Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Greetings! I am a male to female trans person, but i'm also a vegetarian. I have been for almost three years. Let me start off by saying that i've always been a very skinny person, even when I did eat meat. I'm almost 4 months on hrt, and I feel good about where i'm at :) Lately however, actually for a couple of months, i've been wondering whether being a vegetarian is hurting or helping my transition. I'm a vegetarian for ethical reasons but if it is hurting my transition.. I don't know. I've thought about going pescatarian. That way my body has the strength it needs to change, but at the same time i'm still not eating most animals. The only thing with this concept is that I feel like once I open that door, it will lead to eating other meats. I've wondered about this for a long time and have not been able to find any answers. I'd love to hear your thoughts, promise you I won't be offended, and you'd be helping me out a lot.

No!  Don't sell out your principles for the sake of transition.  You really can have it all.

I have been a strict vegetarian for over 29 years, and I transitioned 17 years ago.  I do not feel that being vegetarian hampered my transition in any way.  The hormones have had their effect.  My body shaped up; my hair grew long and healthy; I feel good and I look good.

You really can have your cake and eat it too.

You go girl!

Im not talking from personal experience, so might not be what ur looking for, but since Im into fitness and mtf myself I've always read on forums about mtf fitness that if you want to reduce ur muscle mass and get a more feminine body while transitioning beeing vegan is a good idea since u want to have high in carbs, good fats, and not too much heavy proteins... that way you are (after what I understood) going to reduce the masculine musclemass and start gaining mor fat which with the help of hormones should locate itself to ur hips, breasttissue and so on. I'm not sure about this, but this is what I've heard and read everytime I've looked into it. Therefore beeing vegetarian shouldn't be bad for transition if beeing vegan isn't.
But, on the other hand, those tips was for us who have a bit of muscle mass (my main problem area, too much gym hours in the past) and u said ur skinny. I would google it a bit moore, talk to a doc and se what they have to say. I hardly think it would be a problem, in fact it should by logic be good for you (at least I think) but don't take my word for it.

I really hope that it isn't a bad thing, I'm vegetarian too and I really dont want to change eating habits either. But I really doubt that's the case!

Well, i'm not an expert in either hrt or vegetarians, but I think that it would not affect your transition as long your health is ok. There are a lot of cis girls that grew up being vegetarians (or even vegans) and developed alright... so, I dont think that it woulb be any diferent on transition.

I think you should talk to your doctor, do a check up, see if everything is ok, and, if so, keep movin! ;D

Hi NotSure, welcome to Susan's Place! It sounds like you may want to develop some curves since you described yourself as skinny. We have meatloaf and ice cream every day at my house, come on over!  :laugh: See you around the site!

Hugs, Devlyn

Here's some helpful information to read:

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html)	Standard Terms & Definitions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,54369.0.html)	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar) (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114.0.html.)
Reputation rules (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,18960.0.html)	News posting & quoting guidelines (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,174951.0.html)	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,59974.msg383866.html#msg383866)

There are worldwide a lot of vegetarians.
They go through their daily lifes healthy.

And often the body signals by a craving what would be good ( chocolate only in healthy amounts :)  ).

With a healthy variety and maybe avoiding carbonated and high sugar drinks, a lot should be possible.

High quality oils might be of advantage... like avocado oil (unless allergic)...
I'd avoid large amounts of food with high levels of phytoestrogen, like soy products and linseed, because it might compete with estrogen receptors. Estrogen is supposed to have a stronger effect on the receptors.

Some products like eggs might be of advantage... and organic sources, or local farms where its known its grown in a healthy way...

a bit of exercise might be of advantage... a few situps daily, or a walk for a few minutes, or some bicycling...

and here could be some ideas for recipes:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,189130.0.html

Concerning carbs, rather not too high amounts is said to help with breast growth...


hugs

Thank you all for your responses. I would rather not give up my values, and 90% of me thinks that my being veggie won't affect my transition negatively. It's that 10% though lol I have a lot to think about and some research to do.. and I might take you up on that Ice Cream offer Devlyn!

Man i'm getting some great advice, thanks guys!

I went vegan to help with transition.   To lose weight, and improve health.   It is has been amazing.

Meat is full of hormones that can increase masculine features.


Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

yeah, if anything, I get the impression that eating animal protein and dairy can increase masculinization/delay feminization

Quote from: Ever on June 12, 2015, 03:07:37 AM
yeah, if anything, I get the impression that eating animal protein and dairy can increase masculinization/delay feminization

And what would the reasons for that be?

I eat small amounts of meat or fish maybe twice a week. Which I source from ethical suppliers.

Also be aware that too much soy can have a negative effect, as most westerners do eat more soy products than is a good idea.

I don't know but I been vegetarian before it was cool, 43 years now. I'm still here.

Hmm ... on a tangent ....

What about atkins/low-to-no carb?

I've tried it before and it worked but I lack discipline :~o

(It didn't make me any more manly)

I became a vegetarian for health reasons a year or two ago and it's been great.  I feel much better in myself and I'm a lot more well than I was.

I've been pescatarian for over a decade, but I don't eat fish very often, taking iron supplements help a lot more than eating fish each day anyways.


     Hugs,
- Katie
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Being a vegetarian or non should not make a difference. I am a vegetarian ad have been for over 18 years. When I started HRT about 6 months ago, my endo wanted to make sure I had a good supplement regiment. It consists of mega D, daily B12, a good one a day multi vitamin, and calcium magnesium. Smart eating and plenty of exercise is always the plan.  I believe that each of us is different as to type of diet. Some systems seem to need the higher 'meat' while others, myself included, can't handle it.

I agree that you should stick to your principles! The transition process requires all  of our inner strength.

Thank you guys for all of the great answers, I really do appreciate the help!