What, if any, vitamins should I be taking as a vegetarian?

Question

Just curious if there is anything that I should be taking (iron, etc.) that I am lacking with my vegetarian diet........

Answer 1

If you are eating a balanced diet, then you don't need any supplementation.

If you want to supplement Iron, go for it, but you may not need it.

You don't need an "amino acid" supplement for "protein". lol. And VQ is wrong that "most" vegetarians don't get enough protein. Most omnivores get TOO MUCH protein.

B12 is supplemented into most products with yeast in them. Yes, this gives you permission to drink lots of hefeweizen. But seriously, if you eat bread & cereal or soymilk, you are probably fine.

You can get ALL nutrients from a properly balanced vegetarian diet. A balanced diet isn't cocoa puffs for breakfast, a bean burrito for lunch, and cheese pizza for dinner, a diet like this is bad for *anyone*, not just vegetarians. Just be smart and you should be fine.

If you still feel the need to supplement, Alive http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=88631&catid=52795&trx=GFI-0-EVGR-49973&trxp1=10782&trxp2=88631&trxp3=1&trxp4=19&btrx=BUY-GFI-0-EVGR-49973 vitamins are vegetarian friendly and full of nutrients. Dr Weil makes a vegetarian B complex supplement http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=139081&catid=32501&trx=GFI-0-EVGR-49973&trxp1=10782&trxp2=139081&trxp3=1&trxp4=52&btrx=BUY-GFI-0-EVGR-49973. GNC has a vegetarian friendly Iron tab http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2133315&cp=2108488&sr=1&origkw=iron&kw=null&parentPage=family Remember, vitamins are a hidden source of animal products. B vitamins are frequently made from dried liver. Calcium is often made from Oyster shells. etc. . .

Answer 2

That really depends on what KIND of vegetarian you are.

Are you a convenience vegetarian? That is do you live on packaged processed veggie food stuffs? Then you'll need a fist full of vitamins.

Are you a healthy vegetarian? That is, do you eat a lot of whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, legumes and the like? Then all you really need is Nutritional Yeast.

Many people will tell you that if you eat a healthy veg diet you don't need any supplements. I think this is a bad bit of advice. I eat super healthy but my digestion is problematic. So I supplement. More as an insurance policy than out of necessity. So test the waters. See what works for you.

VegLife makes a great multi.

Answer 3

If you eat a healthy vegetarian diet you wont be lacking anything. If you know you arent eating right, then take a supplement. I would honestly say that 90% of Americans are lacking in their diet and eating meat does not make up for it.

Google the Vegetarian Food Pyramid

Answer 4

B-12 vitamins

Answer 5

I guess nobody realizes that vitamin C greatly helps to absorb iron. So instead of taking iron regularly you can aid absorbing iron from your food by taking vitamin C. When you take iron itself it's good to chase it with OJ or something with vit C. AND! Dairy works the other way - it holds back iron from being absorbed. The best time to take iron is when your stomach is empty.
I also take vit B12 and Folic Acid, plus A, D, E, and bunch of other stuff from time to time. And a pill of Centrum every day. It's been over 13 years so far and I feel all right.

Answer 6

I take a mult-vitamin that I buy at my local health food store.
I also take iron (b/c I'm anemic anyway) and calcium b/c I don't eat much dairy.
It all depends on what you consume and how your body's doing without the meat....so you might want to consult your doctor or a dietician for their suggestions that would be specific to you.
Good luck!

Answer 7

Hi,

Yes, definitively, you might want to take some.

Why don't you ask a free catalog to Freeda.
They also are at www.freedavitamins.com
They are the cheapest on the market for vegetarian and vegan persons and then if you buy bigger flacons, like 500 tabs, you save more money too.
Their tall free is 800 777 3737.
In their catalog, each kind of vitamins is going to tell you what it is made for, etc., it is pretty well detailed and then, if you still are not too sure for yourself, you also can ask to your doctor what you may need and then Freeda may advice you on their products too.
They are the leader on the market, i discovered them about 2 years ago or so.

I hope it helps. It saved us a lot of money buying from them and a lot of hassles, because it directly came into the mail when i ordered them and i had not to find them in any store.

Answer 8

I've aways heard the B vitamins are lacking in a vegetarian diet.
I think that's why vegetarians go blind and have strange heart problems.
Why risk it?It some meat.
Eating a lot of meat isn't good for you.Ideally,a small portion once a day is best for your health.

Answer 9

There are a lot of sources where you can find which vitamins and other elements every fruit or vegetable has.
Take vitamins which you do not get with your regular food.

Answer 10

I dont know about vitamins, but i make sure i take lots of nuts, beans , and pulses. Soya is a good food to eat.