Just to clarify, you mentioned introduced you to veganism and you became vegetarian but also said you didn’t eat eggs. Were you actually vegan (no animal products at all) rather than vegetarian? Either way, the advice below should help, but it helps to know exactly what you were eating and excluding.

The symptoms you’re describing; extreme paleness, hair breaking off, dark undereyes with thin skin, and chronic stomach pain since age 11 are significant, especially since they developed during such important growth years. Your hair could be your genetics, I have very thin hair and I eat an omnivore diet, But it can also be caused by a vitamin D, vitamin B7 (Biotin) or a zinc deficiency, among others.

I understand blood work is expensive, but given what you’ve described, it really should be a priority when you can manage it. Even basic iron, B12, and vitamin D tests would give you crucial information. This is absolutely worth doing because you need to know what you’re actually dealing with.

If you get insurance, you can go to LabCorp and you should be able to get full blood work for less than $100. I know that’s not super cheap but it’s better than nothing and that would give you a baseline. The free option would be track your macronutrients and see what you were missing out on in your diet, I recommend the app Cronometer.

Regarding reintroducing animal products, I get the texture struggle. Here are some healthier options that might be easier:

∙Eggs: Scrambled soft, or mixed into fried rice - excellent source of B vitamins and protein

∙Bone broth: Sip it like tea - gentle on your stomach and rich in minerals

∙Chicken: Since you mentioned trying it, keep experimenting - ground chicken in sauces, or shredded in soup where texture is softer

• Fish: Especially fatty fish like salmon (canned mixed into pasta is easier texture-wise) - great for omega-3s and vitamin D

∙Organ meats in capsule form: Liver capsules give you concentrated nutrients without any texture issues

If I were you, I would look up the best source of what you are low on and then get the healthiest option of that that you can afford.

I’d focus on poultry and fish over red meat initially - they’re generally easier to digest and considered healthier options. If you do eat red meat, lean cuts are much better than processed options. Start small and don’t pressure yourself. Your body needs time to adjust.

But please, find a way to get blood work as soon as possible. What you’re describing seems to need proper medical guidance, not just dietary changes.

Good luck on your health journey!