Vegetarian Nutrition whilst Transitioning

[kestin]

I've been a vegetarian... *looks at date* holy crap! Four years to this day :3 heh, didn't even notice the date when I started this post. lol, neway back on topic, I was wondering how being a vegetarian will affect starting T and whether there will be major differences compared to those who aren't vegetarian, i.e. muscle/fat gain, iron, protein, energy levels etc. Should I start looking into vegetarian nutrition guidelines aimed at Males? Considering I want to increase my muscle-mass, I should definitely start eating more protein XD I'm such a lazy veggo sometimes though...

Uhmmm... yush. So yeah, I guess what I really want to know is how much should I cater to a recommended Male's vegetarian nutrition vs. a females.

EDIT: and will appetite be different? I almost never have cravings for meat products and I don't particularly enjoy the notion of that changing

[freedomfromyself]

Sorry that i can't offer any advice. I'm also a vegetarian, so this would be good to know if anyone has any info.

[Starving]

First off I'd like to say I AM NOT A DOCTOR but I have been to various nutriationists and grew up in a family that worked as homiopathic advisors (annoyingly academic name, i know). Also I AM NOT ON T as of yet but I am vegetarian myself and have been looking into these things for when i do.

Tons of men are vegetarian so i dont think you'd have worry about going back to meat to keep up ur protein levels or anything like that. Just keep up your protein intake as you have before and maybe start eating some seafood (check the definition: original vegetarianism includes fish in its diet) every once in a while since you will be gaining muscle mass. As far as during transitioning, it would probably be good to get on some sort of whole vitamin since ur body will need the extra nutrients during this physically stressful time. Another good supplement to take would be fish oil (comes in little pills or syrup--take the pill, syrup tastes like rotting flesh), it strengthens the immune system and regulates moods (which from what i hear can be a problem sometimes on T).

My best advise tho would be to ask ur doctor and find a nutritionist. Just seeing them once can answer a whole lot of questions and normally they're pretty inexpensive.

[trannyboy]

Don't stress. No, seriously don't stress. It won't help. I have known vegetarian who transitioned and the only ones who had trouble were they guys who stressed. Their stress hormones level spiked and they gained weight. Once you are on T use male references and before T use female references. Eat healthy, as long as you aren't the kind of vegetarian who just eats junk food you are fine. Work out and stay in shape. Don't smoke.

->-bleeped-<-boy

[kestin]

Good thing I'm a very cruisey, easy going person then XD So to sum up, just make sure I continue to eat healthy and add more protein in my diet? And maybe start changing it to match more of a males recommended intake as I progress through transitioning?

I will probably see a nutritionist, just to make sure I keep myself well :3

[trannyboy]

Well there are some things... don't use a women's multivitamin after you no longer menstruate because you need less iron. Yeah, you could up you protein but probably won't help much unless you are extremely active. Might actually leach minerals from your bones. A healthy balanced diet should provide more then enough macro and micro nutrients. However more fruits and veggies rarely hurts anyone if you eat dairy eat lots; whole grains or your lipids will get screwed up; lots of nuts and seeds; and small amounts of refined fats, meat and bread products. Eat balanced meals regularly, I like trailmix throughout the day with fruit and veggies mixed in. I don't even both with lunch. If I do have lunch it soup or something like that. 

->-bleeped-<-boy

[trapthavok]

Thanks for this thread guys. I'm vegan, so I might need this info somewhere in the future. Good point about protein, I don't really drink protein shakes now since I don't do much but I might start later in August when I head to the gym everyday and start skating more. The info ->-bleeped-<-boy just posted about the nuts and everything was helpful too 

[Elwood]

Protein is important. But like any body, meat isn't necessary for development. Think about what's in the meat, not the meat itself. If you are working closely with a nutritionist you should be okay. This kind of question is a good question to ask the doctor who is giving you T. I'd guess that it wouldn't hurt you too much. I know a lot of guys (cisgendered) who are vegetarians, and it doesn't make their T work any less. But maybe it's different for transguys.

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