Becoming vegetarian?!


Question: I've recently become a vegetarian and I was told that its probably a good idea to start taking vitamin tablets. I was just wondering if this was correct and if so what vitamins do i need. Also is there anything else you would recommend me to take regaurdless of being vegetarian?
Also, this has been happening for a long time since i became a vegetarian but my bones always seem to crack and feel quite brittle, is it a good idea to take a calcium supplement and can anyone recommend any good ones to me, ones without side effects?
thanks x


Answers: I've recently become a vegetarian and I was told that its probably a good idea to start taking vitamin tablets. I was just wondering if this was correct and if so what vitamins do i need. Also is there anything else you would recommend me to take regaurdless of being vegetarian?
Also, this has been happening for a long time since i became a vegetarian but my bones always seem to crack and feel quite brittle, is it a good idea to take a calcium supplement and can anyone recommend any good ones to me, ones without side effects?
thanks x
Why don't you invest in a good book on vegetarian nutrition, like "Becoming Vegetarian" by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina instead of just popping vitamins? Also, have your bone density checked if you're worried about that. A properly planned vegetarian diet precludes the necessity of taking supplements and nutrients you get from your diet are much more usable to your body than nutrients you get from a pill. That said, most of us (omnivore or veg) have less than ideal diets, at least sometimes, and I do take a vegetarian formulated multivitamin. As for calcium, there are better dietary sources than milk which, due to its animal protein content, causes an acidic environment in your body, which in turn causes calcium to be leached from your bones to neutralize it. Try quinoa (a cup of cooked quinoa has more calcium than a quart of milk,) dark leafy greens (kale is a great source,) calcium set tofu, fortified orange juice and legumes.
Viativ soft chews are great for a calcium suppliemnt - but also drinking soy milk is a good idea too if you are going vegan - if your just a vegetarian up your milk intake (skim).

Also it's always a good idea to take a vitamin supplement like centrum to get into your body what you may not normally get in reguardless if your a veg or not.
Calcium supplements are good if you have brittle bones. Real calcium is better (orange juice that has added calcium or milk).

If you are not eating meat you should take in all the vitamines you are missing. The health store has something called "vegetarian supplements" or something like that make up for what you're missing.

I was a vegetarian for a year but did not stick with it. Good luck to you. And yes, take your vitamines.
Actually u have to eat a lot of fruits not vitamins the one vitamin u eat and the the one apple u eat varies apple has more vitamins than in the tablets it self so i would tell u to eat more vegetables and fruits but keep in ind that do not eat a lot of them for example do not eat a lot of tomato or onion or garlic it is bad for ur health i mean too much. AND THE MAIN THING IS THAT THE DECISION U MADE WAS A VERY GOOD ONE BECAUSE THERE ARE ONLY VERY LITTLE PEOPLE THAT ARE VEGETARIANS IN THIS WORLD AND THEY STAYED LIKE THAT UNTIL DEATH SO I THINK THAT IF U DO NOT SMOKE OR DRINK ALCOHOL AND BE A VEGETARIAN THEN U CAN LIVE LIKE A 125 YEARS OR SO IN THE FUTURE
Taking nutritional supplements are a good idea for everyone. Vegetarians especially don't get all the nutrients they need from food, but neither does anyone else.
The typical diet for adults in North America is high in fat and processed sugar and very low in the essential vitamins and minerals.
I prefer Doublex by Nutrilite, which is a complete and balanced daily supplement. I also take additional calcium also from Nutrilite - not because I don't drink milk (since milk has very little bio-available calcium anyway) but because I am pre-menopausal.
If you eat enough veggies and fruit then you don't need vitamins. I have been a vegetarian for 6+ years. No vitamins. Fake vitamins (in a pill form) isn't that good for you anyways. They don't work the same as real ones.
Also. I doubt you need more calcium (unless you are becoming a vegan, someone who doesn't eat ANY dairy) because the reason this country has a problem with calcium deficiency is because they eat TOO much meat. Protein doesn't allow your body to absorb enough calcium, so too much protein = lack of calcium.
Hope that helps....




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