There seems to be a strong movement towards embracing a plant-based eating lifestyle, whether it is it due to health reasons, animal rights, or environmental concerns. More and more individuals have been calling me to learn more about how to successfully make the transition. Their top concern is if they are getting enough key nutrients. This is absolutely a major concern when you are changing your diets in any way, but vegetarians and vegans do have their unique challenges.
Iron is a top concern for most plant based eaters. Some common signs of deficiency include:
- Feeling tired and weak
- Decreased work and school performance
- Slow cognitive and social development during childhood
- Difficulty maintaining body temperature
- Decreased immune function, which increases susceptibility to infection
- Glossitis (an inflamed tongue)
- Dizzyness
- Cravings for Ice
- Pale Skin
There are some great vegan sources of iron that can easily be incorporated into your diet. These include kidney beans, white beans, lentils, spinach (steam first to optimize absorption), blackstrap molasses, chickpeas, quinoa, pumpkin and squash seeds, lima beans, navy beans and fortified cereals.
Supplementation may be required if iron it too low. If you are concerned about your iron levels, talk to your doctor about a blood test to check your levels. Alternatively, talking to nutritionist that specializes in vegan and vegetarian nutrition will be a huge benefit.
Making sure that you get enough B12 is also something to keep an eye on. This nutrient is actually bacteria produced in the gut, and is not necessarily effected by the amount of meat one consumes. Although we produce this nutrient naturally in our gut, much of it is used up in our intestines to help with digestion and the immune system. Your best bet for your daily B12 requirements is nutritional yeast. This is a non-active yeast with a nutty cheesy flavour that is cultured to contain B12. Two teaspoons will give your daily requirement. Use it as a topping in soups and sauces.
Symptoms of B12
- Weakness, tiredness, or light-headedness
- Rapid heartbeat and breathing
- Pale skin
- Sore tongue
- Easy bruising or bleeding, including bleeding gums
- Stomach upset and weight loss
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Ringing in your ears
- Mood changes
- Headaches
- Feeling Faint
- Lack of appetite
- Vision problems
- Mouth Ulcers
- Loss of sense of touch
- Red Sore Tongue
Calcium is also a concern for vegans because it is still believed that dairy is the best source for this nutrient. Rest assured that there are many plant based sources available to ensure you are covered. The truth is, not much of the calcium from dairy is absorbed into our bones anyway. In fact, dairy can deplete calcium stores. The milk produced by cows is not compatible with humans and the potassium to calcium ratios are so different to that of humans that it makes a bad source. Plant bases sources include broccoli, butternut squash, kale, kidney beans, tofu, soy milk sweet potatoes, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds.
Signs of deficiencies:
- Memory loss.
- Muscle spasms.
- Numbness and tingling in the hands, feet, and face.
- Depression.
- Hallucinations
I hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions or feedback. Thank you!
Great info in this post. It really helps to clear up some of the confusion.