My protien may be really low ?!

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possibly
eat some beans, nuts, or tofu, see if you feel better.

It could be, but it sounds more likely to me that you're anemic. Your body doesn't use the non-heme iron in veggies nearly as well as the heme iron in meat. So you need to eat more of the iron rich veggies.

While some of the amino acids that make up complete protein are found in all veggies, few (if any of them) contain the complete protein you find in meat. So, again, you need to eat a wide variety, and a lot of different veggies.

But if you haven't been a vegetarian very long, you're probably just not getting enough calories. Veggies are low in calories, yet because they contain so much cellulose they fill you up quicker. Keeping a food diary might help you get a handle on how many calories you're actually consuming every day. Good luck....

Protein-rich foods for vegetarian athletes:

1. Cowpeas and leafy tips that are cooked and drained (may be added with salt)
2. Raw and fresh egg whites
3. Cheeses such as cottage cheese, non-creamed cheese, dry cheese, and non-fat cheese
4. Dried seaweed and spirulina
5. Extra-Firm or Silken-Lite Mori-Nu Tofu
6. Soy sauce from tamari
7. Low-fat, 1% milk-fat cottage cheese
8. Lite-Firm Mori-Nu Tofu
9. Raw pumpkin leaves
10. Nuts and seeds such as cashew nuts, walnuts, and almonds


Proteins are chains of amino acids in the body necessary for the building and repair of body tissues, for providing energy and for helping with disease resistance. According to Georgetown University's website, protein makes up 45 percent of the human body.
.Symptoms
Symptoms of low protein levels include muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass, fatigue, water retention, weight loss and a slowing of the growth process in children.
Treatment
Low protein levels can be treated by eating foods high in protein, such as eggs, meat or fish. Soy-based products like tofu or protein powders can also serve as a source of protein.
Significance
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 300 million children in the world suffer from growth retardation due to protein deficiency.
Considerations
Because meat, fish and eggs are primary sources of protein, vegetarians and vegans should pay particular attention to protein intake. Vegetarians can consume appropriate levels of protein by eating a combination of grains, legumes and soy-based products.
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Read more: Low Protein Symptoms | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5503028_low-pr…

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There are a lot of things associated with those symptoms, including but not limited to low blood sugar, anemia, depression, electrolyte imbalances, hormonal changes, not enough sleep, lifestyle changes, your mind thinking something is wrong, etc. forever. Or it could be what you said. If you are feeling lethargic I would suggest going to the doctor. When I first became a vegetarian my energy shot through the roof so I did not exhibit those symptoms. Hope you get to be feeling better and good luck.

RN

I've been transitioning to a vegetarian diet as well and felt that way about two weeks ago--it was awful. I was hungry, grouchy, and TIRED.

I started a food journal and analyzed my caloric intake and found it was WAY under what I was eating as a meat eater--like 1000 calories a day. No wonder! It's a lot harder to meet those caloric needs without meat, so try that. Make a journal and figure out what you are actually getting nutrient-wise and what your calorie count is. This week, I have tried to increase it to around 1500-1700 (I work out as well) and feel MUCH better. As well, I have made a concious effort to get protien foods--some TVP, kale, lentils, and nuts. I eat the nuts every day. What kind of vegetarian are you? If you are lacto-ovo, you can get some Greek yogurt (usually organic with no RBST) and that is very filling and tastes wonderful.

I am still adjusting myself, and still think I need more protien, especially with working out, but it is significantly better this week than last. It's probably a combination of protien and calories.

Check out the book, "The New Becoming Vegetarian" on amazon. It has helpful tips and recipes in there with a lot of nutritional analysis. I just finished it and it is helping me!

Quite likely. Protein is necessary and available through plants. You might want to take a vegan protein supplement, similar to a whey protein. It's really yummy with berries made into a smoothie. Any health store sells them.

personal experience