Is it normal to feel weak after starting a vegetarian diet?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Yes it is normal but usually it is because we vegetarians have to find the right balance of nutrition.

You see, complex meat proteins have an immediate pick me up affect as well as complex carbs from grains. So being a new vegetarian will take some time and practice and education to figure out how to get your energy back.

Depending on exactly what kind of vegetarian you are, here are some suggestions:

Protein is a big energy issue. If you are totally Vegan then you need to take in a lot of green vegetables, and beans like soy which are the best. Also, a product called "Green" (lots of different brands) that is a liquid and is made up of Spirulina and Chlorella. It's a great protein supplement.

I bought those Magic Bullet single smoothie makers. As a Lacto-Vegetarian, I get my extra protein as follows:

1/4 cup of frozen pineapple pieces,
a bit of frozen mango pieces
1/2 of a organic banana (protein)
1/2 cup plain, high in probiotic yogurt (protein)
1/2 scoop of Beyond Organic Raw Fiber
1 capfull of Natural Vitality Organic Life liquid vitamin and mineral complex.
One packet of orange flavored Emergen C pak, and
2 tblspoons of organic protein powder (about 9mg per tablespoon)
Top off with some water and blend well.

Tastes just like a Jamba juice but has all your vitamins, minerals, and protein for the morning!

Although the FDA has a percentage value, remember that the FDA gives the absolute minimum to prevent a person from having obvious lack of nutrition symptoms. People died because of scurvy in the old days but then they discovered oranges= vitamin C stopped the issue. Although the FDA says take 90mg a day- that's just to prevent symptoms. However, nutritionists say take at least 4000 mg a day! It prevents colds, flu, digestive problems, it's good for ENERGY! When you take a product such as Emergen C that has the B12 in it, that is a good energy source!

Lack of water can deplete your energy levels. You can become dehydrated and not know it. 6 -8oz glasses a day minimum. Dehydration will equal tired!

So to summarize:

FIND SOME PROTEIN SOURCES AND GET SERIOUS
B12 AND OTHER B VITAMINS AND ALSO VITAMIN C
LOTS OF WATER

This should really help! I hope so!

no.

protein is overrated, there is protein in most foods anyway. I'm interested what your diet was before, if you're now having all this difference.
Are you eeating legumes- like chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, black eye peas etc??

These are the best protein and easy to digest. They have fibre and energy- no reason you''d feel tired if youre eating these AND a good diet, with nuts, fresh veg anf fruit, seeds and seed oils ( in whole grain bread and pasta).

It sounds like something is missing, or mybe you ate a LOT of meat before.

U didnt go into enuf detail about your diet . But it you diet is the same as before minus the meat then it might help to eat more beans and veggies and fruit and a little less breads;pasta;potatoes ; if your used to eating ALOT of meat then it will take a little while to get used to this new diet , I like garbanzo beans and sweet peas alot , It seems those are less likely to give u gas. Maybe U are waiting too long before eating !! maybe u have low blood sugar !

Maybe you're not getting enough fats or protein, this can be a common problem with being vegetarian, eat more nuts and beans to keep you energized!!

no, it actually makes sense since ur not getting too much proteins

Can you give an example of what you eat on a typical day? That would be helpful.

Many people think that vegetarians on the whole have problems getting proper nutrition, particularly protein. That's because most people think the main sources of protein are animal products, but there are many beans and grains that contain sufficient protein to keep anyone healthy. It used to be thought that foods with different components of protein needed to be eaten at the same time in order for the body to absorb them (beans and rice, for instance). This is no longer thought to be the case, so as long as you get a variety of foods throughout the day you should have no problem staying healthy.


The only vitamin your body needs that is not available from plants is vitamin B-12. This vitamin, crucial for cell division and the formation of blood, is found only in animal products and contaminated plants. Nutritional yeast (which is not the same as yeast used for baking) is a good source of B-12, and you can often find fortified soymilk or other products to meet the very small need for B-12. If you don't use any of these foods, a supplement will be needed

Another nutrient you may need to take in supplement form is calcium, especially if you are vegan and avoid dairy products. Fortified soymilk is an excellent source of calcium, as is calcium-enriched orange juice. Good plant sources of calcium include green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and broccoli, and legumes such as soybeans.


