead to weight loss, lower blood pressure, and lower cholesterol. Remember, I’m a vegetarian.

Here is the menu:

Breakfast: 2 eggs poached, ½ avocado, berries, arugula,

Lunch: salads, steamed veggies, grilled chicken, fish

Dinner: chicken/fish, beans, vegetables

Snacks: protein shake, unsalted nuts, string cheese

Beverage: water, coffee, sparkling water

She also assumed that I wasn’t exercising enough. I needed to exercise 30 minutes a day, 4–5 days a week. I started the conversation by telling her that I hike 1–2 times a week and work out about 30 minutes to 1 hour a day.

So I initially left the doctor’s office not understanding how to tackle my high blood pressure and cholesterol issues. I wasn’t planning on eating fish or chicken anytime soon and a great deal of the advice I received didn’t seem to apply to my situation.

But then, on my way home, I thought about it. I don’t need for my doctor to tell me why I have high blood pressure and cholesterol. I thought about my eating habits. I know why I have these health conditions. To pretend like I don’t know would be lying to myself.

Just because I don’t eat meat and consume a few more vegetables than the average person, doesn’t mean I’m living a healthy life. So here are some changes I’m making to live a healthier life.

1. Consult an expert and do research: I’ve come to realize that sometimes your primary doctor isn’t always the best person to advise you about your diet. I’ve learned more from friends who have been vegetarians for years or a nutritionist. I’ve also learned a great deal from just doing basic research on the Internet.
2. Weight Gain: Just because you eat a plant-based diet, doesn’t mean you will lose weight. I’ve gained weight, partially because I tend to substitute carbohydrates for protein. And I eat more processed foods than I probably should.
3. Sodium: Soy sauce and salad dressing are two things I use regularly. These items are also loaded with sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure. My love for cheese is a borderline addiction which also could be a contributing factor to my high blood pressure and high cholesterol. So I’ve researched more plant-based cheese to consume. I also realize that processed vegetarian food has a great deal of sodium.
4. Water: Sometimes I wake up with a headache and very dehydrated. I definitely do not drink enough water. Water helps dilute any sodium that I may consume.
5. Alcohol: Not eating meat doesn’t mean you can drink two bottles of wine at night. I don’t drink much alcohol these days but it definitely probably has contributed to my high blood pressure in the past.
6. Exercise regularly: I now do more high-intensity workouts, especially on weekends.

Ultimately, I need to take command of my health and understand what changes I can make. It’s important to understand that just because I eat a plant-based diet, doesn’t mean I am living a completely healthy lifestyle. In fact, at this point, it’s quite the opposite.