I’ve read a lot on this topic and any “risks” of the vegetarianism are far outweighed by the benefits. The protein deficiency is a myth. Most people, vegetarians included, get more than enough protein because all unrefined foods contain protein. As long as one eats enough non-sugar calories to maintain a healthy weight,they’re likely getting enough protein.

I also disagree with your assertion that vegetarianism is “extreme”. There’s nothing extreme about eating EVERYTHING but meat.

I also disagree that we’ve “evolved to eat meat”. If anything, we’ve evolved not to need meat because our caloric needs today aren’t nearly as much as they were when we had to hunt, gather, and walk everywhere, or otherwise fend for ourselves entirely.

I’m not a huge fan of dietary supplements because I’d rather get my nutrients naturally, but I do take Omega-3 supplements (would rather avoid mercury in fish and know I’m still getting too much of my polunsaturated fats as Omega-6) and vitamin D (I’m definitely not getting enough sun) which are my extra boost to protect my heart.

When do you sleep???

“I can tell you that if you are exercising as often as is advised, research shows that you will need more iron than you can get from a vegetarian diet. Your anecdotal evidence can’t supplant the rigorous research that goes into training endurance athletes.”

You are absolutely correct that anectdotal evidence cannot supplant the rigorous research that goes into training endurance athletes. You would do well to practice what you preach in that regard. There are scores of endurance athletes, both men and women, novice and professional, who are vegetarians. Look no further than Scott Jurek, who has won the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run (the premier ultramarathon event) seven consecutive years and owns the course record all while being a vegan.

From a health standpoint, the research I’ve seen indicates that people who never or rarely eat meat are much healthier than there counterparts who eat meat regularly. There is no noticeable difference between those who seldom eat meat and those who abstain completely.

All the fuss about vegetarians not getting enough protein, iron, etc. is really overdone. The amount of nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, etc. that are lacking in the diet of the average human omnivore in this country because they don’t eat a wide enough variety of fruits and vegetables presents a much greater health concern than any deficiencies that might be found in the average vegetarian’s diet.

Again, I’m not saying this is a concern for most Americans. What I am saying is that here in Florida, where we sweat a LOT during exercise, we have learned to emphasize salt replacement as much as hydration. If someone is embarking on both an exercise routine and a diet change during the summer, he or she may want to be aware that extreme sodium reduction MAY not be the best choice.

I remember when Michael Jackson was supposedly sleeping in a hyperbaric (?) chamber to live longer. He was certainly getting plenty of exercise preparing for a tour and had every nutritional and medical advantage at his disposal. It may never be clear why he died so young, but it has reinforced to me that there are no guarantees. Life is fragile, and money cannot buy happiness or total security. Enjoy each day, give and receive love and try to leave the world a better place than you found it.

“I can tell you that if you are exercising as often as is advised, research shows that you will need more iron than you can get from a vegetarian diet. Your anecdotal evidence can’t supplant the rigorous research that goes into training endurance athletes.”

You are absolutely correct that anectdotal evidence cannot supplant the rigorous research that goes into training endurance athletes. You would do well to practice what you preach in that regard. There are scores of endurance athletes, both men and women, novice and professional, who are vegetarians. Look no further than Scott Jurek, who has won the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run (the premier ultramarathon event) seven consecutive years and owns the course record all while being a vegan.

From a health standpoint, the research I’ve seen indicates that people who never or rarely eat meat are much healthier than there counterparts who eat meat regularly. There is no noticeable difference between those who seldom eat meat and those who abstain completely.

All the fuss about vegetarians not getting enough protein, iron, etc. is really overdone. The amount of nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, etc. that are lacking in the diet of the average human omnivore in this country because they don’t eat a wide enough variety of fruits and vegetables presents a much greater health concern than any deficiencies that might be found in the average vegetarian’s diet.

In twenty years of cardiac nursing I have only seen two instances of true laboratory proven cases of hyponatremia. The symptoms of extreme disorientation, dizziness, altered gait, slurred speech, loss of balance etc. will be obvious to even the most disinterested bystander and you will end up hospitalized. There are other electrolyte imbalances that are far more common and far more dangerous, but even they are more likely to be caused by chronic organic disease than anything you did or didn’t do today.

As a cardiac nurse I totally agree with Trent’s list and basically in the order given. Almost all of the patients I see are smokers, the younger the patient the more likely they are to be smokers. Many are overweight, some to extremes, and associated with that is a high rate of diabetes. Exercise is very beneficial for control of both weight and blood sugar. No smoking and exercise alone are the places I advise my patients to start because nobody can do it all at once.

Both our stories are anecdotal. However, I can tell you that if you are exercising as often as is advised, research shows that you will need more iron than you can get from a vegetarian diet. Your anecdotal evidence can’t supplant the rigorous research that goes into training endurance athletes.

I will absolutely concede that most Americans don’t exercise enough, if at all, and therefore would probably be fine on a meatless diet. In fact, in that case, it is probably preferable. However, Trent has talked about possibly training for a 5K. (I hope he does, and I hope he considers training for longer distances.) If he is serious about this, his training should be taken into account when he plans his meals. I am as passionate about nutrition and fitness as Trent is about personal finance, and so I’m merely trying to share the knowledge I’ve gained over the years.

Please stop propagating nutritional myths that aren’t based on fact.