A common myth about the vegetarian diet is that it causes anemia, a lack of sufficient iron. Studies suggest that although anemia is a common problem in the United States, vegetarians are no more likely than meat-eaters to develop anemia. That's because iron is plentiful in several vegetable sources: dried fruits (such as dates, raisins and apricots), pumpkin and sunflower seeds, green vegetables, beans (such as black beans and kidney beans), and lentils are excellent sources of iron. To maximize iron absorption, simply eat iron-rich foods along with fruits or vegetables containing vitamin C - also common in a healthy vegetarian diet.


Another nutrition concern for vegetarians and vegans is how to get enough protein without consuming meat. Fortunately, vegetarian protein sources abound - even for vegans who don't eat eggs or dairy products. To add protein to your vegetarian diet, try increasing your consumption of nuts, seeds, and nut butters; eat more "imitation meat" products, which are frequently high in soy protein; drink soymilk; increase your intake of beans; or eat more soy products such as tofu and tempeh.


Other nutrients you may need to supplement with are vitamin D and zinc. Vitamin D occurs in fortified milk, eggs, and fish, but is also produced by the human body when it is exposed to sunlight - so a vegan may need to either spend a few more minutes each week in the sun or make sure to take a multivitamin containing vitamin D. Zinc's best sources are meat and yogurt, but it is also found in spinach, legumes, and whole grains.


One last nutritional pitfall that is most problematic for young vegetarians is the substitution of junk food or fast food for a nutritious, balanced vegetarian diet that includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Simply eliminating meat from the diet and calling oneself a vegetarian doesn't make one healthy, especially if the plant foods consumed on a daily basis are French fries, ketchup, and fruit punch that is only 10% fruit juice

Do you take vitamins? Maybe you're not getting all that your body needs like iron and fiber, B12. Try add more stuff like lentils, vitamin c, good grains and lot's of greens. Also even though you're vegetarian it's still easy to have a bad diet if you're eating a lot of junk foods and sugars. It's only been 2 weeks and your body is still flushing out all the animal toxins and it might take your body a bit to adjust and feel normal again. I promise if you are eating properly you will feel amazing as a vegetarian. Also you can make smoothies with fruits and veggies. Drinks that will help these toxins flush out of your system faster. But some dr,s say vegetarians lack iron so make sure you take a multi vitamin everyday.

My guess is that you're not getting enough calories. You need about 1200 to exist. Most adults aim for about 2000 and if you're active or a growing teenager, 2500 might be better. It's tough to get 2000 calories every day on just veggies.

If you weren't eating well before you made the switch to vegetarianism, you might already be missing B12 and iron. You can get B12 in eggs and dairy, if you're eating them regularly. Iron in veggies is non-heme iron and harder for your body to absorb than the heme iron in meat.

I'd suggest a food diary or an online calorie calculator to track your calories.

Also, some veggies (soy, for example) contain oxalate which inhibits your body's ability to absorb calcium and iron.

It didn't happen to me, but I made the change quite slowly. It is probably your body adjusting to the change. Our bodies are kind of funny that way. They get cranky when we change the rules on them. For example, when I started snowboarding, I had the angriest legs ever for a few days afterwards. Even though it was really good for me, I needed to use my upper body to lift myself out of the chair if I had been sitting for more than about half an hour or so.

My guess is that it is either the amount of calories you are eating or the balance of nutrients. Even though you are being diligent about protein, etc, you are still likely getting a different balance. Have you tried eating snacks between meals? Of course, I don't suggest eating three large meals and then three substantial snacks, but if you eat a relatively light snack mid-morning and another one mid-afternoon, you might be able to overcome the little slump by keeping your fire stoked. Try an apple or crackers with peanut butter or string cheese. Also, you should definitely be sure that you are getting carbs, protein, and fat at every meal.

Good luck!