Eating meat 'literally saved my life' - Ex-vegan says plant-based diet almost killed her

Last update July 25, 2023 at 05:48

Kai-Lee Worsley, a former vegan from Edmonton, Alberta, says her vegan diet nearly killed her and eating meat again saved her life.

After learning about the mistreatment of animals in factory farms, Kai-Lee adopted a plant-based diet, consuming protein-rich vegetables and taking food supplements.

However, after 6 months, she began to experience symptoms such as hair loss, brittle nails and dizziness.

She decided to eventually go back to meat, saying it brought her a significant improvement in her health.

Despite this, Kai-Lee struggles to morally accept her decision to give up veganism.

It is important to note that each person reacts differently to diets, and it is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet.

“Now I basically eat the same as when I was vegan, except I eat steak twice a week”

says Worsley in an online video.

“I replaced meat substitutes with meat. It literally saved my life.”

Photograph of a melting vegetarian pizza ready to be shared

In this section:

Story of ex-vegan Kai-Lee Worsley

Discovery of animal abuse spurred Kai-Lee's decision

Kai-Lee, author and entrepreneur, went vegan after moving to Santa Ana, California in August 2018.

When she arrived in Santa Ana, Kai-Lee moved in with a group of vegans who made her aware of intensive farming practices and the suffering inflicted on animals.

For Kai-Lee, this was a turning point, and she decided to go vegan.

“What convinced me was the way the animals are treated”,

explains the young woman of 25 years.

“I didn't know how the animals were treated in the intensive farms. I didn't even know intensive farming existed.

Kai-Lee stopped consuming all animal products and opted for protein-rich foods such as vegetables, beans and legumes.

She also started taking food supplements to make up for the lack of animal protein in her body.

A few months later, Kai-Lee's body reacted to this diet.

Just six months later, Kai-Lee's skin was covered in pimples and she suffered a severe breakout of acne, something she had never experienced before.

Her hair started to fall out and her fingernails had become so brittle that they broke easily. She felt too, so dizzy she couldn't stand.

“I was constantly exhausted. I couldn't think of any coherent thoughts,”

remembers the young woman.

“I lay in my bed several times a week, and if I could, I would spend all day in bed. My nails were breaking all the time. My hair was falling out. I have fine hair anyway, but it was falling apart.”

Kai-Lee continued on this diet until June 2019, when his symptoms worsened

She had just moved to Toronto when one day, in her kitchen, she felt so lightheaded that she began to see stars.

Footnotes : I seriously thought it only happened in cartoons. I didn't know you could actually see the stars when you're very dizzy.

“I was sitting in my kitchen and I felt so dizzy that I saw stars,”

says Kai-Lee.

"I remember thinking that if I died then, no one would know."

At that time, Kai-Lee had been vegan for 10 months, but felt she had no choice but to let go of her beliefs for her own well-being.

“Went to a butcher in Greek Town and bought a steak to take home,”

says Kai-Lee in his video.

“I didn't even know how to cook meat anymore, it was horrible. As soon as I took a few bites, I felt better. I felt my energy coming back”

Why did Kai-Lee's diet go wrong?

"
I consulted a series of doctors and physicians...and they came to the conclusion that I should just eat meat, as I was very deficient in iron and vitamin B12.

” explains entrepreneur Kai-le in her video.

She cited many types of doctors she met such as nutrition specialists, European doctors as well as those from her country.

For those who thought the entrepreneur wasn't eating properly, she had clarified earlier that she was using a lot of supplements in her new diet.

She went back to one of the main reasons she had developed these deficiency issues and why the vegan diet hadn't worked for her.

“It depends on your DNA… If you have a lot of money to spend on supplements and time to take them every day, it's possible. due to my genetics, i'm not supposed to eat no meat.
I tried, but it didn't work”

Kai-Lee still struggles to come to terms with his decision to eat meat on a moral level.

“I really thought veganism was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I even saw myself as an activist. After eating meat, I felt like a fraud. I even had a V tattoo in my ear, which meant vegan.”

explains this former vegan.

“I was at a point where I was so indoctrinated that it was really hard to go back. I didn't tell anyone at first. I was afraid of what they would think of me.
I think when you're so indoctrinated into something it's really hard to back down, but I'm glad I was able to do it in time.”

Are vegan diets a scam? No, not really, according to a study that reveals how vegans eat to minimize their deficiency problems.

Vegan diets: a study reveals contrasting food choices and their impact on health

A recent study by researchers at the Medical University of Vienna shed light on the different approaches vegans take to diet.

The results showed that more than half of vegans adopt an unhealthy diet, while the other half are more concerned about their health.

Food choices for vegans

The study distinguished two types of vegan diets: “comfort” and “health-conscious”.

The “comfort” group (53% of participants) tended to consume processed fish and meat alternatives, savory vegan snacks, sauces, cakes, sweets, ready meals, fruit juices and refined cereals .

In contrast, the health-conscious group (47%) favored fresh vegetables, fruits, potatoes, whole foods, vegetable oils and fats, and plant-based alternatives for protein and milk.

The risks associated with unhealthy diets

The researchers point out that turning to processed industrial foods poses health risks.

People adopting a diet mainly composed of prepared foods run many fatal risks to their health.

These people have statistically compared to those who follow a balanced diet:

+29% risk of all-cause mortality
+51% risk of overweight or obesity
+29% risk of cardiovascular disease
+74% risk of type 2 diabetes

The potential benefits of a balanced vegan diet

Despite the risks associated with unhealthy diets, numerous studies have demonstrated the health benefits of a balanced vegan diet.

For example, recent research found that following a low-fat vegan diet may improve joint pain symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Plus, studies have shown that vegan protein is just as effective as animal protein for building muscle.

The need for the individualization of diets

It is important to note that each person is unique and what works for one person may not work for another.

If you are considering adopting a vegan diet or changing your diet in any way, it is recommended that you consult a health professional or nutritionist.

This is essential to ensure that you meet your specific nutritional needs and avoid the mistake made by the ex vegan.

The study also highlights the importance of making informed food choices when adopting a vegan diet.

While some vegans turn to processed and unhealthy foods, others favor a balanced, health-focused diet.

It is essential to understand the potential risks of unhealthy diets while exploring the many health benefits that a well-planned vegan diet can provide.

If in doubt, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.

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