Vegetarian - potential protien deficiency?!
I've been vegetarian for about 6 months (ovo-lacto, no animal flesh whatsoever) but as the weeks go by, my energy is getting lower and lower and I'm feeling worse and worse!.!.!. I started out ENERGIZED but now I'm just dragging!. I'm careful about my choices, I try to get plenty of protien from meat substitutes from Morningstar and Boca, I eat complex carbs like rice, fresh veggies (or frozen), but I just feel!.!.!.icky!. Anyone ever dealt with something like this!? I'm considering incorporating chicken into my diet again, but I'll have to work back into it!.!.!.touching meat kind of makes my skin crawly now, but I don't know what else to do!. I just feel!.!.!.sick!. Not to mention my weight crawled up a few pounds and won't go back down despite still being physically active and still making good choices!. Any advice or opinions are very welcome, except vegetarian bashing or saying "EET A BURGER LAWL LAWL" or anything else asinine and unhelpful!. Thanks! <3Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
I'm sorry to hear about this!.
Are you getting plenty of fruit and veg in your diet!? A good tip is to cut out ALL junk foods!. Eat only nutritious foods, avoid any junk and see if you feel better!.
This sounds like an iron issue!. Fatigue and tiredness are symptoms!. According to 'Nutrition For Dummies' [2006], the iron added to breakfast cereals is easier to absorb than from other foods!. A nutritionist at University told me that the best way to remedy iron deficiency is to take an iron pill daily!.
Check with your doctor first to rule out any deficiencies, and remember that balance is key!. Try to get more sleep and release stress (like listening to relaxing music)!. Stress lowers immunity!.
Anyway, best of luck!. I know what you are experiencing is not pleasant but I sincerely wish you feel good soon!.
[edit] A very good iron tablet can be found at Holland & Barrett or any other reputable health foods store!. My uncle eats lots of red meats, and he is anaemic!. Maybe your intestine is not absorbing the iron properly!?
I strongly suggest supplementation!. Wishing you all the best!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Are you getting plenty of fruit and veg in your diet!? A good tip is to cut out ALL junk foods!. Eat only nutritious foods, avoid any junk and see if you feel better!.
This sounds like an iron issue!. Fatigue and tiredness are symptoms!. According to 'Nutrition For Dummies' [2006], the iron added to breakfast cereals is easier to absorb than from other foods!. A nutritionist at University told me that the best way to remedy iron deficiency is to take an iron pill daily!.
Check with your doctor first to rule out any deficiencies, and remember that balance is key!. Try to get more sleep and release stress (like listening to relaxing music)!. Stress lowers immunity!.
Anyway, best of luck!. I know what you are experiencing is not pleasant but I sincerely wish you feel good soon!.
[edit] A very good iron tablet can be found at Holland & Barrett or any other reputable health foods store!. My uncle eats lots of red meats, and he is anaemic!. Maybe your intestine is not absorbing the iron properly!?
I strongly suggest supplementation!. Wishing you all the best!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
That happened to me after three months of switching to a vegetarian diet!. Try drinking a glass of soymilk everyday, eating a handful of nuts (cashews, peanuts, what have you), or eat some beans!. All have plenty of protein!.!. and certainly helped my energy increase!. (: Good luck!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I'm sorry you're having that experience!.
I suggest trying to follow this vegetarian food group guide:
http://pcrm!.org/health/veginfo/vsk/food_!.!.!.
also, try incorporating these high-protein and high-iron foods into your diet:
http://www!.tryveg!.com/cfi/toc/!?v=08sourc!.!.!.
Good luck!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I suggest trying to follow this vegetarian food group guide:
http://pcrm!.org/health/veginfo/vsk/food_!.!.!.
also, try incorporating these high-protein and high-iron foods into your diet:
http://www!.tryveg!.com/cfi/toc/!?v=08sourc!.!.!.
Good luck!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
well ive been feeling the same latley
ive tried different vitimans and other things to get my protein levels back up so i can have more energy!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
ive tried different vitimans and other things to get my protein levels back up so i can have more energy!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
you said you take gelatin and fish oil, but how's that any different than eating meat!? those are both slaughter byproducts!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
euphoricmartyr's right!. =)Www@FoodAQ@Com
i found my energy was low as a lack of iron , try eatting more leafy greens like spinach and kaleWww@FoodAQ@Com
If you have a history of anemia, that's your most likely culprit!. Protein deficiency is very rare; you'd have to be either starving yourself or trying to live on junk food!. If you're eating meat analogs, it's highly doubtful that you're having a problem with protein!.
I take a multi with a little iron in it and have never had to take anything "stronger" than that, but I've heard good things about Floridax (sp!?) liquid - it's supposed to be gentle on your stomach!. I think I'd go to the doctor and have your levels checked first, because taking iron when you don't need it isn't advised!.
Add quinoa to your diet, too!. It's a complete protein and a good source of iron and calcium, so it's a great addition to a veg diet!. It's easy to cook and as versatile as rice!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I take a multi with a little iron in it and have never had to take anything "stronger" than that, but I've heard good things about Floridax (sp!?) liquid - it's supposed to be gentle on your stomach!. I think I'd go to the doctor and have your levels checked first, because taking iron when you don't need it isn't advised!.
Add quinoa to your diet, too!. It's a complete protein and a good source of iron and calcium, so it's a great addition to a veg diet!. It's easy to cook and as versatile as rice!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Try taking a B-vitamin supplement!. Several of the B vitamins aid in converting glucose to energy, so if you're lacking it will make you feel tired and un-energetic!. You might want to try an iron supplement too, or just eat lots of beans and greens!. If you're eating a balanced diet, you shouldn't have any trouble getting enough protein, so there's a good chance that's not the problem!.
edit: This may seem silly, but also make sure you're not cutting down on carbohydrates too much in favor of protein or vegetables!. You may want to track your diet for a few days and make sure that at least 50% of your calories are coming from carbohydrates!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
edit: This may seem silly, but also make sure you're not cutting down on carbohydrates too much in favor of protein or vegetables!. You may want to track your diet for a few days and make sure that at least 50% of your calories are coming from carbohydrates!.Www@FoodAQ@Com