Which supplements, if any, should I be taking since I am a vegetarian?

Question

I stopped eating meat about a year ago, but continued to eat fish and seafood. Now, I've removed seafood from my diet, and try to avoid dairy products as well. I'm concerned about vitamin deficiencies as well as a lack of protein and calcium. Is there anything anyone can recommend?

Answer 1

I recommend a daily vitamin with minerals -- especially iron. Meat sources are usually great sources of iron and zinc. It can be particularly challenging to get those items from your diet.

I wouldn't worry about protein. You only need about 60 grams a day unless you are a serious athlete. You can easily get that from soy milk, tofu, nuts and beans.

Calcium is VERY important, especially for women. Be sure you are drinking fortified rice or soy milk if you are ditching dairy. Soft drinks should also be avoided since they leach calcium from your bones. You can also supplement your diet with calcium bills (just don't take them with iron).

Overall, vegetarian diets are extremely healthful. However, you can make yourself sick if you ditch the meat and just eat junk. There is plenty of vegetarian junk out there, so your best bet is to find a vegetarian grocery store and stock up on things that are good for you and that you are willing to eat.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Soy. Lots and lots of soy - tofu. Any kind of bean (soy is a bean) will give you the protein you need (do you like peanut butter?). As for calcium, I recommend a dietary supplement called Viactive. It's a chewy candy-tasting calcium supplement for women. It comes in a variety of favorites, but my personal favorite is chocolate (it's really good with a pretzel!).
You should also be concerned that you are getting enough iron. Iron is a crucial element in blood (women should really make sure they get enough iron...); iron is used in hemoglobin, which is what carries oxygen in red blood cells. Anyway, I'm sure how you could get iron except in meat, specifically red meat. As such, I'd recommend another dietary supplement.
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I appologize if this seems disrespectful, but, the best thing that you caould do to avoid vitamin deficiency is to resume eating meats. Vitamin supplaments can only help so much, safely.

The overall loss of protein and calcium can result in serious medical consequences...

Answer 4

Try.. uh.. I was gonna suggest Salmon Oils, which has Omega-3, but you said you can't eat things related to seafood. One of the obvious supplements are Vitamin C, which I have 3 variations: Orange, Grape, and Blueberry. you can try Flaxseed oil, which my parents bought in this vitamin store, I think it was called flaxseed, i actually DOn't know. good luck though~! The best I can come up with.

Answer 5

If you can afford it there are a lot of good protein shakes at GNC and they are usually fortified with vitamins and minerals. Beans are a good protein source, eggs are also, but I don't know how strict of a vegan you are. If you eat a lot of veggies your vitamins should be fine...look at your local GNC and check out the meal replacement shakes, some are very good. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I know of the perfect vegetarian diet. It is a program called Shapeworks. It has plenty of protein, the kind you need...Soy! As well as other supplements to help you with your vegetarian lifestyle. Here is a website to look at: www.shopherbalife.com/tfward

Answer 7

Um...if you haven't already, try tofu. Great source of protein.
Also...unless you are considering peanuts a food, another great source of protein.

Ever consider soy milk and other soy milk products? I don't know if they provide the calcium, but it's good for you. ^.^

Um...My friend takes calcium vitamins...(Don't know what kind..sorry) because she is lactose intolerant.

Answer 8

i fear that any one is vegitarean in this world. particularly married one. what u say