Being a Veagan?

Question

I'm considering becoming a Veagan.

I've been a Vegitarian for 2 yrs now.

If i do, would i like need to take more vitamins and protein

calcium stuff?

Answer 1

If I were you I would learn how to spell something before I actually do it

:)

Answer 2

i would advise it. all people should make sure they get enough vitamins and proteins and i would advise anyone anyone to take supplements to stay healthy for vegetarian and vegans in particular it is very important to make sure you body has what it needs

Answer 3

i was a vegan ffor a while. you should probably go to the doctor and see what your body will need. definately protein and calcium

Answer 4

A vegan diet is very healthy but like anyone else you should check that you are getting the essential nutrients you need.

The most important nutrients to watch in a vegan diet are iron, B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. Calcium and protein intake is usually not an issue in vegan diets.

Iron:

Good plant-based sources of iron are cereals, legumes (peas, beans, chickpeas, lentils etc), tofu, and collard greens.

B12:

Bacteria are responsible for producing the vitamin B12 and so plant foods don't contain B12 unless they have been contaminated. Animal products are good sources of B12 as they come from animals which eat contaminated foods. Nutritional yeast is a good non-animal source of B12, as are fermented drinks such as Kombucha.

Many foods are also fortified with B12 (such as yeast extracts, textured vegetable protein, breakfast cereals).

If you are not sure you are getting enough B12 from these sources than I highly recommend you take a supplement!

Omega-3 fatty acids:

Vegan sources of Omega-3s include flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, olive oil, walnuts, canola (rapeseed) oil, avocado.

Calcium:

Sources of well-absorbed calcium include Blackstrap molasses, calcium-fortified soy milk, tofu, soybeans, bok choy, broccoli, collard greens, chinese cabbage, kale, mustard greens, and okra. Legumes also contain some calcium (black-eyed peas are a fantastic source).

Protein:

Beans, nuts, legumes, grains, tofu and more are all fantastic sources of protein. For a full list see of foods and their protein content visit: http://www.vegparadise.com/protein.html.

As you can see there are many plant-based sources of essential vitamins and minerals - it is easy to be a healthy vegan :)

It is always best to eat a healthy varied diet rather than relying on supplements. These can only help if you are deficient and some can have negative side-effects if you are not.

If you are unsure as to whether or not you are getting enough nutrients I suggest you speak to a doctor and get a blood test done before taking any supplements.

Best of luck and good on you for considering veganism!!

Answer 5

Nope. Not really. I was vegetarian for 2 years until about 8 months ago and there's not really much difference. Just make sure that the alternatives that you choose to dairy is high in calcium. But that's pretty easy.

Good luck!!

Answer 6

I would suggest it but there are numerous fruits, veggies, legumes, etc. that make up for calcium, B vitamins and proteins.  I love Jess' answer, it has everything you need to know really!

I take a daily vitamin and also Dr. Ohhira's all seed/herb based Vegan "fish" oils.  If you're ever slacking off on your diet, Vegan or not, it's good to have a backup.  

Good luck!

Answer 7

No, you don't need any more vitamins when you become a vegan.

Yes, our bodies need calcium, but not as much as the dairy industry would have us believe. As a matter of fact, excessive consumption of dairy products as been linked to osteoporosis - they very disease they are trying to convince us that milk prevents.

If you feel better taking a supplement, you can, but as long as your diet is balanced, you should be okay. A lot of soy/rice milks are fortified with calcium. It's also found in broccoli (of all places!), almonds, collard greens, kale, turnip greens and some dried beans are also good sources. My favorite source is Soy Delicious "ice cream". It gives me an excuse to eat a yummy treat!

The protein myth will never die. Yes, our bodies need protein, but we are more adept at absorbing plant-based sources...so veganism a good thing. Eating beans, whole grains (like quinoa and brown rice), tofu and nuts will ensure that you are getting enough protein. Soy-based meat alternatives are another decent option for protein, but watch out for the sodium content!

Answer 8

it's spelled Vegan....... I would suggest reading a few books about it. and it's always good to take vitamins.

Answer 9

If you have to take supplements in order to survive, you shouldn't be eating just those foods alone.

Answer 10

eat beef